MPR News’ Tom Crann and Megan Burks wrote that the federal refugee limit is now eight times higher under Trump, but that “some are criticizing Biden for not raising the cap on the number of refugees that the country will accept and admitting far less than the limit allows. This fiscal year, which began Saturday, the United States can accommodate 125,000 refugees. It used less than five percent of its slots last year.” Rachele King, the State Refugee Coordinator, told Crann that the United States is planning to use the traditional refugee admissions system to rebuild to what they had seen over their history. This would be closer to 2,000 annual arrivals to the state.
Frederick Melo reports for the Pioneer Press. Frederick Melo reports that the historic WestRock recycled paper plant at Vandalia Street and University Avenue, on the western edge in St. Paul will layoff 130 workers. This decision is attributed to outdated machinery which was too costly to maintain. It also means that the production of corrugated papers at the location will cease. The site will continue to have a separate unit for the production of coated recycled boards.
This is Stribber Sharyn Jack. “When La Belle Vie Trailblazer and James Beard Award-winning chef Tim McKee announced his plans to open an Italian restaurant in Minneapolis’ North Loop by 2023 in August, the details were murky. The picture is changing as news about a new Minneapolis hotel is coming out next year. Salt Hotels, which offers boutique lodging in several cities on the East Coast will open the West Hotel in the development at the corner of 2nd Avenue N.E. and N. 1st Street.
KARE-TV Danny Spewak states that “Hemp-based THC products are legal in Minnesota for just over three months, but many employers are still having difficulty adapting to the new law. Lauryn Schothorst is the director of workforce management policy at the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. She said that many businesses are struggling to adjust to the new law due lack of clarity. Employers should be aware of the ambiguities, such as the possibility that a worker might test positive for THC after having consumed a legal hemp-based product.
Also in the Strib. Nadine Manske says that Red Wing students can attend Minnesota State College Southeast tuition free. This is thanks to a donation made Thursday by school leaders. Red Wing College Promise is a donation from the Jones Family Foundation that will pay tuition and other expenses for students who are not eligible for financial aid. This is the latest step in a campaign to make higher education more affordable at Minnesota colleges.
Another KARE TV story is this by Eva Andersen. It says “Nora J.S. Reichardt, who is reporting under a different name, has been covering Des Moines’ Local 5 News news since July 2021. The 24-year-old Hanover native, who had been gradually coming to terms with her identity as transgender woman over several years, began a medical transformation process in September 2021. is now re-introducing herself publicly to the community, sharing her experience with transition.
Jon Collins from MPR News reported that the judge in charge of George Floyd’s trial expressed doubt Thursday regarding the concept of “exciteddelirium” during a hearing on Thursday. This controversial concept is taught widely to first responders, police officers included. Defense lawyers had argued Floyd’s “excited delirium” justified the use of force to subdue Floyd. Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill stated that he believes that excited delirium is a scientific term and has not been proven false at the pre-trial hearing of officers Tou Thao & J. Alexander Kueng.
Twin Cities Business Dan Niepow wrote that the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce was jumping into the health insurance market. The chamber announced on Thursday that it has partnered with Minnetonka-based insurer Medica in order to provide small and medium-sized businesses with health insurance plans. The ChamberHealth by Medica offering, also known as ChamberHealth, is only available to members of the chamber. It’s restricted to select industries such as manufacturing, finance, insurance and professional and technical services.
Eder Campuzano, of the Strib, reports that voters in Hawley (Minn.) will decide whether or not to grant their school district’s request to build a middle school. District officials in Canby, located in the southwest corner, state that they require $8 million to upgrade the high school gym. District officials in Eden Prairie want to ensure they have the funds necessary to continue paying for ongoing expenses. voters from 21 Minnesota school districts will vote on funding measures Nov. 8. It amounts to $616 million.
helpdesk