Greater Minnesota

‘We are here’: In St. Cloud, Somali community pushes back against Trump’s ‘garbage’ comments
More than 100 people gathered in St. Cloud on Wednesday for an event aimed at showing unity and solidarity. Somali residents and other community members said they felt compelled to speak out against what they call the president’s unfair and divisive rhetoric.
Batteries need manganese but talk of mining the mineral roils northern Minnesota’s lake country
There’s a renewed effort in northern Minnesota’s Brainerd Lakes area to develop an underground mine for manganese, which is coveted to make batteries. Many local residents are uneasy.
Beltrami County Board approves cuts to libraries and other community services
The Beltrami County Board of Commissioners finalized next year's county budget earlier this week. As a result, funding for the county museum, public transit and both Blackduck and Bemidji libraries will be cut by about forty percent.
Bezos foundation gives $2.5 million grant to help fight homelessness in Duluth
Chum, which operates the largest emergency homeless shelter north of the Twin Cities, has been awarded a $2.5 million grant — the largest in its history — to address family homelessness in Duluth.
Central Minnesota priest accused of sexually abusing, stalking, threatening woman
St. Cloud diocese leaders were told of concerns raised about Joseph Herzing three years ago. After completing treatment, Herzing was allowed to return to active ministry, where he continued to serve until criminal charges were filed last week.
St. Cloud school district program offers free food to families facing insecurity, changes to benefits
About 70 percent of the school district’s students are living with food insecurity, meaning they can't afford or don't have access to enough nutritious food. The Feeding 742 Kids Initiative aims to help by providing pre-packaged food boxes to all families in the district.
The Wright County Sheriff’s Office said the man ignored their commands to stop and drop the knife. He was taken into custody and transported to a hospital, where he was reported in stable condition.
‘Sticky’ pine needles could provide clues about forever chemicals in Minnesota’s air
Scientists want to better understand how PFAS move through the environment. It turns out that coniferous needles make surprisingly good natural air monitors. 
On the Iron Range, ore trucks as large as two-story houses set to transform the mining industry
Mesabi Metallics, an iron ore mine under construction in Nashwauk, has purchased the largest trucks ever used in Minnesota’s iron mines. The trucks haul 400 tons of rock in a single load and are designed to be operated autonomously.