Greater Minnesota

Lambs, family and garlic help this couple build a new life in rural Minnesota
Mark Anema and Kate Ritger met at a garlic harvest party, started a farm, got married and had a kid. For Anema, it meant a huge change from a life in finance to farming. It isn’t easier or more profitable, but he says changing his life has changed him for the better.
Sen. Smith introduces bill to ban copper mining near the Boundary Waters
U.S. Sen. Tina Smith of Minnesota has introduced legislation to permanently ban mining for copper, nickel and precious metals over about 350 square miles within the watershed of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
New program will make college classes accessible for students with an intellectual disability
Lake Superior College received the state’s first Inclusive Higher Education Grant to make academic classes and programs more accessible to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Grief brought her back to western Minnesota. Now she’s helping restore her hometown 
Kris Shelstad left Madison more than 30 years ago for a life in the Army. When tragedy struck, she returned to heal. When she saw Madison needed some restoration, too, she asked people what they wanted and then started building it.
After federal firings, officials worry about program that helps many Minnesotans pay for heat
Minnesota was scheduled to receive an additional $12 million to $13 million in LIHEAP funds to help another 10,000 households. If that payment is delayed, the program could run out of money by mid-April.
Proposed cut in local aid to prevent aquatic invasive species sparks fears of more infested lakes
For the past decade, Minnesota has distributed about $10 million a year to counties for aquatic invasive species prevention. Gov. Tim Walz’s proposed budget reduced that amount by 50 percent. Some lake advocates worry cutting the funding could potentially lead to more infested waters.
In NW Minnesota, he turns gears, wire and marbles into art that moves
Jeffrey Zachmann’s built more than 1,000 kinetic sculptures — moving contraptions that fascinate those who come across them in public libraries, private collections and museums around the world. He loves the interaction with people who can't resist his work.
In St. Cloud, leaders of color aim to fill community's housing need
Several organizations in St. Cloud led by people of color are working to address local housing needs. A recent study found the city will need 17,000 new housing units over the next decade and a half to meet anticipated demand.
What’s next for sluggish Minnesota mail after USPS postmaster general’s resignation?
U.S. Rep. Angie Craig joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer on Morning Edition Wednesday to talk about the future of USPS following Louis DeJoy’s departure and under the Trump administration.
Stearns County dairy herd tests positive for avian flu
The H5N1 virus appeared in raw milk samples collected from a Stearns County herd. Health officials say there's no concern for public safety, because milk sold in stores is pasteurized to kill bacteria and viruses.