A northern community is adjusting to accommodate a controversial new industry. Then, tribal leaders in our state brace for the impacts of the federal government shutdown. And, Minnesota launches drinking water action plan.
—–Executive Producer: Victor Palomino Producer: Victor PalominoAnchor: Grace JacobsonReader scripting: Victor Palomino Fact checking: Joel Glaser, Victor Palomino Editorial support: Emily Krumberger Mixing & mastering: Chris Harwood
Transcript
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HOST: You're listening to North Star Stories: Voices from Where We Live, a daily newscast about what it means to live in Minnesota.
ANCHOR: In today’s stories, Tribal leaders in our state brace for the impacts of the federal government shutdown. Then, a northern community is adjusting to accommodate a controversial new industry. And Minnesota launches drinking water action plan.
I'm Gracie J.
Tribal leaders across the state are preparing for possible disruptions to essential services. The National Congress of American Indians hosted a webinar with more than a thousand tribal officials to discuss the potential impacts of the federal government shutdown, particularly on the Indian Health Service, or IHS. Some IHS programs that receive funding in advance are not impacted. But others, including tribal health facilities, are likely seeing delays in payments. Experts are saying that the shutdown will have a negative impact on health care in Native communities in our state.
Next, AMPERS member station KAXE newsroom reports on how a northern community is accommodating the new cannabis industry. Victor Palomino talks to KAXE news director Chelsey Perkins.
Victor Palomino: As industries shift across Minnesota, the small city of Black Duck is seeing new business move in, and with them new challenges. In this month's report from the KAXE newsroom, news director Chelsey Perkins shares how the region is adapting to the growing cannabis industry.
Chelsey Perkins: Well, we recently became aware that in the city of Black Duck, a cannabis manufacturing company was looking at reusing an industrial building that had recently been shuttered. Anderson Fabrics, a longtime business here that was acquired by another company in 2021 and earlier this year had laid off 100 employees.
Victor Palomino: The proposed cannabis facility has city officials working quickly to develop ordinances and decide how and where this business can operate.
Chelsey Perkins: Black Duck already had an ordinance in place that was required by the state to be in place by the beginning of this past year, but now they're having to amend it in order to allow this business.
Victor Palomino: But the main point for debate right now is the facility's proposed location.
Chelsey Perkins: So what happened was, where this business is located is really close to a Head Start Center, so an early childhood center. And the ordinance was like, you can't have businesses, cannabis businesses, within a certain number of feet from schools or daycares. So they've had to relook at that and say, how can we accommodate this new business that wants to move in? Of course, the daycare itself is in an industrial area. It actually used to serve Anderson Fabrics employees. So it's a little bit of a unique situation as well, facing the Black Duck city council.
Victor Palomino: KAXC reporters attended recent Black Duck city council meetings where residents voiced a wide range of opinions. The city has held several opportunities for public comment, giving the community a chance to share their thoughts directly.
Chelsey Perkins: Ultimately, the council did move forward with amending this ordinance in order to pave the way for this new business and feel that they've done their due diligence that this business has a good reputation in places that it has been otherwise, and will ultimately be a benefit to Black Duck's residents.
Victor Palomino: For the company behind the proposal, this isn't the first time working with local officials. According to KAXC, they operate a similar facility in Michigan.
Chelsey Perkins: They bought a foundry to turn into a cannabis production facility. And you know, they say that they could bring up around 150 jobs to the city of Black Duck. So there's a lot at stake here when it comes to the future of the city of Black Duck and the type of industry that would be there.
Victor Palomino: To hear this and more news from the Northeast, please visit our website KAXE.org, or follow us on Facebook or Instagram. This is Victor Palomino for North Star Stories.
Anchor: You are listening to North Star Stories.
Minnesota officials have launched the state's first Drinking Water Action Plan, a 10-year strategy to ensure safe and sufficient drinking water for everyone in the state. The plan, led by the Minnesota Department of Health, focuses on protecting water from source to tap and tackling long-standing threats. The plan's five goals include protecting water sources, building resilient infrastructure, managing risks, and supporting small systems and private well users. Officials say the plan will ensure every Minnesotan has access to clean, safe water.
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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.