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Wednesday, September 18, 2024

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Post-presidential debate poll shows a shift in WI; Teamsters won't endorse in presidential race after releasing internal polling showing most members support Trump; IL energy jobs growth is strong but lacks female workers; Pregnant, Black Coloradans twice as likely to die than the overall population.

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The Teamsters choose not to endorse a presidential candidate, county officials in Texas fight back against state moves to limit voter registration efforts, and the FBI investigate suspicious packages sent to elections offices in at least 17 states.

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A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

MN: Rural/Farming

The Center for Rural Affairs said if all forecasted solar in the Midwest was developed on prime farmland, it would occupy only 1.45% to 2.9% of such farmland in this part of the nation. (Adobe Stock)
Tractors, barns and solar panels: Renewables help reshape MN ag land use

Minnesota has plenty of prime farmland, with some of it being converted in the transition to clean energy sources such as solar. The movement has …

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According to the U.S. Department of Justice, lower courts usually define a
MN livestock producers may take concerns to the polls

Concerns about consolidation in the meat industry could drive livestock producers to the polls. Just four companies process about 85% of American …

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University of Minnesota officials said a new climate change prediction tool means information gathering is not just for the research community but by the broader public as they prepare for possible scenarios. (Adobe Stock)
Wanna know what climate change looks like in 50 years? MN tool can help

From government planners to farmers to residents, those wondering how climate change will affect Minnesota in the decades to come can now get the …

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Just like meat processing, the agricultural industry has come under scrutiny over fears corporate consolidation is limiting a farmer's options in seeking equipment repairs. (Adobe Stock)
MN farmers feel left out by new 'Right to Repair' law

The fall harvest is around the corner and Minnesota farmers hope their equipment holds up. Advocates said a new state law, intended to level the …

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Agricultural groups said when a farmer contracts with a large meat company, they often lose control over many aspects of their operation, including the livestock they are housing, creating added stressors. (Adobe Stock)
The mental health case for leaving factory farms behind

By Grace Hussain for Sentient.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Minnesota News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboratio…

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Food systems are responsible for about a third of global greenhouse-gas emissions, according to the United Nations. (Daniel Thornberg/Adobe Stock)
MN gets $200 million to reduce emissions in its food systems

The Environmental Protection Agency is giving Minnesota $200 million to reduce emissions in its food systems. The money will impact a large swath …

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The Environmental Working Group said in a new report when someone thinks of farm subsidies, they might not picture the recipient living in a downtown Minneapolis apartment but it showed loopholes approved by Congress allow it to happen more frequently. (Adobe Stock)
'Big city' farmers cash in on government aid, drawing fairness questions

Minneapolis-St. Paul is in the top five metro areas where investors in farms are receiving large amounts of government subsidies. Authors of a new …

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Proposed water permit changes in Minnesota to limit harmful runoff from industrial farms would only cover about 1,000 of the state's 17,000 livestock feedlots. However, environmental groups said the affected farms generate about one-third of the manure spread on agricultural fields. (Adobe Stock)
MN regulators unveil tougher water permit requirements for CAFO's

Minnesota will soon hold public hearings on proposed water permit changes as it seeks to get control of nitrate pollution from industrial farms…

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Advocates are concerned that large corporate
MN farmers push for more protection from corporate agriculture in Farm Bill

With a September deadline looming for Congress to finish work on renewing the Farm Bill, Minnesota family farmers are pushing for more regulations to …

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Between 2017 and 2022, Minnesota saw a more than 30% increase in farm acres planted with cover crops. (Adobe Stock)
Cover crops: A mighty force for land health, with room for growth

When Minnesota farmers watch their crops grow this summer, some will monitor land that has better soil health. It's because of a fairly popular …

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The Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy says a law change, which includes updating the state's public waters list, could provide protections for at least 640 miles of additional waterways across the state. (Adobe Stock)
To shield public waterways from runoff, MN takes an inventory dive

What might seem like an under-the-radar administrative task could end up being a lifesaver for Minnesota waterways in need of safeguards against agric…

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The federal government collects more than $1 billion every year through an excise tax on such items as licenses, guns, arrows and fishing tackle to fund wildlife conservation programs. (Adobe Stock)
As Congress debates new Farm Bill, hunters and anglers speak up

This week, Congress is picking up work on a new Farm Bill and hunters and anglers said billions of dollars in investments in private-lands …

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