Greater Minnesota

Researchers perplexed by growing numbers of 'zombie' fish deep in Lake Superior
Scientists have discovered a growing number of emaciated lake trout deep in Lake Superior, about half their normal body weight. They’re racing to learn what’s behind the phenomenon.
As 2 in 5 college students experience food insecurity, more of them rely on food pantries
2 in 5 college students are experiencing food insecurity across the country. In Minnesota, the demand for access to free healthy foods continues to rise as higher grocery prices mean more students need to rely on food aid to stay in school.
Minnesota educators fight for a way to lower skyrocketing health insurance costs
As health insurance premiums continue to rise, Minnesota school districts — especially small, rural ones — struggle to find good, affordable health care coverage for their staff. Minnesota educators across the state want to be able to band together for better coverage and bargaining power in the marketplace.
‘Houses are just gone’: Stewartville, Marion Township clean up after Friday’s tornadoes
Clean up efforts are underway in parts of Rochester, Stewartville and other communities in SE Minnesota after tornados swept through the region Friday afternoon. Olmsted County’s sheriff says at least 60 to 70 homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed.
 Nobles County Board votes against zoning change, preventing massive data centers
The Nobles County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday to reject a zoning change that would allow data centers to be built on farmland. The county's planning commission also rejected the measure earlier this month as hundreds of local residents voiced opposition.
Owatonna residents force bonding question for new fire, police facilities to be on ballot
Officials in Owatonna say their city desperately needs new fire and police stations. But some residents question the need and the cost. Nearly 2,500 of them signed a petition to force the city to put $65 million bonding question to fund the facilities on the ballot.
As rural MN diversifies and grows, one expert says housing will be key to sustained growth
A new report shows many parts of greater Minnesota are diversifying and growing. However, sustained population growth looks unlikely. A rural sociologist says housing has a lot to do with these trends.
River in the Boundary Waters is again named to list of country’s most endangered waterways
American Rivers says the South Kawishiwi River is threatened by proposed copper mines in the watershed. The clock is ticking on a Congressional effort to reverse a 20-year mining ban in northeast Minnesota.
Some Winona County services remain down and off-line following cyberattack
Winona County officials say some of its computer systems remain off-line as they work to restore services following a cyberattack earlier this week. The county’s IT team has been working around the clock, with assistance from the Minnesota National Guard cyber protection team to address the breach.