Minnesota

Minnesota State system enrollment up for 2023-24 school year, first time in a decade

Published

9 months ago

February 26, 2024

Minnesota State system enrollment up for 2023-24 school year, first time in a decade

College enrollment is up across the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system for the first time in over a decade, according to Chancellor Scott Olson.

The Minnesota State system consists of 33 public community and technical colleges and state universities around the state.

While enrollment has been declining at colleges nationwide for years, Olson credits recent state investments in higher education for reversing the trend.

“Increasing financial support for students through new programs like the North Star Promise, as well as the state grant program, the emergency assistance grant program, the Minnesota American Indian scholarship program, and other things you’ve invested in, all help students make decisions about attending college,” Olson said while presenting to the State Senate higher education committee on Tuesday, Feb. 20.

In a 2023 bill, the Minnesota Legislature allocated over $4 billion to higher education, then establishing two tuition- and fee-free pathways for Minnesota residents.

The North Star Promise Scholarship Program covers tuition and fees for an undergraduate education at Minnesota’s public two- and four-year colleges and universities. The program is available starting Fall 2024 for Minnesota residents with a family-adjusted gross income below $80,000.

An estimated 15,000 students will benefit from the North Star program in its first year, according to the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.

The American Indian Scholars Program is for Minnesota residents who are enrolled members or citizens of a federally recognized American Indian Tribe or Canadian First Nation or who are enrolled members or citizens of Minnesota Tribal Nations, regardless of residency. It provides full tuition and fee waivers for students pursuing an undergraduate education at Minnesota’s public two- and four-year colleges and universities.

Olson reported enrollment improved 2 percent across the Minnesota State system in the 2023-2024 school year, for an estimated total of about 107,000 students across the system, with growth driven by increasing numbers in community and technical colleges. In comparison, Minnesota State had about 126,000 students in 2018-2019.

As of Tuesday, Olson said applications are up 18 percent in their system for fall 2024.

Minnesota State’s success reflects a national trend towards community colleges and shorter credential programs. In January, the National Student Clearinghouse reported enrollment growth was highest at community colleges for fall 2023. Enrollment for both certificate and associate degree programs grew by about 2 percent, compared to less than one percent for bachelor’s degrees.

“There’s optimism that this trend of annual enrollment growth will continue into the near and far future,” Olson said.

Meanwhile, the University of Minnesota said at the meeting that enrollment declined minimally at four of its five campuses between the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years. Overall, total system enrollment has fluctuated nominally over the past 10 years, generally holding around 67,000 to 68,000 students.

The two higher education institutions shared their enrollment numbers before making requests for millions of dollars in investments to improve aging facilities and supplement operating budgets.

The University of Minnesota is seeking $500 million to preserve and replace buildings, and $45 million for operating costs. Minnesota State is seeking $541.4 million for building preservation and replacement, and $61 million for operational spending.

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Minnesota

Cardinals-Vikings Unveil Thursday Injury Report

Published

3 hours ago

November 28, 2024

Press Room

Cardinals-Vikings Unveil Thursday Injury Report

ARIZONA — The Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings released their Thursday injury reports ahead of their Week 13.

The Cardinals saw Kelvin Beachum upgraded from DNP to Full after his rest day.

Emari Demercado (back), Darius Robinson (ankle), Jalen Thompson (ankle) and Jonah Williams (shoulder) all were limited for a second straight day.

It’s a fairly light injury report for the Cardinals, who again saw key defenders practice for a consecutive day – a potentially good sign for players such as Thompson and Robinson.

As for the Vikings:

DNP – Josh Oliver (wrist/ankle), Jay Ward (elbow)

Limited – Patrick Jones (knee), Cam Robinson (foot) and Andrew Van Ginkel (thigh)

Full – Harrison Phillips (rest), Jonathan Bullard (toe), Kamu Grugier-Hill (shoulder), Brandon Powell (ankle),

Phillips, Bullard, Grugier-Hill and Powell all saw upgrades in their practice status.

The Cardinals’ playoff chances again can sway either way for the squad with a win/loss in Minnesota, you can read more about their odds here.

Arizona stumbled out of their bye week against the Seattle Seahawks, and the Cardinals know defeating the Vikings on the road is a tall task.

“It goes back to the makeup of this team. We understand and ‘JG’ (Head Coach Jonathan Gannon) does a great job. After the game, I know he’s probably feeling the same way we feel, right? But at the end of the day, the message is we have to be ready for next week,” Kyler Murray said when asked about rebounding.

“We can’t let one turn into two, two turn into three. We have to get right back on the horse and keep going and the guys understand that. We’ve done a good job of bouncing back and we get another opportunity to go out there this weekend and do that again.”

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Minnesota

Four Minnesota Twins Stats to be Thankful For

Published

12 hours ago

November 28, 2024

Press Room

Four Minnesota Twins Stats to be Thankful For

In a year headlined by the Pohlads’ frugality, broadcasting issues, and a historic collapse, we often need the reminder that the Twins were a playoff-caliber club for more than two-thirds of the season. You aren’t a playoff contender without players who are producing at exceptional rates, as compared to the rest of the league. Let’s look at four(ish) statistics that stood out across the league for our local club.

Matt Wallner’s Power
Matt Wallner is a power player on both sides of the ball, with a 98th percentile exit velocity (EV) and 99th percentile arm strength. While we need to see considerable improvement in Wallner’s contact rate, the lefty hits the snot out of the ball when he makes contact, boasting elite hard-hit rates. With a 93 mile-per-hour average EV and a 116.8 mile-per-hour maximum, the lefty mashed 13 home runs in only 220 at-bats in 2024. His hardest-hit ball was “just” a single, but his second-hardest was this 116.7 MPH scorcher over the right-field fence at Guaranteed Rate Field.

And then there was the behemoth off Griffin Canning.

On the other side of the ball, Wallner might grade out as a below-average right fielder, but he has one of the best arms in the game. Runners need to tread lightly (er, quickly? Tread not at all?) when they’re thinking about extra bases on a ball hit to Wallner, as he shows off an arm that produced a maximum velocity of 101.2 MPH and an average velocity (on competitive throws) of 96.9. On Aug. 30, the Toronto Blue Jays’ Spencer Horwitz learned this this hard way.

Byron Buxton’s Speed
Twins fans are very aware of Buxton’s speed, and while we’d love to see it employed more on the basepaths, it’s helped him remain one of the best centerfielders in the game. His Sprint Speed and Outs Above Average (OAA) both sit in the 97th percentile in all of baseball, and his best catch of the season was this liner off the bat of Los Angeles Dodgers Teoscar Hernandez, which had a 35% catch probability.

Nothin’ but raindrops, folks.

Griffin Jax’s Stuff
While rumors swirl regarding Jax’s ability to be a starter, he has cemented himself as one of the best relievers in baseball, with a bevy of statistics that sit in the 90th percentile of the league or better. Most notably, his chase rate (99th percentile), whiff rate (98th), and strikeout rate (97th) lead to some of the best actual and expected stats in the majors. Sure, the highlight below is from Spring Training, but my oh my did he send the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Tsung-Che Cheng back to medieval times with this sweeper.

Joe Ryan’s Command
The Twins really missed Joe Ryan down the stretch, in large part due to his ability to control and command the strike zone. With a 96th percentile walk rate and a 98th percentile expected OBP, Ryan limited free passes better than nearly anyone in baseball – an important attribute when you don’t have traditionally overpowering stuff. His ability to live on the edge of the strike zone doesn’t just limit walks. It also limits a hitter’s quality of contact, resulting in better-than-average exit velocities and hard-hit rates for the righty.

There’s plenty more to be thankful for this season, and it gives us plenty to look forward to as the calendar inches toward 2025. One thing is for certain: No matter what happens with the team on the field in 2025, we here at Twins Daily are thankful for the owners, editors, content creators, and readers that make this all possible. Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate—and cheers, all the same, to those who don’t!

What are YOU thankful for this year?

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Minnesota

Minnesota hosts Los Angeles following Harden’s 43-point game

Published

20 hours ago

November 28, 2024

Press Room

Minnesota hosts Los Angeles following Harden’s 43-point game

Associated Press

Los Angeles Clippers (12-8, sixth in the Western Conference) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (8-10, 12th in the Western Conference)

Minneapolis; Friday, 7:30 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Timberwolves -5.5; over/under is 217.5

BOTTOM LINE: Los Angeles visits the Minnesota Timberwolves after James Harden scored 43 points in the Clippers’ 121-96 win over the Washington Wizards.

The Timberwolves are 5-7 against Western Conference opponents. Minnesota is sixth in the Western Conference at limiting opponent scoring, allowing only 111.3 points while holding opponents to 47.2% shooting.

The Clippers are 7-7 against Western Conference opponents. Los Angeles is sixth in the Western Conference scoring 50.2 points per game in the paint led by Ivica Zubac averaging 13.7.

The Timberwolves average 15.1 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.2 more made shots on average than the 12.9 per game the Clippers give up. The Clippers average 109.3 points per game, 2.0 fewer than the 111.3 the Timberwolves allow to opponents.

TOP PERFORMERS: Julius Randle is averaging 21.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists for the Timberwolves.

Harden is averaging 21.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 8.7 assists and 1.6 steals for the Clippers.

LAST 10 GAMES: Timberwolves: 3-7, averaging 110.2 points, 41.6 rebounds, 22.6 assists, 9.5 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 44.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.7 points per game.

Clippers: 6-4, averaging 110.1 points, 46.3 rebounds, 25.4 assists, 10.0 steals and 4.1 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.6 points.

INJURIES: Timberwolves: Joe Ingles: day to day (soleus).

Clippers: Kobe Brown: day to day (back), Kawhi Leonard: out (knee), P.J. Tucker: out (personal), Norman Powell: day to day (hamstring).

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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