Brian Arola

2 weeks ago | hometownsource.com | Brian Arola

Ken Gagner is no meteorologist, but he knows to forecast extra cost savings for his school district on sunny days. The superintendent got one of those days before Braham Area Schools’ graduation ceremony last week. On the roof above Gagner’s office, solar panels soaked up the sun’s rays, generating electricity measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). One keystroke on Gagner’s computer gave him real-time updates, a valuable tool for teaching students about renewable energy.

2 weeks ago | minnpost.com | Brian Arola

A project billed as the largest rural public transit redesign in the country got rolling in two fast growing Greater Minnesota counties last week. Arrowhead Transit launched its RideSmart 2025 project in Isanti and Chisago counties, located just north of the Twin Cities metro area. Verification of such a lofty claim aside, the revamp at least stands out in its attempt to bring more consistent, expansive and understandable transit routes to rural residents.

2 weeks ago | postbulletin.com | Brian Arola

Like most parents, Mallory Shlaffman hadn’t heard of congenital cytomegalovirus until her child screened positive for it. Her daughter, Laura, born in 2018, was tested for what’s known as CMV because she was born below the 10th percentile for weight. Back then, only babies meeting certain criteria received screenings for the virus, which can cause health problems that range from hearing loss to seizures to impaired vision. Identifying CMV early prompted early interventions for Laura.

3 weeks ago | minnpost.com | Brian Arola

In a county labeled a “sanctuary” by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Nidia Zelaya knows some neighbors need to watch their steps these days. “A lot of people are really scared of their basic routines,” said the woman from Watonwan County in southwestern Minnesota. Zelaya volunteers with Convivencia Hispana, a St. James-based advocacy group for Watonwan’s Latino and Hispanic residents.

4 weeks ago | minnpost.com | Brian Arola

Ken Gagner is no meteorologist, but he knows to forecast extra cost savings for his school district on sunny days. The superintendent got one of those days before Braham Area Schools’ graduation ceremony last week. On the roof above Gagner’s office, solar panels soaked up the sun’s rays, generating electricity measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). One keystroke on Gagner’s computer gave him real-time updates, a valuable tool for teaching students about renewable energy.