Shutdown List: Minnesota Services Affected by Government Shutdown

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - A snapshot of Minnesota state servicesaffected by the government shutdown, which started Friday at 12:01 a.m.

CLOSED OR SUSPENDED:
- State parks: 66 state parks and six recreation areas are closed indefinitely. Gates are shuttered and campgrounds are dark.
- State lottery: Ticket sales have ceased. People with winning tickets in hand can't redeem them for cash.
- Hunting, fishing licenses: If you don't have it by now, you can't get one. But the DNR will still enforce the law.
- Highway rest stops: Most are closed. Three that partner with local agencies will stay open, including: Brainerd Lakes Welcome Center, Park Rapids Area Welcome Center and the Floodwood rest area.
- Driver's licenses: Driving tests are not permitted, but licenses can be renewed at a driver's license agent office.
- License tabs: State DVS offices will be closed, but deputy registrars could renew plates. City and county offices can also distribute tabs and renew plates.
- Road construction: All non-emergency projects have been stopped.
- Services for the blind: A radio reading program, training to walk with a cane and services to provide magnifiers are halted.
- Services for the deaf: Programs, such as one that provides special telephones to hearing or speech impaired, stopped.
- Minnesota Zoo: Closed to visitors, but some staff will continue to care for animals.
- Historical sites: From Fort Snelling to Split Rock Lighthouse, historical sites are closed.
- Hotline for seniors: Seniors in need of housing, help with health insurance or other options won't be able to use the hotline.
- Child care assistance: Low-income parents aren't getting funding to cover cost of day care.
- Tax refunds: They aren't going out. But taxes are still being collected.
- Nurses and doctors: They can't renew their licenses - and may be unable to see patients if their licenses expire.
- Veterans and the military: Tuition reimbursements claims stop, as do veterans' outreach claims.
- State Capitol: Closed to the public.

OPEN OR CONTINUING:
- Emergency services: Employees handling homeland security and emergency response will keep working.
- State Patrol: They'll still be on the roads.
- State prisons: Most employees stay on the job, including those dealing directly with offenders.
- Other law enforcement: Many programs stay intact, including the sex offender registry, criminal background checks, fingerprinting services, the state crime lab, and crime scene investigations.
- Education: Funding for K-12 continues; state colleges and universities stay open.
- Medical assistance programs keep running.
- Food stamps, welfare benefits, payments under the MinnesotaCare health insurance program, unemployment payments will continue.
- Workers compensation claims and benefits will still be processed.
- Veterans homes and programs to help veterans.
- Health and safety inspections of health care facilities.
- Child protection services, refugee assistance and state payments to cities and counties will continue.
- Nursing homes and treatment centers.
- Court system: The courts keep running at all levels.
- Marriage Licenses will still be available at county service centers.
- Metro Transit: Buses and rail lines keep on running.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)