Greater Minnesota

State auditor finds Byron schools improperly documented credit card purchases amid financial crisis
A state review shows that Byron Public Schools failed to provide proper credit card documentation for $60,000 in purchases in 2023 and 2024. It's the latest in a series of financial missteps in the southeastern Minnesota district.
U of M’s Mapping Prejudice Project reveals racist deeds around Sherburne County lakes
Researchers found 356 properties with racial covenants in Sherburne County, nearly all clustered around lakes. Most were added after 1948, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled such restrictions were unenforceable.
Minnesota cattle producers to vote on proposed increase in beef checkoff fees
The Minnesota Beef Council has proposed a 50-cent increase to the $1 fee charged to cattle producers on every head of cattle sold. The checkoff fee hasn’t been raised in nearly 40 years, but to make it more palatable to members, the fee would be refundable for those who want to opt out of the program.
Minnesota applies for $1B in rural health care funds, but it won’t offset massive Medicaid cuts
Minnesota is applying for $1 billion over five years, but rural health care providers say even if the state gets the funding, it won’t come close to making up for the massive amount that's being cut.
Twin Metals seeks to continue copper exploration near Boundary Waters
Franconia Minerals, a subsidiary of the company seeking to build an underground mine for copper and nickel outside Ely, wants to drill up to 19 more exploratory holes along Birch Lake, just outside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Some Minnesota farmers could feel the government shutdown well after it ends
The government shutdown halted payments to farmers who participated in conservation programs. Even though the government has reopened, farmers may still face delays in receiving their funds.