MINNEAPOLIS — The U.S. Justice Department announced on Monday plans to monitor compliance with federal voting rights laws in 86 jurisdictions in 27 states for the Nov. 5 general election.

Among those districts are three in Minnesota:

• Hennepin County, Minnesota
• City of Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Ramsey County, Minnesota

The DOJ enforces federal voting rights laws that protect the rights of all eligible citizens to access the ballot. To do this, the department said it regularly deploys its staff to monitor for compliance with federal civil rights laws in elections in communities across the country.

On Election Day, Civil Rights Division personnel will be available all day to receive questions and complaints from the public related to possible violations of federal voting rights laws

Reports may be made through the department’s website www.civilrights.justice.gov or by calling toll-free at 800-253-3931.

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Facing a $1.5 million funding shortfall, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board announced in October plans to close five outdoor rink sites.

The proposal comes after an unusually warm winter forced the city to shut down all 22 outdoor rink sites eight days after it opened them in January. The abbreviated season cost the city $887,646, or $110,955 per day. The board cited “uncertain climate fluctuations” as well as warming room rental costs and inflation as reasons for the proposed closures.

The proposed closures include Lyndale Farmstead, Powderhorn, Webber, Matthews and Windom.

The plans frustrated some who use the rinks each winter.

“It was a total surprise to us,” said Eric Vegoe, a volunteer coach for the Minneapolis Titans, a youth hockey team. “It’s difficult to see them make that choice just off of one year. We know global warming is happening, there’s climate change. What will be the future of rinks? We don’t know. But it’s hard to see because this one’s used by so many kids.”

Vegoe said the children on his team, including his two sons, are upset. He said the closures would leave Logan Park as the only other rink site in the Northeast neighborhood.

“If they’re going to want to skate outdoors, they’re not going to be able to walk to the park,” he said. “They’re going to have to get rides and go somewhere else and find a place to play.”

The board plans to meet Wednesday to discuss the proposal. It also plans to curtail the hours at recreation centers at five locations.

Minnesota Musician Dessa is coming out with a cocktail book, titled after her last album, “Bury the Lede” with a cocktail named after each track.

The recipes were created by Marco Zappia, one of the creative forces behind 3LECHE, a fermentation company.

MPR News host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Dessa and Zappia about the book.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

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Correction (Nov. 4, 2024) : Marco Zappia is the former beverage director of Martina and Colita. This story has been corrected to reflect his current career.