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Big boost sought for child care in Greater Minnesota
Statistics reveal that more than 5,000 child care spots are needed in the southwest region of the state. 6:30 am, Apr. 3, 2021 ×
(Graphic submitted by Greater Minnesota Partnership)
REGIONAL It’s by no means a new problem, but a new effort is under way to give child care a desperately needed boost throughout Greater Minnesota.
Statistics provided by the Greater Minnesota Partnership (GMNP) show that more than 39,000 additional child care spots are needed in Greater Minnesota alone, including more than 5,000 in the southwest region of the state. The child care woes are compounded by the fact that, even though population in several Greater Minnesota counties grew between the years 2000 and 2020, more than 20,000 child care spots were lost during those two decades.
Alexandria to get new firefighting weapon
One advantage of the truck is its bucket. It s significantly larger to accommodate more personnel and a basket to carry victims during high-level rescues. Fire Chief Jeff Karrow noted that since 2016, the city has added 333 multi-level apartment units. Written By: Al Edenloff | ×
The Cottage Grove Fire Department has a Rosenbauer aerial truck that s similar to the one the Alexandria Fire Department is getting. (Contributed photo)
The Alexandria Fire Department will soon have a new firefighting weapon – a $1.24 million aerial fire truck that will replace a 1999 ladder truck that needs extensive repairs, according to Fire Chief Jeff Karrow.
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency considers lifting some water standards
Mining companies and municipal wastewater treatment facilities support the move, but some environmentalists says it s clear deregulation of pollutants. 8:25 pm, Feb. 22, 2021 ×
The sun sets over Superior Bay, the end of Minnesota Point, and Lake Superior near Duluth. 2017 file / News Tribune
Minnesota regulators are seeking to change water standards across the state.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has proposed the set of rule changes. The changes would remove numerical standards set for conductivity, hardness, sodium and bicarbonates in waters meant for industry and irrigation. They also would allow for higher amounts of chloride, alkalinity, salinity and total dissolved solids in waters meant for industry, irrigation and livestock, and wildlife drinking.
St. Peter: 255
The pandemic caused more upheaval in an already unstable industry. Providers were suddenly hit with major income losses as families pulled their children out of child care (often due to parents who lost jobs or whose work situations changed as a result of the pandemic) and business costs increased as providers adhered to new public health guidelines. While state and federal grants have helped, many providers are hanging on by a thread and some have opted to close indefinitely.
As communities look to reopen and repair their struggling economies, addressing the child care crisis is vital. Workers cannot rejoin the workforce unless they have safe, reliable child care. Likewise, our cities cannot attract new businesses and families unless we have a strong child care system.