Latest News from Dakota Times

Regulation

MnDOT launches Name a Snowplow contest

By James Ledbetter | Dec 27, 2020

The Minnesota Department of Transportation has launched its "Name a Snowplow" contest, according to a press release.

Regulation

Minnesota DOT takes notable loss of $155 million due to COVID-19

By James Ledbetter | Nov 22, 2020

The Minnesota Department of Transportation took a notable loss of $155 million in its highway income due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Finance&Commerce reported.

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Job vacancies in Minnesota down almost 24%, DEED reports

By Andy Nghiem | Nov 5, 2020

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) recently announced that, according to Job Vacancy Survey results, Minnesota employers report that job vacancies are down 23.7% for the second quarter of 2020 compared to 2019.

Regulation

Minnesota uses building bought for a morgue as a PPE storage facility

By Elle Johnson | Oct 2, 2020

A state building bought as a morgue for victims of COVID-19 for $5.5 million has become a storage locker for personal protective equipment and testing supplies.

Regulation

Dakota County programs win National Association of Counties award

By James Ledbetter | Aug 27, 2020

Four programs in Dakota County have received national attention as they improve the quality of people's lives and make the community a healthier place.

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Howe advocates for better pay for Minnesota troopers

By Kimberly James | Aug 19, 2020

Sen. Jeff Howe (R-Rockville) is an advocate for Minnesota State Troopers, requesting that the hardest working men in law enforcement deserve to be paid as much as other law enforcement officers in the state.

From SE Twin Cities

Walz recognizes 23 cities, townships and counties in Minnesota as 'telecommuter-friendly communities'

By James Ledbetter | 4 years ago

Gov. Tim Walz made a recent announcement, toasting 23 cities, townships and counties in Minnesota as "telecommuter-friendly communities."

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Unemployment up in Minnesota, reports say

By James Ledbetter | Aug 12, 2020

As of Aug. 7, approximately 854,600 people in Minnesota have filed for unemployment since March.

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Minnesota spends millions of tax dollars on lobbying, report shows

By Tamara Gabbard | Jul 15, 2020

State Auditor Julie Blaha’s new lobby report shows the state spent close to $10 million of taxpayer’s money lobbying in 2019, which is a near $1 million increase from 2018 and an all-over 8% increase over the past six years.

From Anoka Times

Representatives urge Walz to allocate CARES Act funding to cities, counties

By Elle Johnson | 4 years ago

Of Minnesota's 87 counties, two have been receiving direct appropriations from the CARES Act, while the other 85 are still waiting on the needed funds given to the state from the federal funds, according to a letter to Gov. Tim Walz from Reps. Kurt Daudt and Pat Garofalo.

Regulation

City council majority echoes cry to end MPD

By Kimberly James | Jun 24, 2020

Nine Minneapolis City Council members said they will begin the work of ending the Minneapolis Police Department.

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Regulation

Koznick salutes protesters, pushes for National Guard to step in

By Charmaine Little | Jun 18, 2020

State Rep. and Assistant Majority Leader Jon Koznick saluted protesters while condemning rioters amid the local fallout from the death of George Floyd, according to Minnesota Legislature on June 5.

From Minnesota State Wire

Thousands of Minnesota employees claim they were illegally forced to pay union dues

By Kasey Schefflin-Emrich | 4 years ago

Roughly 8,000 public sector employees in Minnesota are being represented in a class action suit against two labor unions for forcing them to pay union fees as a condition for unemployment.

Regulation

Minnesota public carry permits at an all-time high

By Rich Peters | Mar 18, 2020

A record number of Minnesotans reportedly have permits to publicly carry guns in the state as those numbers continue to grow.

Regulation

State budget forecast is 'positive news,' Hall says

By Rich Peters | Mar 11, 2020

The latest Office of Management and Budget (MMB) forecast provided encouraging news for additional investment in Minnesota families and noted the continuous decline in the state’s unemployment rate.