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Government shutdown looms after Trump-backed bill fails; Environmental groups sue CA Air Resources Board over biogas credits; NY elected officials work to electrify municipal buildings; Need a mental health boost? Talking hot dog is here.

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President-elect Trump repeats his threats to jail Jan. 6th committee members, while also putting a stop-gap spending plan in jeopardy. A court removes Fani Willis from Trump's Georgia election interference case. The FAA restricts drones in New Jersey, and a Federal Reserve rate cut shakes markets.

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Rural folks could soon be shut out of loans for natural disasters if Project 2025 has its way, Taos, New Mexico weighs options for its housing shortage, and the top states providing America's Christmas trees revealed.

Connecting Minnesota policies to rural needs

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Monday, September 9, 2024   

Recent Minnesota policy moves are in the national spotlight, with Gov. Tim Walz on the Democratic presidential ticket.

Rural areas within the state are assessing high-profile law changes and program funding.

Minnesota's adoption of free school lunches for all students, has been a major focal point since Gov. Walz became the Democratic nominee for Vice President.

Former Bridgewater Township Supervisor Kathleen Doran-Norton said universal lunches and a new child-tax credit are helping families from smaller towns and cities experiencing poverty.

She said some of the challenges felt statewide do resonate in rural areas.

"All of these," said Doran-Norton, "what we might think of as separate issues, sort of, are interconnected."

But she painted the lack of childcare access as a crisis unfolding in rural communities, and said it hurts employee recruitment for businesses.

Last year, Minnesota set aside $300 million for early childhood initiatives. And a new Paid Family and Medical Leave program starts in 2026.

The Walz administration and Democratic leaders have faced scrutiny for using a significant portion of a record surplus for these investments.

It's unclear just how much these programs and added support will propel Minnesota's small-town landscape.

Doran-Nortan said she's hopeful, but indicates policymakers still have a lot of work to do, including healthcare access.

"We're seeing rural clinics and hospitals close," said Doran-Norton. "I think in Northern Minnesota, [an] area the size of Massachusetts does not have OBGYN care."

During her time as township supervisor, Doran-Nortan said she realized the need for rural areas to make themselves more climate resilient - conveying the importance of bigger agencies helping with things like flood mitigation.

However, Midwestern states like Minnesota are considering carbon capture projects that feature underground pipelines.

These ventures, fueled by federal incentives, are creating conflict in rural areas over public safety and landowner rights issues.




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(deagreez/Adobe Stock)

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