Statewide Blog

Falling foreclosures, North Dakota man camps, Howler wows hipsters

Solar energy finds a home on Iron Range

AP: "The sun continues to shine on Minnesota's fledgling solar panel industry even as high-profile bankruptcies in the business capture headlines and as China muscles in on markets."

Number of foreclosures falls in Minn.

MPR News: "The number of Minnesota properties with a foreclosure filing fell last year.Foreclosure activity dropped by more than 14 percent in the fourth quarter of 2011, compared to the same period in 2010."

Union leaders request meeting with sugar company

AP: "Union leaders for locked-out American Crystal Sugar Co. workers say they have asked a federal mediator to lead another round of negotiations with the company."

Hopkins nursing home is charged with neglect in death

Star Tribune: "A Hopkins nursing home has been charged with neglect by state health officials in the case of a resident who died after being hospitalized for dramatic weight loss."

Dunn County man camps to ease housing crunch

Forum of Fargo Moorhead: "It will soon be easier for oil workers in Dunn County to find a place to call home, in a time when an oil boom has drastically affected housing availability." The paper reports that five camps are underway.

Students question where the state's education grant money is going

WDAY: "Some students say too much of the state's education grant money is heading to 'for-profit' schools"

KVLY denies Huebner claims of bias

Forum of Fargo Moorhead: "Attorneys for Valley News Live deny allegations that station managers discriminated against a former longtime anchor, and they're standing by the 26-year-old they promoted to replace her." The "response says TV anchor's replacement, Goetz, drew more male viewers."

Repairing the Republican brand

Politics in Minnesota: "GOP officials debate whether a deeper inquiry into Sutton-era party finances would help or hurt."

Shakopee enters Vikings stadium competition

KARE: "Shakopee Mayor Brad Tabke walked into Governor Mark Dayton's office Wednesday and delivered his city's pitch for a Vikings stadium.He said the southwest metro community, which is already home to Valley Fair and Canterbury Park, is well situated to handle the influx of Vikings fans on game days."

Review: Howler -- America Give Up

The Current: "Before their first full-length was released, Howler had already received high praise from far-flung places. Famed British music weekly NME named Howler the third-best new band of 2011; and the BBC and The Guardian heaped more positive excitement -- and expectations -- on the young Minneapolis band."