The Huber Park playground in Shakopee looked very quiet from a distance on Wednesday, but if you looked closer, you could see the lack of people was due to a swarm of gnats. According to the Metropolitan Mosquito Control Division, it is worse at the park, and every other location up and down the banks of the Minnesota River. According to black fly control specialist John Walz, the Minnesota River area is the worst stretch in the entire metro because the river is flooded and rushing too fast for treatment. The same conditions are perfect for gnat breeding. If you live anywhere near the Minnesota River, the gnats will remain close, and you might want to keep the DEET closer.
Nursing home workers in Elk River are demanding more staffing, better wages, and respect. After months of bargaining, the employees of Guardian Angels plan to strike today and tomorrow over unfair labor. The group, made up of more than 100 employees, is part of SEIU Healthcare Minnesota. They do everything from laundry to taking care of nursing home residents. For months they've been negotiating with their employer, but say their demands are falling on deaf ears. While wages and staffing are huge concerns, most employees say they just want a voice in a place they've worked for decades.
The Minnesota Twins are offering up another deal to get fans in the ballpark. You can get $15 dollar game tickets to four homes games this month as part of Budweiser's 'First Drink On Us' promotion. The tickets don't get you a seat but access to the ballpark. Each ticket comes with $10 dollars value that you can use at any Target Field concessions, bar or restaurant location for the beverage or food of your choice.
