skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Saturday, February 8, 2025

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

January jobs report: Unemployment rate falls to 4%, wages rise more than forecast; Trump signs order imposing sanctions on International Criminal Court over investigations of Israel; Ten Commandments in public schools debate reaches South Dakota; Virginia ranks among worst states for wage theft; Mexican long-nosed bat makes appearance in Arizona.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Attorney General Pam Bondi strikes a Trump tone at the Justice Department, federal workers get more time to consider buyouts, and an unclassified email request from the White House worries CIA vets.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

During Black History Month, a new book shares how a unique partnership built 5,000 schools for Black students, anti-hunger advocates say ag communities would benefit from an expanded SNAP program, and Americans have $90 billion in unpaid medical bills.

Despite Snow, Climate Watchers Keep Close Eye on MN Drought Patterns

play audio
Play

Thursday, December 1, 2022   

Snow is on the ground in much of Minnesota, but the state is coming off another warm season with notable drought conditions.

Those who monitor precipitation said there are some glimmers of hope, while acknowledging concerns. 2021 brought the worst drought Minnesota had seen in recent memory, and this year, dry patterns were seen over the summer and going into the fall.

Brad Pugh, meteorologist at the Climate Prediction Center, said while the western U.S. has been dealing with a multiyear drought, problems are beginning to fester a little more in the central part of the country, creating many ripple effects.

"Short-term drought impacts are typically tied into agriculture; depletion of soil moisture. There's also increased wildfire danger for some parts of the country," Pugh explained. "It's just stressing water resources in general."

The Center's precipitation outlook for the next few months predicts a wetter period for the Upper Mississippi Valley and Great Lakes regions. He noted if it pans out, melting snow next spring could help recharge the soil.

In Minnesota, the same scenario happened earlier this year when a soggy spring erased most drought conditions across the state. Still, Pugh emphasized it is important to stay on top of recent dry patterns to see how climate change is affecting this part of the country, especially if Minnesota does not get as much snow as anticipated.

"If precipitation this winter, in the form of snowfall, doesn't occur [or] is not adequate enough, that certainly would be a major concern as we head into next spring," Pugh added.

Not only would it present challenges to farmers for the planting season, but a dry spring could also pave the way for more stress on Minnesota's lakes. Recently, the Department of Natural Resources asked residents in extreme drought areas to take water-conservation measures, noting 11 watersheds in the state were either in Drought Warning or Watch phase.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
Opponents of a South Dakota bill that would require the Ten Commandments be posted in all public school classrooms say it would be an unfunded mandate. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

A South Dakota House committee takes up a controversial bill today that would require all school districts in the state to display the Ten Commandment…


play sound

Virginia ranks third behind only Maryland and Delaware among the worst states for the average amount of back wages companies owe to their workers…

Environment

play sound

Some North Dakota school districts are part of a movement that has embraced electric school buses, but the federal funding shakeup carried out by the …


Florida immigrant advocacy groups are intensifying efforts to help undocumented individuals navigate encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. (David Peinado/Pexels)

Social Issues

play sound

Immigrant advocates in Florida are ramping up efforts to help families navigate President Donald Trump's new immigration orders, which have increased …

Social Issues

play sound

The rate of U.S. high school seniors seeking higher education is on the upswing, according to research from Lumina Foundation. Although Hoosier …

Gov. Kathy Hochul's free community college proposal would apply to people pursuing first-time associate degrees for jobs in high-demand fields, including nursing, teaching, technology and engineering. (Adobe Stock)

play sound

New York State is making historic higher education investments. As part of the 2026 budget proposal, Gov. Kathy Hochul proposes free community …

Social Issues

play sound

Gov. Josh Shapiro's proposed state budget includes a significant increase for public education to address Pennsylvania's school funding issues and …

Social Issues

play sound

Alabama nonprofits are coming together to tackle challenges that may threaten their survival, from declining donor support to shifting federal …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021