Greater Minnesota

Arboretum in Baxter debuts new forest skating trail: ‘If we build it, they will come’
The trail opening Sunday at the Northland Arboretum in Baxter winds through snow-covered pine trees and fields in a loop just under half a mile long. Unlike a frozen lake or smooth rink, there are curves, hills and occasional bumps.
Mayo Clinic just closed 6 rural Minnesota health clinics. More closings may follow
The Minnesota medical giant has been consolidating clinics across southern Minnesota as it struggles with staffing shortages in rural areas. But the closures are frustrating to those who relied on the clinics for care.
State officials announce plans for more study on impacts of sulfate pollution on wild rice
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says it will further study the impacts of sulfate on wild rice. The announcement comes in the wake of concern expressed over a 52-year-old state standard that limits how much of the pollutant mines and other facilities can release into waters where the plant grows.
Social worker shares resources for families affected by Stewartville shooting
Heather Geerts, director of clinical services at Zumbro Valley Health Services, joined Cathy Wurzer on Morning Edition Tuesday to talk about supporting the Stewartville community in the wake of a tragedy.
‘Total sadness’: Stewartville High School shooting leaves community grieving
The small town of Stewartville in southeast Minnesota is grieving but trying to pull together in the aftermath of a shooting outside of the high school that left one student in critical condition and the alleged shooter dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Nisswa Mayor Jennifer Carnahan faces criticism, call to resign
The city’s four council members spoke critically of Carnahan in the wake of allegations that a Nisswa restaurant employee overheard her disparaging a city council member. Carnahan later went on to allege that the woman assaulted her.
 Federal SNAP, Medicaid changes force Minnesota counties to raise property taxes
The Blue Earth County Board votes next week on a proposed property tax increase that officials say is needed to pay for the rising costs of administering SNAP, Medicaid and other federal programs that federal legislation shifts onto local governments.
Housing or parkland? Duluth debates future of long-closed golf course amid housing crunch
The Duluth City Council will vote Monday night on whether to transfer the long-closed Lester Park Golf Course to its economic development arm to pave the way for a possible housing development. Critics say the public process leading up to the vote has been flawed.
Mower County water wells show elevated levels of arsenic and manganese
State health officials report that private well water testing has detected high levels of arsenic and manganese in the wells of some homes in southeast Minnesota’s Mower County. The levels are not high enough to endanger people’s health, but they are a concern.
Minnesota veterans museum to commemorate Pearl Harbor attack with online event
Next year, organizers hope to hold an in-person remembrance at the new museum near Little Falls, which is scheduled to open next summer. One of the artifacts the museum will showcase is a 50-caliber gun from the USS Ward, which fired the first American shots of World War II at Pearl Harbor.