Good morning, and happy Friday. Let’s try to ignore that forecast that says it’s going to be a snowy winter and dig into the Digest.
1. Survey finds many students aren’t doing too well. A new statewide survey shows declines in how students feel about their mental and emotional well-being, as well as declines in how safe and engaged they feel at school. The Minnesota Student Survey is a series of questions given to the state's fifth, eighth, ninth and 11th graders every three years. It asks about school climate, emotional health, bullying, out-of-school activities and other topics. This year's survey finds that Minnesota students describe themselves as feeling less safe and less engaged at school, as well as less healthy emotionally and physically. Minnesota's education commissioner, Mary Cathryn Ricker, said she is concerned about data from the survey that shows increased student vaping and declines in mental health. "Our students are talking to us and we must listen,” she said. “We must make sure that they feel supported, safe and welcomed when they're in the classroom so they can succeed academically." Only 65 percent of student respondents said they had excellent or very good health. That's down from 69 percent three years ago. One in four Minnesota 11th graders said they used an e-cigarette in the past month — an increase of more than 54 percent from 2016. MPR News
2. Walz tries to get emergency insulin talks started. DFL Gov. Tim Walz is trying to turn up the heat on Senate Republicans to negotiate a deal on emergency insulin access. Legislation to help Minnesotans with diabetes who cannot afford insulin failed to pass last session, and lawmakers continue to push for a resolution. Separate hearings were held last month on competing House and Senate proposals. During a news conference Thursday, Walz criticized Republicans for what he views as an unwillingness to compromise. “I refuse to allow Minnesotans to forget about their neighbors who are dealing with a crisis in access to insulin,” Walz said. “Those who may feel like they can run the clock out or those that may seem to think that people will forget about this are sadly mistaken.” Sen. Eric Pratt, R-Prior Lake, shot back on Twitter that he’s ready to meet. He is the chief sponsor of the Senate insulin proposal. Pratt accused Walz of an unwillingness to get together. Nevertheless, Walz is set to meet with some lawmakers later this morning. MPR News
3. Debate is on over the future of the Monticello nuclear power plant. The central Minnesota plant generates enough electricity to power half a million homes, and has been a fixture in the community, providing jobs and tax revenue. But the plant’s license is set to expire in 2030 — and Xcel wants to keep the plant operating until at least 2040, as part of its public promise to pivot away from coal over the next few decades.Xcel operates two nuclear plants in Minnesota — one in Monticello and another on Prairie Island. The utility says keeping the plants going is a crucial part of its plan to produce carbon-free electricity by 2050. Xcel’s plan includes retiring its two remaining coal plants in the Upper Midwest, and adding more natural gas, solar and wind to its energy mix. "This is really isn't a 50-year-old plant, when you think about all of the upgrades and improvements we've made to the equipment,” said Pam Gorman, who works on nuclear policy and strategy for the utility. “We're continually refurbishing it and upgrading it." Some environmental groups say any money Xcel invests in aging nuclear plants would be better spent developing renewable energy sources that don't pose the safety risks of nuclear power, such as the storage of radioactive spent fuel. “We should be really looking at moving toward renewable energy, toward energy solutions that don't come with so many downsides,” said Rebecca Kling, who works with the Sierra Club's Beyond Coal Campaign. MPR News
4. Racial, ethnic diversity grows in Minnesota. Minnesota’s three largest non-European immigrant populations are deepening their roots in the North Star State, adding to a cultural mix that’s like no other in the nation, new research shows. Minnesota communities with Mexican, Hmong and Somalis roots are growing now even as the number of foreign arrivals flattens. The state’s Mexican population numbers 207,000, but only 30 percent were born outside the country. There are about 88,000 people of Hmong heritage now with only 32 percent foreign-born. Minnesota is home to the nation’s largest Somali population, numbering 74,000 with 46,000, or about 62 percent, estimated to be born outside the country. The findings come from data compiled by APM Research Lab, part of American Public Media Group, MPR News parent organization. Sahan Journal
5. Mark Dayton Capitol portrait unveiled. Former Gov. Mark Dayton returned to the Minnesota State Capitol Thursday for the unveiling of his official portrait in which the Capitol itself glows behind him. The painting by Minnesota artist Paul Oxborough depicts the state’s 40th governor in dark suit, standing outside the Capitol on a sunny, winter day. It will remain on permanent display along with the 39 governors who preceded Dayton. During a ceremony, Dayton said he was a reluctant to have his portrait painted until he met Oxborough. “As everyone in this room knows, I’m not easy. Paul said that no subject likes his or her portrait. But he graciously tolerated my endless suggestions until I finally realized that the portrait’s deficiencies were not with the artist but with the subject,” Dayton said. Dayton noted the prominence of the Capitol in the painting and said he remains proud of his role in its renovation. “I really like the idea of highlighting the Capitol. This fabulous renovation will shine long after I’m gone, and I would like to be remembered for chairing the commission which guided it throughout." MPR News
Six -year -old Hugo Dayton and the portrait of his grandfather. Evan Frost | MPR News | 