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Minnesota's unemployment rate increases slightly, but Minn. officials say hiring is still strong
August’s unemployment rate was 1.9 percent, just up from the state’s record-low 1.8 percent in July. It’s still much lower than the national unemployment rate, which was 3.7 percent in August.
Minnesota faith leaders gather in St. Cloud to decry recent break-ins at mosques
Jaylani Hussein, executive director of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said his group in the past year has helped 17 mosques in Minnesota access federal grants to improve security.
Art Hounds recommend fall arts festivals, studio tours and dance
Among the many offerings this weekend, Art Hounds recommend you check out the River Valley Potters Fall Tour in Shafer and Marine in St Croix, the juried art show at the Lakeville Art Festival, and the McKnight Dance Fellows solo performances.
With strike over, Minnesota nurses hope it helped contract negotiations
Members of the Minnesota Nurses Association at 15 hospitals in the Twin Cities and Twin Ports walked off the job Monday over contract negotiations. Next they will see if the walkout will help at the bargaining table.
One-party rule or divided Capitol again? Voters to decide
Narrow legislative majorities will be put to the test in November’s election. All 201 legislative seats — and control of the House and Senate — are on November’s ballot. With the governor’s office also up for grabs, it raises the possibility of one-party control at the Minnesota Capitol, although Minnesota is more familiar with divided state government.
Fungal pathogen affecting apple trees found in Minnesota for first time
A fungal pathogen that can cause defoliation of apple and crabapple trees has been found in Minnesota for the first time. Agriculture officials say they’re “cautiously optimistic” that it will not significantly affect apple production in the state.
On final day of strike, Minnesota nurses wonder what's next
Thousands of Minnesota nurses are in the third and final day of a strike affecting more than a dozen hospitals in the Twin Cities and Twin Ports. The union and hospital management remain at odds over pay and staffing concerns.
Rondo’s ‘lady of line dance’ keeps community moving
For Tina Jackson, teaching soul line dancing is how she gives back to her community. Her childhood mentors helped Jackson get started as a teacher and over the years she has built a community of dancers from everywhere she goes. 
Strike of about 15,000 Minnesota nurses continues into second day
Nurses at 15 hospitals in the Twin Cities and the Twin Ports have walked out. The strike, which began at 7 a.m. Monday, is expected to end early Thursday morning. Union officials said no negotiations are currently planned during the strike period.