Slashing the U.S. Department of Education, Medicaid, and more hurts young children with delays and disabilities.

Another government shutdown is looming Friday, and local head start leaders fear the program’s financial future could be on the chopping block.

Out of the 34 programs in Minnesota, Duluth’s is the only one where the school district is the grant recipient.

Reduced federal spending would likely sharpen focus on technology to improve efficiency, potentially benefiting some venture-backed companies.