Better Information – Page 2 – TheMinotVoice.com

A poison pill was just dropped into debate over North Dakota’s public worker pensions

by: Josh Wolsky | January 19, 2023

North Dakota’s pension for public workers is short $2 billion, and the task to solve that problem falls to the legislature. It’s an issue fraught with politics and special interests. And when we boil it down, it can metaphorically be explained with a question: do we put another band-aid on, or tear the one we’re

Read & Share sourced from: InForum

Minot Park Board Agenda, January 17, 2023

by: Josh Wolsky | January 17, 2023

The Minot Park Board will meet for its monthly meeting Tuesday, January 17th at 5:30 p.m. The Park Board meets in room 203 of the Minot Municipal Auditorium. Park Board meetings are live-streamed through the Park District Youtube page here. The full agenda and board packet can be viewed below.

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Minnesota prisons confront national trend of ‘drug-soaked’ mail filtering behind bars

by: Josh Wolsky | January 15, 2023

What’s the newest way to get drugs into prison? Put a stamp on them and send it. Of course, you’ll have to soak the paper and envelope in liquid narcotics, first. Stephen Montemayor with the Star Tribune has the full story on innovation in evasion that’s got Minnesota corrections officers on their toes. Why does

Read & Share sourced from: Star Tribune

Cities, businesses are targets of maverick Minnesota lawyers looking for wastewater polluters

by: Josh Wolsky | January 14, 2023

It’s a litigious world out there. Even more so in Minnesota lately with regard to water discharged into rivers and streams by cities, small towns, and businesses. In question are the requirements of the federal Clean Water Act, and when water discharged is out of compliance, the penalties can add up fast. And one lawyer

Read & Share sourced from: Star Tribune

City of Helena absorbs curbside recycling rate hikes for Helena residents, Rates on the Increase

by: Josh Wolsky | January 14, 2023

Resident recyclers of Helena, Montana receive city-subsidized recycling rates, and both the rate and the subsidy are increasing in 2023. The cost for the City for the remainder of 2023 will be $16 per month, the cost to the resident will be ~$8 per month with the City of Helena subsidizing the difference. Both the

Read & Share sourced from: Helena Independent Record

Inflation, salary increases top university presidents’ agenda before House Appropriations committee

by: Josh Wolsky | January 13, 2023

Yesterday, Minot State’s budget request and enrollment were in the news. Today, it’s the same story from around the State. Several of the state’s university presidents were in front of the House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday, January 11, to share what’s happening on their campuses and their funding needs. The story is similar to Minot’s.

Read & Share sourced from: Dickinson Press

East Grand Forks Theater maintains strong employee retention and satisfaction amid tight labor market

by: Josh Wolsky | January 10, 2023

It’s heard everywhere these days — young people don’t want to work; employees are impossible to find and keep. But for one East Grand Forks business, the River City Cinema, owner Penny Stai has found success in keeping employees by being flexible, offering perks, and creating a fun business culture. It’s a lesson every struggling

Read & Share sourced from: Grand Forks Herald

How to re-engine a B-52 and make a new bomber fleet

by: Josh Wolsky | January 9, 2023

Minot Air Force Base’s B-52 Bombers are part of a fleet that’s been flying missions for over 70 years. It’s a testament to the aircraft’s design and ability, and it’s a role that’s expected to continue for another 30 years, at least. But to extend the life is going to take new engines, and that’s

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Council Says Yes to First Phase of $2.9 Million Epic TIF

by: Josh Wolsky | January 9, 2023

This story is a week old but will remain part of ongoing coverage and commentary here on TheMinotVoice.com. In the interim, this article linked below from Jill Schramm at The Minot Daily News can bring you up to speed on the City Council’s approval of a $2.9 million TIF for a mixed-use real estate development

Read & Share sourced from: Minot Daily News

BisMan Community Food Cooperative permanently closing; why it matters in Minot

by: Josh Wolsky | January 9, 2023

They gave it a six-year go, but it’s at the end. The directors of the Bisman Food Cooperative are closing the doors for good. They could not find a sustainable operating model. Blake Nicholson and David Velazquez with the Bismarck Tribune have the full story. Why does it matter in Minot? One of the common ideas

Read & Share sourced from: Bismarck Tribune

How much would it cost for a municipality to shovel all the sidewalks?

by: Josh Wolsky | January 7, 2023

We’ve been covering sidewalk accessibility this week on TheMinotVoice. Two stories, the City of Minot’s initial failure to timely clean sidewalks in their portfolio, and the follow-up comments from elected officials opened the thread. There’s more coverage to come; we’ve filed a FOIA request with the City with hopes that shining a light inside exposes

Read & Share sourced from: Star Tribune

Trinity Hospital Costs & Completion Date Updated, Estimated Price Now Above $500 Million

by: Josh Wolsky | September 3, 2020

In an internal exchange email sent this morning (included below) to employees of Trinity Health, hospital administrators released revised cost estimates of the new medical campus under construction in Southwest Minot. The project, which is now being managed by JE Dunn Construction, has been plagued by contractor turnover as well as a construction-stopping explosion in

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The History of Humans Looking at Animals in Zoos

by: Josh Wolsky | July 18, 2019

Spending an afternoon at the zoo is a Minot privilege we’ve enjoyed for nearly a hundred years. Visit the zoo today and you’ll immediately see the commitment and respect our Zoo staff has for their facility and the animals they’re charged with caring for. It’s in light of our current and future investments at the

Read & Share sourced from: CityLab

Kids left in cars in summer heat, a sobering reminder to set a reminder

by: Josh Wolsky | July 18, 2019

Since laws keeping kids from front seats have been implemented, more and more are forgotten in the back seat. It’s not a matter of being a bad parent, it’s a matter of remembering. And if a parent misses just once, the consequences can be tragic. Check out this story out of South Carolin that serves

Read & Share sourced from: The State

Snow plows and marijuana laws on Minot City Council agenda for July 1, 2019

by: Josh Wolsky | June 28, 2019

Minot City Council will meet Monday, July 1st, 5:30 pm at Minot City Hall to consider the agenda below. City Council meetings are open to the public or can be viewed on the City’s Youtube channel here or Facebook page here. 1. ROLL CALL 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. PERSONAL APPEARANCES 4. PUBLIC HEARING- BUILDING

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Washington’s wealthiest town — home to Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates — going broke due to property tax restrictions

by: Josh Wolsky | June 26, 2019

Outside of Seattle, the town of Medina is home to both Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates. But claiming fame due to two wealthy citizens doesn’t excuse the city from financial woes created by Washington’s property tax restrictions. In Washington, a 2007 law prevents municipalities from increasing property tax revenue by more than 1% annually unless

Read & Share sourced from: CNBC