The bald eagle, a symbol of the power and strength of the United States for more than 240 years, earned an overdue honor on Tuesday: It officially became the country’s national bird.

President Joe Biden signed into law legislation sent to him by Congress that amends the United States Code to correct what had long gone unnoticed and designate the bald eagle — familiar to many because of its white head, yellow beak and brown body — as the national bird.

The effort was spearheaded by a benefactor of the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, Minn., as well as the state’s congressional delegation.

The bald eagle has appeared on the Great Seal of the United States, which is used in official documents, since 1782, when the design was finalized.

The seal is made up of the eagle, an olive branch, arrows, a flag-like shield, the motto “E Pluribus Unum” and a constellation of stars.

Congress that same year designated the bald eagle as the the national emblem, and its image appears in a host of places, ranging from documents and the presidential flag to military insignia and U.S. currency, according to USA.gov.

But it had never been officially designated to be what many had just assumed it was — the national bird.

— Associated Press

Eagle-watching event Saturday at river park

Because bald eagles have been so active at Kaposia Park in South St. Paul recently, eagle experts from the National Eagle Center will be at the park Saturday to educate the public in a free event.

“The start of the winter season has bald eagle activity booming along the Upper Mississippi River,” a press release from the Wabasha, Minn.-based center said.

The educators will be at the riverside park from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

“Without a doubt the winter season is peak eagle viewing season in Minnesota and Wisconsin,” said Scott Mehus, director of education at the center. “Kaposia Park currently has strong bald eagle activity and we’re excited to view these magnificent raptors with members of the public and answer any questions they might have.”

The National Eagle Center also offers wintertime bald eagle and golden eagle viewing field trips from the center in Wabasha. For additional details about the field trips, schedules and online registration, visit nationaleaglecenter.org/eagle-viewing.

— Kristi Miller

Prison inmate charged with theft of public aid

An inmate at the Shakopee state prison for women was charged in a theft and swindling scheme that allegedly allowed her to collect more than $60,000 in public assistance while she was incarcerated.

Pamela Ann Williams, 56, was charged with two counts of theft — wrongfully obtained public assistance — and three counts of theft by swindle for a scheme that allowed her to collect thousands of dollars administered by the state since she was incarcerated in January 2024.

Court documents give the following details:

Under the scheme, Williams was listed as a recipient of care from a personal care attendant beginning when she was sent to prison in a domestic assault case. The personal care attendant she listed lived in Chicago. The payments the man received were ultimately transferred back to Williams in prison through a third person. In addition, although she was incarcerated, Williams continued to receive public assistance benefits that included $59,269 in medical assistance, $2,619 in food aid and $1,837 in general assistance.

“We are grateful that State Department of Human Services fraud prevention measures flagged the suspicious activity, and this case was referred for criminal investigation,” Ramsey County Attorney John Choi said in a press release.

Choi said the investigation in St. Paul is ongoing “as it relates to holding accountable other participants in this alleged scheme to defraud our public assistance programs.”

Williams is expected to appear in court on the charges in January.

— Kristi Miller

Health officials warn of spreading norovirus

The Minnesota Department of Health has received more than 40 reports of norovirus outbreaks so far this December, almost twice the usual number.

The department defines an outbreak as an incident in which two or more persons experience a similar illness after a common exposure.

The norovirus, often called the stomach flu, causes vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramping.

According to a news release from the Department of Health, noroviruses are very contagious and are the leading cause of foodborne illness outbreaks in Minnesota. Most people get norovirus around five times in their life.

“Particularly ahead of holiday gatherings, we want to make sure people are aware of this increase in norovirus outbreaks and taking steps to prevent spreading illness to family or friends,” said Jessica Hancock-Allen, infectious disease division director with the Department of Health.

To avoid getting and spreading the virus, the Department of Health recommends that individuals wash their hands with soap and water, as most hand sanitizers do not kill norovirus. Other mitigating steps include cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, cooking shellfish before eating it, and not preparing food for others if you have been sick within the last three days.

When infected with a norovirus, the illness tends to go away after one or two days with no long-term health effects. While sick, individuals should drink plenty of fluids to help avoid becoming dehydrated.

For more information on the norovirus — and for procedures for businesses, schools and long-term care facilities — visit the Department of Health’s website.

— Forum News Service

Longtime border airport permanently closing

The Piney-Pinecreek Border Airport has a unique claim to fame — its runway straddles the border of the U.S. and Canada. But after seven decades of operation, the small airport that sits near Roseau and Piney, Manitoba in Canada, will close for good on Friday.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation said in a news release earlier this month that the airport “had very low use and faced large maintenance expenses including runway, apron and terminal reconstruction. The international agreement required to operate the airport expires on Dec. 26 and will not be renewed by either airport owner.”

The airport opened in 1953 with a grass runway — a paved runway was added in 1978. It is one of six airports straddling the international border, but the only one with a paved runway. It was often used by Americans traveling to Canada to hunt and fish.

Under the international agreement, staff at the airport are allowed to cross between the two countries for their work without going through the typical customs process.

— Associated Press