Category: Rural Headlines

EXCERPT: “One of the most common significant struggles for most small cities across the state is the balance between funding critical projects and other necessities and limiting the amount of burden they put on their residents. Top it off with the proposed LGA budget being less than it was in 2002 for this year the ...

EXCERPT: “A proposal moving quietly through the Legislature would take a step toward closing gaps in mental health facilities. The bill would provide $80 million for state grant programs to construct six mental health crisis centers around the state that cities, counties, hospitals and other public entities would operate to serve mentally ill and chemically dependent ...

EXCERPT: “The Minnesota Department of Transportation is looking for individuals and organizations to join the more than 4,100 groups and 16,000 people in the state who are Adopt a Highway volunteers. The program, which realized an estimated $6 million benefit in 2017, is a public service project that helps reduce litter along the roadsides. It’s been ...

EXCERPT: “The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency on Wednesday said it will use $47 million paid by Volkswagen for the company’s air pollution violations to pay for cleaner school buses, electric car charging stations and other cleaner vehicles across the state. PCA officials said they received more than 1,000 public comments in recent months on how ...

EXCERPT: “Lawmakers and the governor are facing a difficult decision on how to best serve Minnesota veterans who need full-time care — and the clock is ticking. While there are currently five state-run veterans homes — in Minneapolis, Hastings, Silver Bay, Luverne and Fergus Falls – with a combined 824-bed capacity, there is still room for ...

EXCERPT: “A new bill being heard today by the Minnesota House Property Tax and Local Government Finance Division is drawing ire from Worthington officials. The bill (HF 3830), chief authored by District 31B Rep. Cal Bahr, R-East Bethel, would shift local government aid (LGA) away from cities that have imposed a local option sales tax ...

EXCERPT: “Patients across Minnesota will soon have better access to new cancer treatments through clinical trials thanks to a new state-funded partnership between the University of Minnesota and the state’s major health systems. As part of Minnesota’s Discovery, Research and InnoVation Economy (MnDRIVE) partnership with the State of Minnesota, the University has launched the Minnesota ...

EXCERPT: “Child care, and all the ways child care affects the long-term health and well-being of a community, served as the central focus for a roundtable discussion hosted by Sen. Amy Klobuchar at the Brainerd Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce Wednesday, April 4 . . .While the discussion was far-ranging and varied in scope, two ...

EXCERPT: “MnDOT announced $1.1 billion will be used for 235 state road and bridge projects to be worked on across the state this year. According to Transportation Commissioner Charlie Zelle, many of the projects are already underway . . . Some of the projects include upgrades to Interstate 35W at I-94, particularly around the Lake Street area. MnDOT also plans ...