Environment

The Alpine Lake fire is burning on the west side of Seagull Lake, just a short distance from resorts, homes and cabins on the Gunflint Trail. Residents heard that this still small fire may burn for some time.

In a decision that could slow development in fast-growing areas, the Minnesota Court of Appeals blocked a water treatment plant for Annandale and Maple Lake Tuesday.

Additional fire crews arrived Monday at a blaze burning in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The fire burned more than 400 acres over the weekend near the Gunflint Trail. Despite the fire, it's been business as usual for most outfitters and visitors to Minnesota's canoe country.

Midmorning's resident green thumb answers questions about planting, weeding and how to make your garden grow.

Tucked away in the transportation bill is more than $600 million to encourage children to walk or bike to school. The provision is called Safe Routes to School. Pedestrian and bicycle advocates call the measure a major advance for encouraging non motorized traffic in this country and a way to improve childrens' health.

The deadline is approaching for citizens who want to influence Minnesota's mercury reduction plan. The public comment period closes August 17 on a plan to eventually reduce the state's mercury emissions by 93 percent. Does the state's plan go far enough in reducing the toxic heavy metal in Minnesota's air, fish and waterways?

The U.S. Senate is poised to pass a massive energy bill Friday providing subsidies for fossil fuels, nuclear power, renewable energy and conservation. Will the bill help U.S. wean itself off foreign oil? Will it help the environment? Or is it just corporate welfare in disguise, as critics allege?

Botanical art is a tradition that goes back centuries. Despite the advent of digital photography, the documentation of plants by artists remains important to scientists.

The Root River in southeastern Minnesota is one of the state's most famous trout streams but it's threatened by pollution as are many waterways around southeast. A major problem is farm runoff which threatens both river life and the health of anglers and boaters. Recently a federal district court judge ruled that a clean up plan designed by the state pollution control agency is inadequate. Now the agency's on deadline to come up with a new plan.

The Root River in southeastern Minnesota is one of the state's most famous trout streams but it's threatened by pollution as are many waterways around southeast. A major problem is farm runoff which threatens both river life and the health of anglers and boaters. Recently a federal district court judge ruled that a clean up plan designed by the state pollution control agency is inadequate. Now the agency's on deadline to come up with a new plan.