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March 3, 2024 4:54 PM

Wildfires burn thousands of acres in southern, western Minnesota

Wildfires in southern and western Minnesota left at least three people injured and burned more than 3,000 acres Sunday amid warm weather, gusty winds and low humidity.

by Cari Spencer and Nicole Ki

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March 2, 2024 8:00 AM

Minnesota braces for potentially severe wildfire season

More than 50 wildfires have already been reported in Minnesota this year. It is an early indication of what could become an especially active spring fire season after a historically warm and dry winter.

by Dan Kraker

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February 29, 2024 4:31 PM

What an unseasonably warm winter will mean for farmers this year

The warmest winter on record has also brought some of the lowest snow cover on record to much of Minnesota. What does the lack of snow mean for Minnesota’s soils and farmers this year?

by Paul Huttner and Ngoc Bui

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February 29, 2024 11:55 AM

Texas wildfire smoke drifts toward Minnesota

It won’t be anything near the scale of the thick haze that blanketed Minnesota for so many days last summer — but some smoke from massive wildfires in Texas could drift across the Upper Midwest over the next couple of days.

by MPR News Staff

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February 29, 2024 9:45 AM

A wildfire scorching the Texas Panhandle has grown to the largest in state history

A wildfire spreading across the Texas Panhandle has become the largest in state history. Authorities say the Smokehouse Creek fire grew Thursday to nearly 1,700 square miles of scorched rural ranchlands and destroyed homes.

by The Associated Press

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February 29, 2024 4:00 AM

Bemidji State University study seeks to discover the secrets of urban deer life

Minnesota’s rural-urban divide doesn’t just affect people. Take deer for example, they are now a fixture in many Minnesota communities. While some people love them, others see them as pests, and dangerous when mixed with traffic.

by Mathew Holding Eagle III

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February 28, 2024 9:02 AM

Kenai, one of Minnesota Zoo's brown bears, dies at age 17

Minnesota Zoo officials announced Tuesday that Kenai the brown bear has died at age 17. He was the largest of the zoo’s trio of brown bears, which also includes Haines and Sadie.

by MPR News Staff

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February 28, 2024 4:00 AM

'Zombie fires' under snow raise concern for upcoming wildfire season

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources wildfire operations supervisor William Glesener explained how fires can burn under snow blankets and lead to a more active wildfire season.

by Cathy Wurzer and Lukas Levin

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February 27, 2024 9:03 PM

‘Tom the lost trucker cat’ found 9 miles from St. Cloud after 40 days missing

A gray and white cat was found after a lengthy adventure in central Minnesota. Tom is originally from Arizona and jumped out of his owner’s semi truck at a truck stop.

by Sam Stroozas