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Minnesota’s budget commissioner is leaving, deputy to lead agency

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:08:57 GMT

The leader of the Minnesota Department of Management and Budget is leaving and his deputy will step in as the agency’s new commissioner.Gov. Tim Walz announced Wednesday that Jim Schowalter will depart his post on Aug. 14. His latest tenure at the agency dates to September 2020 and he also led Minnesota Management and Budget under Gov. Mark Dayton.Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner Jim Schowalter discusses the state’s budget and economic forecast Monday, Feb. 27, 2023 at the Department of Revenue building in St. Paul. The forecast shows the state continues to have higher than expected tax collections and projects a $17.5 billion budget surplus. (Christopher Magan / Pioneer Press)Erin Campbell, currently deputy commissioner, will begin leading the agency Aug. 15. The department is responsible for overseeing the state’s finances and supports more than 100 government agencies with more than 56,000 workers.“There is critical work ahead to retain and hir...

St. Paul’s Rice Park unveils last part of redesign: a high-tech lighting display

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:08:57 GMT

Rice Park unveiled on Wednesday the last part of its redesign.Undated courtesy photo, circa July 2023, of artist Jeff Bartlett, who created LightWave, an animated LED light installation now in place in Rice Park in downtown St. Paul.  (Courtesy of St. Paul Parks Conservancy)A new light display will include color changing LED light strings attached to metal plates around the inside and outside of the bench on the fountain in the middle of the park.Minneapolis-based lighting designer Jeff Bartlett has previously developed similar experiences around the Twin Cities including the Landmark Center and has worked as a lighting designer and production designer for various theaters.“I first imagined animating the Rice Park Fountain with light, especially during months when it has no water,” Bartlett said in a statement. “The metalwork design incorporates images from water and plant life, central components of the Rice Park landscape, and draws upon historical influences not...

McGrath named to lead Xcel Energy Center

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:08:57 GMT

In downtown St. Paul, the Xcel Energy Center has a new general manager and executive director.Minnesota Sports and Entertainment announced July 12, 2023 that marketing director Kelly McGrath had been promoted as the new general manager and executive director of the Xcel Energy Center. The city’s premier concert venue doubles as the home of the Minnesota Wild. McGrath, who grew up in White Bear Lake, joined the organization in 2000 as the director of sales for the Wild. She lives in Stillwater with her husband Wayne Petersen, who serves as director of community relations and hockey partnerships for the Wild. (Courtesy of Minnesota Sports and Entertainment)Minnesota Sports and Entertainment announced Wednesday that marketing director Kelly McGrath had been promoted to manage the X, the city’s premier concert venue, which doubles as the home of the Minnesota Wild.McGrath, who grew up in White Bear Lake, joined the organization in 2000 as the director of sales for the Wild. ...

NYS changes age limit for state police application

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:08:57 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (WTEN) -- The state has expanded eligibility for those interested in applying for the New York State police. The maximum age was previously 29 years-old, but that has changed to 34 years-old. New poll shows more New Yorkers worried about being crime victims "So again, just to widen the pool and give more people the opportunity," said Rhania Traore, tech sergeant in recruitment for state police. She said raising the age for applicants will welcome a diverse and experienced group of people, such as military personnel or those who are looking to change career paths. She said the state has faced some hurdles with recruitment  "You can see that these days there are many other opportunities to work from home … computer-based jobs, so many positions in tech, again facilitating being able to work from home, so that could be a challenge. However, Traore said working as a state police is extremely rewarding, "You have the ability to serve your community and make...

Trains resume service after flooding 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:08:57 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – Amtrak service into New York City had been canceled since Monday because of recent flooding across the region. Wednesday morning Gov. Kathy Hochul announced business is resuming as usual on railroad tracks. “Thank you for your patience,” said Hochul. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Metro North railroad tracks for the Hudson line, that are used by Amtrak, were the most impacted. Amtrak passengers who were facing cancellations said they just had to go with the flow, with closures putting buses and rental cars in high demand.The Hey family, from Long Island, rented a car to drive to Albany to catch their train on Wednesday after dealing with two cancellations while vacationing in Burlington. Damian Hey praised his family for being flexible. Saratoga Springs residents warned of potential traffic delays His wife was thinking out of the box to make sure they got home safely. “We spent a lo...

MSD and DNR’s plan to reduce impact on Gulf of Mexico’s dead zone

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:08:57 GMT

ST. LOUIS – The Mississippi River runs from Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico, winding its way either through or along 10 states. But the Big Muddy's watershed covers all or part of 32 states (approximately 41% of the land in the continental U.S.) and two Canadian provinces, making it the second-largest drainage basin in North America.Farm fertilizers, microplastics, and pharmaceuticals dumped into Mississippi River waterways contaminates drinking water and not only causes toxic algae blooms in the river, but also contributes to the massive dead zone along the Gulf Coast.Excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorous are carried from the Mississippi River and discharged into the northern Gulf of Mexico. Normally, phosphates can spur growth in aquatic life, like fish, plants, and smaller organisms, which is healthy for the ecosystem. But a high concentration of phosphates will trigger excessive algae growth, choking off the oxygen supply in the water—known...

Full Interview: Martin Kilcoyne one-on-one with John Mozeliak

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:08:57 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Just before the All-Star break, St. Louis Cardinals baseball boss John Mozeliak sat down with FOX 2’s Sports Director Martin Kilcoyne to discuss the Redbirds' unprecedented 2023 campaign and what he envisions moving forward. In a recent one-on-one interview, stretching nearly 12 minutes, Mozeliak acknowledged some front-office mistakes, fan frustration directed toward him and even some calls from fans to resign. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Cardinals (Seasonal) SIGN UP NOW Following the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday, FOX 2 showed bits and pieces of the interview in between some analysis and clips from the 2023 season. We also transcribed many important parts of the interview. To provide more context into the questions asked to Mozeliak and his answ...

FBI Springfield warns public of 'grandparent scam' calls

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:08:57 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WMBD) - FBI Springfield put out a release Wednesday stating that they are warning the public to be wary of suspicious and unsolicited phone calls.They said that the callers have been claiming to be a loved one or a family member that is in trouble and they make an immediate request for money. This scam is often referred to as the grandparent scam.The FBI urges to those who receives these calls to hang up immediately and call that loved one directly to verify the story.FBI Springfield said that they have identified victims from Sangamon and surrounding counties. They are working on investigating these calls.According to the FBI's 2022 Internet Crime Complaint Center's Elder Fraud Report, there were about 400 victims over the age of 60 who experienced nearly $3.8 million in losses due to the scam. Illinois woman sentenced for mail and wire fraud The FBI put out some tips to avoid becoming a victim to the grandparent scam:• Be careful what you post online. Scammers...

Fon Du Lac Police Chief says six dogs found on docked boat in Illinois River are 'fighters'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:08:57 GMT

EAST PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) -- The head of the Fon Du Lac Park Police said the six dogs recovered from a disabled boat last week are doing fine and should recover. Police Chief Chance Barlow said the dogs are "fighters" and with the care given by Peoria County Animal Protection Shelter, they should recover. "They said that the dogs are doing well. Obviously, they still need a lot of attention and they need to get their health back, get their strength.  It's going to be a long road for them, but the dogs are tough. They're fighters and they're getting better as we speak," he said.He said he hopes that people will use the events to look out for animals in the area. Boat with emaciated dogs had been anchored for two weeks, police say "If you see something, call 911. They can't communicate," he said Tuesday, less than 24 hours after his office turned over information to the Peoria County State's Attorney's office for possible charges against the owner of the boat.On July 5, officers...

Turkey backs Sweden's NATO membership - Stoltenberg

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:08:57 GMT

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson shake hands with Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg looking onTurkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has agreed to support Sweden's bid to join Nato, the military alliance's chief Jens Stoltenberg says.He said the Turkish leader would forward Sweden's bid to parliament in Ankara and "ensure ratification".Meanwhile, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said: "I am very happy, it is a good day for Sweden."Turkey had previously spent months blocking Sweden's application, accusing it of hosting Kurdish militants.As one of NATO's 31 members, Turkey has a veto over any new country joining the group.Reacting to the news, US President Joe Biden said he welcomed the commitment by President Erdogan to proceed with "swift ratification"."I stand ready to work with President Erdogan and Turkey on enhancing defence and deterrence in the Euro-Atlantic area. I look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Kristersson and Swede...