For the first time in university history, St. Thomas’ dining services will offer halal options for students, faculty, and staff beginning in Fall 2019.

Feedback given to the university through surveys, committees, and comment cards helped spark this decision.

Dining services will provide non-vegetarian food options for Muslims at the university, as well as meat that is consistent with the Islamic religious requirements of halal and zabihah.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation is continuing its work on repairing potholes on I-35W starting today. I-35W will be closed in both directions between I-94 and Highway 62 from 10 p.m. To 5 a.m. today, tomorrow and Friday of this week.

California will call in the National Guard to help protect communities from devastating forest fires starting in April. The state plans to pull troops away from President Donald Trump’s border protection efforts and transfer them to fire protection.

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Spokesman Mike Mohler says that 110 California National Guard troops will receive 11 days of training to prepare them for next month.

President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan announced that he plans to step down from his position on Tuesday after three decades in power, raising uncertainty over the future course of the Central Asian country.

In a televised address, the 78-year-old Nazarbayev says he has made the “difficult” decision to terminate his authority as president, effective today. No specific reason is given for the surprise resignation, but Nazarbayev notes that he plans to help secure a smooth transition of power.

Alexis Okafor can be reached at okaf1618@stthomas.edu