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ThreeSixty Journalism: Extending gender care services is a mission for two Minnesota advocates

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:21 GMT

“There was a need, and I followed the need,” said Dr. Angela Kade Goepferd, the chief education officer and medical director of the Gender Health Program at Children’s Minnesota.   Goepferd identifies as nonbinary and dedicates their career to providing health care for transgender youth. The lack of resources for the community was obvious to Goepferd while growing up and going through college. And so, they became what they had needed in their youth.  “The need was very tied to my identity and community,” they said.  In college, Goepferd realized there were no LGBTQ+ teachings in the curriculum. They wanted change. Going into pediatrics, they knew there were other youth that needed resources, the same as they did growing up, and Goepferd wanted to be the person to provide that care.   “It feels really important to represent my community,” they said.  Like Goepferd, Ani Koch is a nonbinary health care professional, but is working more behind the scenes. Their focus is insurance and re...

ThreeSixty Journalism: Hennepin County helps teens

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:21 GMT

In the wake of the pandemic, many adolescents have shown heightened signs of anxiety and depression.  According to the National Institute of Mental Health, teenagers’ brains exhibited older “brain ages” compared to teens’ brains that were scanned before the pandemic. This means that their brains exhibited features that are usually found in older people and those who have experienced chronic stress or adversity.  Kayla Richards“I think most people are walking around with a lot of unhealed stuff,” said Kayla Richards, program manager of the Juvenile Justice Behavioral Health Initiative. “Trauma, grief and loss; grief related to what the pandemic did to folks in terms of the ways that we connect with others.”   Because so many youths missed out on formative experiences — such as in-person graduations, first days of college,  after-school programs — there is a feeling of loss in the adolescent population. Coupled with communitywide civil unrest after the murder of George Floyd, young pe...

St. Cloud lawmaker to plead guilty in July DWI case in Kanabec County

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:21 GMT

Rep. Dan Wolgamott, DFL-St. Cloud, plans to plead guilty next week to a misdemeanor drunk driving charge, according to a petition filed with a court.Wolgamott filed the petition Wednesday in Kanabec County District Court to admit guilt in a July DWI traffic stop. Wolgamott was charged with driving above the legal blood-alcohol concentration limit of 0.08%.Minnesota state Rep. Dan Wolgamott, DFL-St. Cloud (Minnesota House of Representatives)“I am pleading guilty because on July 7, 2023, in the County of Kanabec, State of Minnesota, drove my automobile with an alcohol concentration in excess of 0.08 (0.09) within two hours of my driving,” the petition reads.A hearing in his case is set for Tuesday.As part of the plea, Wolgamott is asking that a related count be dismissed. He said he would agree to a 45-day stayed sentence, a $400 fine plus surcharges and a pledge to avoid similar driving conduct. He noted that he has already completed chemical assessment and participated in a Mothers ...

Orioles who could win MLB awards this season, from Gunnar Henderson to Adley Rutschman to Kyle Bradish

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:21 GMT

The only player more likely to win a Rookie of the Year Award this year than Gunnar Henderson is playing against him this weekend.Arizona Diamondbacks rookie Corbin Carroll is a shoo-in to win the award in the National League as perhaps one of the sport’s best outfielders. Henderson is also heavily favored to win the American League’s, and Friday night’s contest between the two wunderkinds put their talents on display.“Carroll’s a good player,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “I’ve seen him play quite a bit this year [on television]. What an exciting, dynamic [player]. He’s going to be a really good outfielder in this league for a long time.“How he runs and throws and the power he has, it’s pretty impressive — a little like our guy, too.”Henderson went 2-for-4 and flashed the leather at shortstop with two double plays, while Carroll went 2-for-4 and displayed his blazing speed in Arizona’s 4-2 win over Ba...

Ask Amy: Pressing “pause” on a negative friend

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:21 GMT

Dear Amy: What is the right way to put a friendship on pause?I have known “Lara” for many years. We don’t have a lot in common and it can be trying to spend time with her — she monopolizes conversations, tells inappropriate stories and can be extremely negative.However, she was very persistent about befriending me, so I saw her casually and also spent many hours supporting her after a job loss a decade ago.While she has now stabilized, she never returned to her prior career and remains very angry.After COVID struck, I decided to focus on my closest relationships and began seeing Lara far less often.Earlier this year I lost my own job. It hasn’t been all bad — I’ve been able to help my ailing parents and found some part-time work — but some days it takes everything I have to stay positive.Lara is the absolute last person I want to see right now: I just can’t listen to her complaints about not seeing me or about the terrible job market.But she’s been reaching out to me for...

25 visionary female leaders driving the climate change revolution

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:21 GMT

In this groundbreaking feature, we delve into the inspiring lives and accomplishments of 25 remarkable women shaping our planet’s future. This article by solarempower.com will highlight these trailblazers’ contributions to renewable energy and climate change. Through their bold strategies, innovative solutions, and fearless leadership, these women are not only breaking barriers in traditionally male-dominated fields, but also leading the charge towards a sustainable and resilient future.Get ready to be inspired by these champions of change who demonstrate that a greener future is not only possible but is being created right now, by those with the vision and courage to drive it forward.25 women who are leaders in fighting climate change and promoting renewable energyHere are 25 women who are the planet’s defenders and those who need help exercising their rights. Their story and experience are worth telling for our future global leaders.Christiana FigueresFormer Executive Secretary o...

How a home sale can be ruined by uninvited ‘house guests’

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:21 GMT

Question: We are waiting to put our house up for sale. However, we need help. Squatters took over a rental property within eyesight of our home. The house was vacant. It was for rent. The squatters moved in and changed the locks. This turn of events has the neighborhood in disarray. Evidently, the owner of the property has hired an attorney. Now we are waiting for the court system to evict squatters almost directly across the street. It makes no sense. Police moderated confrontations between the owners and the squatters.Our house will be vacant and on the market when the squatters are gone. We must sell our home. We have a deposit on an out-of-state house under construction. Timing is critical. We will lease a house while our new home is under construction. Finances will be tight. A legal drama with squatters is unthinkable. How can our seller’s agent protect our house from being taken over by squatters?Answer: Congratulations on thorough, proactive thinking while entering the real ...

Bridge: Sept. 2, 2023

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:21 GMT

“Simple Saturday” columns focus on basic technique and logical thinking.Entries are the means of placing the lead where you want it to be. As declarer, you may be short of entries to dummy; in that case, you may need to create some.In today’s deal, South’s bidding showed a balanced 23 or 24 points. Against 3NT, West led the ten of clubs, and declarer won and wanted entries to dummy so he could finesse in hearts. After Trick Two he tried a spade to dummy’s ten.FINESSEEast took the queen and returned a club. South won, led a spade to dummy’s ace and returned a heart to his queen, winning, but he was fresh out of entries to dummy. He took two hearts, two spades, a diamond and three clubs: down one.At Trick Two South should let the jack of spades ride. If West had the queen, South would be sure of at least nine tricks. When East takes the queen, South can get to dummy twice with the ace and ten of spades for two heart finesses. Again, the contract is ...

Dear Abby: I don’t want to hear her fantasies about the priest

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:21 GMT

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been together for six years. Until about 18 months ago, my mother-in-law and I got along swimmingly. Unfortunately, that relationship has become troubled.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: She offered no remorse for grabbing the spotlight at the engagement party Advice | Dear Abby: My friend’s personality changed, and now she’s stalking me Advice | Dear Abby: Should I consider this my husband’s strike three? Advice | Dear Abby: I want to leave my wife but I’m afraid she’ll hurt somebody if I do Advice | Dear Abby: I’m sick of explaining I have a plain phone, not an expensive toy The cause is her deep involvement with her church, indoctrinating our toddler with her religious beliefs and, finally, (ironically) her deep physical attraction to her priest. She believes this last topic is acceptable to confide to me. Needless to say, it has ...

Floaters: Our Reflection in the Rio Grande

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:50:21 GMT

The media was filled this summer with news of migrants blocked and wounded by orange buoys and sharp wire that the governor of Texas placed on the Rio Grande, the river bordering Mexico. A poll taken in August found that 51 percent of Americans approve of these hostile barriers — including four of every 10 Democrats. This is so even though it’s increasingly dangerous for migrants to try to enter the U.S. without going through official ports of entry. During the last three fiscal years, more people have died trying to cross the border than at any other time in recorded U.S. immigration enforcement history.The dead include hundreds of adults who’ve expired from heat, vehicle collisions during Border Patrol chases, and mishaps in rivers — mostly the Rio Grande and its canals. Children, too, have died in droves, mainly by drowning. But as current polling suggests, you don’t have to like Donald Trump to be hostile or indifferent to this suffering. Join Our Ne...