Greater Minnesota

Report shows gain in Minnesota's wetland acres
Wetlands play a key role in improving water quality, storing floodwater, preventing erosion and providing habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife. The recent gains are tiny compared to Minnesota’s historical wetland losses.
Hold the salt: 67 Minnesota waterways now 'impaired' due to chloride
Road salt is the biggest source of chloride pollution in lakes, streams and groundwater. It only takes one teaspoon of salt to permanently pollute five gallons of water.
Longtime St. John's teacher, leader chosen as new abbot
Rev. Douglas Mullin succeeds retiring Abbot John Klassen, who is credited with increasing transparency and accountability during the monastery's reckoning of sexual abuse by monks.
Authorities ID victims, suspected gunman in Cloquet motel shooting
Police in Cloquet on Wednesday released the names of the two victims and the alleged gunman who died in a shooting at a motel in the northern Minnesota city earlier this week.
Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe annual event highlights priorities, progress and cannabis plans
Chief Executive Melanie Benjamin said 2023 was a year of progress for the central Minnesota-based tribe. Benjamin outlined band priorities for the coming year, including plans to open a cannabis growing facility.
Small land transfer may be a big deal in tribal lands debate
In what could become a blueprint for similar Minnesota communities, Lake City, southeast of the Twin Cities, has returned ownership of Dakota burial mounds back to their modern-day relatives at Prairie Island Indian Community. Two communities historically at odds now may be ushering in a period of understanding.
As session approaches, Minnesota lawmakers plan to keep advancing shift to clean energy
Key Minnesota legislators say not to expect climate legislation as ambitious as last year in the upcoming session. In 2023, they passed a historic legislation aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This year their focus will be on making sure the state’s able to achieve its clean energy goals.
Long-time leader of St. John's Abbey retires leaving storied 23-year legacy
This week in Collegeville, Minn. the monks of St. John's Abbey are convening to elect their next leader, or abbot. John Klassen is retiring after 23 years in the role and notably led the monastery through its sexual abuse reckoning.