The risk first responders face is getting renewed focus following the fatal shooting of two police officers and a paramedic in Minnesota. Amid challenges facing agencies, leaders say those in the field remain committed to the mission. The tragedy occurred Sunday in the Twin Cities suburb of Burnsville when teams were responding to a domestic-violence call. Smaller police departments and ambulance crews are having difficulty recruiting staff these days, and law enforcement has been under more scrutiny following the murder of George Floyd.

Eric Bullen, president of the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association, said even with these challenges, there are many dedicated professionals still out there.

"I think there needs to be a realization that public safety workers get up every day with truly the best intentions. And the people that you see day to day going out on the front lines are truly there for the right reasons and truly there to support their communities and public safety," Bullen emphasized.

Bullen added the public is right to scrutinize "bad actors" within public safety, adding that those situations need to be dealt with in appropriate ways. Meanwhile, this weekend's tragedy has led to concerns about negative effects on recruiting. For EMS crews, a statewide task force has already been studying hiring gaps, and some police departments in rural areas have closed amid staffing woes.

Julie Gotham, executive director of the Minnesota 100 Club, which financially supports families of first responders killed in the line of duty, said while people might sometimes get frustrated with public-safety agencies, it's important to still recognize the risks and the duties that go along with them.

"If I get a traffic ticket - for example, if I'm going too fast - maybe it means that I'm putting someone else in danger and somebody needs to slow me down and give me that warning. So, if I get outside of my own worldview and think about the broader good, it makes perfect sense to me," Gotham explained.

If you feel inspired to donate to the families of those killed on Sunday, officials warn there have been scammers trying to take advantage of the situation. Gotham said in these moments, carefully researching fundraisers and nonprofits trying to organize donations is vital.


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Connecticut groups are still addressing the pandemic's aftermath. Along with connecting residents to vital services, United Way of Connecticut is also helping them deal with mental health challenges.

Once the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline adopted the shortened number 988, calls increased. The challenge of answering thousands of calls is being met through the United Way of Connecticut.

Lisa Tepper Bates, president and CEO of the nonprofit, said the pandemic presented pros and cons for what she could accomplish.

"It forced us to think in new ways, to learn new ways to work, and at the same time maybe set back some efforts," Tepper Bates recounted. "Because we just couldn't work on them while we had to address the needs that people had during the height of the pandemic."

Building health care connections for residents is what lies ahead. Tepper Bates noted rising costs for basic needs are leading to physical health declines. She explained the United Way of Connecticut's future work will center around working with health care providers to better connect people with support to meet their needs, which can reduce certain health care costs.

Tepper Bates pointed out much of United Way of Connecticut's work is ongoing. A particular focal point is helping ALICE residents -- Asset Limited, Income Constrained, and Employed -- who are struggling to make ends meet. In her time with the organization, she said she has learned about resilience from people United Way serves.

"There are a lot of folks in our state who I think are, every day, managing very challenging situations, and yet are so resilient," Tepper Bates observed. "I think that's what, to me, is always inspiring: people who are making it work."

Other work to help ALICE families is advocating for a state child tax credit. DeDeclines in child poverty and other benefits came from expanding the federal credit, which has since shrunk to pre-pandemic levels.

The United Way of Connecticut has been vocal about the work, leading Tepper Bates to receive several honors, including an award from Connecticut Voices for Children later this month.

Cities and towns across Massachusetts hope to increase young voter turnout in local elections by lowering the voting age to sixteen or seventeen. Somerville, Northampton, Southborough and Concord are just a few of the municipalities which have attempted but failed to secure state approval.

State Sen. Becca Rausch, D-Needham, said allowing young people to vote on local matters helps ensure they'll keep voting throughout their lives.

"That voting power fosters a real sense of civic duty and does in fact encourage higher turnout rates among young adults," she said.

Opponents contend teenagers lack the ability or motivation to fully understand what's at stake in an election. But Rausch points to Takoma Park, Maryland, where the turnout rate for sixteen and seventeen-year olds exceeded that of any other age group for the first election in which they were allowed to vote.

Rausch is sponsoring legislation to allow Massachusetts' municipalities to lower their voting age for local elections without approval from the state legislature but it's been tabled for the session. She says it's just one of a few issues where home rule gets in the way of local autonomy. Still, she said young people are already engaged in local issues, often related to their schools, and many students hold jobs and pay local taxes.

"And they are active members of every community I represent, and they are both contributors to and beneficiaries of community and local government services," she continued.

Rausch added the effort is part of civics education, which was solidified as a centerpiece of K-12 education in Massachusetts in 2018, and which received a significant funding boost from the state legislature this past year.


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Minnesota is closing in on the 35th anniversary of a volunteer program for clearing litter and debris along highways and rest areas.

With spring in full bloom, officials call on residents to maintain this service.

In the early 1990s, Minnesota launched its Adopt a Highway initiative.

Last year, roughly two thousand church groups, community organizations, business teams, and individuals filled up more than 42,000 bags of trash.

The Department of Transportation's Spokesperson Anne Meyer said about 900 sections of state roadways are available for adoption this year.

By pitching in, she said volunteers allow MN DOT staff to focus on other needs.

"Filling potholes, fixing fences," said Meyer, "really keeping roadways safe."

She added that the program also saves taxpayers money.

People considering volunteering can adopt a roadway section or rest area for two years and clean it at least twice a year. There's also an option for a one-time clearing of garbage near a state highway.

The agency provides training, resources, and safety vests. The state observes the program's 35th anniversary next year.

Meyer encouraged drivers to use caution if they approach an area with volunteer crews at work.

"A lot of our volunteers do go out and pick up trash on the weekends," said Meyer. "So, that's a time to really be alert out there for those volunteers - to slow down, to give them space, to do their job safely. "

Meyer said areas outside Minneapolis and St. Paul tend to have more opportunities for highway adoption.

More details are on the department's website, including a list of local coordinators around the state.




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