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67 Minnesota waterways now 'impaired' due to chloride

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67 Minnesota waterways now 'impaired' due to chloride


After the state’s first major snowfall this winter, pollution experts say people clearing snow and ice from sidewalks and driveways should avoid using too much road salt – a major pollutant in the state’s waterways.

Every year, Minnesotans use an estimated 445,000 tons of salt to clear roads, sidewalks, driveways and parking lots. When the ice melts, chloride in that salt runs into storm drains and nearby lakes, rivers and streams, where it’s toxic to fish and other aquatic life. 

The results are grim: The state’s draft 2024 impaired waters list includes 67 water bodies with excess chloride levels, up from 54 waterways listed two years ago.

“Chloride is actually toxic to our freshwater fish and insects that are living in our lakes or streams, our wetlands and our rivers,” said Brooke Asleson, who coordinates the chloride reduction program at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. “And it really does not take a lot of chloride before it starts to create problems for our freshwater communities.”

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Road salt is the biggest source of chloride pollution in lakes, streams and groundwater. It only takes one teaspoon of salt to permanently pollute five gallons of water.

Asleson said Minnesotans can help by reducing their use of salt – and relying on their shovel first.

“The first practice that we really want folks to embrace is to get out there and physically remove that snow and ice,” she said. “If we can get out there early and often and prevent that snow and ice from getting compacted, we can save ourselves a lot of work overall.”

Salt doesn’t melt ice effectively when it’s below 15 degrees. Asleson recommends using a small amount of sand or chicken grit for traction if needed on slippery spots, and sweeping it up later.

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If a de-icer is needed, use only a small amount, Asleson said. One coffee cup of de-icer is enough to treat a 20-foot driveway.

Chloride pollution isn’t just an urban problem. Most of the chloride-impaired waterways are in the Twin Cities metro area, but there are also several in greater Minnesota, including Duluth and Alexandria.

“As we continue to monitor more closely for chloride, we’re starting to see or find more streams, more lakes and wetlands that are too high,” Asleson said.

In an effort to encourage “smart salting” practices, the MPCA has been offering training for snowplow drivers and property maintenance supervisors for several years. It’s now offering a virtual workshop for community leaders, including local government officials or people who sit on environmental or housing boards.



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No. 6 Minnesota-Duluth 3, No. 10 Penn State 1: Goalied

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No. 6 Minnesota-Duluth 3, No. 10 Penn State 1: Goalied


After a heroic goaltending performance lifted Penn State to the Frozen Four last year, the Nittany Lions were on the receiving end of a strong goaltending night in Friday’s 3-1 NCAA Tournament loss to Minnesota-Duluth. Adam Gajan made 29 saves, many of them high-danger, to lift the Bulldogs past Penn State. Shea Van Olm scored Penn State’s only goal of the night in the first period. Josh Fleming made 36 saves in defeat for the Nittany Lions.

First Period

Penn State’s attack was relentless in the first period. Midway through the period, Casey Aman made a perfect cross-ice pass to Shea Van Olm. The freshman laced a beautiful shot past Adam Gajan to put Penn State on top 1-0:



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Walz doubts Vance, anti-fraud task force interested in helping Minnesota fight fraud

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Walz doubts Vance, anti-fraud task force interested in helping Minnesota fight fraud


Vice President JD Vance chaired the first meeting of an anti-fraud task force aimed at cracking down on fraud in government programs nationwide. Some of the fraud, he says, dates back 30 to 40 years.

However, in his opening remarks, he highlighted fraud in the Minnesota state government in recent years.

“Now what we’ve seen is Somali fraudsters at an industrial scale taking advantage of that program to the tune of millions and millions of dollars,” he said, talking specifically about fraud in autism programs.

House Fraud Committee takes aim at autism programs

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In an interview recorded for “At Issue with Tom Hauser” on Friday afternoon, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz says he’d welcome help in fighting fraud but doubts how interested the Trump administration is in helping the state.

“All fraud is too much,” Walz said. “One dollar is too much. I don’t really believe the vice president is interested in helping with this. If he was, he’d get us more U.S. attorneys. If he was, he’d have more FBI agents out here focused on this rather than harassing people in the streets. But what I would tell Minnesotans on this is they know it’s unacceptable. We’re on the path to having the most secure programs in the country. I take full responsibility for making sure that’s fixed.”

Walz acknowledges the involvement of some in the Somali community in several fraud cases in Minnesota, but says the fight against fraud shouldn’t be based on race or ethnicity.

Walz says ‘organized crime’ to blame for extensive fraud in Minnesota

“Going on there and talking about the Somali community, there are plenty of white men committing fraud too, and I don’t hear him talking about that. What I would tell you as a Minnesotan, I don’t care what your ethnicity is, your religion, the color of your skin, if you’re committing fraud, you’re going to prison. That’s my job to make sure it happens.”

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You can see the entire interview with Gov. Walz on Sunday morning at 10 a.m. on “At Issue.”

You’ll hear his response to a wide range of issues, ranging from his budget proposal to license tab fees to whether he plans to get involved in helping other Democrats in the midterm elections.



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Over 840,000 Minnesotans Assist Aging Loved Ones, Shaping Their Daily Lives

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Over 840,000 Minnesotans Assist Aging Loved Ones, Shaping Their Daily Lives


UNDATED (WJON News) — A new report says hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans are caring for a loved one.

The AARP says its report indicates 840,000 Minnesotans are caregivers for adults, providing care for older parents, spouses, neighbors, and other loved ones.

They spend about 480 million hours of care each year, work that would be valued at $11.1 billion per year if it were paid in the marketplace, based on a value of about $23 per hour.

AARP says family caregivers are averaging about 27 hours each week.

More than half, 57 percent, are providing high-intensity care, meaning they spend more hours helping with daily tasks like bathing and dressing, as well as complex medical and nursing tasks like wound care and administering injections.

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AARP says these numbers are why it advocated to help secure Paid Family Leave and Medical Leave in Minnesota, giving family caregivers the ability to be there for their loved ones without sacrificing their jobs.

AARP also helps families navigate caregiving challenges by connecting them to resources.

Thanks For The Memories In MN Adam, SKOL Vikings

With the Minnesota Vikings waiving Detroit Lakes-native, former Minnesota State Mankato Maverick, Adam Thielen today, it’s only natural to go back and revisit his time with the hometown team. Here are some pictures of Adam in purple from his two stints with the Vikings, and his stats during his time with the Vikings. 

Gallery Credit: Getty Images





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