2026.06.09

[lsanderson]

Warmer temps bring soaring tick populations – here’s how to stay safe from Lyme disease
An infectious disease doctor explains why the 2026 tick season may be especially severe and how to protect against Lyme disease.
By Lakshmi Chauhan, The Conversation
https://www.minnpost.com/health/2026/06/warmer-temps-bring-soaring-tick-populations-heres-how-to-stay-safe-from-lyme-disease/

This wind-powered green ammonia plant could be a gateway to buffering Minnesota farmers from volatile fertilizer prices
A project at the University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center seeks a cleaner, homegrown alternative to imported fertilizer.
by Brian Martucci
https://www.minnpost.com/energy/2026/06/this-wind-powered-green-ammonia-plant-could-be-a-gateway-to-buffering-minnesota-farmers-from-volatile-fertilizer-prices/

Air quality alert issued for Twin Cities, St. Cloud
MPR News Staff
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/06/09/air-quality-alert-twin-cities-minneapolis-st-cloud-minnesota

Lawmakers scrapped Fargo’s novel voting system. Tuesday's mayoral election goes back to basics
Harshawn Ratanpal
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/06/09/fargo-mayoral-election-return-to-traditional-voting

After years of planning and debate, street construction starts at George Floyd Square
Estelle Timar-Wilcox
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/06/08/street-construction-starts-at-george-floyd-square-in-minneapolis

Trump ‘inventing fraud’ in California, experts warn as president ramps up baseless claims
Critics say president using well-worn playbook – with loyalists in key positions ready to amplify his message
Rachel Leingang
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/09/trump-election-california-fraud-claims

White House urges UK not to ban social media for under-16s
Trump administration says restrictions could impose ‘disproportionate’ burden on US tech companies
Dan Milmo Global technology editor
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/jun/09/white-house-urges-uk-not-ban-social-media-under-16s

US stadium and hotel workers threaten strikes ‘to make things fair’ during World Cup
Low wages and fears of ICE crackdowns have set workers on edge of strike as thousands set to arrive during World Cup
Michael Sainato
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/09/stadium-hotel-workers-strike-world-cup

Izakaya economics: Japan’s traditional night out fights tooth and ale for survival
Hard times – and British-style pubs – are squeezing restaurant-bars that once thrived in cities everywhere. Can they innovate to keep pace with change?
Gavin Blair in Tokyo
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/09/japan-traditional-izakaya-struggling-economic-hard-times

‘Nobody is pretending to like my work because of my fresh-faced good looks’: the pros of being a debut novelist at 51
There are some advantages to being an older debutant, including knowing what it’s like to fail and not having your new novel overshadowed by early literary promise
Patrick Freyne
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/jun/09/patrick-freyne-experts-dying-field-debut-novelist-at-51

The End of Everything by M John Harrison review – near-future visions from an SF master
This bleak but brilliant tale of enigmatic alien entities and slow social collapse exposes the terrifying insecurity of life right now
Michel Faber
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/jun/09/the-end-of-everything-by-m-john-harrison-review-near-future-visions-from-an-sf-master

Muscle growth drug ‘could reduce loss of lean tissue’ when using slimming jabs
Trial suggests monoclonal antibody can help retain lean body mass when losing weight with GLP-1 medicines
Nicola Davis Science Correspondent
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/jun/08/muscle-growth-drug-lean-body-mass-slimming-jabs

What it's like to live in the world's safest countries for 2026 (Paywalled?)
Lindsey Galloway
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20260609-what-its-like-to-live-in-the-worlds-safest-countries-for-2026