Minnesota News & Current Events | Public News Service

Alan Bedtka is pictured in a stand of sorghum-sudangrass, which he was paid to plant to boost soil health and reduce his fertilizer use. (Photo courtesy of Alan Bedtka)

Monday, April 22, 2024

Can taller cover crops help clean the water in farm country?

By Brian DeVore for Civil Eats.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Minnesota News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public News…

State meteorologists in Minnesota say several climate change effects have greatly increased the amount of fuel available for wildfires, which can grow rapidly and be difficult to extinguish. (Adobe Stock)

More summer smoke? Experts monitor climate-fueled events and health effects

Wet weather this spring has improved drought conditions in Minnesota and southern Canada. However, experts remain on alert for increased wildfire …

Turnover of election officials has been lower in smaller jurisdictions over the past two decades. (Adobe Stock)

New data illustrates turnover trends among local election administrators

Local offices around the country that help administer elections have seen higher rates of turnover in the past two decades. Newly compiled data show …

Elsa-Ruth Pryor plays a Hardanger fiddle that she made during a wintertime concert in the Fargo area. (Photo courtesy Gabby Clavo)

Midwest communities embrace unique musical instrument

By Kate Mothes for Arts Midwest.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Minnesota News Connection reporting for the Arts Midwest-Public News Service Collab…

In the mid-1990s, news media from around the world descended upon Los Angeles for wall-to-wall coverage of the O.J. Simpson murder trial. (Adobe Stock)

Measuring long-term impact of Simpson trial on media literacy

O.J. Simpson's death has the nation looking back on the infamous murder trial that resulted in his acquittal. Experts say one of the lasting impacts …

PFAS are chemicals used since the 1940s. They are found in everyday products such as nonstick cookware. Public officials are sounding the alarm about health risks associated with the chemicals, including their presence in drinking water. (Adobe Stock)<br />

EPA finalizes national standard for PFAS in drinking water

Minnesota is the site of a high-profile drinking-water contamination case linked with so-called forever chemicals and advocates are hopeful residents …

If Minnesota adopts a plan that asks private companies to fund innovations in recycling and the collection of discarded materials, the state also would set a goal of all packaging being reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2032. (Adobe Stock)

MN plan would overhaul its recycling approach

Minnesota ranks high for its recycling rate, but it still has a waste problem, putting more pressure on local governments. A plan in the …

The IRS says undocumented workers who don't have a valid Social Security number need to complete a W-7 form so they can get an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), a key tool they need to file their federal and state tax returns. (Adobe Stock)

During tax time crunch, multilingual sites in MN pitch in

Minnesotans who haven't completed their tax returns yet might be fretting about meeting the April 15th deadline. For those facing language barriers …

Public school leaders say competition from charter schools - and in some states, vouchers for private schools - are contributing to enrollment declines, impacting how much aid districts receive. (Adobe Stock)

Mpls. funding fight underscores larger school budget pain

From expiring pandemic aid to declining enrollment, school districts in Minnesota face financial pressure and public school advocates and community …

Straw purchases for guns are already a felony under federal law, but Minnesota lawmakers are expressing the need to do the same under state law following the recent fatal shooting of three first responders in a Twin Cities suburb. (Adobe Stock)

Tragedy has MN lawmakers focused on straw purchases for guns

Minnesota lawmakers return this week following an Easter break. They're expected to resume talks on a gun-safety proposal seeing renewed urgency…

Organizations fighting wage theft said it harms affected workers and surrounding communities because the money withheld is not being circulated through the local economy. (Adobe Stock)

Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN

A mix of policy updates and staffing boosts has helped to put wage theft enforcement on the radar in Minnesota, and officials leading the efforts are …

As part of its Climate and Resilience Action Plan, the city of St. Paul plans to convert the Como Zoo Conservancy building to geothermal heating and cooling. (Flickr)

St. Paul Climate Action Plan aims for net-zero greenhouse emissions by 2050

By Frank Jossi for Energy News Network.Broadcast version by Mark Richardson for Minnesota News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Netwo…

During the pandemic, the federal government rolled out a temporary expansion of the Child Tax Credit. Policy experts say it helped many families temporarily escape poverty. Supporters of Minnesota's new credit hope for similar results. (Adobe Stock)

New MN Child Tax Credit aligns with economic justice efforts

With tax season winding down, efforts continue to spread the word about Minnesota's new Child Tax Credit. Outreach leaders say it's another way to …

Researchers with North Star Policy Action say Minnesota has more ambitious clean energy goals than neighboring states, but lags behind some of them in output. Permitting issues in Minnesota are cited as a big factor. (Adobe Stock)

MN tinkers with policy to speed up wind and solar projects

Minnesota has about 15 years to achieve its mandate of 100% carbon-free electricity from utilities. To get there, clean energy voices say the …

Minnesota officials said not only climate-fueled storms are driving up homeowner insurance costs. They said economic factors, such as higher labor and material supply costs, also play a role. (Adobe Stock)

MN sees spike in complaints related to homeowner insurance claims

While there's snow in the immediate forecast, the spring storm season has arrived in Minnesota and state officials said with complaints related to …

According to national data, traffic deaths increased by 10.5% in 2021 and traffic fatalities rose by<br />14% for drivers 65 and older. (Adobe Stock)

In making MN roads safer, law change sought for safety course

Traffic deaths are trending higher in Minnesota this year after a decline the previous year. Groups pushing for safer roads are convinced a small …

The American Biogas Council says there are more than 2,300 sites producing biogas across all 50 states. Of these, 332 anaerobic digesters are on farms and process agricultural waste into forms of cleaner fuel. (Adobe Stock)

CA emission credits not well received by Midwest farm advocates

Community and conservation groups in the Midwest worry that a change in California's carbon emissions policy could hurt the quality of life in the nat…

Supporters of a Minnesota proposal say striking workers deserve the same access to jobless benefits as any other member of the workforce. Current state law offers these benefits only to workers who are

MN debates jobless benefits for striking workers

Minnesota is among the states taking a closer look at extending unemployment benefits to workers who go on strike. A bill making its way through the …

A team of experts is planning for a potential spillover of chronic wasting disease from deer to humans. They're focusing on public health surveillance, lab capacity, prion disease diagnostics, surveillance of livestock and wildlife, and education and outreach. (Adobe Stock)

Possibility of wildlife-to-human crossover heightens CWD worries in MN

By Jim Robbins for KFF Health News.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Minnesota News Connection reporting for the KFF Health News-Public News Service …

Federal policies, such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, are ushering in a wave of public works projects across the country. That's prompting more demand for jobs within the building and design trades, and industry leaders hope more young people take notice. (Adobe Stock)

Galvanizing efforts to prepare more builders and designers in MN

Representatives from the building and design trades will gather this weekend to showcase their professions to Minnesota youth. Organizers want to …

In a 2019 survey from the Minnesota nonprofit CTUL, 48% of respondents reported having experienced wage theft while working in the construction trades. (Adobe Stock)

MN standards program could deter wage theft in construction trades

Non-union construction workers rallied in the Twin Cities on Thursday over renewed concerns about wage theft. In the push to build more affordable …

Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin, the founder of the Regenerative Agriculture Alliance and co-founder of Tree-Range Farms. These entities have created an

Midwest network of regenerative farmers is rethinking chicken

By Twilight Greenaway for Civil Eats.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Minnesota News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Publi…

Minnesota recently joined nearly two dozen other states that restore the voting rights of people who are formerly incarcerated, immediately upon their release. (Adobe Stock)

Voting rights restoration highlights Super Tuesday vote in MN

More than a dozen states hold presidential primaries on this Super Tuesday. Minnesota is among them, and the election is seen as a big opportunity …

Backers of establishing a cleaner standard for transportation fuel in Minnesota say it would apply to both in-state producers, as well fuel that's imported. (Adobe Stock)

MN transportation sector could be next in line for carbon-free standard

Minnesota already has a law calling for 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040. Now, there's a similar plan for transportation, and a legislative …

Many transmission projects already follow highway corridors, but depending on the state, policy experts say laws can make it harder to add new power lines along federal interstates. (Adobe Stock)

In advancing clean energy, MN coalition wants power lines along highways

By Frank Jossi for Energy News Network.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Minnesota News Connection reporting for the Joyce Foundation-Public News Ser…

The Indigenous Peoples Task Force is bringing new baby food to Native populations. Those involved did extensive testing of recipes originally created by Lori Watso, a chef and nurse from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Dakota Community. (Photo courtesy of Jaida Grey Eagle, Arts Midwest)<br /><br />

Indigi-Baby: MN project gets infants off to a wholesome start

By Jay Gabler for Arts Midwest.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Minnesota News Connection reporting for the Arts Midwest-Public News Service Collabo…

A handful of large cities in the U.S. have added protections for tenants in a residential complex to organize in response to poor living conditions. Minnesota is looking to make it a statewide protection. (Adobe Stock)

MN considers 'organizing' protections for renters

Minnesota lawmakers face growing calls this session to boost access to affordable housing and there is a proposal to lend a voice to existing renters …

Lakes and Pines Community Action said its volunteer tax preparers helped 400 Minnesotans with their income tax returns last year but due to volunteer shortages, they had to turn away about the same number of people. (Adobe Stock)

Tax prep services for low-income Minnesotans short on volunteers

Minnesotans with low to moderate incomes can turn to free services to help get their tax returns ready to file but some programs are saying a lack of …

Beyond high-risk situations, such as assisting with a domestic violence call, Minnesota fire chiefs say peer support groups are becoming an important tool as first responders navigate stress from the daily calls they take on. (Adobe Stock)

MN public safety agencies reeling from weekend tragedy

The risk first responders face is getting renewed focus following the fatal shooting of two police officers and a paramedic in Minnesota. Amid …

Leaders with a hunger-fighting group in Minnesota cite several reasons why more people are visiting food shelves. They acknowledge that skyrocketing rent is likely leaving less room for other necessities, including food. (Adobe Stock)

MN food shelves increasingly nimble in light of concerning data

Food shelves across Minnesota continue to adapt to record demand, that isn't showing any immediate signs of slowing down. This month, Hunger …

Leaders with the Minnesota Dental Association said there is a misconception only children can get cavities. It is another reason it's important to establish healthy habits in childhood, to avoid problems with teeth and gums as an adult. (Adobe Stock)

Experts: Good oral health starts at a young age

February is Children's Dental Health Month, and Minnesota parents are encouraged to establish good oral health habits early on, so kids can avoid …

Attendees at a recent COPAL event hold the design of a proposed Latino Center for Community Engagement in the Twin Cities. The organization hopes to have the facility up and running by 2026. (Photo courtesy COPAL)

MN Latino leaders seek new hub to bolster community outreach

Minnesota's legislative session kicked off this week. A bill for construction projects is possible, and those serving Latino communities hope to get …

New findings complied by Climate Central note that warming temperatures have led to 49 fewer

Report: Great Lakes not as icy most winters

Minnesota is seeing a glaring lack of snow and lake ice this winter, and a new report underscores how climate trends are leading to diminished ice …

When it comes to electric vehicle registrations per capita, Minnesota ranks high among Midwestern states but still lags behind coastal states such as California. (Adobe Stock)

MN rolls out new electric-vehicle rebates

This week, the state of Minnesota began a new rebate program for electric vehicle purchases. Officials say a third of the funding set aside for the …

With the 2024 presidential race in full swing, immigration policy, especially dealing with the southern U.S. border, has reemerged as a key issue. (Adobe Stock)

Undercurrent of immigration myths felt as Congress debates border plan

It remains unclear if a border security proposal in Congress will cross the finish line and as the controversy continues, a group in Minnesota feels …

Minnesota is phasing in a host of election policy changes intended to make voting easier. Administrators also remind voters, especially older populations with physical limitations, that they still can take advantage of curbside voting. (Adobe Stock)

Voting-law changes benefit older Minnesotans

Minnesota's presidential primary is one month from today. As voters prepare to cast their ballot, administrators say new policies are in place in …

By some estimates, roughly 70 U.S. cities, including small to medium-sized municipalities, have endorsed non-binding resolutions calling for a ceasefire related to the war in Gaza. (Adobe Stock)

Smaller governments find voice in Gaza ceasefire resolutions

Dozens of U.S. municipalities have adopted resolutions calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. Recent action by a smaller Minnesota city showed governments …

According to the Clean Grid Alliance, Minnesota farmers, ranchers and landowners receive nearly $9 million annually from land lease payments related to solar projects on their property. (Adobe Stock)

MN landowners warming up to solar

Drive around rural Minnesota and you might spot a solar farm. Complexities are being sorted out for bigger projects and in the meantime, farmers are …

Heat pumps, powered by electricity, are seen as a key source in eventually replacing natural gas to reduce emissions from homes and businesses. (Adobe Stock)

MN coalition: Give residents a voice in phasing in clean heat sources

A regulatory hearing dealing with energy policy does not seem like a setting for most Minnesotans but a new coalition is recruiting voices who want af…

In the early stages of the pandemic, Minnesota saw a revival in fishing activity. But license sales have declined again, and the Department of Natural Resources hopes new outdoor recreation investments, including expanded fishing sites, will spur more interest. (Photo courtesy of DNR)

MN gets rolling on outdoor recreation investments

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources this month is outlining how it plans to use $150 million to make upgrades to its outdoor-recreation syst…

Old-growth forests, which provide crucial wildlife habitat, clean water and carbon sequestration, are under threat from the effects of climate change, magnifying drought, disease, insect damage and fire severity. (Adobe Stock)

Public feedback sought on old-growth forest protections

States such as Minnesota have several old-growth forests, and the timber industry is pushing back against a Biden administration proposal to limit …

The Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce says Minnesota ranks 11th in the nation when measuring the growth of college degree attainment between 2010 and 2020. (Adobe Stock)

College degree attainment sees uneven growth for racial groups

The U.S. has seen an increase in the percentage of adults with a college degree, helping to boost lifetime earnings. But a new report shows the …

The Minnesota Secretary of State said roughly 200,000 residents who live in rural areas are now covered by a vote-by-mail-only policy for elections because their communities' cited hardships in keeping polling sites active. (Adobe Stock)

Primary season in MN: More rural areas switching to vote-by-mail only

Starting today, Minnesotans can take advantage of early voting ahead of the March 5 presidential primary and a growing number of rural residents will …

The Minnesota Department of Commerce reported weatherization services could help decrease a homeowner or renter's annual energy costs by up to 30%. (Adobe Stock)

Deep freeze prompts reminders for home weatherization aid

Warmer temps may be on the horizon, but arctic air still has a grip on Minnesota. State officials and community action agencies are pointing out …

Martin Luther King Jr. Day was first celebrated as a federal holiday in 1986, but since the mid-1990s, it has been recognized as a day of service. (Adobe Stock)

Service opportunities remain at heart of MLK Day

Today, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Minnesota residents are reminded to seek out service opportunities to make their communities a better place to …

One of the five self-driving vans now serving the northern Minnesota community of Grand Rapids. The vans are part of a program called

MN project part of autonomous vehicles movement for people with disabilities

By Tony Leys for KFF Health News.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Minnesota News Connection reporting for the KFF Health News-Public News Service Co…

In 2023, the Legislature approved nearly $50 million for the new Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority. Officials said the funds will help accelerate the adoption of proven clean energy technology and greenhouse-gas reduction projects. (Adobe Stock)

'Green Bank' among new MN climate efforts trying to get off ground

When Minnesota lawmakers reconvene in the coming weeks, additional climate change work is expected. Meanwhile, bigger moves from last year are being …

In a newly filed civil lawsuit, the Minnesota Attorney General not only accuses Evergreen Acres Dairy of stealing workers' wages, but also unlawfully deducting rent from the paychecks of those living onsite. (Adobe Stock)

MN takes action against dairy company in major wage-theft case

Minnesota officials have announced what they call one of the largest wage-theft lawsuits in state history. The case involves a dairy operator …

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