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Parks and Rec board amends list of closing ice rinks
Previously, the board considered closing at least four ice rinks over the next two years.
MINNEAPOLIS — After announcing tentative plans to close multiple public skating rinks across Minneapolis, the parks and rec board for the city have amended their plans.
Previously, to address a $1.5 million funding gap, the board announced the number of ice rinks would be slashed from 22 to 17 and recreation center hours would be reduced at several locations over two years.
On Friday, board members decided Windom NE will have general skating and one hockey rink restored. Two broomball and a general skating rink will open at Logan Park and Van Cleve Park will host one hockey, one broomball and one general skating rink.
Some rinks in the city will be closed this winter. Webber NSP and Powderhorn rinks remain closed for 2024-2025 and the board plans to evaluate closing three rinks in 2025-2026.
In a letter, the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board said sites are chosen based on rink construction costs, rental fees for warming houses and the challenges of maintaining the rink ice.
The board has until Dec. 10 to finalize the list of rink closures, ahead of the finalization of the City of Minneapolis’ budget.
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.
