Minnesota News & Current Events | Public News Service

The Nature Conservancy says the U.S. loses nearly 1 million acres of forest lands each year through development and other factors, reducing nature's ability to capture and store carbon dioxide. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, September 20, 2021

Mapping Out Nature's Ability to Store Carbon with Pinpoint Accuracy

DULUTH, Minn. - As Minnesota looks to address the impact of climate change on the region, land managers and policymakers are reminded of the role …

In the push for Congress to approve the "Build Back Better" plan, the Biden administration and plan supporters have been adamant about not raising taxes on people earning less than $400,000. (Adobe Stock)

Some Wealthy U.S. Residents Say the Rich Should Fund Biden Plan

MINNEAPOLIS -- Dozens of wealthy Americans, including some from Minnesota, are pressing Congress to boost taxes on higher-income earners, contending …

Zebra mussels are among the aquatic invasive species that have surfaced in Minnesota lakes. (Adobe Stock)

MN Groups Press for More Detailed Plan to Fight Aquatic Invaders

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Minnesota continues to battle aquatic invasive species in certain lakes. As the state fights these threats, there are calls for the …

Minnesota led the nation in self-response to the census. A variety of groups ensured typically undercounted residents, including BIPOC residents and college students, completed their forms. (Adobe Stock)

Post-Census, MN Urged to Help More Diverse Population

MINNEAPOLIS -- Researchers, nonprofits, and public-policy advocates continue to analyze census data released late this summer. An increase in …

The Minnesota Homeownership Center says even though a new emergency assistance program is geared for Hennepin County, it has advisers available to residents all over the state if they're struggling with their mortgage because of the crisis. (Adobe Stock)

As Jobless Benefits Expire, MN Foreclosure-Prevention Efforts Expand

MINNEAPOLIS -- State officials said nearly 100,000 Minnesotans now are without extra unemployment benefits provided by the federal government during t…

Minnesota has bolstered "lunch-shaming" protections for students. But advocates say the state still ranks the near the bottom in using federal funds that allow low-income districts to offer universal lunches. (Adobe Stock)

Focus on Universal Meals, Preventing 'Lunch Shaming' as MN Students Return

MINNEAPOLIS -- More Minnesota school districts are welcoming back students this week. Because of the pandemic, schools are receiving federal aid to …

School social workers say it might be hard for some students to feel comfortable exercising their in-person social skills again after more than a year of distance learning. (Adobe Stock)

COVID Stress Prompts Reminders of Welcoming Classroom Environment

ST. PAUL, Minn. - School districts across Minnesota have either started the new academic year, or will soon. As they welcome students back despite …

The headwaters of the Mississippi River play a key role in providing drinking water to 2.5 million Minnesotans. (Adobe Stock)

Key MN Resource Swept Up in Climate-Change Threat

BEMIDJI, Minn. - Despite recent rain, the effects of Minnesota's dry summer remain visible, including shrinking levels in waterways. Those monitoring …

State authorities say the Greenwood Fire in Superior National Forest was caused by a lightning strike. (U.S. Forest Service)

Greenwood Fire Prompts Safety Reminders to Protect Crews, Public Assets

DULUTH, Minn. -- With summer winding down, Minnesotans might be tempted by a last chance to soak up nature in the northern wilderness. But a growing …

Minnesota is expected to have new political maps as early as next February. (Adobe Stock)

MN Lawmakers Pressed for Inclusive Redistricting

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Minnesota leaders are moving forward with redistricting now that new census numbers are in, and they're not just being asked to …

Police department parking lots and their video surveillance often are used as safe trading spots for people completing a transaction that began online. (Adobe Stock)

More "Safe Trading" Spots Pop Up for Online Transactions

WEST FARGO, N.D. - Minnesota and neighboring states are seeing more police departments offer "safe" trading spaces for online transactions. While not …

According to a new national poll, 78% of families receiving monthly Child Tax Credit payments immediately spent the funds to help with housing, utilities and food costs. (Adobe Stock)

MN Parents: Expanded Tax Credit Helps, Should Be Extended

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Today is payday for many Americans. Families trying to make ends meet are also now getting a bump each month from the expanded …

A new national study says today's students may earn $49,000 to $61,000 less over their lifetime because of the impact of the pandemic on their education. (Adobe Stock)

Research Indicates Kids Need Boost in Getting Caught Up for School Year

MINNEAPOLIS -- A new study shows American kids are returning to school an average of four to five months behind in their learning, and it's worse for …

Tara Houska, founder of Giniw Collective, has worked with other tribal activists such as Winona LaDuke in trying to stop the Line 3 oil pipeline project. (Photo courtesy of honortheearth.org)

With Line 3 Nearing Finish Line, Tribal Opponents Continue Speaking Out

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. -- The Line 3 oil pipeline for northern Minnesota could begin operating by as early next month. The latest update comes as …

A new report says one in three clean-energy jobs in Minnesota is located outside the Twin Cities. (Adobe Stock)

MN Clean-Energy Jobs Rebound from COVID Punch

MINNEAPOLIS - The COVID-19 pandemic ended job gains in plenty of industries, including clean energy. But a new report says the setback for …

Even before winning her medals at the Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Suni Lee had already made history as the first Hmong American to compete in the Olympics. (Adobe Stock)

Suni Lee's Olympic Triumph a Boost for MN Hmong Community

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Over the weekend, local celebrations were held in honor of Minnesota's Suni Lee, who brought home a trio of gymnastics medals from …

Minnesota is the first Midwestern state to adopt clean-car standards similar to those in California. (Adobe Stock)

Federal Car Emission Standards Appear to Dovetail With MN Plan

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The federal government is preparing to implement new auto emission standards, and so is the state of Minnesota. Backers of both …

Ayolanda Evans Mack of the group Protect Minnesota is at the helm of a new documentary about what it would take to rid a community of gun violence. (Black Light Media)

New MN Film Tries to Bring Context to Gun-Violence Debate

MINNEAPOLIS - Cities such as Minneapolis are getting attention over waves of gun violence in recent months. A statewide group hopes a new documentary …

Public health experts say while the Delta variant is fueling a rise in COVID cases, they don't anticipate dangerous spikes like the ones seen this past winter. (Adobe Stock)

Breaking Down the Facts on Breakthrough COVID Cases

MINNEAPOLIS - As COVID cases trend upward again, public-health experts are setting the record straight on certain storylines about new infections…

A new report finds programs like the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the Weatherization Assistance Program could eventually transform energy-bill assistance into self-reliance through investments in local solar energy. (Adobe Stock)

Solar-Powered Cul de Sacs: Residential Investments Could Pay Off

MINNEAPOLIS -- The smoky air covering much of Minnesota this summer has placed renewed focus on the impacts of climate change. A new report showed …

A union representing Minnesota state workers recently noted that as contract talks inched forward, it took issue with proposed language it said could drive up employee health-care costs. (Adobe Stock)

Telework, Equity Among Priorities for MN State Workers in Contract Talks

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Minnesota government has a new budget in place, but it's still trying to wrap up the latest two-year contracts for state employees…

Black women carry roughly 20% more student debt than do their white counterparts. (Adobe Stock)

Campaign: Canceling Student Debt Major Boost for Black Women

MINNEAPOLIS -- Black women carry more student loan debt than any other group, and a national petition has been launched to cancel $50,000 in student …

Minnesota-based CD3 Systems has developed self-service cleaning stations for boat owners to use amid efforts to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species. (Photo courtesy of CD3stations.com)

You Can Adopt a Highway; What About a Boat Landing?

MINNEAPOLIS -- "Only you can prevent forest fires" is among the more iconic public awareness campaigns. In Minnesota, new funding aims to make boat …

For more than 40 years, courts have been tasked with redistricting in Minnesota because of political divisiveness in drawing political maps. (Adobe Stock)

Lawsuit: MN Needs to Integrate BIPOC Voices in Redistricting

WORTHINGTON, Minn. -- Several lawsuits have been filed seeking fairness in Minnesota's redistricting process, and new legal action focuses on lifting …

Minnesota officials say 41% of women who give birth while incarcerated reach their release<br />date within 90 days of the child being born. (Adobe Stock) — Minnesota officials say 41% of women who give birth while incarcerated reach their release
date within 90 days of the child being born. (Adobe Stock)

MN First State to Ban Infant Separation in Prisons

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- In a few weeks, Minnesota will become the first state to end the practice of separating newborns from mothers held in prison…

Community action agencies connect missing pieces to help low-income individuals with assistance programs. In Minnesota, 24 of them, along with nearly 10 tribal governments, will share in new funding. (Adobe Stock)

MN's Community Agencies Can Stretch Dollars a Little Further

ONAMIA, Minn. -- Helping Minnesotans escape poverty requires behind-the-scenes work, often done by community action agencies on shoestring budgets…

Weight gain has been a common pandemic side effect, but experts say adding a few more steps to your routine can help shed the pounds. (stevepb/Pixabay)

Health Experts: Ease Back into Active Routines Post-Pandemic

MINNEAPOLIS -- More than 60% of adults reported weight problems during the pandemic, according to the American Psychological Association. Experts …

Several agriculture commodities, including poultry, are controlled by four or five large corporations within each market. (Adobe Stock)

Down on the Farm: More Competition and Market Fairness

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Farmers all over the U.S. contribute to the nation's food supply. But the meat and chicken you buy at the market typically is …

A grizzly bear roams inside Alaska's Denali National Park. (Adobe Stock)

No Selfies with Bears! National Park Advocates Offer Visitor Tips

INTERNATIONAL FALLS, Minn. -- With COVID-19 restrictions behind them, many Americans are jumping into the wilderness with both feet. National park …

Minnesota's divided government pushed budget talks to the brink of a government shutdown. A spending plan was adopted in the waning hours of a special session. (Adobe Stock)

From Status Quo to Policy Victories, MN Groups Review Special Session

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Minnesota has a new budget in place, after lawmakers finished a marathon special session as their deadline expired. From rural …

Immigration law experts say a significant percentage of U-visas go to victims of domestic violence. (Adobe Stock)

MN Enhances Efforts to Protect Immigrant Survivors of Crime

ST PAUL, Minn. - For an immigrant who is a victim of a crime, seeking justice can be especially difficult. Minnesota lawmakers are making that …

Police accountability has become a sticking point as a special legislative session in Minnesota winds down this week. (Adobe Stock)

Latest Police Accountability Plans in MN Legislature Criticized

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Gov. Tim Walz has signed orders related to police accountability in Minnesota, coinciding with provisions in a last-minute budget …

Supporters of a Minnesota plan to end driver's license suspensions for minor violations say not only does losing a license disproportionately harm low-income residents, it also puts a strain on public resources. (Adobe Stock)

MN Moves to End Driver's License Suspensions for Unpaid Fines

THIEF RIVER FALLS, Minn. -- If a Minnesotan fails to pay a traffic fine or appear in court for a low-level violation, they could lose their driver's …

Since 2000, Hennepin and Ramsey counties have seen an increase of nearly 30,000 Black households, but the number of homes owned by Black families declined. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Corporate-Owned Rentals Cut Into Black Homeownership

MINNEAPOLIS -- Long known for its homeownership disparities, the Twin Cities region has seen a widening of the gap between Black residents and their …

Leading up to the pandemic, an annual report says Minnesota continued progress in providing economic stability for children for families. But there's concern that post-pandemic data will later show that some of that progress was derailed. (Adobe Stock)

MN Still Ranks High for Child Well-Being, But Not for Everybody

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Minnesota continues to see encouraging results in child well-being, according to an annual report measuring key outcomes. However…

A new Gallup survey shows more than 60% of Americans say they know "a little bit" or "nothing at all" about Juneteenth, the date that celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. (DoDEA.edu)

Juneteenth Declared National Holiday, Amidst Progress, Upheaval

SAINT PAUL, Minn. -- Juneteenth National Independence Day is now an official holiday, after President Joe Biden signed a bill Thursday, approved by …

Canada-based Enbridge wants to replace its existing oil pipeline across northern Minnesota, extending from North Dakota on the west and into Wisconsin on the east. That has prompted strong opposition from Native American and environmental groups. (Adobe Stock)

Tribal Activist 'Dismayed' By Line 3 Court Ruling

PARK RAPIDS, Minn. -- The Minnesota Court of Appeals has upheld approvals of permits for the Line 3 oil pipeline. The move is seen as a win for …

A new study says harmful algal blooms are another threat to freshwater lakes, as they see declining oxygen levels brought on by rising temperatures. (Adobe Stock)

Study: MN Lakes Gasping for Air

MINNEAPOLIS -- Just as humans need clean air to breathe, lakes need healthy oxygen levels to provide habitat for fish species. But a new study said …

In addition to a $5.5 million settlement, the EEOC says JBS Swift must take several actions to correct and prevent further discrimination. The company was accused of denying prayer opportunities to Muslim workers. (Adobe Stock)

Muslim Community Advocates Cheer JBS Settlement

MINNEAPOLIS -- Advocates for Minnesota's Muslim community are welcoming a settlement between the federal government and a large meat-processing compan…

Line 3 Opponents Ramp Up Efforts Along MN Construction Route

BEMIDJI, Minn. -- Scores of protesters have gathered in northern Minnesota in hopes of halting the Line 3 oil pipeline project. Native American …

A coalition says Minnesota and other Great Lakes states need more than $188 billion over 20 years to meet clean-water objectives. (Adobe Stock)

Great Lakes Region Could See Boost Under Biden Plans

DULUTH, Minn. -- The Great Lakes and their surrounding regions have seen federal investments for restoration efforts, but those fighting on their …

While popular in summer, nearly $20,000 in Market Bucks were spent during the winter season at Minnesota farmers markets, according to the last annual report for the program. (Adobe Stock)

MN Lawmakers Urged to Spare 'Market Bucks' Funding

LITTLE FALLS, Minn. - A popular program that gives Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients better access to healthier foods at Minnesota …

Christian McCleary is a Twin Cities-based community and political activist who is doing ground-level work to foster positive change when it comes to racial justice. (Photo courtesy of literacymn.org)

Justice Work Continues Behind the Scenes, Post-Floyd

MINNEAPOLIS - Racial justice advocates say they hope their movement doesn't slow down after the recent anniversary of George Floyd's death and the con…

State worker advocates say a government shutdown in Minnesota would be more problematic than in years past, because legal rulings have placed tighter restrictions on line-item spending in these situations. (Adobe Stovk)

Notices of Possible Layoffs Worry MN State Workers

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Minnesota has less than a month to adopt a new state budget to avoid a government shutdown. As talks continue, a key union is …

Minnesota officials said an energy-saving program has been effective in reducing household power bills and carbon footprints, and that updating it would provide more benefits. (Adobe Stock)

New MN Law Touted as Bipartisan Energy-Efficiency Success

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Minnesotans will still have opportunities to tap into a program to help keep their energy bills low, while reducing their carbon …

From working from home to distance learning, broadband advocates say the pandemic exposed the many gap issues facing Americans. (Adobe Stock)

MN Voice Part of White House Broadband Forum

DETROIT LAKES, Minn. -- Access to high-speed internet received more awareness during the pandemic, mainly for its impact on students trying to …

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, food waste is estimated at 30% to 40% of the U.S. food supply. (Adobe Stock)

Cutting Food Waste a Priority Following Demand Surge

MINNEAPOLIS - World Hunger Day is Friday, and Minnesota-based groups say hunger has become an even greater problem during the pandemic, across the …

In addition to tens of thousands of lead water-service lines, Minnesota officials estimate 675,000 homes still have lead in plumbing or fixtures. (Adobe Stock)

Bill to Remove All Lead Pipes Gets Renewed Attention in Congress

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Minnesota isn't alone in dealing with lead pipe issues affecting water quality. A bill that has resurfaced in Congress aims to give …

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