The Minnesota Council on Foundations says donations fell more than 9 percent last year. Individual donations saw the biggest decline at 11 percent.

The Minnesota Council on Foundations says arts-related giving by corporate, private and family foundations is down 19 percent over the past decade. The main reason for the decrease is the poor economy.

A new National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report released this week says the percentage of pedestrians being killed in traffic accidents is on the rise, both nationally and in Minnesota. In 2011 -- the most recent period of data available -- pedestrian deaths accounted for almost 11 percent of the 368 traffic-related deaths in Minnesota.

Common Cause Minnesota released a report this week on the American Legislation Exchange Council, where corporate lobbyists meet up with state lawmakers to draft legislation. Common Cause is criticizing this close relationship between private interests and public lawmakers.

Shipping on the Great Lakes brings thousands of jobs, hundreds of millions of dollars in income and more than a billion dollars in business revenue to Minnesota, according to a new study.

It's estimated that more than 2,500 16 to 21 year olds are homeless on any given night in Minnesota. But the number of beds reserved for that age group in the state's emergency shelters is fewer than 80. One pastor describes the situation as hideous.

Projects ranging from documenting the history of psychiatry in Minnesota to telling the story of the Cold War-era missile base in St. Bonifacius are getting thousands of dollars from the Legacy Amendment fund.