Minnesota Department of Commerce

That whole 'Minnesota Nice' thing just got nicer, because thanks to the state of Minnesota, you might be able to cash in on a payday you didn’t even see coming.

State officials say Minnesota's Energy Assistance Program has served about 68,000 households in the state this heating season.

According to a snow melting calculator when the temperature averages 40 degrees Fahrenheit we can lose 1/2 inch of snow a day. When the temperature averages 50 degrees Fahrenheit it says 2 to 4 inches a day.

The sudden combination of higher gasoline and natural gas prices could be with us for an extended period.

Help is being offered to thousands of Minnesotans who may face a “sticker shock” experience when they receive their next natural gas bill.

Most Minnesotans likely had no idea they were being charged much higher natural gas prices last week while bitterly cold weather covered the state.