Greater Minnesota

Photos: A look back at the relentless heat wave of July 1936
This week marks the 80th anniversary of the start of Minnesota's worst heat wave. It was so bad that many people chose to sleep outside.
The incident began early Saturday morning when two officers tried to pull over a vehicle for erratic driving. The driver pointed a gun at the officers.
The Minnesota State Patrol said the emergency landing happened while the road was open and traffic was moving.
A biodiversity road trip to the headwaters - and a really big bog
One of the best ways to see the place where the continent's four major biomes converge is on a road trip to Itasca State Park and the Big Bog. Even better: Exploring the region with a guide to the plants on the way.
Duluth tourism boom continues
Duluth's newest waterfront resort opens today, the latest sign that visitors are flocking to the city. "They might not be going overseas or traveling to the Caribbean, but they'll still come to Duluth," a developer said.
Dogs as sentinels: Blue-green algae brings toxic mystery to Minnesota waters
Across Minnesota each summer, sky-blue waters transform into pea-green soup, a sign of possible toxins. It's happening more often -- and farther north -- than ever before, suggesting that climate change is a key player.
From septics to sewers on Rainy Lake's south shore
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency estimates that one in every five of the state's half-million septic systems is failing. Leaking sewage takes a heavy environmental toll, but across most of the state, it's an invisible problem.
Madelia finds a path out of the fire
A February explosion and fire tore through downtown Madelia, searing the lives of many families. This spring, though, there is new construction, and hope.
Saving Minnesota's polluted lakes takes science, political will
The green scum that spreads across Minnesota's contaminated lakes each summer is the legacy of decades of pollution from cities and farms. Those lakes can be rescued, but it requires cooperation and compromise.