federal government shutdown

The federal government shutdown has cut off employers from a system that lets them quickly check an employee's eligibility to work in the U.S. Minnesota businesses say that's causing hiring headaches. Minneapolis attorney Scott Wright, an expert in business immigration law, says it's also adding to the administrative costs of hiring.

Stearns County is preparing to send layoff notices to employees, due to the federal government shutdown. The Board of Commissioners today (Tuesday) approved sending out the layoff notices. Programs in the Human Services Department like Women, Infants and Children - or WIC, will be affected if the shutdown continues.

A group of St. Paul bars is trying to help federal employees cope with the government shutdown by serving up free beer. Four downtown bars said Tuesday that workers with proper government ID would have their first round paid for on the first day of the shutdown.

Roughly 1,200 military technicians who support activities of the Minnesota National Guard are being furloughed during the federal government shutdown. Lt. Col. Jon Lovald says supervisors informed the technicians Tuesday morning that the will be out of work until further notice.

Furloughed federal workers in Minnesota say they're disgusted by the political impasse that will cost them in the pocketbook. Many nonessential employees have been idled by the partial federal government shutdown that began early Tuesday. It's anyone's guess how long it will last.

The Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge in Zimmerman is closed today (Tuesday), due to the partial Federal Government shutdown. Depending on how long the shutdown lasts, it could impact one of their biggest events of the year.