In 2006, voters approved a referendum for the county to spend up to $20 million over 10 years to preserve land and protect water. The Star Tribune reports about $3.4 million has already been spent on six projects.

A report to the Minneapolis City Council counts 204 people living on the streets as of January this year. That's down from 341 during the same period in 2010. The report on "Heading Home Hennepin," an initiative aimed at ending homelessness in the county by 2016, credits the decline to more outreach workers helping the homeless find access to housing.

Valley News Live reports churches in Moorhead are seeing an increasing demand at their shelters. Shelter officials say many of the people seeking help were lured to the Fargo region after hearing about its low unemployment rate.

Cases involving veterans will be diverted to a court that will emphasize treatment and rehabilitation for vets struggling with addiction or mental illness.