Minnesota News

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August 28, 2013 6:55 AM

If worker shortage comes, rural Minnesota will feel it first

There isn’t a huge skilled worker shortage yet, says an economic analysis by the Center for Rural Policy and Development in St. Peter. But if one comes, rural Minnesota, beset by aging demographics and competition from the Twin Cities, Fargo, Sioux Falls and the North Dakota oil fields, will feel it first.

by Dave Peters

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August 28, 2013 6:46 AM

Are cat videos art?

Should we be concerned when one of Minnesota’s most important cultural institutions becomes known for curating internet cat videos?

by Michael Olson

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August 28, 2013 5:31 AM

State Fair University: What makes a good cutting horse?

MPR’s Cathy Wurzer, a horse lover, visited the equine area of the Minnesota State Fair determined to learn something new. Sure enough, J.P. Bell of the Minnesota Cutting Horse Association introduced her to a concept — and a competition — she had only heard of but never understood. “Cutting” is the term for separating one Read more →

by Molly Bloom

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August 28, 2013 4:00 AM

Twin Ports aviation industry flying high

In July 1999, I was a young reporter in Duluth working at KDLH-TV. I covered just about everything as you do on the general assignment beat. One of my most memorable stories was about a burgeoning Duluth-based aviation company called Cirrus Design. Cirrus had created a unique and innovative product – a small airplane equipped…

by Trisha Volpe

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August 28, 2013 2:10 AM

Do you support a “limited strike” against Syria?

“Questions are already swirling about the endgame as the Obama administration prepares for a likely strike against Syria as punishment for an alleged chemical weapons attack in its civil war.” writes Lolita C. Baldor for the Associated Press. Capitol View: Franken, Klobuchar: Chemical weapons use must have consequences National security experts and some U.S. officials…

by Michael Olson

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August 28, 2013 12:00 AM

Today at the fair: Meet the governor and watch cat videos

Today at the fair, Gov. Mark Dayton will spend an hour at the MPR booth (at the corner of Judson and Nelson), chatting with MPR News political editor Mike Mulcahy live on the air. He’ll be answering questions from fairgoers and taking questions from radio listeners across the state from noon until 1 p.m. (To Read more →

by Meg Martin

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August 27, 2013 11:36 AM

State Fair goers react to possible U.S. strike on Syria

MPR News reporter Mark Zdechlik went to the Minnesota State Fair, where today is Military Appreciation Day, to ask people how they think the U.S. should respond to the use of chemical weapons in Syria. Many fair goers he talked with said they were veterans of the Vietnam War.

by Jon Gordon

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August 27, 2013 5:36 AM

Minnesota monarchs headed south

The butterflies born here are on their way south, and their offspring will eventually reach the mountain forests in central Mexico to spend the winter.

by Dan Olson

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August 27, 2013 2:07 AM

Are Americans too negative?

“A wave of negativism rolls across the land. Many Americans are against instead of for. They would rather stop than start, subtract than add, demolish than build,” writes NPR’s Linton Weeks. Legendary basketball coach Bob Knight has published a book titled The Power of Negative Thinking: An Unconventional Approach to Achieving Positive Results. Campus entrepreneur…

by Michael Olson

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August 26, 2013 12:00 PM

Mixed results in voting to set taxing districts around Minnesota lakes

Minnesota Lake residents continue to challenge the establishment of Lake Improvement Districts, with mixed results. A LID has the authority to levy fees, or taxes based on property value. The money can be used to improve water quality. The spread of aquatic invasive species has prompted more lake property owners to ask for the authority to Read more →

by Dan Gunderson

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