1. New 'invest in North Dakota' program to launch soon
North Dakota is about to embark upon a new era of directly investing in fledgling businesses to help grow the state’s economy by tapping into the $8.7 billion Legacy Fund.
But an out-of-state money management firm will review investment proposals under the new program, and North Dakota bankers complain that they have been repeatedly passed over for the opportunity to invest portions of the Legacy Fund, approved by voters in 2010 to use the state’s petroleum wealth to create economic opportunities in the state.
Read more from The Forum's Patrick Springer
2. Cass County hesitates to approve 5.1% cost-of-living pay increase
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As Cass County departments work on budget planning for next year, the County Commission on Monday, June 7, delayed a decision on approving a proposed 5.1% cost-of-living increase for next year for the county's nearly 500 full-time employees.
Rather, Commissioner Duane Breitling suggested a look at how much a 2% and a 4% increase would cost, a motion that unanimously passed.
Read more from The Forum's Barry Amundson
3. Minnesota's tough new deadly force law gets second look
From MPR News via Forum News Service
Just before the first major change in decades to Minnesota's use-of-deadly-force law took effect this March, hundreds of police officials gathered online to discuss its implementation.
The department chiefs and sheriffs vented in the February meeting that officers would be put in greater danger, be second-guessed more frequently and lack sufficient training on the new, stringent standard.
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Use-of-force policy expert William Everett, a former police officer who helped lead the session, warned there are plenty of gray areas.
4. Hundreds of activists, allies protest Enbridge Line 3 pipeline at Mississippi River headwaters
Water protectors, indigenous leaders and activists showed up by the thousands in Clearwater County Monday, June 7, to protest continued construction of the Enbridge Line 3 oil pipeline through northern Minnesota.
After marching for nearly 2 miles to the Mississippi River, activists were met with no resistance from the Clearwater County Sheriff's Office deputies who were on scene to keep the peace and protect the protestors on County Road 9. Those gathered remained peaceful throughout the afternoon and loudly voiced their concerns through chants and singing.
Read more from Forum News Service's Michael Achterling
5. Minnesota craft brewers renew push to end growler caps
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Minnesota craft beverage producers on Monday, June 7, renewed their push to update the state's liquor laws to do away with Minnesota's cap on growler sales at breweries and permanently allow for restaurants and bars to sell wine, beer and mixed drinks to go.
The producers along with Minnesota Hospitality industry leaders and state legislators at a news conference said they'd keep up a public pressure campaign to advance the bill as the Legislature returns for a special session next week. Legislative working groups have been attempting to negotiate state budget bills in meetings almost exclusively out of the public eye.