A decision to stop Minnesota public defenders from representing parents in child custody cases has left Minnesota counties holding the bill.

“Nobody is happy about it,” Meeker County Administrator Paul Virnig said. “I don’t think it’s an issue so much with public defender’s office as with the state as a whole.”

Independent Review staff writer Kristin Holtz and news intern Abigail Popp explore Minnesota's growing interest in wind energy in four-story special report in the July 31 Independent Review.

Local Meeker and Kandiyohi landowners could be Giving wind a turn by partnering to build industrial-sized wind turbines.

Minwind Energy, LLC, in southwestern Minnesota has made its community-owned wind turbines a community success. Farmers boost local economy with group wind project

McLeod County landowner Chuck Hausladen is reaping the rewards of his residential turbine in Hausladen captures big savings with own turbine

In 2007, Minnesota lawmakers gave the state one of the most aggressive renewable energy standards in the country, which is Changing the energy landscape.

Look across the vast corn and soybeans fields of southern Minnesota and you will see not only silos, groves and grain elevators, but also dozens of wind turbines slowly churning and turning.

ST. PAUL —New laws taking effect Friday will help newly licensed teens hone their driving skills during the first year of licensure by reducing exposure to two high-risk situations: driving late at night and carrying multiple teen passengers.

Longtime Meeker County Commissioner Ron Kutzke will have a challenger for his County Board seat and Dr. Dave Detert will again challenge Rep. Dean Urdahl for the House District 18B seat in the November election.

Meeker County tobacco retailers recently received a thumbs up for giving the red light to underage smokers.

All 22 Meeker County establishments licensed to sell tobacco passed a compliance check in the past year. The check, conducted by the Meeker County Sheriff’s Office and Meeker County Public Health, is an unannounced investigation to determine whether retailers are selling tobacco to underage youth.

In many cases, the filing period for public office creates a stir.

Not so in Meeker County this year.

Just one spot on the Meeker County Board of Commissioners is up for election this fall — that of Fifth District commissioner. And as of Monday morning, only incumbent Ron Kutzke had filed for the seat.

Filing for federal, state and county offices began July 1 and closes at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

State Rep. Dean Urdahl, R-Grove City, announced Tuesday that the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority has approved a financing package of nearly $1.5 million for Grove City to use in the construction of a new well, water treatment plant and meters.

The Drinking Water Revolving Fund is a 20-year loan at an interest rate of 1.258 percent. The MPFA estimates the favorable financing conditions will save local taxpayers nearly $440,000 in interest costs when compared with current market rates available for general obligation bonding.

ST. PAUL — Increased impaired driving patrols will hit Minnesota roads throughout July, one of the deadliest months for alcohol-related crashes. The statewide enhanced impaired driving enforcement sweep is administered by the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and will include around 400 law enforcement agencies patrolling extra hours. The campaign covers the 4th of July holiday weekend.

Local farmers should begin planning now if they hope to capitalize on new livestock investment grants that will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. Funds are limited and applications will be accepted beginning in August.

The grants are the culmination of work state Rep. Dean Urdahl, R-Grove City, began five years ago. The Legislature enacted the grants during the 2008 session and farmers may be eligible to receive up to 10 percent of the first $500,000 of qualifying expenditures; a minimum $4,000 in expenditures must be made.