 Superintendent Al Bangora sent an email to council members yesterday asserting that the union's wage ask would result in a reduction of staff and increased property taxes. Negotiations continued today. A new year-long program seeks to send Minnesota-based artists to parks across the state. It's an initiative from Forecast Public Art, a St. Paul nonprofit, the Minnesota DNR, and other stakeholders. Artists will get a $40,000 stipend plus more for materials, the deadline to apply.