Mark SteilThe debate over immigration reform is heating up in scores of Minnesota crop fields, livestock barns and farm homes. As Minnesota Milk Producers Association President Patrick Lunemann puts it, “we’re struggling to find labor.” Lunemann employs immigrants as part of the work force on his 700-cow dairy farm near the central Minnesota town of Clarissa. Read more →
MPR News From our outstate correspondents
Archives for February 2014
Michael Olson
MPR News reporter Tim Post shared this video postcard from a recent clearing of his sidewalk. Turn up the volume for the best viewing experience.
Dan Kraker
A new report shows strong public support to rebuild a section of a state highway through Jay Cooke State Park that has been closed since it was severely damaged in flooding in June, 2012. Now MnDOT officials will decide whether to undertake the project. Read more →
Molly BloomMany school districts across southern Minnesota will be closed tomorrow due to severe weather, including Rochester, Winona, Austin, and Faribault. The Superior, Wis., schools will also be closed. Southwest Transit has also announced it will be providing limited service tomorrow and will not be stopping at seven of its usual pickup/drop-off locations (see the list Read more →
This brutal winter has created a bridge to Isle Royale that could be a godsend for the wolves there facing extinction.
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A good read on the beach with the Minneapolis skyline in the background. Minnepixle / Flickr Minnesota is the only state with two cities on the list of America’s Most Literate Cities for 2013. Rank – City 1. – Washington, DC 2. – Seattle, WA 3. – Minneapolis, MN 4.5 – Atlanta, GA 4.5 – Read more →
Minneapolis has won the latest battle in the war with Portland for best bike city. Organizers of Portland’s annual Worst Day of the Year Ride, which was planned for this Sunday, have canceled its 45 mile ride due to bad weather. The impending doom? 2 – 6″ of snow and a low temp of 27 Read more →
Duluth mountain bikers are about a third of the way to building the country’s first 100 mile long urban mountain bike trail. Read more →
Sun dogs or “mock suns” filled the sky this morning. MPR News meteorologist Paul Huttner explained the science behind the phenomenon here. There are enough ice crystals in the cold air this morning that the sun has a rainbow halo. pic.twitter.com/wgV6AwmWC5 — Hans Buetow (@hansbuetow) February 6, 2014 Parhelion aka sun dog (I think). 7:57 Read more →