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The need for loving foster homes in St. Louis County remains at an all time high. To make it easier for people considering serving as foster parents to learn what it takes to be a foster parent, county social workers are hosting an open house and information session on Thursday, August 11, from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Government Services Center, 320 West 2nd Street in Duluth

U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, along with Representative Collin Peterson, today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded Benson Municipal Airport a grant of $111,345 for infrastructure improvements

The Department of Natural Resources has acquired nearly 6 miles of railroad property for the Mill Towns State Trail between Faribault and Dundas in Rice County. “We haven’t had an opportunity like this — to acquire such a long segment of trail at one time from a single landowner – since we purchased 6.5 miles of railroad corridor for Brown’s Creek State Trail in 2012,” said Erika Rivers, director of Minnesota state parks and trails. “Once completed, the Mill Towns State Trail is going to be very popular because of its scenic beauty and its proximity to the Twin Cities.”

U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, along with Representative Collin Peterson, today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded Windom Municipal Airport a grant of $166,160 for infrastructure improvements.

The United Nations Children’s Fund estimates that 13 million children across the globe have lost both parents and as many as eight million children are living in institutional care; Despite the clear need for more permanent homes for these children, the number of international adoptions in the U.S. has decreased by 72 percent since 2004

U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, along with Representatives Collin Peterson and Rick Nolan, today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded Bemidji Regional Airport a grant of $1,394,200 for infrastructure improvements.

Appraisers from the City of Minneapolis Assessor’s Office are currently conducting an official review of residential properties in the Powderhorn, Diamond Lake, Downtown East, Downtown West, Folwell, Webber-Camden, Willard-Hay and Lynnhurst neighborhoods

U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, along with Representative Collin Peterson, today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded Hector Municipal Airport a grant of $265,500 for infrastructure improvements.

The Karlstad Fire Department in northwestern Minnesota now has a significant upgrade to its fire fleet courtesy of the Department of Natural Resources’ Department of Defense Firefighter Property Program

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced that a HUD Administrative Law Judge ruled against a northern Minnesota landlord charged with refusing to rent an apartment to prospective tenants because of their disabilities. Landlord Deane Woodard of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota was ordered to pay $27,000 to one woman, a $16,000 civil penalty, and $1,000 in other court sanctions. Read the ruling.

U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan today applauded the successful addition of his six amendments and top policy priorities to the successfully-passed Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) during the bill’s markup in the House Committee Transportation and Infrastructure. Nolan is the only Minnesotan on this House Committee.

With the warm weather, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds homeowners and forest landowners that spring is an excellent time to plant trees. There are many good reasons to plant trees.

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar today joined Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Steve Daines (R-MT), and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) to introduce the Timber Innovation Act, bipartisan legislation that would help accelerate research and development – and ultimately construction – of wood buildings in the United States. Specifically, this legislation would focus on finding innovative ways to use wood in the construction of buildings above 85 feet in height or roughly seven or more stories

Lakeshore property owners are reminded that a permit may be required to remove lake plants. Aquatic plant regulations are summarized at the aquatic plant regulations page. “Aquatic plants are essential to healthy lake ecosystems, a fact that bears repeating each year as people turn attention to outdoor recreation and their shorelines,” said Steve Enger, supervisor of the aquatic plant management program for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. “We remind property owners to check the regulations to see if they need a permit.”

Landowners, counties and watershed districts are now reviewing the preliminary map of Minnesota public waters requiring protective buffers. Landowners who have buffers identified on their property can work with their local soil and water conservation district or drainage authority to ensure the preliminary map is accurate.