Minnesota News & Current Events | Public News Service

Balancing college expenses, and going through the student aid application process, is often viewed as a daunting task for most households. Backers of Minnesota's new free tuition program hope it removes a lot of stress for eligible households. (Freepik)

Monday, December 2, 2024

MN's free college tuition program gets early assessment

The first semester for Minnesota college students is winding down. Supporters of the state's new free tuition program - which assists low-income …

As Americans do their holiday shopping, a new poll from the Alliance for American Manufacturing found three in four adults think companies falsely marketing products as

Despite shopping habits, value of American-made gifts has public backing

The holiday shopping crunch is here and a new poll reflects the disconnect between the kinds of gift items Americans value versus what they buy and a …

In day-to-day life, 'solo agers' lean on neighbors and friends

By Judith Graham for KFF Health News.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Minnesota News Connection reporting for the KFF Health News-Public News Servic…

Jacques Beech saw his electric bill fall to $100 a month after installing solar panels on his Minneapolis home. (Photo courtesy Brad Stauffer for Energy News Network)

Mpls. solar nonprofit proves patience brings results to low-income residents

By Frank Jossi for Energy News Network.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Minnesota News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Pub…

Xcel Energy officials and Minnesota dignitaries gathered this week for a ceremonial connection of the company's Sherco solar facility. Phase One is now online and the utility says once fully operational, Sherco will power 150,000 homes. (Photo courtesy Xcel)

Following solar news, is MN closer to reaching carbon-free goal?

Minnesota's solar energy outlook took a big step forward this week with a new project coming online, bringing the conversation back into focus about …

Minnesota's foster care entry rate has declined in recent years, along with efforts to bolster the state's adoption policies. (Adobe Stock)

Researchers link better outcomes to MN adoption reforms

CLARIFICATION: We updated language to clarify the timing for when the study's authors began tracking certain outcome measures for children within the …

Researchers have found that online shopping generates 4.8 times more packaging waste than in-store purchases, on average. (Adobe Stock)

Toy safety, environmental impacts cloud e-commerce holiday push

As Minnesotans click the "purchase" button when shopping online for the holidays, they're urged to consider two things: toys from overseas suppliers …

University of Minnesota researchers say for every two news outlets around the state that have closed up shop since 2018, one new local outlet has launched during the same period. (Adobe Stock)

Checking the pulse of MN's news landscape

This past election cycle has again raised questions about the viability of news outlets, and how audiences are consuming information. New research …

Certain farm fertilizers significantly contribute to climate change by emitting nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas, when excess fertilizer is not absorbed by plants and is broken down by soil microbes. (Adobe Stock)

Putting farm fields under a green blanket with climate friendly fertilizer

Some sectors have made gains in Minnesota in reducing greenhouse-gas emissions. Progress has been slower for agriculture, but those pursuing …

In 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture introduced a rule requiring a veterinarian's prescription before farmers could get antibiotics for their animals. However, the new rule still leaves farmers in control over certain aspects of the process. (Adobe Stock)

Investigation: Food safety still compromised by use of critical antibiotics

By Marlowe Starling and Andrew Wasley for Sentient.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Minnesota News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News…

Following the pandemic, labor unions touted a stronger push among workers to organize but analysts said this month's election results could complicate their efforts. (Adobe Stock)

Following election results, questions emerge about labor impact

Changes in leadership at the federal level are likely to have some effect on the labor movement. In Minnesota, election results have spurred …

More than one million Latinos live in Minnesota and surrounding states, and advocacy groups say it shows how this population is having an influence on elections. (Adobe Stock)

MN organizers: Latino voting power is here to stay

The impact Latino voters had in this year's election has caught the public's attention. Minnesota organizers found success in connecting with this …

According to the Pew Research Center, inadequate retirement savings will result in a $1.3 trillion increase in public assistance costs over the next two decades. (Adobe Stock)

MN readying new program to close big gaps in retirement savings

Roughly 30% of Minnesota's private-sector employees do not have a work-sponsored retirement plan but some business owners and consumer advocates hope …

The latest Census of Agriculture renewed concerns about the growing size of farms around the United States, prompting more calls for farmers to embrace climate-smart practices. (Adobe Stock)

Successful ballot question in MN seen as way for more climate-friendly farming

Minnesota voters this week signed off on giving a longer shelf life to a funding tool helping protect the state's natural resources and its backers se…

State officials said Minnesota has roughly 30,000 poll workers who help out in each election. (Adobe Stock)

Election 2024: Passing the poll worker torch in MN

In Minnesota and across the U.S., poll workers are being praised for stepping up during another big election. Administrators hope the goodwill …

Since 1991, Minnesota's Environment and Natural Resources Fund has provided about $700 million to over 1,700 projects statewide, including things like research work for soil health. (Adobe Stock)

MN voters asked to reauthorize key environmental funding

Election Day in Minnesota will bring environmental funding into focus in the form of a ballot question. At stake is lottery revenue that over the …

As of Oct. 31, Minnesota election offices had accepted nearly 1 million absentee ballots. (Adobe Stock)

Voting in MN: Tracking absentee ballots; fraud detection praised

In the final sprint toward Election Day, some Minnesotans might worry their absentee ballot won't arrive in time. Experts say there's no cause for …

A screenshot from a Donald Trump for President advertisement includes a claim fact-checkers have found misleading. Therapists said such rhetoric has taken a toll on undocumented immigrants' mental health. (Photo courtesy of MinnPost)<br />

As identity politics flood the airwaves, MN therapists help affected clients cope

By Deanna Pistono for MinnPost.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Minnesota News Connection reporting for the Rural News Network-Public News Service C…

Minnesota is home to six National Park sites, including Voyagers National Park. (Adobe Stock)

MN reps graded on National Park support as election nears

A conservation group wants Minnesotans heading to the polls to consider an issue that may not have come up on the campaign trail: preserving and fundi…

Through the Montevideo Medical Academy program, high school students can earn industry certifications to serve as certified nursing assistants, trained medication aides, pharmacy technicians and first aid/CPR providers. (Photo courtesy of Montevideo Public Schools)

MN medical academy serves high school kids and their communities

By Liz Carey for The Daily Yonder.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Minnesota News Connection for the Public News Service/Daily Yonder Collaboration …

A home in Virginia, Minn., displays signs for both candidates in a closely watched legislative race, along with other DFL candidates. In recent years, Republicans could finally envision taking the House 7B seat, a possibility that a decade ago seemed unthinkable. (Photo courtesy of Jerry Burnes)

Election 2024: Inside the decades-long political shift on MN's Iron Range

By Jerry Burnes for MinnPost.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Minnesota News Connection reporting for the Rural News Network-Public News Service Col…

According to federal data, Minnesota is home to 1,141,334 Medicare beneficiaries. (Adobe Stock)

Insurance experts: don't shrug off Medicare enrollment needs

Medicare open enrollment is underway and it is the time of year when other public health coverage programs and employer-sponsored plans carry out thei…

Early voting in Minnesota began in late September. And if you're heading to the polls soon, officials remind people worried about their voter registration status to bring along a current billing statement to help update your registration on the spot. (Adobe Stock)

Billing statements could be your gateway to voting in MN

More than 3.6 million Minnesotans are registered to vote this fall. But if you're worried that something will get you turned away at the polls…

According to Climate Central, the U.S. experienced about two times more weather-related power outages during the last 10 years than the previous decade. (Adobe Stock)

Great Lakes businesses keep close eye on legal fight over carbon rule

For now, the Environmental Protection Agency can move forward with plans to establish new, federal carbon pollution standards for power plants…

Guaranteed-income programs tend to run 12 to 18 months, but a Minnesota initiative that helps artists is tinkering with a several-year approach. (Adobe Stock)

MN effort helps artists nurture creative spark with extra funds in their pockets

One in three Americans indicates they're living paycheck-to-paycheck, and that includes many artists. A Minnesota organization is expanding its …

According to an industry report, clean-vehicle jobs in Minnesota grew by 13.2% in 2023, the highest of any clean-energy jobs subsector. (Adobe Stock)

MN's clean-energy workforce still strong, but needs more diverse expertise

An annual report shows Minnesota now tops 62,000 clean-energy jobs, a new state record. Federal and state policies are fueling growth. However…

According to the Pew Research Center, 65% of Americans say they always or often feel exhausted when thinking about politics. (Adobe Stock)

Election 2024: When small MN city confronts big political tension

If it is getting harder to talk with the people in your life about politics, a community-level survey in northeastern Minnesota indicated you are not …

Beyond monthly heating bill aid, Minnesota's Energy Assistance Program also provides funds for those who can't afford re-connection fees charged by their utility provider. (Adobe Stock)

New MN law, heating aid take the chill out of energy burdens

Minnesota is in its first cold snap of the fall season, and a new law aims to protect renters from thermostat hang-ups with their landlord. It …

Federal officials said by embracing energy-efficient upgrades, such as a smart thermostat, a single eligible household can enjoy savings of up to $14,000. (Adobe Stock)

With the help of navigators, MN Latinos take the clean energy plunge

Summerlike temperatures are still around but winter is lurking and Minnesotans will soon have to crank up their thermostats. Now, there is outreach …

In key takeaways from 2024 polling data released by the Rural Democracy Initiative, Donald Trump held a 26-point lead among registered rural voters back in March. However, Kamala Harris has cut Trump's lead to 18 points among rural likely voters based on updated surveys. (Adobe Stock)

Checking the rural voter temperature in MN and elsewhere

The November election is one month from today and Minnesota is part of a new multistate poll drawing feedback from rural voters. The research firm …

Union membership is still well below levels from past decades, however, there has been a revival in organization activity and various policies tied to the presidential election are fueling interest among key unions. (Adobe Stock)

Concerned union voices put spotlight on Project 2025

Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are trying to appeal to labor groups on the campaign trail. A much-debated policy …

Experts said painting and other art projects can provide a safe and therapeutic outlet for youths to convey their thoughts, emotions and experiences. (Adobe Stock)

Mpls. initiative strives to give youths a creative and healing outlet

Social behavior experts said teens have fewer safe spaces to gather, with technology-driven isolation complicating matters. It is more pronounced in …

A recent Surgeon General Advisory, highlighting parent burnout, calls for a shift in culture, policies and programs to ensure all parents and caregivers can thrive. (Adobe Stock)

MN after-school programs learn how to work around parent burnout

On the heels of warnings from federal health officials about parent burnout, school-linked programs in Minnesota are overhauling their approach so …

Experts said there is growing debate over whether waste incineration plants can be considered a form of renewable energy. Environmental advocates argued they are often located near communities suffering from environmental injustice. (Adobe Stock)

MN's carbon-free law takes a more complex pathway

Environmental groups in Minnesota are considering their next steps on the heels of a regulatory decision they said weakens the state's landmark carbon…

Despite care gaps, health experts with the American Heart Association say in Minnesota, every resident is within 30 minutes of a hospital able to provide stroke care. (Adobbe Stock)

With new grant, MN renews efforts to improve care for stroke patients

Minnesota has 120 hospitals designated for treating stroke patients but health leaders say more work is needed to reach underserved populations…

Labor policy analysts said the pandemic brought workers' rights back into the forefront, with employees in a variety of sectors expressing a desire for their well-being to be taken more seriously by their employers. (Adobe Stock)

Knowledge is power during Workplace Rights Week in MN

Through this Saturday, Minnesota is recognizing Workplace Rights Week. From COVID precautions to emerging technology, labor voices said there is key …

The Environmental Protection Agency said aviation in the United States accounts for nearly 10% of greenhouse-gas emissions from the transportation sector. (Adobe Stock)

Cruising at 30,000 feet with cleaner jet fuel: MN part of sustainability efforts

Some Minnesotans might already be booking flights for the upcoming holiday season. In the future, they could end up flying on a jet relying on …

Retention basins are artificial ponds often used on farms to manage water and prevent fertilizer and other contaminants from reaching nearby waterways. (Adobe Stock)

Flooded farm fields no longer the norm for some MN producers

Minnesota has had a dry start to the fall but saw record rain this past spring. One farmer said changes to his land made it easier for the crop …

In 2023, the Minnesota Legislature set aside $500,000 for local election offices to improve voting access for those with disabilities. (Adobe Stock)

Volunteers sought as early voting kicks off in MN

Early voting begins today in Minnesota and the state has implemented policy moves with the intent of making voting easier. Nonpartisan civic …

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates the cost for a single cycle of IVF to range from $15,000 to $20,000 and can exceed $30,000 if a donor egg is involved. (Adobe Stock)

As U.S. Senate votes down IVF bill, MN parent speaks out

A bill to bolster protections for in vitro fertilization treatments failed in the U.S. Senate Tuesday and as the political debate plays out, a …

Minnesota's Center for Rural Policy and Development said in rural settings, parents are often forced to take a child to the emergency room during a mental health crisis. (Adobe Stock)

Rural MN families have few options for youth mental healthcare

Gaps in mental health care are a common research topic right now and for Minnesota youth in rural areas, a new report showed their families face big …

In breaking down Minnesota's Latino population by age, nearly 223,000 are working-age adults between 18 and 64 years old. (Adobe stock)

In MN, leadership, culture variation part of Hispanic Heritage Month

Over the weekend, Hispanic Heritage Month got underway. In Minnesota, people are recognizing the diversity within these populations, as well as …

AARP says between 3 million and 4 million Medicare enrollees nationwide are estimated to benefit from the new out-of-pocket federal cap every year between 2025 and 2029. Of the total, 40,050 are in Minnesota. (Adobe Stock)

Picture becomes clearer on drug cost savings for older Minnesotans

Consumer advocates have long detailed how older adults struggle to manage the cost of their medications but hope is emerging in Minnesota and elsewher…

Beyond additional support for K-12 schools, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed a bill creating a free college tuition program for households earning annual incomes below $80,000. (Adobe Stock)

Former Walz colleagues bring education record into focus

The start of a new year of school in Minnesota has a new twist: intense focus from national media and voters across the U.S. With Gov. Tim Walz …

In a 2024 poll from Rural Democracy Initiative, rural voters said they're deeply concerned about rising costs for everyone, especially housing, healthcare, and childcare. (Adobe Stock)

Connecting Minnesota policies to rural needs

Recent Minnesota policy moves are in the national spotlight, with Gov. Tim Walz on the Democratic presidential ticket. Rural areas within the state …

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 …

During Hunger Action Month, key organizations are calling on Congress to protect funding for support programs as lawmakers debate budget proposals. (Adobe Stock)

'On the edge of catastrophe': A call to arms during Hunger Action Month

September is Hunger Action Month and a food shelf coordinator in Minnesota does not see increased demand going down anytime soon. According to …

The Postsecondary National Policy Institue says in 2020, 22% of the 18- to 24-year-old Native American population were enrolled in college compared to 40% of the overall U.S. population. (Adobe Stock)

MN's new free tuition program resets higher ed path for tribal students

Indigenous populations have long faced barriers in pursuing higher education and Minnesota's new free college tuition program could help put some of t…

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