A meatpacking company in southern Minnesota will pay a $2 million penalty after illegally employing children at its plant in St. James. The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry has signed a consent order with Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp. The company employed at least 11 children between the ages of 14 and 17 between April 2021 and April 2023. Of those employees, nine worked after the hours allowed by state law. All 11 children also performed hazardous work at the plant, including working near chemicals and other hazardous substances, operating power-driven machinery, and operating nonautomatic elevators, lifts, and hoisting machines.
Ask a Bookseller: 'Just Us' by Minnesota author Molly Beth Griffin
Holly Weinkauf of Red Balloon Bookshop in St. Paul recommends “Just Us.” It’s written by Twin Cities author Molly Beth Griffin and illustrated by Anait Semirdzhyan.
3h ago
Indigenous stories to be featured in film festival, celebrating culture and community
In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, Twin Cities Film Fest will host MNmicro Film Festival: Indigenous. The six featured films center Indigenous stories and voices.
3h ago
Sean 'Diddy' Combs is trying to obstruct justice from jail, prosecutors say
Prosecutors say Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has tried to reach out to prospective witnesses and influence public opinion from jail in a bid to affect potential jurors for his upcoming sex trafficking trial
4h ago
Forget downtown or the 'burbs. The far-flung exurbs are where people are moving
Not long ago, Polk County’s biggest draw was citrus
4h ago
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