MN Schools respond to AI demand with new degrees

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MPR reports...

Artificial intelligence is everywhere in the headlines: from debates over data centers to concerns about the power of AI, elected officials and everyday people are figuring out the role of this technology in our lives.

In greater Minnesota, two professors have recently pushed to add new master’s degree programs on AI at their universities. They say itps needed to meet the challenges and opportunities of our time.

MPR News host Nina Moini spoke with Minnesota State University Mankato professor Rajeev Bukralia, who helped launch the school’s master’s in AI program last year. Moini also spoke with Minnesota State University Moorhead professor Andrew Chen, who is helping the school launch its master’s in AI program in fall 2027.

Data centers come up in local debate (House District 8b) between Savela, Kozlowski

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WDIO reports…

Earlier this evening, Democratic Rep. Liish Kozlowski and Republican candidate Shawn Savela debated key regional issues at a Minnesota House District 8B candidate forum co-hosted by the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce and the Duluth News Tribune.

Here’s what they said about data centers…

On economic policy, Savela emphasized the strategic value of data centers while opposing full NDA bans. Rep. Kozlowski supported a temporary pause on hyperscale data center development pending comprehensive state environmental and energy regulations.

Updates on data center issues in Pine Island: environmental review is scheduled for Nov 16 hearing (Goodhue and Olmsted Counties)

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KIMT3 reports…

The proposed Google data center in Pine Island continues to divide the community, with some residents pushing back against the project and saying their concerns have not been adequately heard by city leaders or the companies involved.

The project, known as Project Skyway, would be developed on roughly 482 acres in and around Pine Island. The City of Pine Island says the site is being developed by Ryan Companies and is intended for technology-related development, including a proposed data center.

The article provides a nice framing and history of the project leading up to where the city is now…

The Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy’s lawsuit challenging the project’s environmental review is scheduled for a November 16 hearing in Red Wing.

Google and the project’s development partners continue outreach in Pine Island as the project moves through the regulatory and development process.

Sartell opens the door for data center discussions if approached by developers (Benton and Stearns County)

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WJON reports…

Communities across the United States have addressed the issue of data centers coming to their communities.  Sartell Mayor Ryan Fitzthum says the city of Sartell doesn’t not have a moratorium on data centers in their community.  He explains the city has not received a proposal for one but he wouldn’t be surprised if that were to happen at some point considering the size and scale of the city of Sartell.

Fitzthum says the action that the Sartell City Council has taken is to require a conditional use permit for any data center.  He explains what that means is that a data center can’t just stop into city hall and get a permit and start building.  Fitzthum says this would require staff, city council and public engagement with a developer to make sure the product they are bringing meets the needs of the community.  He says if a developer brought a data center plan to the city, they would consider it.

 

DataBank acquires leased data center in Minneapolis from Mapletree Industrial Trust (Dakota County)

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Data Center Dynamics reports...

DataBank has acquired a data center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, it was leasing from Mapletree Industrial Trust (MIT).

Mapletree this week announced it has entered into an agreement of sale and purchase to sell 3255 Neil Armstrong Boulevard in Eagan to DataBank Properties, LLC.

The proposed sale price is $9.81 million, to be paid in cash. The deal is set to close in Q4 2026.

DataBank has occupied the site since 2014/2015, and gave MIT notice of its intention to exercise the option to purchase in accordance with the lease agreement. DataBank’s lease was set to expire in September 2029.

Built in 1998, the single-story facility totals 87,400 sq ft (8,120 sqm). DataBank launched the site as its MSP2 facility in 2015, offering 5MW of capacity. The site hosts 21 carriers. It is one of four data centers the company operates around Minneapolis.

Before it was converted into a data center, the site was previously occupied by Taystee Foods.

EVENT Oct 6: Northfield City Council to discuss data centers (Rice and Dakota Counties)

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So many communities looking at data centers, I feel like I need a scorecard – but I also feel like every community can learn from their neighbors, even if assets and needs are different. I had to remind myself of the situation is Northfield.

In August, the Northfield Planning Commission held a public meeting and decided to recommend to City Council that the city list data-processing facilities as a prohibited use. They also discussed ““typo” or “error” in the Land Development Code surrounding data processing facilities, or data centers. Specifically, a setback of 3,950 feet from planned parks, trails or other recreational features was recommended to be changed to a 200-foot setback.”

That’s where this article from KYMN picks up…

Northfield’s proposed change to data center setback requirements would correct a conflict in existing zoning regulations, Community Development Director Scott Wopata said, rather than respond to a proposed development.

Wopata said the city has no data center application before it, and no developer has approached the city seeking to build one.

The proposal concerns the minimum distance between a data center and an existing or planned trail or greenway. Current regulations require a 3,950-foot separation, roughly three-quarters of a mile. Wopata said mapping that requirement revealed it effectively prevents construction anywhere in Northfield, contradicting the city’s decision to allow regulated data centers in industrial areas.

City staff recommend reducing that distance to 200 feet. The City Council could choose a different distance when it considers the proposal Oct. 6.

The change would leave other performance standards in place, including requirements addressing noise, water consumption, electricity sourcing, vibrations and electromagnetic frequency. A separate 200-foot setback from homes would also remain.

This information should prepare us for the upcoming meeting…

The Oct. 6 council meeting begins at 6 p.m. and will include public comment, with council action likely. Wopata encouraged residents to participate, saying the discussion offers an opportunity to consider broader questions about responsible industrial development while the city still has time to shape its rules before a project arrives.

Olmsted County is using AI and has guardrails in place for cyber security

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KAAL TV reports…

As artificial intelligence becomes more common, so do concerns about what could happen if the technology is not properly controlled.

Recent reports of AI agents accessing systems on the open internet in September have raised new questions among lawmakers about how the technology is tested and kept in check. Those concerns are now reaching local government, where officials are weighing the benefits of AI against the risks of giving it access to sensitive information.

In Olmsted County, employees can use approved AI tools, but they are prohibited from entering private or confidential information. The county also has technical safeguards and human oversight in place to help keep sensitive data from being sent to AI systems.

“We only use artificial intelligence models that we can control or know where our data is being policed or used,” said Michael Stier, Olmsted County’s information technology security architect.

Stier said the county generally uses AI systems that operate within the continental U.S. so the county knows where its data is being stored and to make sure vendors are following its privacy requirements.

Olmsted has been ready…

The county has had an AI policy for about three years, and about two years ago created an AI governance group to help oversee how the technology is used.

The group has about a dozen members and works with the county’s information technology and security teams. The county is now working to expand that effort to include more areas of county government.

The article outlines national and local benefits and concerns…

Despite those concerns, the county is continuing to explore ways AI could help employees and community members.

Stier said the county is testing potential uses that could help residents find the right county services, as well as tools that could help people navigate the county website.

Any new use would still go through the county’s security and governance process

Arvig Gives $130,000 to Local Schools

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Arrvig announces...

Arvig announced today that it distributed more than $130,000 to local K-12 schools this past year through its long-standing Internet School Partnership Program. Building on a multi-year legacy of community support, Arvig is also expanding its school partnerships to include Let’s Talk Tech, part of its Digital Life Skills educational resources.

In the many years Arvig’s Internet School Partnership Program has been active, the company has given nearly $1.86 million directly to participating school districts across the region. The program gives local families a free and easy way to support their school district. As an Arvig internet customer, all they need to do is designate a school to support, and Arvig does the rest.

More info on the program…

The newly integrated Digital Life Skills platform provides schools with practical, turnkey modules covering online safety and how the internet works. Arvig volunteers are available to present the material to second- and third-grade classes (7- to 9-year-olds) at no cost to the school. Interested educators can request an event speaker at arvig.com/dls.

Local schools and community members interested in learning more about Arvig’s Internet School Partnership Program or enrolling their school for the upcoming year can visit arvig.com/supportyourschool.

A glimpse at the provider POV: 7 steps to get ready for the next BEAD challenge process

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This may be applicable to some readers, but I thought it might be interesting for those of us who don’t work for a broadband provider. Ready has come up with seven steps to prepare for the next BEAD challenge process. BEAD being the big federal funding program that has shifted gears several times in the last two years.

There have been many articles about what those changes have made to the state offices of broadband development, and we’ve heard from Minnesota Office of Broadband Development about the process multiple times. Today, a glimpse at the provider point of view…

NTIA’s Supplemental Deployment Policy Notice requires every Eligible Entity to run an additional BEAD challenge and application round to reach remaining unserved locations. The remaining unserved locations resulted from defaults in federal or state broadband funding programs, such as RDOF, locations misreported as served in previous versions of the Broadband Data Collection (BDC) program, unfulfilled planned service challenges, and locations new to the Fabric.

And the steps

1. Build your preliminary list now
2. Inventory your state and local enforceable commitments
3. Set your evidence standard before the challenge window opens
4. Set up your challenge and adjudication process now
5. Confirm your budget and procurement path early
6. Prepare for the second Benefit of the Bargain round now
7. Run BEAD 1.2 alongside your existing BEAD work

Get ready before the clock starts

OPPORTUNITY: Join the Minnesota Cybersecurity Task Force 2026

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Here’s an opportunity for readers to apply to become a member of the Minnesota Cybersecurity Task Force…

Minnesota Cybersecurity Task Force 2026
Vacancies: 6 Seats — County, City, Town, or Tribal Government Member
Vacancies: 2 Seats — Critical Infrastructure Representatives
Vacancies: 1 Seat — Minnesota National Guard Representative
Vacancies: 2 Seats — Private Sector IT Representatives
Vacancies: 1 Seat — Public Education Representative
Vacancies: 1 Seat — Public Health Representative
Vacancies: 2 Seats — State Planning Representatives

Data centers come up in another debate (District 3) between Hauschild and Zupancich

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Duluth News Tribune reports…

Candidates in a rematch of one of Minnesota’s most hotly contested State Senate races sparred over fraud, data centers and tariffs at a forum Monday night.

Incumbent District 3 Sen. Grant Hauschild, DFL-Hermantown, repeatedly described himself as an independent-minded legislator unafraid to buck his party. …

But his Republican challenger, Babbitt Mayor Andrea Zupancich, said Hauschild has voted with the DFL about 95% of the time. She contended the state needs a change in direction.

Here’s what was said about data centers…

Zupancich admitted she’s “still learning about data centers,” as that hasn’t been an issue to date in her rural area. But she stressed that it’s important that the community be “fully informed” and for “everyone to have a seat at the table.”

Hauschild, likewise, said it is important that “local communities have a say,” while noting Minnesota has already passed some of the strongest regulations in the country. That includes monitoring of water usage and ensuring the companies pay for their energy, he said.

But Zupancich criticized her opponent for co-authoring a bill to give data centers what she described as a “free-ride” tax break for 35 years.

Hauschild responded by saying that was an initial proposal, but the final legislation actually raised taxes for the companies “by tens of millions of dollars.” He also noted his efforts to ban elected officials from signing non-disclosure agreements.

Candidates running in District 8 debate, data center comes up

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Duluth News Tribune reports…

In a forum hosted Monday night, incumbent Sen. Jen McEwen and Republican candidate Darrick Law answered some of the biggest questions facing constituents, from data centers and copper-nickel mining to protecting taxpayers from fraud.

Data centers were part of the discussion…

On data centers, Law agreed with McEwen on removing NDAs that bar communication between local government and the community.

“Data centers are a pretty functional part of our society right now,” Law said. “However, communities should have a voice on data centers being put in their neighborhoods.”

 

Inver Grove Heights approves data center site plan (Dakota County)

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KARE11 reports…

The Inver Grove Heights City Council approved the major site plan Monday for a 55,000-square-foot data center.

The plan includes a framework for construction, including the architecture, landscaping, light output, and parking.

The vote comes two weeks after the council let the project continue, despite a moratorium on data centers in the city. The developer sued, saying they started the process well before the moratorium took effect. That one-year moratorium is in effect for any other data center projects there.

SpaceX suggests the FCC end rural subsidies

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Doug Dawson from CCG Consulting reports…

SpaceX has now told the FCC multiple times that the agency should begin the process of phasing down and eliminating all rural high-cost subsidies from the Universal Service Fund. The company filed comments asking for the end of subsidies in FCC Docket 26-96, which is looking at reforming the High-cost fund for an all IP Future, and in Docket 10-90 that was looking at Universal Service Fund reform. In both filings, SpaceX says that its proliferation of low-orbit satellites means that rural subsidies are obsolete and are no longer needed. The company characterizes anybody who disagrees with it as a “subsidy-dependent incumbent”. SpaceX goes on to argue that the money currently spent on rural subsidies should be redirected to programs that lower the cost of broadband for low-income families.

Doug looks at many aspects of the issue, I’ll just add one…

I think the SpaceX request raises multiple policy questions. First, is satellite really providing broadband? Earlier this decade the FCC declared that Starlink was not providing broadband when the agency canceled the $885 million award Starlink had won in the RDOF reverse auction. At the beginning of this year, Ookla said that only 45% of Starlink customers were meeting the FCC’s definition of broadband at 100/20 Mbps. But Starlink’s speeds have been slowly improving, and will be boosted over the next five years as the company replaces the current V2 satellites with the new V3 satellites that provide 10 times more download capacity and 22 times more upload capacity.

EVENT Sep 29: The State of AI in Rural Broadband: Findings from 132 Providers

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The Fiber Broadband Association shares…

AI is moving from a future consideration for rural broadband to a critical tool for operators in record time. This webinar unpacks the 2026 Rural Broadband State of AI study, a first-of-its-kind report drawn directly from 132 rural broadband providers on where they stand with AI adoption, what’s holding them back, and where they expect the most value. The findings paint a picture very different from the “move fast or fall behind” narrative dominating industry headlines: 91% of providers expect AI to have a significant impact on their business, yet 56% feel they’re behind — even though only 1% of the industry has actually integrated AI into core systems.

 

We’ll walk through the report’s maturity framework (Dabblers, Explorers, and AI Operators), the real barriers to progress, and the practical, peer-sourced recommendations for building momentum. Highlights include:

  • 82% of providers have no defined AI strategy, but the gap between “Dabblers” and “AI Operators” is structural, not just behavioral.
  • The top blocker to AI adoption is skills and confidence (68%) — not cost or data quality
  • 73% of providers expect vendors to play a meaningful role in their AI future
  • Four practical steps any provider can take to move from Dabbler toward Operator, plus seven key takeaways for the next 12 months

Attendees will leave with a realistic benchmark for where their organization stands against true industry peers, and a concrete starting point for their next AI initiative.