Five years ago this week, Gov. Tim Walz first declared a statewide emergency over the newly-declared COVID-19 pandemic — and Axios Twin Cities readers have shared how the fallout impacted them. The big picture: The virus upended our daily lives.

While milestone events like senior balls and proms were canceled, commencement ceremonies were given the green light. Held outdoors ― on high school, collegiate and professional sports fields ― the Class of 2020 sat in folding chairs strategically placed on the turf.

After 10 years playing Chad DiMera on the Peacock soap opera "Days of Our Lives," Billy Flynn is heading to CBS' "Young and the Restless" in a character not yet revealed. He credits his personal and professional growth during that time to the show that he calls "the little engine that could.

"I never imagined I would just tell one story for the rest of my life," said the actor, who has played Chad DiMera on "Days of Our Lives" since 2014.

Billy Flynn explains why he decided to leave Days of Our Lives and why he's excited about joining The Young and the Restless