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. State Smart, launched by National Priorities Project, tracks the flow of federal funds on the state level.
- Need a ride to the polls? Metro Transit is offering free services on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 4, in accordance with a new state law which requires transit agencies to provide free rides for fixed-routes on Election Day. Use Metro’s handy interactive Trip Planner, to map out your best route.
- The UpTake is providing captioning and transcribing for many of this year’s political debates. Go here to find a list of captioned debates and related videos and stories.
Help with Health Care Insurance: 
Need help navigating your way through all the new health care changes? Mary Turck has produced a series of articles covering a number of issues related to health insurance:
- Subverting Obamacare — watch out for dirty tricks
- Key questions: Choosing your family’s health insurance
- If you can’t afford health insurance … three ways to get help
- What does health insurance cover?
- What you need to know about health insurance bills, networks and tiers
- Open enrollment time: Should you renew or change your health insurance?
Animal News: 
- If you’re curious about feral cats in the city or animal care and control initiatives in Minneapolis, you’ll want to see Megan Nash’s two-part article.
- Emily Kulich shares tips on how to protect your dog from traps now that hunting season is here, and six things to do if you come across a stray dog.
CAPSH takes over responsibilities for Community Action of Minneapolis: 
Did you know that Community Action of Minneapolis closed? Read Cirien Saadeh’s article for details, including new contact info for Minneapolis residents seeking energy assistance.
Useful tips from around the Web:
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Looking for a hot meal on the cheap? The Pioneer Press reports that until the end of the year, Frogtown’s Daily Diner is offering nine full-meal choices to the public for $1.96. Visit the Daily Diner website for more info or call: 651-789-7661.
- Fall Street Sweeping began Oct. 21! Visit the Saint Paul and Minneapolis street sweep schedule lookups to see when your street is scheduled for sweeping.
- Heating season is upon us. If you have a vacant home, these tips for winterizing your home may prove helpful.
- The City of Saint Paul released a video entitled “All in: Recycling 201.” The video is the second in a series aimed at better informing Saint Paul residents about the types of materials covered under the city’s expanded recycling program.
Got a tip for News You Can Use? Let us know by emailing editor@tcdailyplanet.net
Coverage of issues and events that affect Central Corridor neighborhoods and communities is funded in part by a grant from Central Corridor Funders Collaborative.
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