12/2: This week's Minnesota news from other media

The Annandale School District plans to “green” their new prekindergarten through eighth grade school, writes Brenda Erdahl of the Annandale Advocate.  Some of the primary features include a geothermal heating/cooling system, a design that emphasizes natural light, and a “displacement” ventilation system.

Despite the national economic crisis, unemployment rates in Goodhue County  actually dropped in October, reports Mike Longaecker of the Red Wing Republican-Eagle.  The rate now hovers at 5.3 percent, compared to the state average of 6 percent.

Patrick Garmoe of the Duluth News Tribune reports that skiers are patronizing resorts closer to home this year. Lutsen Mountain, a resort northeast of Duluth, has already reported a 20 percent increase in reservations.

Workers and supporters demonstrated outside Quality Pork Processors Sunday; among them were employees who had contracted  a neurological disorder while extracting pig brains, writes Katie Johnson of the Austin Daily Herald. At least 18 former and current employees have been diagnosed with progressive inflammatory neuropathy; the demonstrators sought changes in the way the company has dealt with them.

Rice County has closed its waiting list for federal housing assistance, reports Suzanne Rook of the Northfield News.  The change is attributed to an upcoming shift in management in the county’s Housing and Redevelopment Authority.  Beginning in January, the county will operate its own HRA and oversee the county’s Section 8 program.