North Korea’s missile launch Wednesday suggests underwater testing for the first time in three years. This precedes a resumption of nuclear talks with the United States this weekend.
South Korean and U.S. Intelligence Authorities are analyzing more details of the launch, concerned that North Korea’s ability to launch missiles from submarines would make such weapons harder to detect in advance.
Japan lodged an immediate protest against North Korea, saying the missile landed inside Japan’s economic exclusive zone. If confirmed, it would be the first North Korean missile that has landed that close to Japan since November 2017.
Some experts say the North is attempting to raise the stakes and ramp up pressure on the United States before their nuclear negotiators meet this Saturday.
The Minnesota Historical Society is holding public hearings across the state on whether it should rename historic Fort Snelling. The 23-acre site sits at the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers. It is known in Dakota as Bdote, meaning the place where two waters meet.
In 2017, the Society installed signs reading “Historic Fort Snelling at Bdote,” but some lawmakers criticized that move as rewriting history. The Fort, itself, which dates from the 1820s, will continue to be called Fort Snelling. Hearings will occur in cities across Minnesota during the month of October.
Students at Winona State University have a new housing option at Watkins Manor, a local assisted living facility.
This new program, run by Winona Health, allows up to ten students to reside in the Watkins Manor for $400 a month in exchange for ten volunteer hours a month in the facility. Rent is reduced to $200 a month if the student volunteers 20 hours.
This opportunity has already reached nursing students and beyond, providing a mutually beneficial situation between students and assisted living residents.
Resident Nancy Neumann said the students help the residents enjoy getting older.
“We are like grandparents to the young people and they are like our grandchildren, which is a joy,” Neumann said.
Tina O’Malley can be reached at omal4989@stthomas.edu.