Greater Minnesota

Teachers union supports school funding ballot measures
The head of Minnesota's teachers union says next week's election is just the latest sign that the state's system for funding schools needs a complete overhaul.
A company that runs an ethanol plant west of the Twin Cities must pay a $425,000 civil penalty for environmental violations, including exceeding its wastewater discharge limits.
Water projects in three Minnesota cities will move forward with help from $20.6 million in federal stimulus dollars and state loan funds.
A jury awarded more than $1.25 million to a family whose 21-month-old son was misdiagnosed by a Hibbing doctor and died.
Livestock farmers have last chance to get waivers
A voluntary program to help livestock farmers comply with environmental regulations ends next year and those who haven't made the changes yet have until the end of the week to apply for a waiver. Otherwise, the agreement commits farmers to make improvements by the end of next year.
Environmental study on proposed metals mine now available
The Minnesota DNR has released a study that examines the potential environmental effects of the proposed Polymet metals mine in northeastern Minnesota.
Authorities in central Minnesota have seized 47 cows from a dairy farm after they found the animals were living in poor conditions.
Anglers will have to settle for smaller walleyes on Upper Red Lake this winter.
In Winona, a watched bridge outfitted for tests
A picturesque Winona highway bridge that Minnesota transportation officials are deciding how to rehabilitate or replace gets some new gear this week.
Ring dike program will protect more than just farms
More than $4 million will pay for ring dikes around farmsteads in the Red River Valley, but flood protection is only a secondary goal for the federal program.