Southern Minnesota city trying unique solutions to address housing needs

The city of New Ulm is constructing “experimental builds” to address housing needs. The Minnesota Star Tribune reports “over the past few months, the city council in this town of about 14,000 has approved a flurry of housing projects” from shed houses to tiny homes. New Ulm is among Greater Minnesota cities with a housing shortage. “The shortage, in part, is due to high construction costs that led to developers giving up on building homes cheaper than $250,000.”

In certain situations at 911 hubs, it’s knowledge that can help instead of first responders, Sahan Journal says. That’s where social workers are lending a hand. “More Twin Cities area metro counties are embedding social workers into 911 call centers to field calls from those struggling with problems like mental health, homelessness and substance use.” Minneapolis decided to add a social worker to its center after a report “proposed new public safety approaches following the 2020 murder of George Floyd.”

After their dreams fell short at the 2022 Olympic trials, two Minnesota curlers are now one step closer to the gold. MPR News writes “Korey Dropkin and Cory Thiesse were on separate mixed doubles teams when their Olympic dreams stalled. … Three years later, that on-ice partnership forged in Duluth has brought their shared dreams to life: they will be representing Team USA at the Milan-Cortina Olympics.” 

A Duluth aquarium is mourning one of its animals, a bald eagle. Bring Me The News reports “Bogey was humanely euthanized at the age of 26 after his condition quickly deteriorated and treatment proved unsuccessful, [Duluth’s] Great Lakes Aquarium announced on Monday.” Bogey had been at the aquarium since 2001.

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