More good economic news for the North Star state. Gallup’s “Job Creation Index” has Minnesota at the top: “Minnesota led the 50 states on Gallup’s Job Creation Index with an average score in 2015 of +38, based on workers’ reports of hiring activity at their place of employment. Georgia and Utah were next at +36. North Dakota, which had been the top overall state each of the last six years, remains in the top 10.”
If a team eliminates scalpers, but nobody wants to see its games anyway, does it even matter? MPR’s Bob Collins how the Timberwolves took total control of their ticket sales: “Although they’re the least supported major sports team in the Twin Cities, the Minnesota Timberwolves are quietly revolutionizing how you’ll buy tickets to sporting events, and, in the process, increasing the price you’ll pay. … The team, and its partner, the Minnesota Lynx, are the first franchises to successfully manipulate the ‘secondary’ ticket market, eliminating competition from scalpers and services such as StubHub and Ticket King.”
For all the complaining about health insurance prices, it looks like some people were getting a good deal. The Star Tribune’s Christopher Snowbeck writes up the Legislative Auditor’s report on MNsure: “During a five-month period last year, Minnesota spent an estimated $115 million or more in overpayments to cover people who got incorrect eligibility determinations from the MNsure system, according to a new state audit. … Many of those who received state benefits either were placed in the wrong public health insurance program, or didn’t qualify for either Medical Assitance or MinnesotaCare, according to a new report from Legislative Auditor James Nobles.”
Cool project from MPR’s Doualy Xaykaothao and Mukhtar Ibrahim: “They are students, activists, welders and artists. They’ve grown up in Egypt and Yemen and north Minneapolis. They are daughters and brothers and fathers and mothers. … They are members of the world’s fastest-growing religion. … By 2050, they are projected to make up 2 percent of the U.S. population. … In Minnesota, followers of Islam are establishing their place within the state’s communities — as leaders and entrepreneurs and innovators — even amid growing tensions from neighbors struggling to adjust to a state whose demographics continue to evolve. … Hear their voices.”
In other news…
Not so much ice caves, this year: “Warm winter may sink Apostle Islands ice cave treks” [MPR]
Festivus celebrants rejoice: “St. Paul school kisses Valentine’s Day, other ‘dominant holidays,’ goodbye” [Star Tribune]
The Southwest Light Rail station names are not final. [streets.mn]
It’s sad to see East Coast news outlets put Minnesotans up to this kind of thing: “Dear Washington, this is ridiculous. Go back to school. Love, a Minnesotan.” [Washington Post]
A lot cheaper than building safe roads, South Dakota: “Bill could require bicyclists to yield road” [Argus Leader]
Not the good kind of “shot in the arm”: “Oakdale Police Officer Shot in Arm” [KSTP]
