 Today, Governor Walz visited Eisenhower Elementary in Hopkins to kick off a statewide tour highlighting investments made in pre-K this year. Because of this legislation, 9,000 children will attend pre-K that wouldn?t have otherwise, saving families money and expanding access to early childhood education.?
?We?re expanding free pre-k for thousands of families to make Minnesota the best place to live, work, and raise a family,? said Governor Walz. ?These investments will give our kids a strong foundation while saving families thousands of dollars a year on child care. This is good for kids, families, and the future of our state.?
 On Wednesday, Governor Walz, Lieutenant Governor Flanagan, and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development launched the Drive for 5 Workforce Initiative, a major new effort to prepare more Minnesotans for high-demand jobs in five occupational categories: technology, the trades, caring professions, manufacturing, and education.
?Whether it?s teaching our students or innovating in technology, Minnesota has hundreds of employers looking to fill good-paying jobs, and we?re working to ensure Minnesotans have access to the training they need to fill them,? said Governor Walz. ?We?re making it easier for Minnesotans to join the workforce, so they can earn family-sustaining wages in high-growth jobs that contribute to our state?s economy.?
?An investment in our workforce is the best investment we can make in the future of our state,? Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. ?These programs will open doors for all Minnesotans but especially those that have faced unjust barriers to employment and been overlooked for too long. This initiative is a crucial part of making Minnesota the best state for children and families.?
Governor Walz today celebrated news that the U.S. Department of Energy will deliver nearly $1 billion to the Heartland Hydrogen Hub to advance the regional clean energy project. The regional partnership is expected to create upwards of 3,800 jobs.
?This is a major investment in Minnesota and the region?s economy and vote of confidence in our ability to innovate,??said Governor Walz.??Minnesota is ready to meet the changing needs of our energy, transportation, and agriculture industries. By developing clean hydrogen, we can reduce emissions and mitigate climate impacts for future generations."
 Governor Walz has ordered all United States and Minnesota flags to fly at half-staff at all state buildings in the State of Minnesota effective immediately until sunset on Saturday, October 14, to remember, mourn, and honor the victims of the attacks on Israel by Hamas terrorists. The Minnesota Department of Transportation also lit the I-35W Bridge in Minneapolis?with blue and white, the colors of the Israeli flag, to show support for the country and its people.
?Minnesota joins the nation in condemning the horrific acts of violence against Israeli civilians by Hamas,??said Governor Walz.??The United States and Israel are united by a shared commitment to democracy, economic prosperity, and regional security. We will continue to stand in solidarity with Minnesota?s Jewish and Israeli community and work with the State Department to ensure the safety of Minnesotans at home and abroad.?
 On Tuesday, Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan visited Afton State Park to highlight fall tourism opportunities in Minnesota and recent investments in Minnesota state parks.
?Minnesota?s many outdoor recreation opportunities in the fall provide a multi-million-dollar economic boost to communities across the state,? said Governor Walz. ?We?re investing in our outdoor recreation industry and modernizing our state parks so that more Minnesotans can enjoy our outstanding natural resources for generations to come.?
?Fall in Minnesota is the perfect time to head outdoors, enjoy Minnesota?s natural beauty, and connect with our loved ones,? said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. ?With new funding for our outdoor recreation industry, we?re making upgrades to our state parks to make them more accessible and improve our experiences outdoors so that more Minnesotans can enjoy these opportunities.?
 On Monday,?for the first time as an official state holiday in Minnesota, Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan celebrated Indigenous Peoples Day.
?Indigenous Peoples Day serves as a time to celebrate the 11 Tribal Nations and the diverse Native communities that continue to strengthen our state?s cultural landscape, economy, and heritage each and every day,? said Governor Walz. ?It?s also a reminder of our commitment to strengthening and growing our relationships with Minnesota?s Native communities and tribal governments today and every day.?
?This has been years in the making, and I?m thrilled to celebrate the first Indigenous Peoples Day in Minnesota as a state holiday,? said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. ?Native people are still here, and we?ve always been here. Honoring and marking that is an important step in the work to make sure our history continues to be told for our children and our children?s children. Thank you to the advocates and legislators who have been working to make this day a reality for many years. We have so much to celebrate.?
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