-
"In Myrtle Beach, S.C., the number of trips by Canadians was down 65 per cent year-over-year, according to the cell phone data, giving it the dubious title of the metro area with the steepest drop."
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/cross-border-travel-down-dramatically-research-9.7198652 -
Good morning from Minnesota, where the Gopher State may become the first to outlaw prediction-market gambling.
We're shocked—shocked—the legislature agreed on anything substantial. Live and learn—don't starve the loon. [Loon sound effect, audio logo of the Minnesota State Lottery].
Quite early Thursday morning it's 51℉; fair skies; fair barometer; light winds at the moment; and visibility 10 miles at the airport.
Today
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 79. Breezy, with a south southeast wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.“I’m concerned that the rapid increase in access to prediction markets will create a spike in gambling addiction and financial loss, hurting Minnesota families. It will dramatically cut into the revenue of Minnesota’s regulated gambling, including charitable gambling, casinos, and racetracks.”
—State Sen. John Marty, quoted in the morning paper
https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-banning-kalshi-polymarket-prediction-markets-what-to-know/601597303?utm_source=gift -
Lumbering ungulates in the news.
"Wolves are predating on the lumbering ungulates, but they’re also contributing to their own demise by overbrowsing young balsam fir trees, which prevents the plants from maturing and dropping fir cones that would lead to the growth of more firs. In recent years, the trees have also been infested with spruce budworms, moth larvae that feast on needles and buds."
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/wolves-are-thriving-at-michigans-isle-royale-national-park-reaching-their-highest-numbers-in-almost-50-years-new-data-suggests-180988727/#wolves #moose #LumberingUngulates #Michigan #wildlife #outdoors #LakeSuperior
-
It's complicated.
Minnesota EV drivers feel blindsided by higher tab renewal fees
By Kristoffer Tigue
The Minnesota Star Tribune
https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-ev-drivers-feel-blindsided-by-higher-tab-renewal-fees/601838422?utm_source=gift -
Hydrology in the news. Now that's a lot of water.
"Lakes Michigan and Huron are treated as one since their water levels rise and fall together because they’re connected at the Straits of Mackinac."
https://www.wpr.org/news/snowmelt-heavy-rains-record-rise-lakes-michigan-and-huron -
U.S. tick invasion
“I would say that people are very alarmed and very scared about the presence of the transmission of tick-borne diseases,” says Faraone. “We don't have a vaccine for Lyme yet, although we know very well that ticks carry multiple pathogens. So a vaccine for Lyme won't be the best solution for protecting us from this.”
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/ticks-meat-allergy-lone-star-9.7193134 -
Those venturing into the Boundary Waters should prepare for high water and possible inundation of portages and campsites, as well as dangerous rapids and very cold water.
https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=MNZ012&warncounty=MNC075&firewxzone=MNZ012&local_place1=11%20Miles%20E%20Winton%20MN&product1=Flood+Advisory&lat=47.9499&lon=-91.5752 -
Here in the Twin Cities we old-timers get transit for a dollar—the penultimate good value for money, especially considering that a two-and-a-half-hour transfer window is included.
Other than the public library, there's no better value that I'm aware of locally.
-
'There’s a “scarcity complex” where people think there aren’t enough permits for everyone, Quinn said. But she said the number of permits issued for the Boundary Waters has stayed relatively steady, at around 26,000 annually.'
Boundary Waters canceled permits, no-shows up last year
By Kirsti Marohn
MPR News
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/05/04/boundary-waters-canceled-permits-noshows-up-last-year -
Australian cattle dog in the news.
"On a recent afternoon, the area was a draw for a handful of dogwalkers — including Terry Hukriede and his Australian cattle dog Bryce. Hukriede, who is involved in waterfront development committees, said he has lived in Two Harbors long enough to see prior plans for this land take shape, then dissolve."
Two Harbors sees rare shot at remaking its Lake Superior waterfront
By Christa Lawler
The Minnesota Star Tribune
https://www.startribune.com/two-harbors-awaits-rare-shot-at-remaking-its-lake-superior-waterfront/601676924?utm_source=gift