Statewide blog
Statewide: June 7, 2012 Archive
Cross burning arrests; Bronze stars return; Renters ruin the neighborhood?
Posted at 8:00 AM on June 7, 2012
by Michael Olson
Filed under: Around MN
Two Bemidji men arrested on suspicion of cross burning incident last month
Bemidji Pioneer: "Derek Daniel Barnes, 20, and Ryan Fairbanks Andree, 19, were arrested on suspicion of terroristic threats and use of explosive/incendiary devices, according to a news release issued Wednesday night by the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office. ... The woman who reported the cross is white while her two adult children are mixed-race because their father is black. The woman was home alone and ran outside to douse the flames with water after seeing flames extend five feet into the air, she told the Pioneer. The newspaper agreed to withhold her name after she requested not to be identified to protect her family's identity. 'I was scared to death,' she told the Pioneer. 'Somebody has this much hatred to be lighting a cross?'
Also on MN Today
Influence Industry: In Wisconsin recall effort, the side with most money won big
The Washington Post: "If the Wisconsin recall battle was a test of the power of political spending, the big money won big."
MN Today: Wisconsin recall fallout
Capitol View: GOP emboldened on union issues, WH threatens to veto Paulsen's device tax cut, WI an opportunity for Romney
Homesteaders are giving way to renters in Twin Cities
Star Tribune: "Minneapolis and St. Paul see more single family houses not homesteaded, which experts say can destabilize neighborhoods."
Drought conditions continue in Northwest Minn.
MN Climate Working Group: "As of May 29, the U.S. Drought Monitor places some northwest Minnesota counties in the Moderate Drought category."
22 people arrested in Northland heroin sweep
Duluth News Tribune: "'Operation Brownstone' -- named after brown powder heroin, the type most seen in the Twin Ports -- was a concentrated effort by" local and federal agencies "to combat the increase in heroin trafficking and abuse being seen here."
Stolen bronze star markers replaced on veterans' graves
Isanti County News: "Local veterans' graves once again have the recognition they so distinctly deserve."
Ruling says part-time firefighters can unionize
MPR News: "For the first time, some part-time firefighters in the state are eligible to form labor unions, says a ruling by the Minnesota's Bureau of Mediation Services."
Survey: Mpls parents spoil their kids, St. Paul parents don't
WCCO: "Minneapolis and St. Paul often have friendly rivalries, and a new survey is sure to have parents in both cities talking."Minnesota's new
PUC chair familiar with complex issues
Midwest Energy News: "As an administrative law judge for the past 13 years, Judge Beverly Jones Heydinger has helped the commission sort out some of its most complex and contested cases."
Chammy the horse gets to stay in city
New Ulm Journal: "The Hintzes consider the horse an attraction for city residents and visitors. They were served a notice by the City of New Ulm that the horse must be removed because its presence violated city ordinances on keeping livestock and for 'excessive manure.'"
Beer trip: Soak up the suds
Star Tribune: "Vacation time? Hop in the car for a visit to breweries along your route as you explore the region."
Group weighs regulation of chemicals in Minnesota
Posted at 2:12 PM on June 7, 2012
by Dan Gunderson
Filed under: Environment, Government, Research
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MPR file photo- Small amounts of toxic chemicals are found in many consumer goods
A working group of environmentalists, business leaders and state employees spent the past two years trying to come up with recommendations to improve regulation of toxic chemicals.
Convened by Minneapolis-based Environmental Initiative, the working group couldn't reach consensus on specifics, but did agree on three general areas.
They include: A research project to evaluate alternative risk-assessment methodologies; improved use of science in chemical management decision making and the promotion of innovation and economic development through green chemistry.
Read the full report here.
The working group focused on regulation of all chemicals except those used in agriculture.
A staff member said group decided to exclude farm chemicals because they are regulated under the federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act.
Non-agriculture chemicals are regulated under the Toxic Substances Control Act passed in 1976. Minnesota agencies also regulate chemicals, and assess health risks.
Although no specific recommendations came from the working group, a staff member said it's possible the collaborative effort could lead to expanded chemical research at the University of Minnesota and an initiative to expand the Green Chemical industry in Minnesota.
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