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New Lowry Bridge
Minnesota Today from MPR News
November 19, 2012
Will the wolf survive? 147 killed in first managed hunt in MN
Today on the MPR News Update, we keep score on the wolf hunt, report on the high number of Twin Cities teenage athletes using steroids, look back at SJU coach Gagliardi’s long tenure as he retires, and relay the Mall of America’s ban on unaccompanied teens for Black Friday.
Mall of America tightens teen escort rules
“The Mall of America is tightening its parental escort policy for some of the busiest parts of the holiday shopping season.
Mall spokesman Dan Jasper says unsupervised teenagers won’t be allowed on Thanksgiving night, all day on Black Friday and the entire week between Christmas and New Year’s. It stems from last year’s melee the day after Christmas, when police say as many as 200 young people were involved and at least nine were arrested,” via Associated Press.
Minn. refinery seeks OK for $400M upgrade
“The proposed improvements would allow the Flint Hills Resources refinery, about 20 miles south of St. Paul, to come closer to its processing capacity of 320,000 barrels of crude per day and also reduce emissions of nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide, spokesman Jake Reint said.
“However, the upgrade will increase the output of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas linked to climate change. The Pine Bend refinery, the largest in Minnesota, currently contributes about 3.5 million tons of carbon dioxide, or 2 percent of Minnesota’s total greenhouse-gas emissions, according to Flint Hills,” via Associated Press.
Local Food
Waseca hops research follows growth in craft beer
“For hobbyist home-brewer and horticultural scientist Charlie Rohwer, it’s a research project made in beer heaven. Rohwer, a research associate at the University of Minnesota’s Southern Research and Outreach Center in Waseca, has been growing hops at the facility since 2010.
“Object: To create a Minnesota-friendly plant that will benefit the state’s agricultural interests while catering to the needs of Minnesota’s burgeoning craft beer industry.
“Rohwer said hops were widely grown in the Midwest in the 1800s before a crop disease pushed their production to the nation’s western states. He said the hops challenge in Minnesota is to someday compete with the large-scale growers out West.”
Rochester police uncover counterfeit operation
Four people are in custody as Rochester police officers investigate what appears to be a counterfeit money operation uncovered this weekend in a Rochester neighborhood, via Rochester Post Bulletin.
New bike trail construction underway in Glendalough State Park
When complete, the trail will consist of an eight-mile loop within the park and a three-mile connection spur to the city of Battle Lake. The trail will pass through woods and prairie and offer views of Annie Battle and Molly Stark lakes, via Alexandria Echo Press.
Crime stopping goes high tech with anonymous tips sent via text
“When Phil Jorgensen started at Tri-County Crime Stoppers 29 years ago, there were just a couple ways for the public to get tips about unsolved crimes to law enforcement — the U.S. mail or a phone call. Earlier this year, it made a concerted effort to connect with young people and acknowledge a culture shift in the way society communicates.
“The nonprofit is promoting the use of text messaging as a means for people with information about unsolved crimes to get that information to area law enforcement and do it anonymously,” via St. Cloud Times.
Richmond, Cold Spring reach 5-year deal on police services
“The Cold Spring and Richmond city councils have approved a new contract for continued police services. The agreement will last for five years, with automatic cost increases every year. It can then be renewed in successive five-year terms. The agreement was approved last week,” via St. Cloud Times.
Outside groups pour $540,000 into 2 key legislative races; some decry influence of big spending
“A Minnesota elections expert says 2012 brought a record level of campaign spending, including by outside groups, on competitive legislative races throughout Minnesota.
“That campaign-cash torrent swept through St. Cloud, where more than $540,000 was spent, mostly by outside groups, on two competitive legislative races, including the McCarter-Pederson contest,” via St. Cloud Times.
Lutsen opens for ski season
Despite warm temperatures, Lutsen Mountain opened Saturday, thanks to the help of new snowmaking equipment, via Northland’s NewsCenter
HealthPartners data warehouse expands in downtown Duluth
“For seven years, HealthPartners has been operating its data warehouse in the Harbor Center in downtown Duluth. And quietly growing.
“So much so, that it’s outgrowing its current 3,000-square-foot space on the building’s third floor and moving to the nearly 7,000-square-feet space across the hall vacated by the U.S. Census Bureau,” via Duluth News Tribune
Resorts, campgrounds report good year
“According to a poll released this month by the Minnesota Resort and Campground Association, nearly one-fourth of its members said they had “about the best year ever’’ in 2012, while another 46 percent said it was a very good season. Only 16 percent said the summer of 2012 was average, and 14 percent said not so great.”
via Duluth News Tribune.
Canada looks to lure energy workers from the US
“Here in the western province of Alberta, energy companies are racing to tap the region’s vast deposits of oil sands. Canada is looking to double production by the end of the decade. To do so it will have to lure more workers _ tens of thousands of them _ to this cold and sparsely populated place. The weak U.S. recovery is giving them a big assist.” via Grand Forks Herald
