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Bloomington company receives $195 million to expand semiconductor manufacturing facility
On Monday, Governor Walz and economic development officials announced a new $525 million project from a Bloomington company that could create 160 local jobs. Polar Semiconductor plans to invest $525 million to expand its facility in Bloomington. Of that $525 million, $120 million is direct funding from the U.S. CHIPS and Science Act and $75 million is an investment from the Minnesota Forward Fund, according to a press release from Gov. Walz's office.
Air Quality Alert Until Noon Tomorrow
It has a been a summer like Mother’s Day with sunshine to start and temperatures into the mid 80s. Just like a hot summer day we have seen some pop-up showers and storms develop this afternoon ahead of a weak cold front moving from north to south. The biggest story from these was the development of more clouds and winds gusting 20-30mph as this is a very dry cold front. Most of the precipitation did not reach the surface as it is really dry at the low levels and the precipitation is evaporating as it falls from the clouds. The rest of the evening showers and thundershowers will stay at the Minnesota/Iowa border before exiting overnight. Precipitation is more likely to reach the surface with some of the storms currently in Worthington and approaching Fairmont as well as to the east of Albert lea as they are having stronger returns on radar indicating heavier precipitation that will not completely evaporate before reaching the surface. As the showers and mid-level clouds move out, we can expect more sunshine to end the evening especially to the north of I-90. We still have an elevated fire risk due to how dry it is, and some breezy conditions so be careful with any outdoor plans with fire. The next big story behind this cold front winds aloft are going to blow in wildfire smoke this evening and into the morning. We have an air quality alert due to this smoke until noon tomorrow. So, take it easy if you plan on being outdoors this evening and tomorrow morning. Especially those with lung conditions or children and older adults. These wildfires have erupted in British Columbia and the flow aloft is bringing it to our area into this evening. Let’s hope this won’t be a story to come like last summer.
Experts predict another smoky summer for Minnesota
MINNEAPOLIS — The summer of 2023 brought smoky skies to the Land of 10,000 Lakes and experts predict this summer will bring much of the same. Fires raging in British Columbia and Alberta cast a haze over parts of Montana, the Dakotas, Minnesota and Wisconsin on Sunday, lingering into Monday morning.
DEED says Minnesota paid leave program could need 25% higher payroll tax than first proposed
Minnesota’s new paid family and medical leave program would require a 25% higher payroll tax when it launches in 2026 than originally anticipated if a bill under consideration at the Legislature becomes law, an assistant commissioner with the Department of Employment and Economic Development told lawmakers on Monday.* Evan Rowe of DEED said during a […] The post DEED says Minnesota paid leave program could need 25% higher payroll tax than first proposed appeared first on Minnesota Reformer.
FREE TO READ: High school students, frustrated by lack of climate education, press for change
Distress about the Earth’s future is driving many young people to act. In the U.S., middle and high school students are appearing before their school boards and state legislatures to demand more climate curricula. When it’s not provided, many students are educating themselves. In places that teach to standards from the National Science Teachers Association and other bodies, many kids learn about air quality, ecosystems, biodiversity and land and water in Earth and environmental science classes. But some students and advocates say that's not enough. They are demanding districts, boards and state lawmakers require more climate teaching and want it woven into more of their subjects.
Minnesota's first air quality alert of 2024 was issue. Here's the harm wildfire smoke can cause.
MINNEAPOLIS — A hazy city skyline and quiet sidewalk strip tell part of the story up north in Canada, where dozens of wildfires rage.Traveling wildfire smoke kept the Twin Cities metro and southern Minnesota in a red air quality alert throughout Monday. It expires at 11 p.m. A red alert means the air quality index is considered unhealthy for everyone. "I noticed it last night," Denise Amundson said. "I live right there, so I was like on my balcony and was like, 'Somebody's smoking! We don't have a smoker on this stack.' It's like, then I realized, wildfires."Last summer is hard to...
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