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.

Submit a question or story for Getting to Green here.

Climate Cast

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

Poor air quality: What causes it and how to protect your health
Last week, smoke from Canadian wildfires led to the worst Minnesota air quality index since records began in 2000. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with her guests about what we can do to stay healthy when skies are smoky.
For these Duluth teens, a diploma, solar panels and life lessons learned
Seven years after a group of Duluth middle schoolers first began advocating for solar panels on their school, they’re graduating from high school. They got it done, but they also learned some lessons on politics, policy and perseverance.
Ed, the runaway pet zebra, has been captured in Tennessee
Ed the Zebra was captured safely after being located in a pasture near a subdivision in the Christiana community in central Tennessee, the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office confirmed.
Permit revocation looms for St. Paul iron plant
Minnesota regulators say they’ve taken the first steps to revoke the operating permit for a St. Paul iron foundry. 
Minnesota cities maintain plans to remove ‘forever chemicals’ from drinking water
The extended deadline for cities to lower levels of “forever chemicals” in drinking water could give municipalities struggling to pay for expensive treatment systems more time to seek financial help from the state or federal government.
Native-led nonprofit receives grant for youth horse program
Dakota Wicohan, located in Morton near the Lower Sioux Indian Community, was recently named a recipient of the Minnesota Community IDEAS Grant. Funding will help to expand programming opportunities for their program that empowers youth to work with horses while learning traditional teachings. 
Trump food aid cuts eliminate key income source from some smaller Minnesota farms
The Trump administration slashed funding for a program that helps feed school children and the food insecure this spring, and it’s affecting not only those in need but also those who grow that food, leaving some farmers without a critical source of income.
Red panda brothers make their debut at the Minnesota Zoo
It's been four years since the Minnesota Zoo has hosted red pandas. Now, two are joining a new exhibit focused on the forests of China.