Unions, wolves and beer

'Right to work' issue heats up in Minnesota

Pioneer Press: "Efforts to make Minnesota a "right to work" state are ramping up, with business interests and labor leaders clashing over whether forbidding contracts that require workers to pay union dues will spark economic growth."

Smooth sailing predicted for Bachmann

New York Times: "Unless her district is changed dramatically, it's tough to see her losing her seat in Congress," said Nathan L. Gonzales, an editor at The Rothenberg Political Report, a nonpartisan newsletter. St Cloud Times: "DFLers said Bachmann's failed effort to reach the White House came at her constituents' expense, and will dog her bid for a fourth term."

Duluth school district faces multi-million dollar deficit

WDIO: "William Gronseth, the district's Interim Superintendent told Eyewitness News cuts are unavoidable.Gronseth explained the school district faces a budget deficit somewhere between $3 and $4 million. He said if it's not addressed this year, it will only grow over time."

Sen. Franken makes web ad for marriage equality group

MinnPost: "Sen. Al Franken is the latest celebrity to make a web ad promoting marriage equality in a campaign sponsored by Americans for Marriage Equality."

Some opt-out of Un-Fair Campaign about white-advantages

Northland News Center: "While the campaign has been endorsed by some entities and leaders as Mayor Don Ness, others such as the College of St. Scholastica have decided to opt-out."

Group standing up to recent hate crimes in Rochester

KAAL: "Afraid to live in their own homes, five Rochester families are still affected after vandals damaged their property in November. Since then a group has shown their support, saying these racially-motivated acts aren't okay."

DNR takes over wolf management

MPR News: "Officials with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources say they are ready to oversee the wolf population and will consider a 'conservative' hunting season, perhaps by next fall." Pioneer Press: "A 'pent-up demand' to hunt wolves is driving plans for a fall hunt for the animal, several officials who support the plan said Thursday."

Cost of Minnesota government shutdown still climbing

Star Tribune: "More claims by idled contractors are foreseen. Some may be large."

Mayo Clinic seeks increased mental health cultural awareness

Post Bulletin: "An estimated 50,000 people have immigrated from war-ravaged Somalia to Minnesota since civil war broke out in the east African country in 1991, and mental health providers at Mayo Clinic in Rochester recognize a need for more culturally appropriate, inclusive care."

Homelessness growing problem in Duluth

Northland News Center: "Homelessness in Duluth is on the rise in recent years and a record number of people have sought shelter within the last few months."

Meet the candidates: MN-08 Rick Nolan

Rick Nolan: "Stopping pollution is not rocket science, its about political will."

MinnesotaBrown: "Nolan is a former Congressman from the Crosby area. In 1980 Nolan opted not to seek re-election and has since run a sawmill and international trading business."

Red River Valley flood risk recedes even lower

AP: "The risk of significant flooding in the Red River Valley is down from recent years and even lower than last month's forecast due to the lack of snow, forecasters said Thursday -- bolstering hopes the region may be spared a fourth consecutive battle this spring."

Sioux Falls population up 1 percent, city reports

Argus Leader: "The city has released its estimate of the year-end population of Sioux Falls. The estimate of 156,300 is a 1,600-person increase from last year or a 1.0 percent annual increase."

Zebra mussel class is now in session

Star Tribune: "The first of 21 classes statewide was held in Chanhassen."

Minnesota man says 'hidden' traps are killing pets

WCCO: "A Northern Minnesota man is concerned that hunting dogs are becoming the hunted." Trapper Jon Reynolds wants some bait traps "moved off the ground -- where fishers and raccoons can still get them but dogs can't. Twenty-five other states have that type of regulation, but Minnesota does not. And because of what happened to" his dog "Penni, Reynolds now refers to body grips as 'hidden killers.'"

Small breweries ready to tap into market - or fall flat

MPR News: "Small beer-making operations have been popping up all over the city -- and around the state. At least 10 new breweries opened in Minnesota last year, from Castle Danger Brewing on the North Shore to Olvalde Farmhouse Ales near Winona."

Researchers untangle link between hunger and obesity

MPR News: "The picture of hunger in the America is changing. In the past, hunger may have conjured up images of gaunt faces or rail-thin children. Today, some people who struggle to feed their families are actually obese."

Organic Prairie becomes part-owner of Cannon Falls meat plant

Post Bulletin: "Organic Prairie has secured an organic meat processing plant by becoming co-owner of Lorentz Meats in Cannon Falls. ... This is the first time it has owned part of a processing facility."

Judge to hear arguments on limiting type of abortion in ND

Valley News Live: "A Cass County court hearing set for Friday afternoon could spell the end of the availability of medicinal abortions for the entire state of North Dakota."

Ice skating with Zoo Animal

Local Current: "'Well, this is the probably the cutest thing I've ever done,' Holly Newsom wrote while posting a new North Shore Sessions music video for her song 'Dream On.' We'd have to agree. The song is off her new EP, Departure, which comes out next month.

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