Here's a sample see what you think:
Feds approve Minnesota Medicaid early opt-in request.
Federal officials have approved Gov. Mark Dayton's request to access federal money to expand a health program for the poor beginning March 1.
Dayton signed the order his first week in office and the announcement of the approval came Thursday.
The program will likely cover 443 lower-income adults in Blue Earth County who lost their state health care last year in budget cutting moves. We reported that story Nov.22.
The Associated Press reported: "The move is expected to provide broader coverage for up to 95,000 people, most of whom are now part of two state-funded health care programs.
Notices to those affected have started going out and public workers are getting transition guides.
Republican leaders are critical of the change, saying it locks Minnesota into matching dollars it can't afford to put up. Dayton has said he would veto legislation reversing his executive order."
NYT: Guns getting to the mentally ill
There's a very compelling, well-researched story in The New York Times headlined "States struggle to disarm people who've lost the right to own guns" that details flaws in federal and state systems for background checks.
It's particularly relevant for people in Mankato and Minnesota because local Rep. Tony Cornish, Good Thudner, and other Reupblicans on the Public Safety Committee passed a bill to do away with Minnesota background checks even though police unions and police chiefs associations are dead set against the bill.
A Bloomington Police officer testified at Cornish's committee that the federal checks missed 37 people in Bloomington alone who were not legally qualified to carry guns because of mental health or other issues. State checks were needed, he said.
The vote was 10-7 along party lines. Here's the recorded vote and the meeting minutes. Audio available also to listen to the whole meeting.
The bill (HF161) was referred to the House Civil law committee.
Flood forecast has people on alert
There is about a 21 percent chance of major flooding on the Minnesota River at Mankato between Feb.22 and May 23, according to the latest forecast.
There's an 80 percent chance of moderate flooding (26 feet to 30 feet). The Mankato flood walls protect the city up to 32 feet. The chance of that same flooding was just 60 percent on Jan. 28.
Assocationed Press reported: "The new forecasts raised the odds for major flooding at some communities on the Minnesota, Mississippi and St. Croix rivers in Minnesota. On the upper Minnesota River, the risk at Montevideo has risen to 90 percent, up from between 60 and 70 percent earlier. On the Mississippi, the threat at St. Paul is now 95 to 98 percent, up from 90 percent. And on the St. Croix, the risk at Stillwater is now 75 percent, up from 60 to 70 percent."
"State emergency management director Kris Eide said two-thirds of Minnesotans may be affected to at least a small degree, such as by leaking roofs and basements. She urged Minnesotans to prepare now to protect their families, homes and communities, and stressed that people should consider buying flood insurance."
That's an unusual prediction, and locals in New Ulm and elsewhere are preparing ahead of time. The Minnesota Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothan will be in St. Peter Friday as part of a flood awareness tour.
River readings, levels, flooding potential can be found on this map on The Free Press website homepage every day under "Weather."
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