Ground Level Blog

February 5, 2013 4:45 AM

Theater as small town therapy

Theater producer and director Ashley Hanson puts on plays in small towns like Granite Falls with the goal of helping people solve big issues.

by Jennifer Vogel

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January 29, 2013 8:32 AM

Tough year for expensive broadband fixes, says key lawmaker

Rep. Sheldon Johnson is readying broadband legislation for the Minnesota House but expressed skepticism about the appetite among lawmakers to approve anything very expensive.

by Dave Peters

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January 25, 2013 3:00 AM

State expects half of LGA increase to ease property taxes

Gov. Mark Dayton’s proposed $80 million annual increase in Local Government Aid would generate $40 million in local property tax relief, according to recent history.

by Dave Peters

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January 23, 2013 10:24 AM

Not all cities see LGA gain in long run

Gov. Mark Dayton’s proposed formula for helping Minnesota cities with Local Government Aid makes the metro area a bigger winner than outstate in the long run.

by Dave Peters

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January 22, 2013 9:46 AM

Modest broadband goals get more modest in Dayton budget

Gov. Mark Dayton’s budget includes $500,000 for broadband development over two years, but no money for fiber incentives and computers for schools and libraries as proposed by a task force last month.

by Dave Peters

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January 11, 2013 5:22 AM

Bigness doesn’t always trump in broadband

The president of CenturyLink’s midwest region says shareholder demands and fiduciary responsibilities are one reason small, local phone companies often do better that big ones in supplying high-speed Internet access in rural areas.

by Dave Peters

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January 4, 2013 4:16 AM

Looking for the voice of rural Minnesota

The Center for Rural Policy and Development in St. Peter, Minn., issued a report on the declining voice of rural Minnesota.

by Dave Peters

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December 21, 2012 6:08 AM

Microlender Kiva arrives in Minnesota

Kiva, a global microlending organization has a new program that is helping a woman launch a small cafe in southwestern Minnesota.

by Dave Peters

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December 17, 2012 5:05 AM

Schools seek new ways to reach English learners

Teaching English to newcomers has come a long way in Minnesota, but schools are trying to find new ways to improve the academic skills of the 65,000 students enrolled in English-learner classes.

by Dave Peters