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.

Life on the Mississippi
In his new book “Life on the Mississippi,” author Rinker Buck writes about floating to New Orleans in a wooden flat boat from a bygone era. MPR News guest host Chris Farrell explores Mississippi River history with Rinker and John Anfinson, retired superintendent of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.
Isle Royale wolf population surges after nearly dying off
The gray wolf population at Isle Royale National Park is healthy once more. Scientists reported Wednesday it has reached 28, only a few years after it had fallen to two. 
Data show increasing insecticide levels in Minnesota deer
A second year of testing by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources found increased levels of neonicotinoid insecticide in white-tailed deer.
All trails back open after wildfire at Isle Royale National Park
Officials at Isle Royale National Park reported Monday that all trails on the Lake Superior island are now back open, after crews fully contained a wildfire.
Return of rare Ojibwe horse lifts spirits — but still needs help
A small farm outside River Falls, Wis., is raising a herd of rare and endangered Ojibwe horses, part of a grassroots effort to revive the rare breed that’s adapted to the forests along the Minnesota-Canada border.
Climate law could shrink price of Sherco solar project
Xcel Energy says tax credits included in the Inflation Reduction Act could lower the cost of building the 460-megawatt project next to its retiring coal plant in Becker by 20 percent.
On Wisconsin’s French Island, residents live with lingering ‘forever chemicals’
Wisconsin’s lawsuit comes more than four years after Minnesota settled its landmark case against 3M over PFAS contamination. Since then, scientists and regulators have learned much more about how broad and pervasive the PFAS problem is.
Favorable weather helps crews make progress toward containing Isle Royale wildfire
Favorable weather conditions have helped crews make good progress toward containing a wildfire at Isle Royale National Park, and allowed park officials to reopen some trails and campgrounds.