Minnesota
Review: Semisonic delivers the perfect, Minnesota-proud set for State Fair closing time
![Review: Semisonic delivers the perfect, Minnesota-proud set for State Fair closing time Review: Semisonic delivers the perfect, Minnesota-proud set for State Fair closing time](https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/startribunemedia/6ZDIJRF5YBDMFGK3NP356XJ3V4.jpg)
An unofficial tradition in recent years for the State Fair’s final day, old-school Minnesota music fans filed in as the masses started clearing out to catch local rock royalty close down the Leinie Lodge Bandshell stage on Monday night. This year’s entrant, Semisonic, seemed extra fitting — not only because the trio’s biggest hit is “Closing Time,” but because it put out its first full-length album in 22 years last November. This wasn’t just another case of rock ‘n’ roll nostalgia at the fair.
The scene: After an overflowing crowd crammed the bandshell area for the band’s first night there Sunday (another record-breaking attendance day), the scene on closing night was less mobbed and a lot more chill, in a good way. Fans kicked back under the big trees and lit-up Space Tower to soak up the golden late-summer weather. Semi-perfect night, you might say.
The music: With a 19-year lull between recordings — from 2001 to 2020 — there are two distinct eras of Semisonic, and Monday’s 90-minute set pulled evenly from both.
After opening with two upbeat, older fan faves to get the crowd singing along sweetly from the get-go, “Singing in My Sleep” and “F.N.T.,” the band set down a steady groove for “Grow Your Own” that was funky and hippie-ish enough to make you believe the song from last year’s album “Little Bit of Sun” is a cannabis legalization anthem (in fact, it’s about starting a band). That was the first of many smooth transitions between old and new material, and the reception from the crowd stayed steady between the two eras.
Biggest takeaways: These 2020s-era songs really have sparked a whole new life to Semisonic’s live shows. Especially for Minnesota fans who caught a majority of the band’s very sporadic concerts during their long recording lull, it was great to hear the extra musical spark in songs like the urgent rocker “The Rope,” the comforting “You’re Not Alone” and the paisley-poppy “If You Say So,” the latter earnestly sung by bassist John Munson.
The other definitive aspect of the show was how much the band clearly relished playing the fair. They said so several times, but they also paid homage to the fair’s Minnesota-proud vibe by playing what singer/guitarist Dan Wilson called a “triptych of Minnesota songs” (“trio” to those of us who didn’t go to Harvard). It included: “Falling,” a song inspired by getting stuck on the fair’s Ferris wheel; “Sculpture Garden,” about the shenanigans that go on outside Walker Art Center, and a cover of Prince’s “Take Me With U,” another one sung by Munson.
Coolest moment: Hearing the big “Closing Time” singalong just before closing time at the fair was obviously a serendipitous moment not lost on anyone. It may even go down as many attendees’ most memorable instance of hearing it.
However, there was arguably an even more meaningful and lasting moment in the three-song encore that followed, when the band closed the night with the new ballad “Beautiful Sky,” co-written with My Morning Jacket’s Jim James. “Let’s make this one last,” frontman Dan Wilson sang over and over in the song about relishing post-pandemic togetherness. A spot-on choice for closing out this particular show.
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Minnesota
Minnesota schools begin implementing new cell phone policies
![Minnesota schools begin implementing new cell phone policies Minnesota schools begin implementing new cell phone policies](https://assets2.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2024/09/02/56ff5fef-cf88-47d2-be59-478705e16034/thumbnail/1200x630/de44c57f9906e76f1e8a522b50c59125/snapshot-34.jpg?v=25685eaa472b1a5dbb5bd46ae506d232)
Maple Grove, Minn. — As students head back to class across Minnesota this week, they’ll find new expectations regarding cell phones and other electronic devices.
“The kids are there to learn. So, it’d be a good idea to focus on the learning and what teachers are trying to teach them,” said Jamie Skjerseth of Maple Grove.
The Minnesota legislature mandated school districts adopt a clear cell phone policy by March 2025.
It also required two principals’ organizations to design a new model policy that districts could adopt.
The resulting “Cell Phone Tool Kit,” released in July, suggests that all classrooms be phone free with few exceptions.
“This year they’re pushing it to where you can’t have phones during school hours at all. Not even during lunch or their walking hours in between classes,” explained Karin Sayler of Otsego.
Sayler supports the change for her middle school son.
“He has kids in his class that will actually use it and it distracts him a lot,” she said.
The toolkit also spells out an alternative for high schoolers.
“We cannot have them in the classroom. We have to put them in these phone holders and then we can have them in the hallway or at lunch,” said incoming Rogers High School freshman Grace Hobbins.
Hobbins has mixed feelings about her school’s new policy.
“In high school, I feel like we’re old enough to control ourselves,” she said.
“I’m not going to lie, I do like to be able to text my kids at school,” said Amelia Hobbins, Grace’s mom.
It’s a concern Maple Grove High School addressed in a letter to parents last month, saying in part:
“Students will be able to use their cell phones during passing times and lunch – added together, this amounts to 55 minutes each day! They’ll be just fine.”
Grace’s mom, Amelia, will miss the convenience but agrees that it’s needed to limit distractions, boost learning, and improve kids’ mental health.
“At the end of the day, they should keep the phones in their locker,” she said.
Minnesota
Much of Minnesota under air quality alerts on Labor Day due to Canadian wildfire smoke
![Much of Minnesota under air quality alerts on Labor Day due to Canadian wildfire smoke Much of Minnesota under air quality alerts on Labor Day due to Canadian wildfire smoke](https://assets1.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2024/09/02/1fb85ad5-8ca7-4f8f-9e4e-26bad2e5b46b/thumbnail/1200x630/6dfc1a50f0c8671f6e764f2800531c2b/alert-air-quality.png?v=25685eaa472b1a5dbb5bd46ae506d232)
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Almost half of Minnesota is under air quality alerts on Monday due to hazardous wildfire smoke blowing south from Canada.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says the alerts went into effect Monday at 8 a.m. for the central, east-central, northwestern and north-central parts of the state. It’s set to expire Tuesday at 1 a.m.
NEXT Weather Meteorologist Joseph Dames says more smoke and haze are expected throughout Tuesday.
Who’s impacted?
The agency says northerly winds are pushing the smoke down from Canada’s Saskatchewan province, and light winds will help keep the air mostly stagnant and near ground level for most of Monday.
The air quality index value (AQI) is in the red zone — meaning the air is unhealthy for all — in the state’s north-central region, including Bemidji, Roseau, and the tribal nations of Leech Lake and Red Lake.
A wider swath is under an orange alert, meaning the air is unhealthy for people in sensitive groups, including people with respiratory and heart issues, pregnant women and children.
The impacted areas include Brained, International Falls and the tribal nation of Mille Lacs.
Potential health impacts from wildfire smoke
Inhalation of smoke particles can cause adverse health symptoms including irritation of the eyes, nose and throat; coughing; chest pain and tightness; dizziness; fatigue and shortness of breath.
People with cardiovascular, heart and lung conditions are at risk of suffering strokes, as well as asthma and heart attacks, the agency says, and inhaling smoke particles can also lead to bronchitis.
How to protect yourself
Everyone in the red and orange AQI areas is encouraged to “avoid prolonged or heavy exertion and limit time spent outdoors,” according to the agency, including outdoor workers, and adults and children out exercising or playing sports.
Others at increased risk include those who need to keep their windows open and people experiencing homelessness.
The agency encourages people in the affected areas to refrain from driving if possible and avoid idling if car travel is necessary. People are also advised against burning anything outdoors and indoors.
The agency has more tips on protecting yourself and loved ones on its website.
Minnesota
#Top10WxDay for Labor Day, final day of Minnesota State Fair
![#Top10WxDay for Labor Day, final day of Minnesota State Fair #Top10WxDay for Labor Day, final day of Minnesota State Fair](https://assets1.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2024/09/02/154db920-0ede-4754-9bee-43eaecc72e39/thumbnail/1200x630/245f43c9b9e89ad07c0464dde597475d/2e21c1c7d365a89c0d55ef03e00ba8df.jpg?v=25685eaa472b1a5dbb5bd46ae506d232)
MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesotans planning a Labor Day cookout or a last-minute visit to the Minnesota State Fair are in luck: Monday is a #Top10WxDay.
With highs in the mid-70s, sunshine and a light wind, it will be a beautiful day across the state.
Dry and comfortable weather will continue through midweek, though temperatures will climb a bit each day before topping out in the lower 80s on Wednesday.
There is a chance of rain Wednesday night into Thursday morning, then a shot of real fall-like air arrives. Highs will collapse to the upper 60s by Friday and stay there through the weekend.
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