Minnesota Has 4 Big New Laws Taking Effect in 2024

Several new laws will be enacted in the Land of Ten Thousand Lakes in 2024, including regulations regarding sick pay, education, license plates, and more.

Hitting the books next year will be a series of new laws that will likely have a great impact on Minnesota for years to come.

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6 Big Laws Going Into Effect in 2024

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1) Earned Safe and Sick Time

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Beginning January 1st, every Minnesotan must be able to acquire paid time off work. Employees can receive up to 48 hours, or 6 days off for the year. This covers illness, child care, medical appointments, and more.

2) New License Plates

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Lawmakers approved of specialty sports teams license plates in the last transportation bill. The Vikings, Twins, Timberwolves, Wild, and United FC will all be allowed to have their own Minnesota Specialty License Plate.

3) Red Flag Laws

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This law lets family members or even law enforcement ask a court to suspend a person's ability to obtain access to firearms. If a petition is received, there must be a court hearing within 14 days. If the red flag order is granted, the individual must move all of their firearms to a licensed dealer or law enforcement.

Sanitary Products in Minnesota Schools

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Beginning in the new year, school districts must provide feminine products at no charge.

To read an in-depth article on what laws will be going into effect in Minnesota in the new year, check out the story from CBS News.

Story Sources: CBS News Website, Kare 11 Website

Dives Worth a Drive in South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota

Almost every small South Dakota town has a watering hole. It’s where the locals go to kick back a few brews and engage in conversation.

Some of these establishments are located in buildings almost as old as the town itself. There might be a fresh coat of paint on the walls or new vinyl on the booth seats, but the ambiance is still reminiscent of a good ol’ dive.

If you think a "dive" is all about the sketchy clientele, the smell of the Devil’s lettuce, and stale Grain Belt, you’d be wrong. Not every dive has a bad reputation.

What makes a dive, a dive?

A dive has character. Neon beer signs and local memorabilia adorn the walls.

You might find a pool table, dart board, and a few video lottery machines.

The bartender knows the regulars by name and they know what you drink.

Some dives don't even serve food except for bags of chips and pickled eggs that sit in a jar of brine on the bar.

Dives aren't fancy. You might see 70's-style wood panels on the walls and wobbly tables leveled with a folded napkin.

Finally, the bathrooms. The bathrooms in dives are in a class by themselves and could be a whole topic on its own.

There are several small-town dives in our area with friendly faces, cheap booze with a burn, and even really good food! We use the term "dive" in the most affectionate way.

Here are some of the best and why you should go there.

Gallery Credit: Karla Brown