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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.

In northern Minnesota, tracking songbirds to help them thrive in a changing forest

In northern Minnesota, tracking songbirds to help them thrive in a changing forest

In northern Minnesota, researchers are tracking threatened songbirds through the forest to identify the habitat the birds rely on after they hatch. The goal is to help land managers create the kind of forest these birds need to survive into the future.
by Dan Kraker

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Minnesota's boreal forest is a climate change hot spot

Minnesota's boreal forest is a climate change hot spot

Northern Minnesota is among the fastest warming areas on the planet, and that’s beginning to change the makeup of forests there.
by Paul Huttner and Megan Burks

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University of Minnesota welcomes new climate scientist

University of Minnesota welcomes new climate scientist

Professor Heidi Roop will be developing a program with the University Extension to communicate critical climate information to the public. That includes how to prepare for the changes to come, and how to adapt to shifts we're already seeing today.
by Cathy Wurzer

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CWD spreads in Minnesota deer, but COVID-19 may make monitoring harder

CWD spreads in Minnesota deer, but COVID-19 may make monitoring harder

This spring, an infected animal was found in the southern Twin Cities metro area. The finding coincides with a suspension of mandatory testing over concerns hunters could spread the coronavirus at testing stations.
by John Enger

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Tiny elephant shrew resurfaces after more than 50 years on 'lost species' list

Tiny elephant shrew resurfaces after more than 50 years on 'lost species' list

The mouse-sized Somali sengi — a kind of elephant shrew with a pointy nose and large, adorable eyes — was thought to be a lost species. It was recently spotted by researchers in Djibouti.
by Milton Guevara and Krista Kapralos

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Thousands allowed to bypass environmental rules in pandemic

Thousands allowed to bypass environmental rules in pandemic

Thousands of oil and gas operations and other sites have won permission to stop monitoring for hazardous emissions or otherwise break government rules because of the coronavirus outbreak. The findings come in an investigation by The Associated Press. 
by The Associated Press

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Marco fizzles as it nears Gulf Coast; Laura still to become hurricane

Marco fizzles as it nears Gulf Coast; Laura still to become hurricane

The storms had been seen as a rare chance for two hurricanes to occupy the Gulf of Mexico at the same time. That won't happen — but they'll both hit Louisiana's coast.
by Bill Chappell

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Senate showdown begins over commerce commissioner

Senate showdown begins over commerce commissioner

Minnesota Department of Commerce Commissioner Steve Kelley defended his job performance during a Senate hearing Friday, with Republicans signaling that he is in trouble.
by Tim Pugmire

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