Recent content from Erin Adler
Minnesota State Grant program faces $211 million budget shortfall
Financial aid to college students across Minnesota could be reduced because of the shortfall in the state's largest financial aid program.
Two Minnesota colleges explore merging
Will more Minnesota colleges and universities merge as they face financial and enrollment challenges?
How Concordia University has quietly grown to become the second-largest private school in Minnesota
Concordia University, St. Paul has quietly doubled its enrollment in the last decade, bucking national trends of declining college enrollment.
Dorm room in a retirement home? Crowded dorms at Minnesota colleges lead to unusual housing options.
Some Minnesota colleges and universities are turning to unusual housing options, such as Airbnbs or vacant rooms at a nearby senior citizen home, to house students.
Police arrest pro-Palestinian protesters blocking University of Minnesota administrative offices
Pro-Palestinian protesters barricaded Morrill Hall to push the U to divest from companies with ties to Israel.
University of Minnesota confronts growing backlog of building repairs
The U is asking the Legislature for $200 million for repairs as the number of crumbling, outdated buildings reaches a crisis point.
St. Olaf debuts on-campus barbershop to provide haircuts, sense of community
The Shop 1500 offers haircuts and braiding services to all students but specializes in Black and textured hair.
'Life-changing' college financial aid program North Star Promise helps boost student enrollment
The program provides free tuition and fees at public colleges in Minnesota for residents from families making less than $80,000.
Minnesota colleges weigh effects of affirmative action ruling on enrollment
This is the first admissions cycle after the Supreme Court's mid-2023 ruling that limited colleges' ability to consider race in admissions. But some say it's too soon to tell the effects.
Twin Cities YMCA lays off 69 employees amid tightening finances
The YMCA of the North has reported deficits every year since 2020. Leaders say the nonprofit is facing rising expenses and changing consumer behaviors.
St. Thomas receives largest scholarship gift to a university in state history
The Schoeneckers Foundation isn't sharing how much it is giving, but it's larger than $50 million.
University of Minnesota inaugurates new President Rebecca Cunningham with ceremony, protest
Cunningham, formerly a vice president at the University of Michigan, said she will make college affordability a priority.
Bethel University cuts undergraduate tuition by $18K starting next year
Tuition will be cut to $25,990 — about a 41% reduction — for the 2025 academic year, though room and board isn't included in that total.
Is it better to burn or bury trash that can't be recycled?
Waste experts and activists want a zero-waste future, but until then, the debate over how to deal with trash involves immediate harms vs. longer-term risks.
Investigation grows contentious between Minnesota attorney general, Somali housing developer
A Hennepin County judge intervened this week in the Minnesota Attorney General's Office investigation of a housing development by Nolosha aimed at Minnesota's Somali community in Lakeville.
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency fines Sanimax over air permit violations
The MPCA found that Sanimax, an animal byproduct recycler, took a required piece of pollution control equipment out of service at its South St. Paul location.
Apple Valley residents boosted the city parks budget. Now they're worried about losing playgrounds.
A preliminary plan drafted after voters approved a $73 million parks referendum last fall would replace some playgrounds with basketball courts, nature play areas and gardens.
Invasive wildflower found in Lakeville
Tansy has fernlike leaves and deep yellow flowers that look like buttons and "quickly becomes the dominant plant," the city said in a newsletter.
Voters decide dozens of nonpartisan primary races across metro, from city councils to school boards
From Northfield to Anoka County, voters in Tuesday night's primary elections chose who will appear on ballots in November.
What voters should know about local Twin Cities races on the primary ballot
The primary Tuesday isn't just for sorting out partisan contests. Minnesota voters will also narrow the field of candidates in some county, city and school board races.
Minnesota Zoo sets all-time annual attendance record after popular new attraction opens
Nearly 1.5 million people visited the Apple Valley zoo in fiscal year 2024, beating a 2012 record, thanks to the Treetop Trail, officials say.
Eurasian eagle owl at Minnesota Zoo flies away from handler, is eaten by tiger
The bird was staying at the zoo temporarily to participate in outdoor bird shows.
Tenants in Minnesota gain long list of new rights, protections
A new law prohibiting landlords from retaliating when tenants want to create a tenant association is just one change passed in 2024.
Middle schoolers are a tough crowd. Inver Grove Heights found a way to entertain them.
The city's Parks and Recreation Department recently won an award for the "5th Quarter" lock-in event held after a Simley High School football game.
It could cost Burnsville $300K to let citizens spend $100K, and some council members are concerned
The suburb's pilot will let neighborhoods propose projects to spend city money, but the administrative costs could be a multiple of that.
Want to work out in a park? Shakopee has a new outdoor fitness court and studio space
The new attraction at Scenic Heights Park has permanent fitness equipment and space for group exercise classes like yoga.
Proposed Lakeville housing aimed at Somali families under investigation
Nolosha Development says it has done nothing wrong and that planning for the project continues.
Eagan grants permit for church's move to former Kowalski's space
River Valley Church's planned move to the former grocery store space at Diffley and Johnny Cake Ridge roads raised objections from some neighbors with concerns about traffic, parking -- and the church's positions on social issues.
Animal Humane Society no longer sterilizes feral cats for free. Rescuers fear a population surge.
The nonprofit says it can no longer afford to spay or neuter community cats for free, prompting concerns that the feral cat population will rise.
Vows plus funnel cakes? Dakota County Fair to offer free weddings
Couples interested in getting married at the fairgrounds need to register in advance with court administration.
Settlement would give $13 million to University of Minnesota for UMore pollution cleanup
UMore Park was briefly a smokeless gunpowder plant during WWII; heavy metals and other pollutants have since been found in soil there.
Two Amur tiger cubs born at Minnesota Zoo
The cubs, born May 23, now have their eyes open and are exploring their indoor habitat.
New affordable apartments proposed for Burnsville's Heart of the City
The new building would replace two office buildings on Burnsville Parkway; the developer hopes to complete the project over the next two years.
Rice County approves gravel mine near Nerstrand Big Woods State Park despite residents' environmental concerns
Neighbors hoped the County Board would do an environmental assessment; county officials say the mine will reduce the environmental impact of trucking in gravel for local projects.
Twin Cities suburbs face expensive repairs, replacement costs as midcentury pools age
Municipal pools are a sought-after amenity, but cities from Shakopee to Crystal to South St. Paul are finding they must find creative solutions to operate, repair or replace them.
Dakota County will use sales tax bump to get homeless families a place to live
The Family Housing Voucher program will provide an average of $1,100 to families leaving the county's shelter.
Sip-and-stroll 'social districts' approved for Shakopee, Stillwater
State lawmakers have given both cities the OK to begin planning for the dedicated areas where adults of legal age can stroll city streets while drinking alcohol.
New owners breathe signs of life back into Burnsville Center
New owners are infusing the south metro shopping center with building updates, new tenants and high hopes for a mall that had emptied out in recent years.
Two first-ring St. Paul suburbs look to improve rental housing quality
West St. Paul and South St. Paul — both areas with many units — are making changes so properties are kept up and renters have a better experience.
Northfield City Council will change comment period to 'listening sessions,' echoing a broader trend at public meetings
The city is one of several Minnesota government bodies that has shifted or scaled back public comment sessions in recent years.
Mall of America water park plan prompts climate change concerns
The Bloomington Sustainability Commission has asked for more features to mitigate high energy and water use, but the developer says standards for "green" water parks don't exist yet.
Apple Valley Police Department relaxes strict vehicle-pursuit policy
Officers can now chase vehicles involved in more felonies, including robbery, sexual assault and aggravated assault, along with homicide.
Project will light up Rock Island Swing Bridge
The historic bridge once linked Inver Grove Heights and St. Paul Park and is now a public pier. New lighting will highlight the bridge and allow it to be lit in different colors.
Mobile home explosion near Princeton kills 2, leaves 'mass destruction'
There was no immediate word on what caused the blast, which was reportedly heard up to 23 miles away.
Lakeville teachers file intent to strike, picket outside school board meeting
The district has more than 12,000 students enrolled.
Shakopee Mdewakanton tribe applies to put 815 acres in southwest metro into trust
The arrangement allows the tribe to keep the land forever and lowers local property tax collections, prompting questions from some local government leaders.
'No Mow May' eases to 'Less Mow May' in some Twin Cities suburbs
Rosemount, Roseville and New Brighton, among others, advocate mowing less but not abstaining entirely in the spring to help support pollinator-friendly plants.
Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan school district selects new superintendent
Michael Bolsoni, a longtime teacher and administrator in the south metro district, will start in his new role July 1.
Lakeville public safety training facility gets $800K in federal funding
The planned facility, which could cost up to $23 million, would provide space for south metro law enforcement, fire departments and other first responders to train.
Six southwest Twin Cities area newspapers will publish last issue this week
The Southwest News Media publications are part of MediaNews Group, which is owned by Alden Global Capital, an investment firm known for gutting and then closing local papers.
Several south metro cities tackling elevated radium levels
Inver Grove Heights, Savage and South St. Paul are dealing with high radium in their water supply, using a range of short-term fixes and expensive solutions.
South St. Paul considering 'one last hurrah' for its well-loved Northview Pool
The city eventually plans to close the pool, first opened in 1956, because of the cost of repairs -- but may keep it open for a final summer.
Bill to allow duplexes across Minnesota is likely doomed this session
Affordable housing advocates hope to find other roads to make it easier to build small apartment buildings across Minnesota.
Eden Prairie Schools plans to turn UNFI office into a school building
The Eden Prairie City Council must still approve a development agreement before plans are final; the district hopes to start using the building this fall.
Dakota County resumes planning for homeless shelter: 'We have an urgent need'
Six months after shelving a plan to convert a hotel amid pushback, officials say they're moving slowly and deliberately to ease concerns and find a location.
A 'serious, sobering report' prompts changes at Shakopee Fire Department
Outside consultants reported problems ranging from a lack of training to ethics violations, with one consultant labeling Shakopee the "worst department" they'd seen in 18 years of consulting.
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Scott County cities worry Met Council decision could prompt 'disorderly development'
The Met Council recently granted a change to a Scott County township that will allow a parcel to avoid hooking up to city water and sewer, effectively blocking Jordan's future development there.
Johnson Brothers withdraws application to redevelop Blue Cross Blue Shield site in Eagan
The company is looking at other options in the metro, including remaining at its St. Paul location.
Police investigating New Brighton shooting that injured one person
The victim was shot in the back by someone they knew, police said. The suspect was still at large.
Shakopee Teamsters approve agreement with city, averting strike
Teamsters Local 320 members will get 14.5% general wage increase over contract's three years.
As Twin Cities suburbs age, cities ponder the future of their community centers
While some cities are undertaking multimillion-dollar renovations, others worry that they can't fund pools, indoor parks and gathering spaces amid rising costs for other basic city services.
National homebuilder cancels purchase of Lakeville school district land
Students and residents had protested the sale of 14 acres of woods and wetlands.
Inver Hills gets new bee mascot to match its environmental pledge
The Inver Grove Heights community college is the first campus in Minnesota to get the special designation for its pledge to support pollinators.
Newest Dakota County Library branch opens in South St. Paul
The opening of the new Kaposia Library, which replaces a city-run library, was marked this week with song and celebration.
Adam Finseth didn't let fear get in his way
Finseth, the Burnsville firefighter and paramedic who died in the line of duty, always had a smile and a kind word for others, friends said.
New Prague will get new post office building
The existing building is cramped and has no parking for the public or people with disabilities.
Northfield decides it's content with most of its slogan, asks locals to fill in third blank
The city will keep the first two words of its previous slogan, "Cows, Colleges and Contentment" and switch out the third to a rotating range of options.
Coming to Eagan's Viking Lakes complex: $10 million 'connection center' for accounting firm CLA
Clifton Larson Allen (CLA) has signed a 16-year lease for a 40,000-square-foot space to be built over the next year.
Shakopee luxury apartment residents furious at forced move to new building next door
Hundreds of residents of the Triple Crown Residences must move to a neighboring building because of sprinkler problems.
West St. Paul City Council adds junior member
The city hopes adding a high school student to the council will broaden city leaders' perspectives.
Group tasked with reforming Met Council offers lawmakers six options
A task force convened by the Legislature couldn't agree on a single proposal for restructuring governance of the regional planning authority.
Farmington offers class to help online daters manage frustration
The parks and recreation department is branching out to offer classes on topics beyond athletics and crafts.
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Federal agency announces statewide audit of mail delays, identifies 'deficiencies' at four Twin Cities postal locations
Four audits from Eagan, Apple Valley and New Brighton and the St. Paul distribution center were released Wednesday from the USPS office of Inspector General, revealing problems with delays, delivery and postal facilities.
After property owner's death — and battle over his will — Eagan green space will be preserved
A 134-acre property worth $10 million had been the subject of a legal battle involving multiple wills; it will now be preserved as farmland and wildlife habitat.
After property owner's death — and battle over his will — Eagan green space will be preserved
A 134-acre property worth $10 million had been the subject of a legal battle involving multiple wills; it will now be preserved as farmland and wildlife habitat.
