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SD public defense duties shift from counties to state; SCOTUS appears skeptical of restricting government communications with social media companies; Trump lawyers say he can't make bond; new scholarships aim to connect class of 2024 to high-demand jobs.

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The SCOTUS weighs government influence on social media, and who groups like the NRA can do business with. Biden signs an executive order to advance women's health research and the White House tells Israel it's responsible for the Gaza humanitarian crisis.

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Midwest regenerative farmers are rethinking chicken production, Medicare Advantage is squeezing the finances of rural hospitals and California's extreme swing from floods to drought has some thinking it's time to turn rural farm parcels into floodplains.

Boating is Booming Business in Minnesota

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Friday, May 25, 2018   

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Memorial Day weekend is the start of boating season in Minnesota. The state ranks in the top five nationally for boat-related spending, topping $800 million dollars last year.

But what are people naming all these new boats? The Boat Owners Association of the United States – or BoatUS – has been keeping track of the most common names skippers choose for their boats for more than 25 years.

Scott Croft, BoatUS vice-president of public affairs, says for the first time, "Grace" tops this year's list. But many you'll see this Memorial Day weekend are common favorites.

"A lot of the names are perennial favorites; some of the names on this list go – continue with us, and go way back,” says Croft. “Freedom, 'Seas' the Day, Second Wind, Serenity – they're just names that are universal."

BoatUS compiles the list based on the names people order through the group's online boat graphics and lettering services. The names voted most humorous include "Shenanigans," "Penny Pincher," and "Ship Happens."

But as an economic force, boating is nothing to joke about – according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association, it supports almost 43,000 jobs in the state.

You might not be surprised to hear that "Rum Runner" commonly makes the top 10 list of boat names. But Croft says "Therapy" is also a regular front-runner.

"Getting on a boat where you can escape from the everyday grind, the pressures of your job,” says Croft. “So, maybe there is some kind of therapy that takes place."

Croft says "Freedom" and "Patriot" shot to the top of the list after 9-11. He adds many boat owners are reluctant to change a boat's name because of age-old superstitions that doing so will bring bad luck.


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