Greater Minnesota

In NW Minnesota, she rescues dogs, then trains them to rescue veterans
Linda Wiedewitsch trains dogs to help military veterans deal with the psychological effects of war. Most of the dogs she trains come from pounds around Detroit Lakes. It’s a cycle of grace that’s helping rescue dogs and veterans.
Longtime Stearns County commissioner at center of dispute over competency resigns
Leigh Lenzmeier has represented District 4 in the city of St. Cloud for 34 years. He has suffered ongoing health problems. For the past year, he has been in an assisted living facility in Buffalo and attended county meetings virtually.
She's on a mission to end human trafficking in rural Minnesota
Anne LaFrinier-Ritchie grew up in northern Minnesota wanting to be a journalist. Life led her instead to become a social worker and then to devote herself to protecting the state’s most vulnerable children. 
Conservation group names Mississippi ‘most endangered’ U.S. river
The group American Rivers says the Mississippi faces threats including increased flooding and inadequate disaster prevention and response. In Minnesota, one environmental advocate says not much has been done to move the needle on the biggest source of pollution in the river — agriculture.
Health department issues new warning about eating fish from some Minnesota lakes with ‘forever chemicals’
The changes to the fish consumption guidelines affect about 44 water bodies in 10 counties, in both the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota. PFAS are a group of human-made chemicals widely used for decades in consumer products to resist water, stains and grease.
Tritium found in two more monitoring wells near Monticello nuclear plant
The utility has been working to recover radioactive tritium from as much as 900,000 gallons of contaminated water that leaked into the ground at its Monticello nuclear plant more than two years ago. The tritium levels in both monitoring wells are below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's limit for safe drinking water.
Teen run over, injured while playing 'Nerf Wars' in Sauk Rapids
The teen’s injuries were not life-threatening. The Nerf Wars game, in which high school students wage public battles using foam dart guns, has raised safety concerns across Minnesota for years.
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.