Evening Brief - Sept. 19, 2023: Mayors, tribal leaders to work together on plastic pollution in the Mississippi River

Agreeing to protect the Mississippi

Mayors from numerous states and tribal leaders from Northern Minnesota gathered in Bemidji last week, Sept. 12-14, to announce a first-of-its kind partnership to protect the Mighty Mississippi.

Here's how these partners intend to take action.

Local News

Mississippi River mayors, tribal leaders sign pledge to prevent plastic pollution

Larissa Donovan

Mayors from Minnesota to Louisiana converged in Bemidji last week for the annual meeting of the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative to announce a new project aimed at preventing plastic pollution.

Hit and run

The Minnesota State Patrol is asking for the public’s help finding a driver after a pedestrian was killed in a hit-and-run in Deer River.

The crash happened between 3 and 5 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 17, near Highway 2.

The state patrol says the vehicle left the scene, but because of a dense fog at the time and the driver might not know they hit someone.

The victim was identified as 61-year-old Clement John Nason of Deer River.

Anyone with information is asked to call the state patrol’s investigator at 218-735-3729.

Tax crimes

The head of a Pequot Lakes dog rescue organization and her husband are facing multiple felonies for filing false income tax returns and failing to pay their taxes.

The Crow Wing County Attorney's Office filed charges against Shannon Steele and her husband Russel Steele for fraudulent filings or incorrect payments during tax years 2017 through 2021.

According to the complaints, Shannon Steele was the only person with access to Northern Lakes Rescue's bank accounts and financial records.

She allegedly withdrew thousands of dollars from the nonprofit's accounts for personal expenses such as appliances, video games, airfare, groceries and jet ski rentals.

Collectively, the couple avoided paying taxes on more than $300,000 in taxable income, the charges say.

Each tax-related felony charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both.

Shannon Steele also faces a probation violation hearing as part of a previous theft by check conviction.

In that case, while working at a painting business in Garrison, Steele wrote checks to herself totaling $62,000 and charged more than $16,000 in unauthorized purchases to company credit cards.

Jobs in the clean energy sector

Federal data show much of the U.S. is seeing job growth for the clean energy sector, and Minnesota is no exception, as new regional numbers confirm the state is adding more workers to the field.

The organization Clean Energy Economy Minnesota is out with a new report, noting around the state, jobs supporting resources such as solar energy or electric vehicles grew overall by nearly 3.5% last year. Nearly 60,000 Minnesotans work in the clean energy sector.

Amelia Cerling Hennes, managing director of the group, said the encouraging trend is not just confined to certain parts of the state.

"The clean energy sector is benefiting economies all across the state," Cerling Hennes reported. "About one in three clean energy jobs are located in Greater Minnesota."

She cited some regional hot spots, such as St. Cloud, which is the fastest-growing area outside the Twin Cities. Statewide, there was a 10% growth in jobs supporting the transition to electric vehicles. Industry sources acknowledge challenges, with 82% of clean-energy employers citing difficulties in filling open positions, prompting renewed calls for more investments in job-training programs.

Becky Wacker, director of energy services sales for the energy solutions firm Trane, said like many other firms, they are adding to their Minnesota staff. She pointed out there are many types of roles within clean energy, and Trane is trying to help those interested make an easier transition.

"We've got some early talent development programs to help train those young professionals as they're coming into our business," Wacker explained. "Whether it's recent college graduates or technicians or those looking to be out in the field."

Both Wacker and Hennes emphasized because of the demand for services and projects, clean energy can serve as a career, as opposed to a temporary vocation. More broadly, industry leaders are calling on Congress to protect funding — from policies such as the Inflation Reduction Act — for additional clean-energy development and the jobs created. Concerns are mounting under demands from House Republicans to cut spending.