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How Congress, Trump and Obama played favorites with transportation money

The federal government has spent $7 billion on a transportation grant program that often awards money based on political clout and electoral impact, skirting Congress' own ban on earmarks.

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Farmers testing new fertilizer alternative: Bacteria

Farmers testing new fertilizer alternative: Bacteria

Farmers across the country are putting a genetically modified bacteria in the ground this spring to help corn plants use naturally occurring nitrogen. The goal is to eventually replace synthetic nitrogen fertilizer.
by Dan Gunderson

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Collateral damage of the trade war, farmers want Chinese market reopened

Collateral damage of the trade war, farmers want Chinese market reopened

American farmers rely heavily on selling their goods overseas. As the trade war heats up again, many Midwest soybean farmers have huge surpluses and are receiving government aid.
by Amy Mayer

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McCollum asks feds to complete study on mining near Boundary Waters

McCollum asks feds to complete study on mining near Boundary Waters

DFL Rep. Betty McCollum wants the federal government to complete a study on the impacts of copper-nickel mining in the watershed of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, and forbid any mining activity until its complete.
by Dan Kraker

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Poll: Many rural Americans struggle with financial insecurity, access to health care

Poll: Many rural Americans struggle with financial insecurity, access to health care

A new poll from NPR, Harvard and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation gives a glimpse into rural life in America today, finding that many people living in rural communities live on the edge financially.
by Patti Neighmond and Joe Neel

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In praise of far-fetched ideas

In praise of far-fetched ideas

How a society can cultivate innovative solutions for everyday problems and stop rejecting so-called "loonshots" before they have a chance to prove themselves.
by Kerri Miller and Kelly Gordon

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Hot job market is wooing women into workforce faster than men

Hot job market is wooing women into workforce faster than men

Over the past three years, women returned to the workforce at more than double the rate of men. Growth in industries that rely on women and heavy recruitment of women might help explain why.
by Yuki Noguchi

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Xcel's new plan: Coal-free by 2030, nuclear until 2040

Xcel's new plan: Coal-free by 2030, nuclear until 2040

Xcel Energy said Monday it plans to shut its Minnesota coal plants, its last two in the Upper Midwest, a decade earlier than scheduled but seek a 10-year extension on its Monticello nuclear plant license.
by Martin Moylan, Elizabeth Dunbar and Kirsti Marohn

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