Minnesota News & Current Events | Public News Service

Ash Hanson reads a love letter to a crowd gathered at the YES! House as part of a residency with artist JJ Kapur. (Photo courtesy of Alana Horton)

Thursday, April 24, 2025

MN town practices art of love, one letter at a time

By Alana Horton for Arts Midwest.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Minnesota News Connection reporting for the Arts Midwest-Public News Service Colla…

Of the nearly 30,000 fire departments in the United States, almost 19,000 are all volunteer. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

MN fire chiefs lean on ads, targeted messaging to boost depleted ranks

In many small Minnesota communities, city hall windows display "firefighters wanted" posters. Lack of interest is a reality local fire chiefs have to …

Despite some headwinds, a new analysis says Minnesota's clean energy sector remains on solid footing, with carbon emissions in the state reaching a record low in 2024. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, April 21, 2025

Report: More MN electricity is clean and homegrown

Minnesota is becoming less reliant on energy imports to power up homes and businesses. That's a key finding in the latest summary of contributions …

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system has an enrollment of around 270,000 students, spread across 33 campuses. (Adobe Stock)

Significant tuition hikes expected at MN colleges

For Minnesota households planning future college enrollment, there is a good chance tuition will cost more, as public campuses facing tighter budgets …

The U.S. has seen dozens of coal plants come offline in recent years and researchers noted the ones still in use operate less frequently because of declining demand. They said it should deter policymakers from trying to spend money to increase coal production. (Adobe Stock)

Researchers: U.S. wouldn't see 'bang for its buck' in reviving coal

Minnesota is cited in a new research brief outlining the obstacles America would face in trying to reopen coal plants, an idea prioritized by the …

Federal data show in 2023, an estimated 3,275 people were killed nationwide in distracted driving-related crashes. (Adobe Stock)

MN police chief: Drivers need to break cell phone habit

Law enforcement agencies are still trying to get the message through about the dangers and costs that stem from distracted driving. A Minnesota …

This month, labor organizations and Hennepin County authorities announced a historic wage theft prosecution for Minnesota. (Photo courtesy of Fair Contracting Foundation of Minnesota)

Wage theft enforcement could take a big leap in some MN counties

On the heels of courtroom victories, some Minnesota prosecutors say they'll try to replicate the success in going after more businesses suspected of …

The Bureau of Labor Statistics says the construction industry faces a shortage of 500,000 workers, prompting calls for bigger and more accessible training programs. (Adobe Stock)

MN tribal college looks to be key player for skilled labor training

Minnesota's unemployment rate is low, but the state still faces a skilled labor shortage. A regional college hopes to be a solution as it looks to …

Minnesota public health worker Amy Saupe, who is being laid off because of federal cuts, holds a sign at a demonstration in St. Paul on Thursday. (Mike Moen)

MN public health workers: Safe food, water at risk with federal cuts

Minnesota officials have launched a new online tool detailing how the state is being affected by federal cuts. Public health workers keeping an eye …

Places such as data centers are pushing up electricity demand across the United States. In Minnesota, observers say that's one of several issues complicating the proposed sale of Minnesota Power to a private equity firm. (Adobe Stock)

Ratepayers sound off on proposed sale of Minnesota Power

Public hearings continue tonight and tomorrow for the proposed sale of Minnesota's second largest utility. The deal is drawing a lot of attention…

A gold star in the upper right corner is a distinct characteristic of the federally mandated REAL ID. (Photo courtesy of Minn. DPS)

Minnesotans urged to act as REAL ID deadline looms large

Time is winding down for Minnesotans to upgrade their driver's license, with new federal rules soon to kick in for what's known as "REAL ID." On May …

A national public relations firm recently surveyed Americans about the barriers youths face to better outcomes. Respondents recognized the need for stronger communities, but survey officials said they still underestimate the effect poverty can have on youths. (Adobe Stock)

For youth empowerment work, experts say careful wording can save the day

April is Second Chance Month, with extra focus on helping people with a criminal past keep from becoming repeat offenders. In steering Minnesota …

More than 25,000 Minnesotans are subscribers in the state's Community Solar Program. Supporters said it helps people, like renters, access solar power when they otherwise would face barriers in tapping into the resource. (Adobe Stock)

Bill threatens to end MN's Community Solar Program

Minnesota is considered a national leader for community solar opportunities but a successful state program expanding solar access would end in the nex…

Organizations such as Minnesota's Urban Bird Collective are trying to foster a more welcoming bird-watching community, which includes encouraging more women to become birders. (Adobe Stock)

'Birders' take note: MN skies dotted with more feathered friends

Minnesota bird enthusiasts should keep their binoculars handy. April is a good month to spot various species migrating back to the region. Experts …

Minnesota officials say they're still expecting another $12 to $13 million in federal funds to help more than 10,000 more Minnesota households pay their utility bills as winter winds down. (Adobe Stock)

Funds for MN heating assistance put in tougher spot amid federal cuts

As many Minnesotans dig out from an early Spring snowstorm, the future of a federal program that helps low-income households pay their heating bills …

Economists with the American Farm Bureau Federation said there are still unknowns but it is clear the escalating trade war will decrease demand for U.S. products in the second- and third-largest export markets for American farmers. (Adobe Stock)

Federal moves leave MN farmers in state of limbo

The Trump administration announces its new wave of tariffs Wednesday, and with U.S. Department of Agriculture funding still a question mark, …

Experts say student loan debt has created a ticking time bomb in the United States, in part because of legal challenges to the Biden administration's efforts to cancel student debt for some borrowers. Now, many are in limbo as services are cut by the Trump administration. (Adobe Stock)

Giving Minnesotans tools to sound off, navigate student loan fallout

Minnesota officials have launched a new portal, asking parents, students and others to share how they are affected by the Trump administration's …

Even though policymakers and utilities are increasingly focused on reducing the impacts of climate change, education experts say a standard curriculum on this topic hasn't really resonated at the school level. (Adobe Stock)

MN youth: Courting the facts could set the stage for climate action

The U.S. Supreme Court this month declined to hear a case brought by youth activists, who argued the federal government has failed to protect them …

Minnesota has been lauded in recent years for adopting a range of programs designed to help at-risk populations. But lawmakers and watchdogs say with government agencies increasingly targeted by fraudsters, safeguards are needed to ensure people who need the aid still get it. (Adobe Stock)

MN watchdog sees promise in fraud control efforts at State Capitol

Minnesota lawmakers this session are emphasizing new protocols to shield state agencies from fraud. A watchdog group says so far, it appears they're …

Minnesota labor groups say telework wasn't just a part of the pandemic, arguing it was proving to be a recruiting tool even before COVID-19 and should still be a priority. These debates come as office sites struggle with vacancies. (Adobe Stock)

MN state workers push back against return-to-office order

Labor groups representing thousands of Minnesota state workers find themselves at serious odds with Gov. Tim Walz over his move this week to reduce …

Experts said resident physicians, going through their training, have faced heavy workloads. A union representing the professionals said they should not have to sacrifice their well-being to advance their careers. (Adobe Stock)

MN's doctors-in-training get behind collective-bargaining wave

Minnesota's up-and-coming doctors say in order to better care for patients down the road, they need collective bargaining power. A large group of …

A Minnesota coalition pushing for a bill to allow

MN students could get extra nod for 'making the civics grade'

High school seniors will soon be counting down the days until graduation and in Minnesota. But students from future graduating classes could get a …

Housing industry voices say actions by the Trump administration, from cuts to the Department of Housing and Urban Development to prolonged tariff hikes, could hinder efforts to build more affordable units. (Adobe Stock)

Tariff talk adds uncertainty to already stressed affordable-housing movement

Industry groups say Minnesota is short more than 100,000 affordable-housing units to meet demand, and project leaders have said the Trump …

Rick Martagon, executive director of Building Strong Communities, testifies in support of a bill to expand state support for the initiative, which focuses on providing apprenticeship opportunities to underserved populations. (Photo courtesy of Vince Muzik/Fair Contracting Foundation of Minnesota)

Amid a buzz for apprenticeships, MN explores accessibility

Apprenticeship programs are getting more attention these days to help fill skilled labor shortages but accessibility is seen is a barrier and Minnesot…

Advocates for Minnesota's immigrant population recently protested ICE enforcement in Rochester. (Photo courtesy of COPAL).

MN Latino advocates band together as deportation fears persist

Social and economic disruptions are among the impacts reported by Minnesota Latino support organizations as they monitor the Trump administration's ma…

In a new AARP survey, 37% of older adults with credit card debt report their debt level is higher than it was a year ago. (Adobe Stock)

Survey: Older Americans lean more on credit cards for basic needs

Nearly half of Americans age 50 and older are using credit cards to pay for basic living expenses, according to a new AARP survey, and a Minnesota …

Public polling has indicated that certain budget-cutting moves and tariffs pursued by the Trump administration are not resonating with voters, with some frustration spilling over into town hall meeting hosted by members of Congress. (Adobe Stock)

Lack of 'town halls' frustrates MN voters

Republicans in Washington, D.C. remain focused on greatly reducing federal spending. However, a backlash is mounting in Congressional districts…

Summit Carbon Solutions touts environmental and economic benefits in its plan to build a maze of Midwestern pipelines to capture and store ethanol plant emissions. But environmental groups are skeptical, and affected landowners have mounted an effort to stop the project. (Adobe Stock)

MN ties to troubled carbon pipeline project come back into focus

A Minnesota organization opposed to a Midwestern carbon pipeline project plans to file a request with state regulators Thursday, asking them to …

The American Heart Association said a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan can increase survival rates by 50% or more when people are trained in practices like CPR or how to use an automated external defibrillator until first responders arrive. (Adobe Stock)

MN looks to ensure all schools are ready for cardiac scares

A Minnesota Senate committee today will hear testimony about a rare but scary scenario for families: sudden cardiac events in school settings…

An arts project, led by Drew Arrieta and Maddy Bartsch, aims to bridge the communication gap between rural and urban Minnesotans through honest, anonymous conversations. The chats take place in makeshift phone booths. (Springboard for the Arts)

Forget the divide! Arts project seeks urban-rural solidarity instead

By Anya Slepyan for The Daily Yonder.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Minnesota News Connection for the Public News Service/Daily Yonder Collaborati…

The current avian flu outbreak surfaced in 2022, with a big effect on wild birds and commercial poultry. (Adobe Stock)

New avian flu plan hatched by USDA, but experts are wary

By Dawn Attride for Sentient.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Minnesota News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboration…

Statista reports in 2023, the sports betting industry in the United States generated $11 billion in revenue, an increase of around 46% over the previous year. (Adobe Stock)

It's March Madness time, but red flags emerge with online sports betting

March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month, and it remains unclear if Minnesota will legalize online sports betting. Research is emerging about …

The Center for American Progress lists Minnesota as among the more expensive states when it comes to child care costs. (Adobe Stock)

MN child care stakeholders: 'Broken' system needs more than minor fixes

Some 45 day care centers in Minnesota temporary closed their doors early this week to highlight the ongoing child care crisis. Advocates said the …

Clean energy projects, including wind farms, continue to be developed at a rapid pace. Policymakers and industry officials are sorting out how to avoid seeing retired parts become piles of waste. (Adobe Stock)

MN debates how to help retired clean energy parts stay 'green'

Minnesota remains focused on making non-carbon sources the bulk of its energy portfolio. But policymakers are trying to figure out the best way to …

According to KFF News, Medicaid helps fill coverage gaps in smaller communities, covering nearly one in four (24%) nonelderly individuals in rural areas. (Adobe Stock)

Medicaid cuts would likely worsen rural MN health care outlook

Minnesota's rural health-care landscape is described as being "stressed" - and the diagnosis could become grimmer if congressional Republicans keep th…

Nikki Villavicencio, center, serves on the Maplewood City Council and is a board chair with the Minnesota Council on Disability. She's part of a coalition of self-advocates warning about the effect Medicaid cuts would have on those with disabilities. (Photo courtesy of Villavicencio)

Minnesotans with disabilities: Cutting Medicaid would leave us segregated

Minnesotans with disabilities are among the vulnerable populations who say their quality of life would be upended if Congress approves steep Medicaid …

U.S. beef producers face increased global competition and advocates for smaller livestock farms said tools like truth in labeling bring a level of fairness. (Adobe Stock)

Policy fight over meat label transparency back in play

Spring is around the corner and as Midwesterners might be dreaming about firing up their grills and stocking up for barbecues, there is a renewed …

Data centers and the computer servers they hold can take up several hundred thousand square feet of property. (Adobe Stock)

MN could join data center 'gold rush,' but at what cost?

The Minnesota Legislature and a regulatory agency will be busy this week weighing demands for large data centers. Business leaders say this digital …

The Northern Agricultural Center of Excellence told a Minnesota House committee this week nearly 30% of today's farmers have less than a decade of experience, making the case business training needs to be enhanced. (Adobe Stock)

Enhancing business skills of MN's next generation of farmers

If Minnesota wants a strong network of up-and-coming farmers, including those who want to farm on healthier land, the state can help them become …

The scene from outside Minnesota's State Capitol on Monday as another round of national protests was held in response to controversial actions of President Donald Trump's administration. (Courtesy of u/Buck_Thorn/Reddit)

Protesters: Trump administration actions 'cast aside democracy'

In many U.S. cities, President's Day was used to sound the alarm over actions by the Trump administration. Minnesota protesters braved subzero …

Researchers have found that 40% of Americans report mood declines during the winter. Those feelings can translate into changes in behavior, with some people sleeping more, feeling fatigued and experiencing depression. (Adobe Stock)

Showing serious cases of winter blues the door

Minnesota is in the depths of extremely cold and occasionally snowy weather this February. These familiar winter conditions might have some feeling …

Daniel Houle and Denise Myers stand in front of their new solar setup at the Lodge of Whispering Pines along the Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness. The system has 72 panels and can generate a total of 38 kilowatts per hour. (Photo courtesy of Ava Kian with MinnPost)

Solar power gives MN resort new blood, new life

By Ava Kian for MinnPost.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Minnesota News Connection reporting for the MinnPost-Public News Service Collaboration Th…

More than a dozen states, including Minnesota, have created paid-leave programs to fill gaps when workers can't get paid as they or a relative recover from an illness. (Adobe Stock)

Start date for MN's paid leave law now up for debate

Minnesota is little less than a year away from launching its paid-leave law, but state lawmakers are debating whether to delay the start until 2027…

According to the research arm USA Facts, personal saving has become more of the norm as employers shift away from defined benefit plans or pensions. (Adobe Stock)

A possible shift seen in America's troubled retirement savings landscape

Whether it's pressure from inflation or health-care costs eating away at savings, a reliable "nest egg" is still up in the air for many Americans…

Ramsey County Attorney John Choi, center, provides an update on a new plea agreement that stemmed from a wage-theft investigation. (Photo courtesy of Fair Contracting Foundation of Minnesota)

MN case seen as 'tone-setter' in combating wage theft

Minnesota's wage-theft laws are increasingly being put to use, giving the labor community hope that law-enforcement officials now recognize how deep …

The Environmental Protection Agency said excess nitrogen and phosphorus cause an overgrowth of algae in lakes and if algal blooms occur, the toxins they produce can be harmful to human health and aquatic life. (Adobe Stock)

15 years in the making, MN could set nitrate standards for lakes

Minnesota is giving its water quality standards a fresh look. With public input in their hands, officials are under pressure to add language about …

In the first three quarters of 2024, the Federal Trade Commission received more than 22,000 fraud reports from Minnesota consumers, with losses totaling nearly $103 million. (Adobe Stock)

As consumer fraud hits crisis mode, MN advocates want state action

This session, Minnesota lawmakers are expected to take a strong look at preventing more fraud attempts against state government. Meanwhile, consumer …

A recent study showed 44% of adults are affected by medical debt and $88 billion in outstanding medical bills are currently in collections nationwide. (Creative Commons)

Study: Medical debt in rural MN has far-reaching effects

By Liz Carey for The Daily Yonder.Broadcast version by Mark Richardson for Minnesota News Connection for the Public News Service/Daily Yonder Collabor…

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