Sponsored By
An organization or individual has paid for the creation of this work but did not approve or review it.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

5 things to know today: Invest ND, Pay increase, Deadly force, Pipeline protest, Craft brewers

A rundown of some of the best stories found on InForum.

An exterior view of the North Dakota State Capitol building
The North Dakota State Capitol is seen Jan. 17, 2021. Michelle Griffith / The Forum

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

The Cass County Courthouse in October 2016.
The Cass County Courthouse in Fargo. Forum file photo

ADVERTISEMENT

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

FORCE1.jpg
Traffic backs up behind police as protesters shut down I-94 in Minneapolis on Nov. 4, 2020. (Evan Frost / MPR News 2020)

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

Use-of-force policy expert William Everett, a former police officer who helped lead the session, warned there are plenty of gray areas.

Read more

4. Hundreds of activists, allies protest Enbridge Line 3 pipeline at Mississippi River headwaters

Steven Ranweiler, a student at MSUM, holds a Stop Line 3 sign over a No Trespassing sign. Enbridge Line 3 is expected to pass nearby.jpg
Steven Ranweiler, a student at MSUM, temporarily holds a Stop Line 3 sign over a No Trespassing sign. Enbridge Line 3 is expected to pass nearby. C.S. Hagen / The Forum

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

ADVERTISEMENT

060821.N.FNS.MNBEVERAGES
Minnesota Rep. Liz Olson, D-Duluth, on Monday, June 7, 2021, spoke to reporters outside the Capitol about her proposal to update the state's liquor laws. (Dana Ferguson / Forum News Service)

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.

Read more from Forum News Service's Dana Ferguson

ADVERTISEMENT

What To Read Next
Get Local

ADVERTISEMENT