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Trump signs executive order banning transgender athletes from women's sports, directing DOJ to enforce; Educators voice concern for PA immigrant student protections; WA rent stabilization bills have huge public support; ME benefits from $2.2 billion in federal clean energy investments.

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Nationwide protests erupt against federal policies, Indiana's EV infrastructure expansion stalls due to a funding freeze, and Washington state pushes for rent stabilization to combat rising housing costs.

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During Black History Month, a new book shares how a unique partnership built 5,000 schools for Black students, anti-hunger advocates say ag communities would benefit from an expanded SNAP program, and Americans have $90 billion in unpaid medical bills.

Soggy MN weather prompts safety issues as state park season kicks off

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Monday, June 24, 2024   

Recent bouts of heavy rain are not just leading to flooded basements in Minnesota, they are reducing access to state parks just as summer demand picks up.

Officials with the Department of Natural Resources are offering guidance and safety warnings, as quite a few parks have trail closures due to recent flooding and in some cases, park roadways have been washed out. There are also campground closures in some state forest areas.

Sara Berhow, parks and trails public relations supervisor for the agency, acknowledged the timing could not be worse for safety alerts to go out.

"School has just let out in the last two weeks and a lot of families are wanting to get out and do their summer camping trip," Berhow pointed out.

The DNR said it has to put the safety of visitors first. Berhow urged the public to check a park's website before leaving to see the latest updates. When getting to a site, visitors are asked to obey closure signs for affected areas. In some cases, staff may have not been able to inspect all locations. If a flooded area has not yet been closed off, visitors are asked not to go through it.

Berhow noted it has been a while since early-season rains have impacted a larger collection of state park trails. While some areas might already be in the clear from dangerous conditions, she emphasized they will be in wait-and-see mode for certain spots.

"Once the flooding has receded, we'll need to give park staff time to assess those areas, do any cleanup that's necessary and make sure they're safe to reopen," Berhow outlined.

She added they will move as quickly as possible to get outdoor attractions ready for visitors again. As for campers with reservations, they can make changes through the DNR website, if needed, including looking for another campground if the original site they booked is off limits right now.


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