Tim Nelson

Reminder for you astronomy lovers! Skies will be mostly clear with lows in the 20s. Light southwesterly winds will drop wind chills into the mid/upper teens overnight, so bundle up if you choose to head out!

Map by @gontsa shows the North American cities with sizable Ukrainian populations. Ukrainians didn’t venture far from their home latitudes when migrating across the Atlantic.

This account is inactive as of 18:00, 13 October, 2023. No further information is available. So long, and thanks for all the fish.

I tested positive for COVID this morning after developing mild symptoms Sunday night. I’ll stay here in Minnesota while following CDC guidelines.

NOW: Members of UFCW, Education Minnesota, Teamsters, USW and other unions are joining striking UAW workers at the Stellantis distribution center in Plymouth, where workers walked out on Friday.

The Sun top the #Lynx 90-75, advancing to the semifinals while ending Minnesota's season. Props to the Lynx for an impressive season. From starting 0-6 and at the bottom of the #WNBA standings to taking the first-round to three games. Plenty for MN to build on from this year.

Nature can be a little nuts. Our colleagues @esagor & John Loegering weigh in on what's happening with oaks, squirrels and acorns. Good story from @timnelson_mpr. mprnews.org/story/2023/09/… #UMNProud

New Report Examines “MN’s Vanishing Workforce” and What to Do About It mnbp.com/new-report-exa…

@rebeccazenefski Could be, and I remember those from the past, but the defoliation is really remarkable. I mean, I actually had to get a broom this weekend to clear the leaves off my pickup hood to drive. I can't ever remember the squirrels being quite so... destructive before.

@timnelson_mpr Mast year?

Last year, oak trees on my block had almost no acorns. Now, nuts are giant & falling like rain. As are truckloads of green leaves. Squirrels seem to be nipping off thousands of small, inaccessible branches to drop acorns into easy reach. Never saw it quite like this before.

NOW: Set your alarm for 3AM in Minnesota and you may be up for a treat. MPR's @svensundgaard says early morning, maybe about 4 AM, might be the peak viewing time for the aurora borealis tomorrow. (NOAA experimental forecast image below.)

NOW: Minnesota Air National Guard's 133 Airlift Wing has been chosen by the Air Force to get new Super Hercules C130J planes, a major upgrade from their C130H aircraft and commitment to the ANG wing in Minnesota. af.mil/News/Article-D… ngaus.org/sites/default/…

NOW: St. Paul schools superintendent Joe Gothard and education assistant Ubah Jama greet students at the district’s new East African Elementary Magnet school for the first day of the 23-24 school year.

@SafetyVid I beg to differ. Next they’ll be peering in the windows looking for “replacement” opportunities and preparing bids “siding replacement.” Or just putting on a roofer polo to peep into houses with video cameras. I. Do. Not. Want. Drones. Flying. Around. My. House.

@timnelson_mpr I think flying drones (in isolation) seems pretty harmless. The bigger issue here is an unscrupulous company that seems unable to take “no” for an answer.

A guy wearing a black polo shirt that said Bonfe Exteriors on it was flying a drone directly over the houses in my St. Paul neighborhood yesterday apparently “inspecting” roofs. This is an unacceptable violation of privacy and should be banned.

I should also add that neither me or my neighbor were asked for or gave permission for an overflight. My neighbor literally got a new roof weeks ago. One of the drone crew also knocked our doors despite clear and explicit No Soliciting signs right on the door. This is outrageous.

It’s bad enough that roofers are calling me all day every day, but spying on my home with drone cameras from the sidewalk is an outrage. Bonfe Exteriors said they were “inspecting,” with AI software to look for hail damage. This needs to be stopped. Now.

@timnelson_mpr @mnstatefair it was broken on sunday

NOW: This will be the status for the @mnstatefair Space Tower for the rest of this year’s fair. Fair officials say electronic component failed and replacement won’t reach Minnesota before the end of the fair on Labor Day. Hosted an actual NASA astronaut Friday.

NOW: Just confirmed that the @mnstatefair Space Tower will not be operating for the rest of this year's fair. Electronic replacement part will not be available until after the fair closes on Labor Day. Problem apparently started Monday. (Photo: Ben Hovland | MPR News)