Greater Minnesota

After 87 years, a hereditary chief's pipe returns to Grand Portage
The St. Louis County Historical Society will return sacred items to Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. The repatriation, guided by the organization's American Indian Advisory Committee, reflects a growing shift in museum practice from ownership toward stewardship.
City officials say Owatonna needs new police, fire stations. Distrustful residents are pushing back
City officials in Owatonna say their police and fire stations are out of date and in disrepair. But their $65 million proposal to build new ones is getting pushback from residents who want a say in the process.
Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness marks 50 years with familiar challenges
The challenges of 1976 facing what became Friends of the Boundary Waters Area Wilderness are similar to those faced by the group today after Congress overturned a federal ban on mining near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Is forward-facing sonar making fishing in Minnesota too easy?
Real-time imaging technology allows anglers to spot fish, track their movement and even watch how they react to a lure. Critics say it crosses an ethical line and worry it could increase pressure on fish populations.
Minnesota hunters are donating more venison for local food banks
Minnesota's Hunter-Harvested Venison Donation Program has been around since 2007, but it's growing more popular. The idea is simple: Hunters donate deer to local processors, who prep it for food shelves and feeding programs.
Investing in the arts pays off in southwest Minnesota
Small Minnesota towns are seeing big returns on their investments into the arts. This story on arts in southwest Minnesota is the first part in an MPR News series on how art shapes rural economies.
Hermantown tables vote on key agreements for contentious Google data center
The Hermantown City Council voted Monday night to table a decision on a tax break and development plan for a proposed Google data center. The project promises to provide tens of millions of dollars for the city and schools — but has bitterly divided residents.