Category: Perspectives

Minnesota river restoration project showing big results in a short time

by: Josh Wolsky  |  

What happens when you make an investment in a river with poor water quality, recurring algae blooms, and a history corrupted by human interests? North of Minneapolis they’ve been running just such an experiment, and the early going, the results are remarkable. Check the story linked below on the restoration of Rice Creek from the

Read & Share   sourced from: Star Tribune

The History of Humans Looking at Animals in Zoos

by: Josh Wolsky  |  

Spending an afternoon at the zoo is a Minot privilege we’ve enjoyed for nearly a hundred years. Visit the zoo today and you’ll immediately see the commitment and respect our Zoo staff has for their facility and the animals they’re charged with caring for. It’s in light of our current and future investments at the

Read & Share   sourced from: CityLab

Kids left in cars in summer heat, a sobering reminder to set a reminder

by: Josh Wolsky  |  

Since laws keeping kids from front seats have been implemented, more and more are forgotten in the back seat. It’s not a matter of being a bad parent, it’s a matter of remembering. And if a parent misses just once, the consequences can be tragic. Check out this story out of South Carolin that serves

Read & Share   sourced from: The State

Washington’s wealthiest town — home to Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates — going broke due to property tax restrictions

by: Josh Wolsky  |  

Outside of Seattle, the town of Medina is home to both Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates. But claiming fame due to two wealthy citizens doesn’t excuse the city from financial woes created by Washington’s property tax restrictions. In Washington, a 2007 law prevents municipalities from increasing property tax revenue by more than 1% annually unless

Read & Share   sourced from: CNBC

Williston Chamber celebrates young entrepreneurs with ‘Lemonade Day’

by: Josh Wolsky  |  

How do get kids excited about business and introduce them to the entrepreneurial spirit? Host ‘Lemonade Day’ and offer rewards. The event organized by the Williston Chamber of Commerce delivered 58 lemonade stands across the city and saw participation from nearly 200 kids. Get the full story from the Williston Herald.

Read & Share   sourced from: Williston Herald

Blight is eating American cities. Mobile, Alabama, stopped it

by: Josh Wolsky  |  

In Minot, we’re not immune to blight. Through the help of HUD resources, we’re making progress on flood-impacted zombie homes, but that’s far from a solution to the larger systemic challenges and root causes. And the scary thing about blight — it breeds more blight. It’s like a cancer or a weed that spreads. In

Read & Share   sourced from: Fast Company

Little steps in the habitat restoration playbook

by: Josh Wolsky  |  

“We’re capable of destroying in minutes what it took mother nature eons to create.” In Minot, our loss of habitat is most acutely observed in the loss of our natural river channel and the stench of the — though natural — not flowing dead loops. What can be done about it? Nothing will come fast,

Read & Share   sourced from: Scientific American

Rural students often go unnoticed by colleges. Can virtual counseling put them on the map?

by: Josh Wolsky  |  

One perceived disadvantage we have in a rural place like North Dakota is that access to the best information, guidance, and practices is limited. In rural schools, this is often more than a perceived disadvantage, it’s an actual one. But what if schools provided these services in a virtual environment? Check out this story from

Read & Share   sourced from: The Hechinger Report