Minn. services affected by government shutdown

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A snapshot of Minnesota state services affected 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.