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.

2 wildfires burn in Superior National Forest, closing some BWCA portages and campsites
After an extremely wet summer, Minnesota is trending drier. The U.S. Forest Service has closed 19 campsites and several portages in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Amur tiger cubs explore their habitat in public debut at Minnesota Zoo
The species of tiger is native to far eastern Russia and northern China and faces endangerment according to Zoologist Trista Fischer. She says there’s an estimated 500 Amur tigers left in the wild.  
A Duluth cat was found underground after missing for nearly two months
“Drifter” the cat went missing in July. After giving up almost all hope, his family found him underground in construction work for a sewer and sidewalk.
Pair of rare Amur tiger cubs debuting at Minnesota Zoo are raising hopes for the endangered species
A pair of rare Amur tiger cubs are making their public debut at the Minnesota Zoo, raising hopes for preserving an endangered species that’s native to far eastern Russia and northern China. 
At the debate, Harris made climate change a pocketbook issue
Vice President Kamala Harris said the economic costs of climate change are already clear, with homeowners facing skyrocketing insurance prices.
Minnesota facilities to boost sustainable aviation fuel production
As airlines look for lower-emission alternatives to fossil fuels, state officials and leaders of several companies across Minnesota said they’re opening multiple production facilities.
The heat is on: Indigenous-led nonprofit seeks to lower heating expenses with solar thermal
Since 2018, an Indigenous nonprofit near the White Earth Nation in northwestern Minnesota has been installing solar thermal panels to cut home heating costs in impoverished communities.
Aquatic invader starry stonewort discovered in Whitefish Chain of Lakes
The DNR says starry stonewort was found in Rush Lake, near the city of Crosslake in Crow Wing County. It’s the first time the invasive algae has been confirmed in the Whitefish chain.