Domestic bid in the works to buy Cirrus
Two weeks after the Duluth-based airplane manufacturer Cirrus announced it entered an agreement to be purchased by a Chinese group, a group of U.S. investors says its also planning on making a bid. Cirrus hasn't responded to the effort led by an aviation consultant.
"People want this company to be owned and operated on American soil, period" -- Brian Foley, aviation analyst (release).
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Foley wrote a blog post last week about the Cirrus agreement and saw deep interest from U.S. investors to keep the company in U.S. hands, The Duluth News Tribune reports. Foley says he's organizing investors to make a counteroffer.
Also clicking on MN Today:
Lots of news from around the state about flood prevention and preparations.
Forecast: Almost half the USA at risk for spring flooding
The Upper Midwest isn't the only region expected to see potentially catastrophic flooding over the next few weeks. Almost half the USA, including much of the Midwest, Northeast and all the way down the Mississippi River Valley to New Orleans, has an above-average risk for spring flooding (USA Today).
Recent melting pattern could affect flood outlook
Warmer weather this week is shining a little bit of sunshine on the Red River Basin spring snowmelt and flood outlook (Grand Forks Herald).
Region's rivers top nation's flood risks
As spring melt begins, flood watchers concentrate on Minnesota and Red rivers (Star Tribune).
Well and fuel oil tank owners urged to take flood precautions
The Minnesota Department of Health is advising well owners that private water wells contaminated with flood water can pose a health risk. MDH recommends that well owners take precautions before possible flooding and take corrective actions should a well be flooded.
Minn. agency warns: prepare fuel tanks for floods (Hutchison Leader).
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is urging residents and businesses to prepare fuel oil, gasoline and petroleum tanks for possible flooding in the next few weeks (KTTC).
Traveling sand bagger helps with flood preparation
The low hum of a motor filled the air as a large, funnel-shaped contraption squeaked, banged and spurted sand into bags.City workers gathered around the device -- about the size of an outhouse -- and hoisted the white sacks to a nearby table (Winona Daily News).
More flooding news from MN Today.
Crews investigate cause of Minneapolis gas explosion
Crews with CenterPoint Energy spent the night at the site where a 20-inch gas line exploded shutting down Interstate 35W and forcing neighbors to evacuate. The company is promising an intensive, thorough investigation (KSTP).
Analysis: Minnesota's deficit one of the biggest
Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton's speeches these days contain one sure-fire applause line: "We're not Wisconsin." That is true, and Minnesotans appreciate the fact that thousands of protesters have not descended on their Capitol. But by at least one measure, Minnesota is worse than its eastern neighbor (Alexandria Echo Press).
1 dead in mass overdose in Blaine
Ten others were hospitalized, two critically, after taking a synthetic drug at a party in Blaine (Star Tribune).
Anti-abortion rights bills advance in Minnesota Legislature
One bill would ban abortions at 20 weeks of pregnancy and another would ban taxpayer funding for abortions (Minnesota Independent).
Rep. Buesgens violates probation by consuming alcohol
State Rep. Mark Buesgens, R-Jordan, who pleaded guilty last fall to drunken-driving in Wright County, has allegedly violated terms of his probation from the case by consuming alcohol (Jordan News).