May 2022

Viking Cruises Great Lakes
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(Las Angeles, CA / Duluth, MN) — May 26, 2022 — Viking® (www.viking.com) continues to mark new milestones for its expedition voyages, as the new purpose-built Viking Octantis® kicks off its inaugural season in the Great Lakes. Designed specifically to reach the Great Lakes region, the Viking Octantis recently completed a roundtrip through the Welland Canal—a key section of the St. Lawrence Seaway connecting Lake Ontario and Lake Erie—making it the largest passenger vessel ever to

Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post
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(Mille Lacs, MN) — May 28th, 2022 — The Minnesota Historical Society is pleased to announce a new exhibit Misi-zagaa’iganii-ikwewag Women of the Big Lake, opening May 28 at the Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post. The exhibit celebrates and commemorates the lives, achievements and legacies of Mille Lacs Band members Margaret Hill, Maude Kegg, Cheryl Minnema and Batiste Sam. Women of the Big Lake is a story of adaptation

Helping Ellanor - Southern Minnesota Steps Up to Help
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(Sleepy Eye, MN) – May 28, 2022 —   Multiple communities in Southern Minnesota have been united to help raise funds for the daughter of Caleb & Katie Siefkes.   10-month-old Ellanor was hospitalized in June of 2020.  After 6 months of ongoing testing and multiple infections, Children’s Hospital’s hematology department determined that she had a genetic mutation causing low neutrophil counts and diagnosed her with ELANE mutation Severe Congenital Neutropenia. For

St Croix Hospice
Doing Good

Doing Good

Agency Wins Gold and Silver Aster Awards (Oakdale, MN)  May 26, 2022 — St. Croix Hospice is proud to have earned four Gold and three Silver Aster Awards in the Home Health/Hospice group for marketing and communications materials created in 2021. The Aster Awards by Creative Images honor “excellence in healthcare advertising” nationally. St. Croix Hospice won awards in the categories of print advertising, patient education, illustration, folder design, calendar design, flyer

Ryan Williams President
People

People

Williams to Lead the Andersen Businesses Serving Residential and Commercial Professional Customers and The Home Depot (Bayport, MN) — May 24, 2022 — Andersen Corporation has welcomed Ryan Williams to the company’s executive leadership team as the new president of the Andersen Division. Williams will lead the company’s largest and most diverse business, both in terms of product variety and customer segments, serving the new residential, home improvement and light commercial

Granite Bank Acquisition
Business

Business

(Cold Spring, MN) —  May 18, 2022 — Granite Bank, in Cold Spring, MN, announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Maple Bank, headquartered in Champlin, MN.  Maple Bank is a single-location community bank founded in 2003, with assets totaling approximately $95 million.  Upon closing of the transaction, Granite Bank will have approximately $240 million in assets. Gerald Reiter, President & CEO of Granite Bank, commented, “We are proud to be acquiring Maple

Mayo Clinic Diet
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Doing Good, Featured

Health is the #1 Aspiration for American Dieters Who Are Considering Weight Loss   (Rochester, MN) — May 23, 2022 – The New Mayo Clinic Diet, the official dietary program developed by the Mayo Clinic, today released key findings from its “Diet Mindset Assessment,” a survey of over 200,000 consumers in the U.S. about their mindsets when beginning a new diet program. The data was compiled and reviewed by Digital Wellness,

May is Arbor Month
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  You can plant and care for trees to make them more resilient! (Minnesota) — May, 2022 — Minnesotans can plant resilient trees now to support resilient community forests into the future by thoughtfully choosing, planting, and caring for a diverse mix of trees. Minnesota’s trees are being stressed by increasing pressure from changing temperatures and precipitation, and more extreme weather events. You can make your tree more resilient to

360 Financial
Business

Business

  “360 Financial, Inc. named among the best places to work for 2022″ (Wayzta, MN) — May 23, 2022 — 360 Financial Inc. has been named to Inc. magazine’s annual Best Workplaces list. Featured in the May/June 2022 issue, which hit newsstands on May 17 and is prominently featured on Inc.com, the list results from a comprehensive measurement of American companies that have excelled in creating exceptional workplaces and company cultures in a

Ride of a Life Time
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Doing Good, Featured

(Chanhassen, MN)  — May 20, 2022  — In just its second year, the annual Ride of a Life Time, a charity cycle event raising money to benefit the health of kids, fund-raised more than $1 million in 40+ metro markets. More than 8,000 people took part in riding and more contributed in exceeding the goal. Funds raised during Ride of a Life Time benefit Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and the Life Time Foundation, two

ORGIA, Dé Avery Priest's Sophomore Book Dives into the Mystic.
Good Things

Good Things

  (Minneapolis, MN) — May 17, 2022  — ORGIA: Songlines of Fear, Desire, & the Sublime is a poetic cantata whose invitation to readers it disguises as a mystical warning – To Drink From The Cup Of The Divine Is To Drink From The Cup Of Madness! Like Priest‘s earlier works, Salt of the Dancer: Selected Verse and The Passion of Valentino Santi, ORGIA is a spiritual endeavor, weaving metaphorical

International Fuel Ethanol Workshop
Business

Business

  (Minneapolis, MN) –May 18, 2022  — Ethanol Producer Magazine announced this week the keynote speakers for the 2022 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo (FEW) International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo (FEW) taking place, June 13-15, 2022, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. “This is a truly dynamic time for renewable fuels,” said Tim Portz, program director for the FEW. “There’s an incredible opportunity before us as the country drives towards low-carbon

Digi-Key Electronics Wins Big at 2022 EDS Leadership Summit
Business

Business, Featured

(Theif River Fall, MN) — May 20, 2022  — Digi-Key Electronics, which offers the world’s largest selection of electronic components in stock for immediate shipment, announced that it has been awarded 25 recognitions from its suppliers during the 2022 EDS Leadership Summit, held May 10-13 in Las Vegas. Digi-Key was recognized for its sales results, customer service, breadth of product, digital presence and more during the past year. The list of awards Digi-Key earned

MME Group, Inc. Expands Operations
Business

Business, Featured

  MME is moving into a new building and expanding it’s operations. (Vadnais Heights, MN) — May 17, 2022 — MME Group, Inc., a full-service contract manufacturer headquartered in Vadnais Heights, MN, is expanding its footprint, adding 90,000 sq. ft. of medical manufacturing space in Vadnais Heights, which will be the new home to the bulk of MME’s production and assembly operations. MME will continue to operate its tooling and

CONK! News Engages Investigative Journalist Alicia Powe for Video Podcast
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  Conservative investigative journalist Alicia Powe begins producing a video podcast, “The Powe Report”, exclusively for CONK! News at conk.news There’s just a handful of networks willing to report the truth. I’m honored for the opportunity to work with CONK! News to deliver the unfiltered truth, facts that few others are willing to report.”  — Alicia Powe, The Powe Report, CONK! News (Minneapolis, MN) — May 17, 2022 — Minneapolis-based

C.L.O.S Captivates Listeners with New Single
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    With a stunning blend of enriching rhythms and song writing, C.L.O.S is proving his haters wrong and making a name for himself in the Hip Hop world (Minneapolis, MN) — May 17, 2022 — A refreshing and formidable name in Hip Hop, talented powerhouse C.L.O.S. (Cold Lyrics on Site) began his musical trajectory as a driven and passionate poet. Turning his poetry into Rap, the artist delivers his

Vyriad, Inc. Raises $29.5M Led by Renowned Genetics Entrepreneur
Business

Business

  (Rochester MN) — -May 17, 2022 — Vyriad, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing oncolytic virus therapies to treat a wide range of cancers, today announced $29.5M in new funding led by Mr. Harry Stine of Stine Seed Farms, Inc., with participation from existing investors. Stine Seed Farms joins Mayo Clinic, Mirae Asset, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc., Southeast Minnesota Capital Fund (SMCF), and several high-net-worth individuals on the Vyriad investment

Institute for Women’s Entrepreneurship at Cornell
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(Burnsville, MN)  — May 13th, 2022 — Burnsville resident Felicia Permenter is a registered nurse who worked in the ICU and critical care units in New York City at the beginning of the COVID battle. After that experience and the birth of her third child she decided not to return to hospital work and opened AKN-Wellness. Felicia is now a national board-certified health and wellness coach. Permenter applied to the

EvoCharge and JB Tools Announce Resale Partnership to Provide Electric Vehicle Chargers
Business

Business

  EvoCharge electric vehicle charging solutions are now offered through the JB Tools online store. JB Tools delivers a highly specialized online shopping experience for automotive customers. We’re excited to bring the highest rated, best-in-class EV charging solutions to their customers.”  — Manish Virmani, VP of Sales & Marketing, EvoCharge     (Minneapolis, MN) — May 12, 2022 — EvoCharge®, an industry leader in Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) and

The Regrettable Truth of the Cliché - A New Exhibition
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Minneapolis artist, Christopher Rowley, an adjunct professor at St. Cloud State University, is the next featured artist with Susan Hensel Gallery. ​​​​​​​​In ‘The Regrettable Truth of the Cliché,’ Rowley continues wielding his tool set of painting & fiber.In this exhibit, they live side by side as ways to delve into the object of his captivation”  — Jonathan M. Clarke, independent critic ​​​​​​​​     (Minneapolis, MN) — May 13, 2022–

Smart Data Solutions Hosts 2022 Customer Symposium
Business

Business

  (St Paul, MN) — May 13, 2022  — Smart Data Solutions (SDS), a leading provider of data management, claim routing and workflow solutions to Health Plans and TPAs, has successfully completed their sixteenth Customer Symposium, the first since 2018. Per tradition, the event was held at the landmark Saint Paul Hotel in downtown St. Paul. This event was particularly special, as it was the first time the Smart Data

Lake Superior Railroad Museum
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(Duluth, MN) — May 13th, 2022 — Celebrate all things train at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum on National Train Day!   153 years ago they struck the golden spike to complete the Transcontinental Railroad and connect the east and west of the United States. At the time it was one of the biggest engineering achievements in the world! To celebrate the Lake Superior Railroad Museum is hosting some special events,

Charles Linberg Home & Museum
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  Historic sites reopening between May 27 and June 10   (Minnesota) — May 11th, 2022 — Ten Minnesota historic sites will soon be ready to greet visitors again for the summer season with new programs, events, lectures, workshops, classes, performances and guided tours. MNHS sites reopening include: May 27, Charles Lindbergh House and Museum May 27, Folsom House May 28, Comstock House May 28, Historic Forestville May 28, Historic

Ka Vang
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(Minneapolis, MN) —  May 9, 2022 — Meet Minneapolis officially announced Ka Vang [Gah Vah] as the organization’s first-ever Vice President of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). In this role, Vang will be responsible for developing a strategic vision and implementing a plan that advances the culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, which are core to the organization’s mission and values. As part of her role, she will also be the executive-level staff liaison

Children's Minnesota
Business

Business

  The Collective will focus on partnerships to improve community health and advance equity   (Minneapolis, MN) —  May 11, 2022  — Children’s Minnesota is pleased to announce the formation of the Collective for Community Health, which will focus on improving the health of patients by strengthening partnerships in the communities where they live. Recognizing that 80 percent of health is determined by the conditions where people are born, live, learn, work and

Gov Tim Walz
People

People

  Legislation aims to end veterans homelessness, fund veterans homes and veterans cemeteries, and provide service bonuses to veterans and Gold Star families   (St. Paul, MN)  — May 10th, 2022 — Governor Tim Walz today signed into law a comprehensive veterans bill that will move the state toward ending and preventing veteran homelessness, provide service bonuses to veterans and Gold Star families, and fund veterans homes and veterans cemeteries.

Split Rock Lighthouse
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See the lighthouse beacon lit for the first time in 2022; free admission   (Two Harbors, MN)  — May 5th, 2022 —  Split Rock Lighthouse North Shore Community Night will happen on May 26th, 2022.  Enjoy an evening of food, fun and music for the entire family, plus a chance to see the lighthouse beacon lit for the first time in 2022. Grab a picture with a lighthouse keeper, explore

Mall of America
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Doing Good, Featured

The iconic mall will host events to inspire 30,000 lifesavers during 30th birthday celebration (Bloomington, MN) — May 9, 2022  — Be The Match® and Mall of America are pleased to announce a new year-long campaign to inspire 30,000 lifesavers to take action in support of patients in need of a blood stem cell transplant. The campaign marks a year-long celebration of the mall’s 30th birthday, with a focus on giving patients

Take Mom Fishing Weekend
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(Minneapolis, MN) —  May 7th, 2022 — Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Sarah Strommen joined other moms and kids for a shoreline and pier fishing gathering at Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis the morning of Saturday, May 7. It was an opportunity to highlight the easy ways to try this pastime and to introduce more people to fishing and spend time together outdoors. “Fishing is

Alejandro Bisque
People

People

Prolific Young-Adult Author Alejandro Bisque Releases “Bitter War,” His Sixth Novel In Three Years   (St. Paul, MN) — May 04, 2022 — Prolific author Alejandro Bisque has added a new title to his growing library of young-adult fiction on Amazon. “Bitter War” is the newest of six novels penned by the 27-year-old writer in the past three years, all offering thrilling suspense and mystery featuring teenage and twenty-something protagonists.

Pioneer Bank
Business

Business

  (Naples, Florida) — April 21, 2022 – Pioneer Bank, a local Southern Minnesota icon, was just named among the top three extraordinary banks in the United States by The Institute for Extraordinary Banking™. This marks the fifth consecutive overall finalist award for Pioneer Bank. Pioneer Bank was recognized with the Institute’s Overall Excellence Banky™ Award for exemplary performance in five areas of banking: philanthropy, customer service, thought leadership, workplace

Special Olympics 2026 Games
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Thousands of athletes, families and fans will attend the games in June 2026   (Minneapolis, MN) — May 6th, 2022 — The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games will take place in Minnesota, bringing together athletes, coaches and fans who will showcase inclusion, competition and how to unify the world through sport. In June 2026, the Twin Cities will host as many as 4,000 athletes, 10,000 volunteers, 1,500 coaches and 75,000 fans

RST, Project of the Year award
Doing Good

Doing Good

(Rochester, MN) — April 22nd, 2022 — The Minnesota Council of Airports (MCOA) awarded Rochester International Airport (RST) their prestigious “Project of the Year” award during its annual Minnesota Airport Conference held April 6-8 at the Mayo Civic Center. Selecting from a record number of airport nominations from across the state MCOA recognized RST, project consultant Mead & Hunt, Inc., and contractor Hoffman Construction Company for Phase 1 construction on

New Original Musical to Debut in Minneapolis in August, 2022
Music | Podcast

Music | Podcast

  It is a privilege to be one of the performances at the Minnesota Fringe Festival, the largest performing arts festival in the Midwest!”  — James Gutzman, CEO, Melody Bay Productions, LLC     (Twin Cities, MN) — May 6, 2022  — Melody Bay Productions, LLC‘s CEO, Jim Gutzman, announced today that his new original musical, People R Ready-The Musical, will debut in an abridged form on stage at Stoll

Longtime North Shore Conservation Officer named CO of the Year
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(Duluth, MN) — May 6th, 2022 — Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Kipp Duncan has been named the 2021 DNR Conservation Officer of the Year, which is an annual award presented to an officer for outstanding overall career performance. Duncan works the Duluth East station, where he’s been since 2007. He was stationed in Two Harbors from the beginning of his DNR career in 2001 until transferring to

Bethel Alumni Helping Ukraine
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Doing Good, Featured

  After Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, neighboring countries experienced an influx of refugees. Petry Groza S’12 and William Shaw ’04, S’08 are two Bethel alumni who’ve been able to offer direct support to Ukrainians who’ve fled, providing food, shelter, resources, and hope for new beginnings. By Cherie Suonvieri     Led by Bethel alumnus, Petry Groza, the Regen Foundation has been providing direct support to Ukrainian refugees

Asurion Mankato
Business

Business

Fast Phone Repair Reopens as Asurion Tech Repair & Solutions, Offering Fast Fixes on Phones, Tablets, Laptops, and More (Mankato, MN) — May 6, 2022 — Local tech repair provider Fast Phone Repair has reopened as an Asurion Tech Repair & Solutions franchise. Now known as Asurion Tech Repair & Solutions Mankato, the store offers professional repair services for anything with a power button, from smartphones, tablets, and computers to game

Altoz
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Expansion Allows for Increased Production Capacity (Red Lake Falls, MN) —  May 5, 2022 — Altoz, Inc. broke ground recently on its new 75,000 square foot facility which is expected to be completed by the end of 2022. This is the first phase of a multi-phase expansion project in Red Lake Falls, MN that brings the combined building space to over 412,500 square feet between the Red Lake Falls and Greenbush, MN locations. Owners Dennis and

The Zenith Apartments
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HIT’s Midwest@Work Initiative closes in on goal of $2 billion investment well ahead of schedule (Washington, DC – Duluth, MN)  May 4, 2022 — The AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust announced three construction projects it committed to finance in Q1 2022 will bring it significantly closer to its $2 billion multiyear investment goal to spur economic development and create well-paying union jobs in the Midwest. The three projects—the adaptive reuse of a historic Toledo, Ohio, civic structure into an

DigiKey MPD Award
Business

Business, Featured

(Thief River Falls, MN)  — May 4, 2022 — Digi-Key Electronics, which offers the world’s largest selection of electronic components in stock for immediate shipment, has earned Memory Protection Devices’ (MPD) Worldwide Distributor of the Year Award for 2021. MPD is a leading global designer and supplier of electronic components of power connection technology such as battery holders and contacts, 12-volt auto assemblies and connectors. MPD is committed to excellence, which is

Maurices
Business

Business

Women’s retailer to celebrate the month of May by spotlighting hometown heroes in partnership with Country Music Superstar Lauren Alaina (Duluth, MN)  — May 5, 2022 — Leading women’s fashion retailer, Maurices is dedicating the month of May to hometown heroes through a month-long campaign on maurices.com and in Maurices’ nearly 900 stores. As a heartfelt thanks to educators, healthcare workers, first responders and military members, Maurices is offering an extra 10% off

Andersen Windows and Doors
Business

Business

(Bayport, MN) — May 5, 2022 — Andersen Corporation and its subsidiaries have been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy with the 2022 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year—Sustained Excellence Award. Andersen has been an ENERGY STAR partner since the Windows program began in 1998 and was the first window manufacturer awarded the ENERGY STAR National Window Partner of the Year in 1999.

Minnesota Company Helps Raise 100K for Puerto Rico Habitat for Humanity
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Doing Good, Featured

(St Cloud, Mn) — May 3, 2022  — Trailer Bridge, Inc. and ATS International today announced their Rally por Puerto Rico Charity Golf Tournament raised $100,000 for Habitat for Humanity of Puerto Rico supporting the organization’s efforts to create and preserve home ownership opportunities for low-income individuals and families on the island. The gift is a critical investment in the people of Puerto Rico where both companies have transportation and logistics operations. Habitat for

Converge One
Business

Business

(Bloomington, MN) — May 4, 2022 — ConvergeOne, the preeminent services-led provider of cloud, collaboration, and digital modernization solutions, today announced that it has been awarded the 2022 Gold Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health by Mental Health America (MHA). The Bell Seal is a first-of-its-kind workplace mental health certification that recognizes employers who strive to create mentally healthy workplaces for their employees. The Bell Seal recognizes employer advances in

Forbes Best Employers
Business

Business

(Bayport, MN)  — April 28, 2022 — Andersen Corporation, manufacturer of America’s most loved brand of windows and doors*, has been named a Forbes Best Employer for Diversity 2022, for the second year in a row. Honorees were chosen based on an independent survey by Statista Inc. Respondents were asked questions regarding the topics of age, gender equality, ethnicity, disability, LGBTQA+ and general diversity concerning their employer. “We are deeply

ATCC Deca Students
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Doing Good, Featured

(Alexandria, MN) — April 26, 2022– Eleven students from the Accounting, Business Management and Marketing programs at Alexandria Technical and Community College competed at the DECA International Career Development Conference April 9-12 in Baltimore, Maryland. Three Alexandria College students received National DECA awards: Sebastian Ahumada of Alexandria (Accounting/Business Management) – Second Place in Entrepreneurship Operations Olivia Maday of Alexandria (Fashion/Business Management) – Top 10 Finalist in Fashion Merchandising and Management

CHS Foundation
Doing Good

Doing Good

New $829,000 Donation Will Help Drive Precision Agriculture (St Paul, MN) —April 28, 2022 — The CHS Foundation, funded by charitable gifts from CHS Inc. (NASDAQ: CHSCP), announced today six grants totaling $829,000 to support development, education and sustainable benefits of precision agriculture. The CHS Foundation supports agricultural and energy-related projects at colleges and universities across the CHS trade area through its annual competitive grant program. In 2021, that program focused on precision agriculture

NorthstarMLS John Mosey
Business

Business

National search for successor in the works (Twin Cities, MN) — April 29, 2022  — Gregarious. Engaging. Curious. Visionary. Innovative. Ethical. Knowledgeable. Storyteller. These are just a few of the attributes describing NorthstarMLS CEO John Mosey who is set to retire later in 2022 after 20 years at the helm of the Regional Multiple Listing Service of Minnesota, Inc, (dba NorthstarMLS), and more than 40 years collectively working in the real estate

Ron Barze Joins NAI Legacy
People

People

Ron Barze Joins NAI Legacy   (Minneapolis, MN) —  April 28, 2022  — Ron Barze joins NAI Legacy’s growing brokerage team as Vice President of Multi-Family Investment Sales. Barze brings a unique market niche and will plan to join Chris Missling in their effort to provide transactional services to Multi-Family real estate investors and owners. throughout the greater Twin City metropolitan area. Barze brings a background in deal sourcing throughout

Community Collaborative Rain Hail and Snow Network
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Doing Good, Featured

(Minnesota) — April 28th, 2022 —  An update on the Rain Hail and Snow Network story of March 1st on Good News Minnesota. Minnesota added more rainfall monitoring volunteers during the annual March recruitment than any other state and set a new national recruiting record for the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS). The recruiting effort led by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota office