Minnesota News - Howie Hanson (Page 4)

2 Aug 2023 · 4 min read

Blunts, beverages and a Bong-O-Matic: Minnesotans enjoy cannabis freedom

“I’ve been waiting 55 years for this,” said Gary Cardinal Sr., who sat on the patio of Midway Saloon in St. Paul, listening to a band cover Bob Marley and offering other patrons the chance to use his “Bong-O-Matic."

2 Aug 2023 · 3 min read

Minnesota tribe makes history with state’s first legal marijuana sale

Red Lake’s NativeCare is the only legal recreational marijuana dispensary in Minnesota, as state officials have yet to establish a licensing system. That gives tribes at least a year’s headstart in the Green Rush to stake a claim of what’s projected to be a $1.5 billion industry.

24 Jul 2023 · 3 min read

Minnesota among states with highest average household income, highest racial inequality

By Madison McVan, Minnesota Reformer Good news: Minnesota’s average income is in the top ten of U.S. states. Bad news: The average yearly income — $72,062 in 2022,

6 Jul 2023 · 7 min read

States, cities turn to community organizations to battle wage theft

Wage theft, which can include not paying workers minimum wage, misclassifying workers as independent contractors or as management to avoid paying overtime and taking tips meant for employees, is a $50 billion problem for U.S. workers.

28 Jun 2023 · 2 min read

Minnesota is the Midwest leader on electric vehicles, report says

By Christopher Ingraham, Minnesota Reformer Minnesota is the Midwestern leader on policies encouraging the widespread use of electric vehicles, according to a new scorecard from the American Council for an

27 Jun 2023 · 2 min read

Minnesota to receive over $650 million to expand broadband access

By Michelle Griffith, Minnesota Reformer Minnesota will receive over $650 million to expand access to broadband thanks to the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, which should make a major dent in

26 Jun 2023 · 9 min read

The Easter eggs: The good stuff the Legislature passed you may not have heard about

The Legislature approved a measure in the education funding bill allowing a school board to renew a 10-year levy once if the amount is the same.

17 Jun 2023 · 4 min read

Is Tim Walz running for president? No, but he’s up to something with this national politicking.

So, what’s next? A Biden cabinet position seems possible, perhaps at the Department of Veterans Affairs, or Education or Agriculture.

16 Jun 2023 · 2 min read

This week’s record-breaking air pollution, in one chart

This summer’s smoke is being driven by a Canadian wildfire season that’s started much earlier than usual, and which is expected to last until the fall or winter.

15 Jun 2023 · 3 min read

Minneapolis police officers continue to rack up hefty overtime as understaffing continues

Minneapolis Police Sgt. Stephen McBride was the department’s top earner in 2022, earning over $390,000 — more than three times his base salary.

13 Jun 2023 · 2 min read

Lt. Gov. Flanagan, nonprofits praise additional $3.3 million for prepared meals program

The prepared meals are for Minnesotans experiencing food insecurity who have trouble cooking meals due to lack of access to a kitchen or because they have a disability.

13 Jun 2023 · 4 min read

Trump pleads not guilty in federal documents case, heads back out on campaign trail

The charges stem from Trump retaining 102 documents with classification markings, which federal authorities recovered only through an FBI raid.

12 Jun 2023 · 4 min read

Minneapolis school district on the brink of insolvency, state involvement

MPS will have to close schools and/or lay off teachers when federal pandemic funds run out

9 Jun 2023 · 2 min read

Reps. Emmer, Stauber imply Trump indictment timed to Biden bribery allegations

Emmer, who is the House majority whip and third-ranking House Republican, told Minnesota conservative talk radio host Jon Justice on his show Friday that Trump’s indictment “stinks to high heaven.”

8 Jun 2023 · 8 min read

Former Gov. Arne Carlson is 88 and battling a massive mining conglomerate

While PolyMet opponents cheered the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ decision this week to revoke a key permit for the mine — a huge setback for the project, but not a death knell — Carlson urges caution.

8 Jun 2023 · 4 min read

For climate and clean water, state agencies need Walz to lead

With new direction from Gov. Walz, state agencies could change course and require rapid reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and water pollution from nitrogen.

7 Jun 2023 · 2 min read

Study finds $160 million paid out from 2010 to 2020 for police misconduct in Minnesota

Over 40% of the incidents lacked detail explaining the type of misconduct — and nearly 89% of those happened in Minneapolis.

6 Jun 2023 · 4 min read

Sen. Smith, Lt. Gov Flanagan highlight tribal rights in the face of U.S. Supreme court ruling

Smith told the room full of tribal leaders that she will “do everything in my power to protect and strengthen tribal sovereignty.”