Greater Minnesota

Central Minnesota priest accused of sexually abusing, stalking, threatening woman
St. Cloud diocese leaders were told of concerns raised about Joseph Herzing three years ago. After completing treatment, Herzing was allowed to return to active ministry, where he continued to serve until criminal charges were filed last week.
St. Cloud school district program offers free food to families facing insecurity, changes to benefits
About 70 percent of the school district’s students are living with food insecurity, meaning they can't afford or don't have access to enough nutritious food. The Feeding 742 Kids Initiative aims to help by providing pre-packaged food boxes to all families in the district.
The Wright County Sheriff’s Office said the man ignored their commands to stop and drop the knife. He was taken into custody and transported to a hospital, where he was reported in stable condition.
‘Sticky’ pine needles could provide clues about forever chemicals in Minnesota’s air
Scientists want to better understand how PFAS move through the environment. It turns out that coniferous needles make surprisingly good natural air monitors. 
On the Iron Range, ore trucks as large as two-story houses set to transform the mining industry
Mesabi Metallics, an iron ore mine under construction in Nashwauk, has purchased the largest trucks ever used in Minnesota’s iron mines. The trucks haul 400 tons of rock in a single load and are designed to be operated autonomously. 
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.