2026.03.31
Mar. 31st, 2026 05:54 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lsandersonMinnesota needs independent oversight of forensic labs
Taxpayers fund forensic labs because their work is essential to the justice system. When errors occur, the public deserves to know about them quickly and transparently.
by Aaron Olson and Daniel Koewler
https://www.minnpost.com/community-voices/2026/03/minnesota-needs-independent-oversight-of-forensic-labs/
Iran war hurts Minnesota farmers as fertilizer, fuel prices soar ahead of planting season
Trump, Congress try to address the anger in farm country over Iran’s Strait of Hormuz chokehold.
by Brian Arola and Ana Radelat
https://www.minnpost.com/greater-minnesota/2026/03/iran-war-hurts-minnesota-farmers-as-fertilizer-fuel-prices-soar-ahead-of-planting-season/
Middle Aisle: Social media is poisoning the Minnesota Legislature
When everything can be clipped, edited and weaponized, social media shapes debate, erodes trust and encourages performance over results.
by Shannon Watson
https://www.minnpost.com/community-voices/2026/03/middle-aisle-social-media-is-poisoning-the-minnesota-legislature/
The 12 hours of Whipple evidence that made a judge side with detainees again: non-working phones, treatment like ‘animals’
The new evidence led to a federal judge’s decision on March 26 to extend her order requiring federal officers to allow detainees to make phone calls, among other things.
by Cleo Krejci
https://www.minnpost.com/public-safety/2026/03/the-12-hours-of-whipple-evidence-that-made-a-judge-side-with-detainees-again-non-working-phones-treatment-like-animals/
The Deportation Data Project has released data showing at least 4,000 people in Minnesota were detained during Operation Metro Surge and that the vast majority of them were from Central and South America, reports the Minnesota Star Tribune. “Trump repeatedly referenced Somali residents accused in social services fraud schemes as a leading factor for sending thousands of federal agents to the Twin Cities in December. Yet, most Somalis living in Minnesota are here legally, and the new data shows fewer than 3% of those detained during the surge were from Somalia.”
https://www.startribune.com/ice-action-targeted-somalis-but-group-made-up-fewer-than-3-of-arrests/601650958
Trump signs executive order to limit mail-in voting
Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order seeking to restrict mail-in voting across the US with a series of new requirements.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/mar/31/donald-trump-iran-shutdown-dhs-tsa-ice-immigration-kennedy-center-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with%3Ablock-69cc38258f0877c4498e40dd#block-69cc38258f0877c4498e40dd
Viktor Orbán has the support of both Russia and the US. Here’s why that doesn’t seem to be doing him any good
Péter Krekó
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/mar/31/viktor-orban-us-russian-support-hungary-iran-war-voters
Kuwaiti tanker hit by Iranian drone attack in Dubai port
Dubai officials said a fire on the Al Salmi tanker had been extinguished and all crew members were safe after strike
Guardian staff and agencies
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/31/kuwaiti-tanker-hit-by-iranian-attack-in-dubai-port-raising-oil-spill-fears
US average fuel price passes $4 a gallon for first time in four years amid Iran war
National average hit $4.02, according to AAA data, capping an extraordinary rise from $2.98 just a month ago
Guardian staff
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/mar/31/us-average-fuel-prices-iran-war
Charlie Kirk bullet analysis finds no conclusive link to rifle found near scene
Tyler Robinson’s defense team may try to use analysis to clear him of blame, as prosecutors aim to show there’s enough evidence to proceed with trial
Associated Press
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/31/charlie-kirk-bullet-rifle
Deepwater discoveries: scientists find more than 110 new fish and invertebrate species in the Coral Sea
Brittlestars, sea anemones and a catshark among new-to-science species collected during expedition off the Queensland coast
Donna Lu
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/01/queensland-great-barrier-reef-coral-sea-110-new-fish-species-discovered
‘Something out of the ordinary’: why are Japan’s oysters dying en masse?
A death rate of up to 90%, attributed to warming seas, is threatening the trade in Hiroshima prefecture, which produces most of the country’s farmed oysters
By Justin McCurry in Kure. Photographs by Kazuma Obara
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/mar/31/japan-oysters-dying-death-rate-warming-seas-hiroshima
‘Our little savior’: partly blind New Mexico dog hailed for warding off bear
‘Bear slayer’ Honey injured during confrontation to protect family and animals from ursine home invader
Ramon Antonio Vargas
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/31/new-mexico-dog-bear
Wolf bites woman in shock German attack in Hamburg shopping street (Paywalled?)
Bethany Bell
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c20qxjxe2nno
‘This feels fragile’: how a satellite-smashing chain reaction could spiral out of control
Today, the space around Earth can no longer be considered empty. More than 30,000 objects are in orbit, and that figure is rising exponentially
Frederick O'Brien, Ashley Kirk and Oliver Holmes
https://www.theguardian.com/science/ng-interactive/2026/mar/31/this-feels-fragile-how-a-satellite-smashing-chain-reaction-could-spiral-out-of-control
Marmite maker Unilever agrees $44.8bn deal to combine food arm with McCormick
Core focus will be on beauty, personal care and home products after spinning off brands such as Hellmann’s and Pot Noodle
Mark Sweney
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/mar/31/marmite-maker-unilever-nears-deal-to-combine-food-arm-with-us-condiment-giant
‘Extremely rare’ Bob Dylan draft lyrics discovered inside Allen Ginsberg book
A torn page bearing Dylan’s lyrics for the 1967 song I’m Not There is set to go under the hammer in April when it could fetch £40,000
Eleanor Burnard
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/mar/31/rare-bob-dylan-draft-lyrics-allen-ginsberg-book
Cutting-edge designs of 'unsinkable' Titanic to be made public for first time (Paywalled?)
Robbie Meredith
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckge1jvv4z2o
A Holy Week procession, white pelicans and apricot blossoms: photos of the day – Tuesday
The Guardian’s picture editors select photographs from around the world
Elena Goodinson
https://www.theguardian.com/news/gallery/2026/mar/31/holy-week-procession-white-pelicans-apricot-blossoms-photos-of-the-day-tuesday
Taxpayers fund forensic labs because their work is essential to the justice system. When errors occur, the public deserves to know about them quickly and transparently.
by Aaron Olson and Daniel Koewler
https://www.minnpost.com/community-voices/2026/03/minnesota-needs-independent-oversight-of-forensic-labs/
Iran war hurts Minnesota farmers as fertilizer, fuel prices soar ahead of planting season
Trump, Congress try to address the anger in farm country over Iran’s Strait of Hormuz chokehold.
by Brian Arola and Ana Radelat
https://www.minnpost.com/greater-minnesota/2026/03/iran-war-hurts-minnesota-farmers-as-fertilizer-fuel-prices-soar-ahead-of-planting-season/
Middle Aisle: Social media is poisoning the Minnesota Legislature
When everything can be clipped, edited and weaponized, social media shapes debate, erodes trust and encourages performance over results.
by Shannon Watson
https://www.minnpost.com/community-voices/2026/03/middle-aisle-social-media-is-poisoning-the-minnesota-legislature/
The 12 hours of Whipple evidence that made a judge side with detainees again: non-working phones, treatment like ‘animals’
The new evidence led to a federal judge’s decision on March 26 to extend her order requiring federal officers to allow detainees to make phone calls, among other things.
by Cleo Krejci
https://www.minnpost.com/public-safety/2026/03/the-12-hours-of-whipple-evidence-that-made-a-judge-side-with-detainees-again-non-working-phones-treatment-like-animals/
The Deportation Data Project has released data showing at least 4,000 people in Minnesota were detained during Operation Metro Surge and that the vast majority of them were from Central and South America, reports the Minnesota Star Tribune. “Trump repeatedly referenced Somali residents accused in social services fraud schemes as a leading factor for sending thousands of federal agents to the Twin Cities in December. Yet, most Somalis living in Minnesota are here legally, and the new data shows fewer than 3% of those detained during the surge were from Somalia.”
https://www.startribune.com/ice-action-targeted-somalis-but-group-made-up-fewer-than-3-of-arrests/601650958
Trump signs executive order to limit mail-in voting
Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order seeking to restrict mail-in voting across the US with a series of new requirements.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/mar/31/donald-trump-iran-shutdown-dhs-tsa-ice-immigration-kennedy-center-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with%3Ablock-69cc38258f0877c4498e40dd#block-69cc38258f0877c4498e40dd
Viktor Orbán has the support of both Russia and the US. Here’s why that doesn’t seem to be doing him any good
Péter Krekó
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/mar/31/viktor-orban-us-russian-support-hungary-iran-war-voters
Kuwaiti tanker hit by Iranian drone attack in Dubai port
Dubai officials said a fire on the Al Salmi tanker had been extinguished and all crew members were safe after strike
Guardian staff and agencies
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/31/kuwaiti-tanker-hit-by-iranian-attack-in-dubai-port-raising-oil-spill-fears
US average fuel price passes $4 a gallon for first time in four years amid Iran war
National average hit $4.02, according to AAA data, capping an extraordinary rise from $2.98 just a month ago
Guardian staff
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/mar/31/us-average-fuel-prices-iran-war
Charlie Kirk bullet analysis finds no conclusive link to rifle found near scene
Tyler Robinson’s defense team may try to use analysis to clear him of blame, as prosecutors aim to show there’s enough evidence to proceed with trial
Associated Press
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/31/charlie-kirk-bullet-rifle
Deepwater discoveries: scientists find more than 110 new fish and invertebrate species in the Coral Sea
Brittlestars, sea anemones and a catshark among new-to-science species collected during expedition off the Queensland coast
Donna Lu
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/01/queensland-great-barrier-reef-coral-sea-110-new-fish-species-discovered
‘Something out of the ordinary’: why are Japan’s oysters dying en masse?
A death rate of up to 90%, attributed to warming seas, is threatening the trade in Hiroshima prefecture, which produces most of the country’s farmed oysters
By Justin McCurry in Kure. Photographs by Kazuma Obara
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/mar/31/japan-oysters-dying-death-rate-warming-seas-hiroshima
‘Our little savior’: partly blind New Mexico dog hailed for warding off bear
‘Bear slayer’ Honey injured during confrontation to protect family and animals from ursine home invader
Ramon Antonio Vargas
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/31/new-mexico-dog-bear
Wolf bites woman in shock German attack in Hamburg shopping street (Paywalled?)
Bethany Bell
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c20qxjxe2nno
‘This feels fragile’: how a satellite-smashing chain reaction could spiral out of control
Today, the space around Earth can no longer be considered empty. More than 30,000 objects are in orbit, and that figure is rising exponentially
Frederick O'Brien, Ashley Kirk and Oliver Holmes
https://www.theguardian.com/science/ng-interactive/2026/mar/31/this-feels-fragile-how-a-satellite-smashing-chain-reaction-could-spiral-out-of-control
Marmite maker Unilever agrees $44.8bn deal to combine food arm with McCormick
Core focus will be on beauty, personal care and home products after spinning off brands such as Hellmann’s and Pot Noodle
Mark Sweney
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/mar/31/marmite-maker-unilever-nears-deal-to-combine-food-arm-with-us-condiment-giant
‘Extremely rare’ Bob Dylan draft lyrics discovered inside Allen Ginsberg book
A torn page bearing Dylan’s lyrics for the 1967 song I’m Not There is set to go under the hammer in April when it could fetch £40,000
Eleanor Burnard
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/mar/31/rare-bob-dylan-draft-lyrics-allen-ginsberg-book
Cutting-edge designs of 'unsinkable' Titanic to be made public for first time (Paywalled?)
Robbie Meredith
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckge1jvv4z2o
A Holy Week procession, white pelicans and apricot blossoms: photos of the day – Tuesday
The Guardian’s picture editors select photographs from around the world
Elena Goodinson
https://www.theguardian.com/news/gallery/2026/mar/31/holy-week-procession-white-pelicans-apricot-blossoms-photos-of-the-day-tuesday
