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Celebrate World Kindness Day in ways both big and small
Nov. 13 is the official day dedicated to promoting and celebrating acts of kindness big, small and everything in between.
GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. — While we shouldn’t have to declare an official day to be kind to one another, today (Wednesday, Nov. 13) is celebrated across the globe as World Kindness Day.
Awareness Days describes World Kindness Day as an annual event that encourages individuals to practice kindness in their daily lives and celebrate the human qualities of empathy, understanding and cooperation. The goal is to create “a more harmonious and caring world.”
So how do you plan to celebrate? It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate… rake the front yard of an elderly neighbor, cook or bake and double the batch so you have something to give away. Here are a few more ideas from Awareness Days.
- Perform small acts of kindness: Compliment a colleague, buy a cup of coffee for someone behind you in line, or donate to a charity.
- Spread Positivity: Share uplifting and positive messages on social media to inspire others to be kind and compassionate.
- Volunteer: Offer your time to volunteer for a local charity or nonprofit organization that aligns with your values.
- Teach Kindness: Educate children and young people about the importance of kindness and empathy through storytelling or classroom activities.
- Random Acts of Kindness: Surprise someone with a random act of kindness, like leaving an encouraging note for a friend or contacting someone on social media and telling them how important they are to you.
To celebrate World Kindness Day in our own way, we here at KARE 11 are sharing a few of our favorite stories of kindness as inspiration. Check them out, feel the love and spread it generously.
The Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) says Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp. employed at least 11 children ages 14-17 at its St. James plant.
ST JAMES, Minn. — A national meatpacking company will pay a fine of $2 million for alleged child labor violations at its plant in St. James, Minn.
The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) announced the consent order signed by Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp., on Nov. 13, which includes the largest penalty ever recovered by the agency.
DLI conducted an investigation that covered two years between April 13, 2021, and April 13, 2023. Investigators allege that Smithfield employed at least 11 children between the ages of 14 and 17 at the St. James plant during that time, three who started working for the company when they were 14.
Among the other violations cited by DLI:
- Smithfield allowed nine of the 11 minor children to work after the hours allowed by state law – after 9 p.m. for those under 16 years old and after 11 p.m. before a school day for those 16 or 17 years old.
- All 11 minor children performed hazardous work for Smithfield, including working near chemicals or other hazardous substances, operating power-driven machinery (meat grinders, slicers and power-driven conveyor belts), and operating nonautomatic elevators, lifts or hoisting machines, including motorized pallet jacks and lift pallet jacks.
“It is unacceptable for a company to employ minor children to perform hazardous work late at night. This illegal behavior impacts children’s health, safety and well-being and their ability to focus on their education and their future,” said DLI Commissioner Nicole Blissenbach.
“DLI’s resolution with Smithfield sends a strong message to employers, including in the meat processing industry, that child labor violations will not be tolerated in Minnesota.”
While agreeing to the $2 million fine, Smithfield made clear in the consent order documents that the company disputes the allegations by DLI and denies violating Minnesota child labor laws.
Along with the fine, the consent order requires Smithfield to conduct industry outreach related to child labor compliance, require child labor compliance from its staffing agencies and sanitation contractors, and take other steps to ensure future child labor compliance.
To submit a child labor complaint or to ask questions about child labor restrictions and requirements, contact DLI’s Labor Standards Division by calling 651-284-5075 or via email.
SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Celebrate the holidays with Salvation Army and a variety of local celebrities at the upcoming “Tree of Lights” event in St. Paul.
The free event will occur at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 16 at Rice Park. Basketball Hall of Famer Lindsay Whalen, Grammy winners The Sounds of Blackness, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter and additional local favorites will attend.
For the ultimate holiday experience, the trees at Rice Park will have an LED light display synchronized to holiday music, and the Salvation Army will serve up hot chocolate and cookies.
The Department of Public Safety says the new site is more mobile-friendly, and features additional features and content to improve the experience of Minnesotans.
ST PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) impacts the lives of all state residents, as an umbrella for 12 agencies that handle duties from dealing with vehicle titles and tabs to alcohol and gambling enforcement.
DPS is also the parent department of the Minnesota State Patrol, which enforces laws on our freeways and highways.
With all those agencies, the DPS website is heavily used and accessed by Minnesotans for services and information that impacts their lives, and those users had not seen a major site update since 2011.
On Thursday that changed, with the unveiling of a new and improved DPS website, redesigned to provide easier access to the most popular DPS tasks and services, improved search capabilities and a clearer path to needed information. The upgrade also features a clean design that is more mobile-friendly.
“A modern, accessible website is more than just a convenience — it’s a critical tool for ensuring public safety. By making information easy to find and understand, we empower Minnesotans to take proactive steps to protect themselves and their communities,” said DPS Deputy Commissioner Cassandra O’Hern. “Our new website reflects our commitment accessibility and delivering the highest level of service to all.”
While state residents can still renew their driver’s license and buy vehicle tabs, access crash reports, view crime stats or request a background check online, there are also new services offered on the new site. Among them:
- Information on the Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls Office
- Information on how to connect with the Community Affairs team
- Tribal relations information
- Information on the Office of State Safety Oversight
- A more robust newsroom
- Enhanced accessibility for documents
Deputy Commissioner O’Hern says while the new website is more convenient, the upgrade was also critical to ensuring the public safety of all Minnesotans.
“By making information easy to find and understand, we empower Minnesotans to take proactive steps to protect themselves and their communities,” said O’Hern in a news release announcing the website upgrade. “Our new website reflects our commitment to accessibility and delivering the highest level of service to all.”
Click here to check out the new DPS website and all its features.
