Target scales back on its LGBTQ+ merchandise ahead of Pride Month 2024May 15, 2024 4:03 AMBy Jonathan Franklin In a statement to NPR, a spokesperson for the retail giant says it is committed to supporting the LGBTQ+ community year-round, not only during the month of June.
New online tool allows for close-up look into Minnesota’s changing climate futureMay 15, 2024 4:00 AMBy Dan KrakerUniversity of Minnesota researchers are launching a new online tool today that allows people to visualize how a future climate will look and feel, down to a 2.5 mile scale. The goal is to help engineers, farmers and others better plan for a climate-changed future.
Red Lobster closes dozens of locations across the U.S.May 14, 2024 4:59 PMBy The Associated Press and MPR News StaffA restaurant liquidator announced that it’s auctioning off the equipment of over 50 Red Lobster locations that were recently closed. None of Red Lobster’s Minnesota locations are on the list — but a couple just across state lines are.
Play7min 57secClosure of another rural in-patient psychiatric ward leads to public hearingMay 14, 2024 1:31 PMBy Cathy Wurzer and Alanna ElderOn Tuesday evening there will be a public hearing on the closure of an inpatient psychiatric ward in central Minnesota. Lakewood Health System plans to close its 10-bed unit in its hospital in the small town of Staples.
UnitedHealthcare faces state penalty for uneven mental health care coverageMay 14, 2024 12:09 PMBy Estelle Timar-WilcoxUnitedHealthcare is facing penalties for allegedly violating mental health parity laws. After an investigation, the Minnesota Department of Commerce says the company covers mental health claims more stringently than it covers claims for other types of care.
Biden announces new tariffs on imports of Chinese goods, including electric vehiclesMay 14, 2024 4:01 AMBy Asma Khalid President Biden is keeping the tariffs on Chinese imports put in place by his predecessor and 2024 opponent, former President Donald Trump. And he's adding new ones for things like electric vehicles.
Play2min 09secMinnesota semiconductor manufacturer awarded nearly $200 million in state, federal funding for expansionMay 13, 2024 9:18 AMBy Estelle Timar-WilcoxBloomington's Polar Semiconductor is beginning a $525 million expansion that it says will double its output and create 160 new jobs. It’s slated to receive nearly $200 million in state and federal funding for the project.
Local governments struggle to distribute their share of billions from opioid settlementsMay 12, 2024 11:45 AMBy The Associated PressSettlement money to help stem the decades-long opioid addiction and overdose epidemic is rolling out to small towns and big cities across the U.S., but advocates worry that chunks of it may be used in ways that don't make a dent in the crisis.
Otter Tail County proposes restrictions on vacation home rentalsMay 12, 2024 8:00 AMBy Dan GundersonOtter Tail County is considering a new ordinance designed to reduce noise and large gatherings at vacation home rentals. The proposed ordinance is in response to complaints from lake property owners.
Target to reduce number of stores carrying Pride-themed merchandise after last year’s backlashMay 10, 2024 1:08 PMBy The Associated PressTarget, which operates roughly 2,000 stores, said decisions about where to stock Pride-themed products, including adult apparel, home goods, foods and beverages would be based on “guest insights and consumer research.”