Greater Minnesota

Duluth's mayoral race heats up at first candidate forum
The incumbent mayor and her challenger differ in their views about the city's health and direction.
Digesters make renewable energy from manure, but face hurdles
Danish company Nature Energy planned to build several large-scale anaerobic digesters in Minnesota and Wisconsin that would harvest methane from livestock waste to produce biogas. Those plans are now on hold. But experts say there’s plenty of potential to turn methane from manure from a liability into a commodity.
First-generation college students drive growth at Southwest Minnesota State
University leaders strengthened ties to local K-12 schools and embraced the region’s growing diversity. The result is an upswing in students fueled largely by the children of first-generation immigrants. It’s made SMSU one of the few four-year public universities in Minnesota where enrollment is rising.
Rochester eviction rates show no sign of slowing
Evictions in Olmsted County are moving faster than housing advocates expected this year. That's putting a strain on emergency services available to people facing eviction. The city is a microcosm of a trend playing out statewide.
Court dog Nova helps ease victims' trauma
Nova, a 6-year-old trained facility dog, recently made state history when she accompanied a young victim of sexual abuse as she testified on the witness stand. 
Judge throws out Twin Metals leases lawsuit
Late Wednesday a U.S. District Court Judge dismissed a lawsuit that Twin Metals filed last year to try revive its stalled attempt to develop a proposed copper-nickel mine on the doorstep of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Crews battle wildfire in Carlton County
Crews continued battling a 40-acre wildfire Tuesday in Carlton County, with aircraft back on the scene to drop water on the flames that were first spotted the day before.
Rochester bets on geothermal to power a green future
Since June, construction workers in Rochester, Minn., have been drilling deep wells that will eventually be part of a large geothermal network meant to heat and cool multiple buildings downtown. These systems aren’t an option for every city. But in locations that have the right geologic conditions, it’s a climate-friendly way to heat and cool.
Study: Wildfire led to poorer water quality in northern Minnesota lakes
The study was the largest examination in North American history of how lakes responded to a single wildfire. The researchers found lakes in burned areas had higher levels of nutrients, sediment and dissolved carbon, likely the results of increased runoff.
Research sheds light on how brainworm is killing Minnesota's moose
Brainworm, a parasite carried by white tailed deer, is a major killer of Minnesota’s moose. Now scientists think they better understand how moose become infected.