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The Future of Music Creation: Artificial Intelligence is Revolutionizing Songwriting
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  As AI continues to evolve, the possibilities for music and creativity are endless.” — Mike Berens (Minneapolis, MN) —  February 21, 2023 — In recent years, the use of artificial intelligence in the music industry has been on the rise. AI tools are being used to assist with everything from composing and arranging music to generating lyrics and even selecting the most effective marketing strategies. One of the most

Woinarowicz DNR Conservation Officer of the Year
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Col. Rodmen Smith, DNR Enforcement Division director, presented CO Jeremy Woinarowicz with an award for being named 2022 Conservation Officer of the Year. Photo credit: Minnesota DNR (Little Falls, MN)  — February 9, 2023 — Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Jeremy Woinarowicz has been named the 2022 DNR Conservation Officer of the Year, which is an annual award presented to an officer for outstanding overall career performance. Col.

Grace Arnold Department of Commerce Commissioner
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(St Paul, MN) — Feb 16th, 2023–   Grace Arnold has been confirmed by the Minnesota Senate as Commissioner for the Minnesota Department of Commerce, an agency which encompasses regulation, planning, programs and services involving more than 40 industry areas, including insurance, financial institutions and energy resources. “Commissioner Arnold has had great success in a range of initiatives, from advancing energy efficient homes and advocating for health insurance affordability to

Leigh Steinberg Commencement Address
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  Steinberg to share inspiring comeback story of recovery (St Paul, MN) — February 16, 2023  — Sports agent Leigh Steinberg, who inspired the classic movie Jerry Maguire and whose famous clients include two-time MVP and NFL champion quarterback Patrick Mahomes, will deliver the 24th Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School of Addiction Studies commencement address on April 22. Steinberg will share his inspiring comeback story—from losing everything amid struggles with

Hometown Heroes Badge of Service
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(Minneapolis, Mn) — Feb. 20, 2023  — The Jostens team is thrilled to debut its new Hometown Heroes Badge of Service™ Collection. These personalized pendants celebrate the service, dedication and sacrifice of our nation’s first responders, while giving back to those in need. Jostens will be donating a portion of the proceeds from these pendants to the esteemed Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which provides life-changing services for veterans. Every distinguished

Adult Financial Education
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  (Maple Grove, Mn) == Feb. 15, 2023 — TopLine Financial Credit Union, a Twin Cities-based member-owned financial services cooperative, was one of three Minnesota Credit Unions to receive national recognition for taking home a 2022 Desjardins Financial Education Award. The award, sponsored by the Minnesota Credit Union Network (MnCUN) and the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), recognizes credit unions for superior adult financial education programs benefiting the credit union’s

David Gagne Agile Frameworks
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  (Minneapolis, MN) — Feb. 15, 2023  — Agile Frameworks®, a leader in integrated field and lab management software for engineering services, and the leading provider of SaaS solutions to the construction materials testing (CMT) market in North America, today announced David A. Gagne as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, and his appointment to the Agile Frameworks Board of Directors. Over the last 15 years David has successfully

CLA Foundation Grants
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  (Minneapolis, Mn) —  Feb. 15, 2023   — CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP), the eighth largest accounting firm in the United States, announced today that its CLA Foundation granted $800,000 to 48 organizations across the country through its winter grant cycle. The foundation has two grant cycles per year. An additional $890,000 was granted during the summer 2022 grant cycle. “We are honored to have the support of the CLA Foundation,” said

3M Shrank VR Headsets
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(St Paul, MN) — February 14th, 2023 —  “It looks like a shoe box on your face.” That’s how one 3M employee described the first VR headsets on the market more than a decade ago. Those early units had a reputation for being bulky. “It was the biggest problem in the industry,” said Susan Kent, R&D lab director at 3M. That is, until headset makers asked 3M for help. The

Compass Child Care
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  (Ramsey, MN,) — February 7, 2023 — Half of Minnesota childcare providers are unsure how long they’ll remain in business. Childcare options are drying up and families are struggling to get to work due to the lack of family daycare support. Even with the unpredictability of enrollment, hiring challenges, and inflation, sisters, Ginger Olson and Amy Steiner, opened their fifth Compass Child Care Center over the last year. Communities

Keystone Mary McKeown
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Mary McKeown (left) is retiring as President and CEO of Keystone Community Services in June 2023, and will be succeeded by current Keystone Chief Operating Officer Adero Riser Cobb (right). (St Paul, MN) — February 14th, 2023 — The Keystone Board of Directors announces the retirement of Mary McKeown, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective June 2, 2023. The Board worked closely with Keystone leadership staff over the last

Rinna Wines
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(Mendota Heights, MN) — Feb. 13, 2023 — Actress and entrepreneur Lisa Rinna announces the national launch of her French sparkling wine brand, Rinna Wines. Following the successful introduction of the Brut and Brut Rosé to select markets in late 2022, fans across the nation responded, requesting greater access to the wines. Created in partnership with Rinna and Prestige Beverage Group, Rinna Wines bottles the entertainment icon’s bold, effervescent, and

Straw Bale Gardening
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  This method works in any climate and for nearly every vegetable crop, and doesn’t require any soil at all, so it can be done on concrete, asphalt or even on a rooftop.”     — Joel Karsten     (Minneapolis, MN)  —  February 13, 2023  — Rooftops, patios, backyards with bad soil or anyplace with room for a straw bale can be transformed into a garden using the technique pioneered by

Upsher-Smith Manufacturing Facility in Maple Grove
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Company Now Offers Contract Manufacturing, Packaging and Serialization Capabilities (Maple Grove, MN) —  Feb. 6, 2023  — Upsher-Smith Laboratories, LLC (Upsher-Smith), a Midwest-based pharmaceutical company focused on specialty brands and generics, today announced the opening of its new, 270,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art greenfield manufacturing facility. The Maple Grove, Minnesota facility offers fully up-to-date packaging and serialization capabilities and supports contract manufacturing for third parties. Upsher-Smith will draw upon its long-standing, award-winning relationships with distributors and

Arctic Wolf
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  (Eden Prairie, MN) —  Feb. 09, 2023 — Arctic Wolf®, a global leader in security operations, today announced that Arctic Wolf Managed Detection and Response was named Best Network Detection and Response solution in SE Labs’ 2023 Annual Report. SE Labs is an independently-owned and run testing company that assesses security products and services to ensure they do what their manufacturers and developers claim. The SE Labs annual security

Minnesota Builders Exchange Announces 2023 Board of Directors; Greg Grazzini Named President
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  This association has a proud 135-year history and remains as relevant and important in the construction process and the creation of communities across our state as the day it was formed.”   — Greg Grazzini   (Minneapolis, MN) —  USA, February 10, 2023  — At its annual meeting in January, the Minnesota Builders Exchange (MBEX) announced its 2023 board members and leadership who will all contribute to the organization’s vision

Jim Crow of the North Stories
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Twin Cities PBS web series explores the impacts of racial housing discrimination   (Twin Cities, MN) — February 10th, 2022 — Twin Cities PBS (TPT) announced the premiere of “Jim Crow of the North Stories,” a digital first series follow-up to their 2019 documentary “Jim Crow of the North.” Picking up where the award-winning film leaves off, the series continues looking at race, place and the past by exploring the

Teri and Bill Popp James A. Levine
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  We continue supporting Fraser because of how the organization views the children, individuals and families they serve. They understand being on the spectrum isn’t something you cure.”  — Teri Popp, LWF Award Winner and Fraser Donor     (Richfield, MN) — February 9, 2023 — Teri and Bill Popp and the James A. Levine Trust have been selected as the 2023 Louise Whitbeck Fraser Award winners. The award is

Zac Padrnos Ice Fishing
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  (Brainerd, MN) — February 7th, 2023 — When you think of fishing, what comes to mind? Maybe your grandfather…sitting alone in a boat…probably falling asleep. Well, Zac Padrnos is on a mission to challenge that perception. You see, Padrnos is anything but your typical angler. In a sport that’s synonymous with gray hair, the 13-year-old Minnesotan is hardly who most people expect to see out on the water. But

Computing Ethics Project
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(Minneapolis, MN) —  The GroupLens Lab and other department faculty received a $400,000 grant from the National Science Foundation. The Department of Computer Science & Engineering professors Lana Yarosh, Stevie Chancellor, Joe Konstan, Kangjie Lu, and Loren Terveen were awarded for research titled “Beyond the Individual: Community-Engaged Design and Implementation of a Framework for Ethical Online Communities Research.” The project focuses on the collection of big data in online communities.

Todd Villeneuve named recipient of NAILBA 2022 Independent Distribution Twenty Award
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    Our team at IFC National Marketing is dedicated to helping agents and agencies increase their revenue by providing unparalleled support and the tools to ensure success.”    — Todd Villeneuve   (Coon Rapids, MN) — February 2, 2023 — NAILBA (National Association of Independent Life Brokerage Agencies), the Voice of Independent Distribution (ID), has named Todd Villeneuve, managing partner of IFC National Marketing, as a recipient of its prestigious

Minnesota Health Centers
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    With passage of the FY23 Omnibus bill, Minnesota Health Centers receive valuable capital investment and policies to enhance their ability to serve Minnesotans. (Minneapolis, MN) — February 5, 2023 — The Minnesota Association of Community Health Centers (MNACHC) is pleased that Congress passed the FY23 Omnibus bill, as the legislation substantially impacts policies that govern and funding that fuels the important role of Minnesota’s 17 Community Health Centers.

The Unbelievable Valentine's Surprise
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    Minneapolis Artist Gives Fan A Legendary Valentine’s Gift. Helps Fan Surprise Wife With Personalized Love Song. (Minneapolis, MN) — February 2, 2023 — Minneapolis indie pop and alternative hip hop sensation Reverse Mechanic has done it again, this time helping a devoted fan surprise their wife with a personalized love song for Valentine’s Day. The fan reached out to Reverse Mechanic via D.M., requesting a special song that

Shrine Circus Affiliate Program
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(Saint Paul, MN) Feb. 02, 2023  — Saint Paul, Minnesota – The fundraising drive offers the opportunity for schools and academic groups to create a unique learning experience for students with the Osman Shrine Circus. Children and adults alike are fascinated by the thrills and wondrous sights at the Circus. Local schools now have the opportunity to make their next fundraising event one to remember by going to the Circus.

500 Works Minneapolis Institute of Art
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MINNEAPOLIS—Jan 30, 2023—The Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) announced the 2022 end-of-year gifts to the museum’s collection that include a group of four 19th-century Navajo textiles; a collection of 130 works of Chinese calligraphy from the 16th to the 19th century; and an array of paintings, watercolors, drawings, and pastels by major American and European artists. The museum also stated that over the course of 2022, it received funds for

PTI FreezArmor
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  Electrification of everyday tools and the growing use of Lithium-Ion batteries demand new solutions to help protect investments, maximize tool performance and provide convenience in cold weather.”  — Tom Moser, President, Phillips & Temro Industries   (Eden Prairie, MN) — January 31, 2023  — Phillips & Temro Industries® (PTI) announced the launch of its new brand, FreezArmor™. FreezArmor brand products are made for professional and personal use, to maintain

the Forest History Center
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Presenting stories and photos from a journey to witness polar bears in the wild   (Grand Rapids, MN) — January 30, 2023 – In the remote Canadian town of Churchill, Manitoba, humans live side-by-side with the largest land carnivore on Earth. The Forest History Center presents Expedition to Churchill: The Polar Bears of Northern Manitoba, February 11 at 1 pm. Visitors can hear stories and see pictures from historian John Grabko

Vanco Jim McGinnis
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CEO Shawn Boom Promoted to Executive Chairman (Bloomington, MN) — Jan. 24, 2023 — Vanco, the market’s leading provider of payment solutions to education and faith organizations, is pleased to announce two exciting changes in the company. CEO Shawn Boom will transition to Executive Chairman and enterprise software and payments expert Jim McGinnis will become Chief Executive Officer. “It is beyond rewarding and exciting to see our vision coupled with years of

EDRM Trusted Partner Lockhaven Solutions Announces Letter of Recognition for Outstanding Service by Sen. Tammy Duckworth
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  Your dedication to founding and running this company is a testament to your passion for helping the community.” — Senator Tammy Duckworth (Minneapolis, MN) —  January 31, 2023  — Lockhaven Solutions, a leading specialized cyber risk and cyber education company, is pleased to announce that they have received a letter of recognition for public service in providing underserved communities with free cybersecurity education to help protect themselves against cyberattacks

Cascade Vacation Rentals
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(Lutsen, MN) —  Jan. 26, 2023  — Cascade Vacation Rentals, the largest property manager on the North Shore, recently added the 72 units of the Poplar River Condos at Lutsen, to their portfolio. The company, founded in 2004, now offers 186 properties to choose from, located from south of Duluth to the Canadian border and up the Gunflint Trail. The properties range from luxury properties on the shores of Lake Superior to off-the-grid wilderness lake cabins and

Smartpress Sustainable Materials
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Online printer adds to their impressive lineup of green alternatives (Chanhassen, MN) —  Jan. 31, 2023 — Online printer Smartpress.com is continuing to make sustainable offerings a priority with four new green alternatives. These new options boast eco-friendly features and prove once again why the carbon neutral printer is a leader of environmental stewardship in the industry. The Sustainable Standard  Smartpress’ new green alternatives are, in part, the result of increased customer demand

DSG celebrates125 Years
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(Plymouth, MN) —  Jan. 25, 2023  — Dakota Supply Group (DSG) is pleased to announce the launch of its year-long marketing campaign, 125 years young, celebrating its 125th year in business. In 1898, opening as a small plumbing distributor in Fargo, North Dakota – DSG has since expanded into 7 verticals, serving the industries of electrical, plumbing, heating & air, waterworks, communications, utilities, and on-site sewer, water, and well. DSG has grown

Minnesota History Center
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  Tickets on sale for lecture series at Minnesota History Center and online   (St Paul, MN — January 5, 2023 –  Five of the nation’s top scholars shed new light on the richness, expansiveness, and complexity of American History in the 19th season of the Minnesota Historical Society’s History Forum. The series, which runs January through April 2023, includes both virtual and in-person lectures highlighting excellence in historical scholarship

Signs of Gaslighting
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  (Mendota Heights, MN) — January 25, 2023  — Ellie Mental Health just released new information on how to spot the signs of gaslighting. And as this form of manipulation is fairly common and hard to detect, knowing how to spot the signs of gaslighting is invaluable for self-protection. Gaslighting is a term that references a 1944 film titled Gaslight, in which a woman’s husband attempts to make her think

Central Portfolio Control Coco’s Heart Dog Rescue
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  As the seasons change and dozens of animals are still without a home Central Portfolio Control made this donation to help this incredible organization keep thousands of pets warm throughout the winter”    — Alicia Lesher (Minnetonka, MN) — January 27, 2023 — Central Portfolio Control, a nationally licensed collection agency founded in 1998, recently donated to Coco’s Heart Dog Rescue, a foster-based, volunteer-driven rescue that has found loving

JazzJune Alex Londo Outstanding Leadership Award
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  The award, issued by the Education 2.0 Conference, is a unique recognition of forward-thinking leadership in education. (Bloomington, Mn) — January 27, 2023 — The CEO & Founder of JazzJune, a free social learning platform that provides digital tools to easily create and share learning content such as courses, groups and more, has accepted an award for outstanding leadership of an education technology (EdTech) company. Presented at the semi-annual

From Lawyer and Lovelist to Musician
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Photo by Nicole Nelson     Mary Strand follows ’60s-inspired debut single with ’70s-style rock on “Different Kind of World.” MINNEAPOLIS, MN, UNITED STATES, January 23, 2023 /EINPresswire.com/ — Lawyer-turned-novelist-turned-songwriter Mary Strand’s debut single, “Act As If,” harkened back to the power pop of the 1960s. With Strand’s second single, “Different Kind of World,” she moves into 1970s rock, drawing on influences like the Eagles and Three Dog Night. Both

CaringBridge 2023 Board of Directors
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  (Eagan, MN)  — Jan. 24, 2023  — For over 25 years, CaringBridge has worked towards its vision of a world where no one goes through a health journey alone. CaringBridge, a platform supporting family caregivers and their loved ones during a health journey, has announced this year’s board of directors and executive committee members, including 9 incumbents and 6 newly ratified members. New members joining include: Calvin U. Allen –

ConvergeOne Announces Executive Transitions
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Jeffrey Russell Appointed as CEO to Succeed John McKenna, who is Retiring Salvatore Lombardi Appointed CFO (Bloomington, MN) —  Jan. 18, 2023  — ConvergeOne, the preeminent services-led provider of cloud, collaboration and digital modernization solutions, today announced the appointment of Jeffrey Russell as Chief Executive Officer. Russell succeeds John McKenna, who is retiring but will remain on the company’s Board of Directors as an Executive Director. Russell was most recently President and

"Skilled" Docuseries From 3M
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Global research shows nine in 10 agree more people should enter the trades; 3M commits to advocacy and education to expand the talent pipeline (St Paul, MN) — PAUL, Minn., Jan. 22, 2023  — 3M (NYSE: MMM) is premiering a new documentary film today, “Skilled,” to celebrate the skilled trades and break down stereotypes that may prevent people from pursuing these vital careers. “Skilled” features four trade workers—a plumber, fall protection specialist, welder, and film gaffer—at

Children's Minnesota Mental Health Day Treatment Program
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(Minneapolis/St Paul, MN)  —  Jan. 23, 2023 — Children’s Minnesota is pleased to announce the opening of its second mental health partial hospitalization program (PHP) for children and teenagers at the Children’s Minnesota Mental Health Specialty Clinic in Roseville. The mental health day treatment program is designed to meet each child’s emotional and behavioral needs through a combination of therapies during weekdays, with the patient returning home to their family on evenings

Primp CEO Wesley Uthus
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I think we’re stronger than we’ve ever been. We’re in a better position financially having gone through all of that.”— Wesley Uthus (Bloomington, MN) — January 20, 2023  — The podcast episode was released to the public on Tuesday, January 17th. Wesley Uthus’ first love was fashion. And it was her niche. She landed her first job at Land’s End where she got a taste of the retail world and

Limited Edition SPAM Merchandise Collection
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Proceeds from the limited-edition swag will be donated to charity Bring on 2023 with a cozy and nostalgic merch collection that brings fashion and food to life (Austin, MN) — Jan. 18, 2023 — Today, the makers of the SPAM® brand have launched a limited-edition merchandise collection with food and travel creators, Ewa and Jeromy Ko of Nom Life. Available while supplies last on SPAM.com, the new SPAM® Brand x Nom Life Collection includes five exclusive apparel and

3M Discovery Education Grants
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(St Paul, MN and Charlotte, NC)  — Jan. 19, 2023 — 3M (@3M) and Discovery Education (@DiscoveryEd) are announcing the launch of the Young Scientist Challenge Alumni Network and Alumni Grants Program. The effort will support past participants and the future science leaders as part of the 3M Young Scientist Challenge (#YoungScientist). As the nation’s premier middle school science competition, the annual 3M Young Scientist Challenge invites students in grades 5-8 to compete for a mentorship with a 3M scientist,

Post Cereals Disney's 100th Anniversary
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New one-of-a-kind cereals give Disney fans even more ways to celebrate Disney100 – starting at the breakfast table (Lakeville, MN) —  Jan. 18, 2023  — To commemorate the 100th anniversary of Disney (Disney100), Post Consumer Brands is participating in the Disney 100 Years of Wonder celebration with the launch of multiple, limited-edition offerings. As a staple at the breakfast table, Post worked together with Disney to create a one-of-a-kind themed fruity cereal, a new-to-market confetti cake flavored cereal and a special edition

Smart Lift Solutions Glass Mover
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  SmartLift Glass Lifting Machines Now Available with Peerless Window Orders We founded Smart Lift Solutions to fill a specific need within the building community and are thrilled to take it a step further by teaming up with Peerless Products”    — Tim Finley   (Minneapolis, MN) —  January 18, 2023  — Smart Lift Solutions, LLC and Peerless Products Inc. today announced an innovative industry collaboration to provide customers with the

Boosts Confidence, Strengthen Relationships, and Enhance Emotional Intelligence through A 21-Day Self-Discovery Guide
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A 21-Day Personal Guide to Self-Discovery and Emotional Mastery is now available on Amazon (Carver, MN) —  January 18, 2023 — A 21-Day Personal Journey of Self-Improvement and Discovery by John C Fuger is a journal of self-contemplation and introspection. The journal’s primary purpose is to help a person steer their life in a positive direction. The journal is filled with simple, engaging exercises and acts as a tool to

Magstim Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
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(Minneapolis, MN) —  Jan. 18, 2023  — Magstim, a global leader in neuroscience research and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) solutions for mental health, announced today that the FDA has cleared the Horizon 3.0 (with or without StimGuide+) and E-z Cool Coil to treat adult patients diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) as well as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). This indication offers non-invasive treatment for OCD in adult patients as an

Do You Have What It Takes to Be a PLANTERS® Brand Peanutter?
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The iconic nut brand is now accepting applications from recent college graduates for a once-in-a-lifetime job opportunity driving MR. PEANUT® across the country in the iconic NUTmobile (Austin, MN) Jan. 10, 2023  — If seeing the country while cruising along in a one-of-a-kind, world-famous peanut on wheels has been on your bucket list, now is your chance to make it happen! For those wanting a crack at their next nutty adventure,

$75 Million Gift St Thomas Sports Arena,
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(St. Paul, MN)  Jan. 17, 2023  — The University of St. Thomas announced a $75 million gift from Lee and Penny Anderson of Naples, Florida, for a multiuse, on-campus arena in St. Paul for its Division I men’s and women’s hockey and basketball programs. It is the single largest monetary gift ever given to a Minnesota university and brings hockey to campus for the first time at the state’s largest private university. Partnering with Ryan Companies US, Inc., and Crawford