The city of Ely is one step closer to requiring police officers to wear body cameras. Then, a move by the federal government that could impact the state’s solar energy goals, and Governor Walz tries to make it easier for Minnesotans to get COVID-19 vaccines.
—–Executive Producer: Victor Palomino Producer: Jose Ozoria Anchor: Grace Jacobson Reader scripting: Joel GlaserFact checking: Joel Glaser, Victor Palomino Editorial support: Emily Krumberger Mixing & mastering: Chris Harwood
Transcript
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HOST: This is North Star Stories: Voices from Where We Live. Today in Minnesota…
ANCHOR: …The city of Ely is one step closer to requiring police officers to wear body cameras. Then, a move by the federal government that could impact the state's solar energy goals, and Governor Walz tries to make it easier for Minnesotans to get COVID-19 vaccines.
I'm Gracie J.
The police department in Ely, in Northeastern Minnesota, is considering the pros and cons of officers wearing body cameras. A statement released by the city says it's considering implementing body-worn cameras in the near future. The statement goes on to say that state law requires the city to solicit comments from the public before purchasing or implementing a portable recording system. A draft of the police department's proposed body-worn camera policy is available on the city of Ely's website. The city is accepting public comments on the topic through October second.
In today's main story, the Minnesota Department of Commerce is challenging a federal decision to cancel millions in grants for solar energy projects. Jose Ozoria tells us how the move could affect the state's energy goals.
Former President Joe Biden: A new program called Solar for All. It awards grants, 60 grants, across the country just to develop programs, enable low-income and disadvantaged communities to benefit from residential solar power.
Jose Ozoria: In April of 2024 then President Biden announced a $7 billion Solar for All grant program to fund residential solar projects. However, in August of 2025, under the Trump administration, EPA Administrator Lee Zelding announced a move to terminate these programs.
Lee Zelding: The new law eliminates billions of green slush fund dollars by repealing the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, including a $7 billion dollar program called Solar for All.
Jose Ozoria: This in accordance with President Trump's big, beautiful bill.
Lee Zelding: EPA has been diligently working to implement President Trump's one big, beautiful bill.
Jose Ozoria: The state of Minnesota was one of the recipients of these grants announced by then President Joe Biden. The actions by the current EPA has a significant impact on plans that were underway in Minnesota.
Lissa Pawlisch: So we've been hard at work getting ready to put the funds out into the field.
Jose Ozoria: Lissa Pawlisch is with Minnesota's Department of Commerce. She is the Assistant Commissioner Federal and State Initiatives Division of Energy Resources. She states that Minnesota's Department of Commerce has a clear vision for how to utilize the $62 million earmarked by the Solar for All program.
Lissa Pawlisch: We've been working closely with partners at the Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority, which is the new state green bank, to make funds available to advance a community solar garden.
Lee Zelding: We are committed to the rule of law and being a good steward of taxpayer dollars.
Jose Ozoria: That's EPA Administrator Lee Zelding again. But Pete Wyckoff is the Deputy Commissioner of Energy and Resources with the Minnesota Department of Commerce. He believes that the actions by the EPA and the Trump administration violate the law.
Pete Wyckoff: The new administration has been very different in ways that we find to be contrary to the law.
Jose Ozoria: Mr. Wyckoff says that the state of Minnesota has a binding contract for these funds. He also points out that the Trump administration is ignoring established government norms and breaking that binding contract.
Pete Wyckoff: It is not until this administration something that's ever been considered standard procedure for the federal government to try to break a contract just because they changed administrations. Past administrations have been very clear that legally binding contracts entered by the previous administration will continue to be honored. It's just the standard American way.
Jose Ozoria: Ms. Pawlisch says the Solar for All program would go a long way to help Minnesota's low-income households.
Lissa Pawlisch: Focus on low-income and disadvantaged households and help ensure that they save 20% on their energy bills, which for an average household, could be 250 to $300 a year.
Jose Ozoria: She also states that Minnesota will challenge the EPA decision.
Lissa Pawlisch: We will be part of a legal action. We're working closely with the Attorney General's office to understand what our options are.
Jose Ozoria: We reached out to the Minnesota Attorney General's office. They declined to comment, stating that their "office is a bit limited in what they can say at the moment." For North Star Stories, I'm Jose Ozoria.
ANCHOR: You are listening to North Star Stories.
Governor Walz has issued an executive order that provides health care providers and pharmacists greater flexibility to provide COVID-19 vaccines. The move comes in response to the US Secretary of Health and Human Services recommending that the vaccine be limited to those 65 and over or having other complicating health factors. Unlike other states, pharmacists in Minnesota can administer a flu or COVID vaccine according to the Food and Drug Administration license to anyone three years old and up without the requirement of a prescription. The new COVID-19 vaccines are now available at many pharmacies and health care providers.
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HOST: North Star Stories is produced by AMPERS, diverse radio for Minnesota's communities, with support from the McKnight Foundation and the State of Minnesota. Online at ampers dot org.