Clouds Obscure The Moon Obscuring The Sun Across Much Of MN; Distracted Driving Crackdown In Second Week; Number of Uninsured Minnesotans Down
>>Cloudy Conditions Complicate Eclipse Viewing In Minnesota
(Minneapolis, MN) — Minnesotans hoping to get a good view of today’s solar eclipse are probably going to be disappointed. Forecasters say cloud cover and rain may interfere with clear views of the sky when the eclipse happens early this afternoon. The southeast corner of the state has the best angle on the eclipse, with NASA estimating about 82-percent of the sun will be covered. The eclipse should start in that area just before 1 p.m., peak at around 2 p.m. and end just after three o’clock. (24/7 News Source)
>>Sanford Bemidji Maternity Care Recognized
BEMIDJI, Minn. – Sanford Bemidji Medical Center has been recognized as a Blue Distinction Center for maternity care by Blue Cross Blue Shield.
According to Blue Cross Blue Shield, Blue Distinction Centers (BDC) and Blue Distinction Centers+ (BDC+) for maternity care demonstrate expertise and a commitment to quality care for vaginal and cesarean section deliveries. These centers demonstrate better overall patient satisfaction and a lower percentage of early elective deliveries.
The BDC for maternity care program evaluates healthcare facilities that offer maternity services for adult patients 18-years or older and are recognized for their expertise in delivery specialty care.
>>Virgil Wind Elected Chief Executive Of Mille Lacs Band Of Ojibwe
(Cass Lake, MN) — A Minnesota Native American tribe has a new leader after primary elections were held last week. Virgil Wind was selected as chief executive of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe after getting more than 67-percent of the vote. The Minnesota Chippewa Tribe says Wind was declared the winner of the election because he received more than 50-percent of the vote. Other tribal positions will be decided during a general election in June.(24/7 News Source)
>>Troopers Cracking Down On Distracted Driving
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota Department of Public Safety troopers are cracking down on distracted drivers. Extra officers will be on the state’s roadways for the rest of the month as part of the Distracted Driving Extra Enforcement and Awareness Campaign. Officials say cases of distracted driving increased over the last year, including a 50-percent spike in deadly crashes. For more information on the dangers of distracted driving go to dps.mn.gov.(24/7 News Source)
>>Minnesota Reports Record Low Number Of Uninsured Individuals
(St. Paul, MN) — The number of people in Minnesota with no health insurance is at an all time low, according to the Minnesota Department of Health, three-point-eight percent. That’s the lowest reported in the 22-years they’ve been tracking rates. The study does show that the number of people with employer-sponsored group coverage in Minnesota fell. In contrast, the number of people with state-sponsored health coverage increased. Still, more people in Minnesota have employer-group health insurance than have government-sponsored health coverage.(24/7 News Source)
>>Search For Peter Martin Centers On Cloquet Home
(Cloquet, MN) — The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is actively working to find a man who has been missing since early last month. The agency issued an update on the search for Peter Martin on Friday. The BCA says investigators were at a home in Cloquet looking for clues to help reunite Martin with his family. The 31-year-old was last seen at his home on the Fond du Lac Reservation on March 8th. Anyone with information that could help locate Martin is being asked to call the Fond du Lac Police Department.(24/7 News Source)
>>Horse Track Owners Clash With Legislators Over Sports Betting Bill
(St. Paul, MN) — Tensions are rising in Minnesota as legislators push for the legalization of sports betting, sparking controversy with horse track owners. The latest bill, introduced by lawmakers, has drawn criticism from track owners who feel sidelined in negotiations. Rep. Zack Stephenson’s proposed bill bans historical horse racing and electronic card games at tracks. Despite estimates of generating 40 million dollars annually in taxes, concerns linger about the bill’s impact on the state’s horse racing industry. The debate is set to intensify as the bill heads for its first committee hearing on Monday.(24/7 News Source)
>>Duluth Drive-In Announces Closure
