This week’s news you can use: Election helpers, fall street sweeps & more!

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This week’s News You Can Use roundup covers everything from online election resources and fall street sweeping info, to health care and heating tips! Read on for details.This Week’s News You Can Use is a one-stop hub of articles and tips from News You Can Use — a section designated for helpful, everyday information –that you may have missed during the week. If you have a News You Can Use tip, please email editor@tcdailyplanet.net to help spread the word!  Election 2014: Voting Resources:Election time is here and there are new online developments to assist in the voting process.Barb Kucera reports on MNVotes, a new website launched by the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State, where Minnesota voters can register online, request absentee ballots, find polling places, track absentee voting status and more.  Mary Treacy highlights two websites: MyBallot and State Smart. My Ballot is sponsored by e-democracy.org, and provides voters with a sample ballot and links to other resources. Continue Reading

How you can protect Minnesota dogs from traps this hunting season

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Hunting season is upon us, which means Minnesotan hunters everywhere are donning their traditional fall colors: blaze orange and camo. Part of what people love about hunting is the chance to watch their dogs at work doing what they love most, and although pups can be handy friends when hunting, the sad truth is that running around in the wilderness can be dangerous and sometimes even fatal for our dogs. So while we don’t propose that dogs be denied the chance to hunt, we do think there’s more to be done to keep our dogs safe. And Dog Lovers 4 Safe Trapping MN has the perfect solution. Continue Reading

Key questions: Choosing your family’s health insurance

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The package of information came in the mail. It covered just one part of the Medicare plan choices: the Part D prescription drug coverage. It weighed two pounds. Health insurance decisions are weighty questions! Every year, you need to make those decisions. If you do nothing at all, you are choosing to continue with last year’s insurance, even if the premium or coverage has changed. What do you need to know to make a good decision? Continue Reading

Sudden closing of Community Action of Minneapolis shifts energy assistance responsibility

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Minneapolis residents who received energy assistance from the nonprofit Community Action of Minneapolis were told this week that they will now be receiving their services through Community Action Partnership of Suburban Hennepin. According to an article from the Star Tribune this week, the office of Community Action of Minneapolis was raided by employees of the Department of Commerce and the Department of Human Services and its employees laid off. This followed a state audit that showed several discrepancies in the organization’s funding and governance practices,  as well as expenses for things like spa trips, golf outings, and a car loan. In the days following the raid, all of the organization’s contracts were distributed to the Community Action Partnership of Southern Hennepin (CAPSH). “The Energy Assistance Program provides a vital safety net to thousands of low-income individuals and families and allows them to maintain affordable, continuous, and safe home energy” said CAPSH’s executive director Scott Zemke in a press release. Continue Reading