Pine Island to conduct more-thorough environmental review of proposed Google data center

Here’s a quick look at state and local news Thursday morning.

Minneapolis City Council to vote on ordinance allowing unsheltered residents to sleep in cars

The ordinance is modeled, in part, after a program in Duluth that is largely funded through donations and grants.

In a statement, Mayor Jacob Frey expressed concerns about cost. He said he will continue conversations about the ordinance leading up to the vote, but his priority is supporting the county’s shelter system.

Pine Island to conduct more environmental review of Google's data center proposal

The city of Pine Island is just northwest of Rochester. The Pine Island City Council voted Wednesday to approve conducting a more-thorough environmental review of Google’s controversial data center proposal.

That assessment will be done under the supervision of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. It’ll be the first time a data center development will be reviewed by state environmental authorities.

The agreement to conduct the new environmental impact study settles a lawsuit filed by a group of Pine Island residents opposed to the data center.

Vaccine hesitancy behind 20 measles cases in Todd County, health officials say

The rural county in central Minnesota has one of the lowest childhood vaccination rates in the state. Health officials say distrust in government and misinformation about vaccines on social media are contributing factors.

Measles is highly contagious. One in five unvaccinated people who catch it require hospitalization.

Sanford Health to stop inpatient labor and delivery services and newborn care in Luverne

The announcement highlights the challenges faced by rural communities as hospitals contend with declining birth volumes, staffing demands and the need to maintain specialized maternity care.

Minneapolis City Council to take up vote on Safe Outdoor Spaces ordinance

Sanford to end labor and delivery services in Luverne