Environmental News

MPR News is your source for environment news from Minnesota and across the country.

Getting to Green: Minnesota’s energy future

Getting to Green is an MPR News series that shares stories about Minnesota’s clean energy transition, including what needs to be done to get there.

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Climate Cast

Listen to Climate Cast, the MPR News podcast all about our changing climate and its impact in Minnesota and worldwide.

An unusually high number of whales are washing up on U.S. beaches
The unexpected deaths are hitting humpbacks and North Atlantic right whales on the East Coast and gray whales on the West Coast — populations that were already under watch.
Gas stove makers have a pollution solution. They're just not using it
Gas utilities and cooking stove manufacturers knew for decades that burners could be made that emit less pollution in homes, but they chose not to. That may be about to change.
Land next to St. Anthony Falls could return to Dakota tribes
The nonprofit Friends of the Falls has unveiled early design concepts for creating a place of restoration, healing and connection to the water on the downtown Minneapolis site.
5 fast facts about the lack of ice on Lake Superior this year
There’s not much ice on Lake Superior this winter and total ice cover has been decreasing in the last few decades. What’s the outlook for the rest of this winter and what’s behind the change?
How Groundhog Day came to the U.S. — and why we still celebrate it 137 years later
Punxsutawney Phil predicts more winter ahead. Groundhogs may not have a great track record when it comes to weather forecasts, but experts say the tradition sheds light on our culture and environment.
Dog helps family escape fire at Duluth home
Fire officials in Duluth say the barking of a yellow Lab named Dudley woke up a 12-year-old girl — who in turn alerted her family and helped everyone to escape to safety after a fire at their home Wednesday night.
Minnesota's carbon-free electricity bill: 8 questions, answered
The measure that sets ambitious standards for clean energy in Minnesota over the next 17 years cleared its final legislative hurdle late Thursday night, and is headed to Gov. Tim Walz for his signature.