Greater Minnesota

'Big, bold idea': Duluth hopes to heat homes with wastewater energy
Federal funds will help Duluth design a system to use leftover energy from a wastewater treatment plant to heat hundreds of buildings in the burgeoning Lincoln Park neighborhood. One advocate says it could become a national model.
Sinkhole tourism? Fountain, Minn., sees an opening
The southeastern Minnesota town has long styled itself as the Sinkhole Capital of the U.S., but the hoped-for economic boost has never materialized. Now, some residents are working to change that.
'They all matter': St. Cloud high school dance team builds connections
Shana Black, coach of the Apollo Majorettes, welcomes all students regardless of experience. Her goal is to create an inclusive, supportive team where all students feel like they belong.
Camp Ripley to test nearby residents’ water for 'forever chemicals'
Officials are asking to test the drinking water of about 30 property owners who live within a quarter-mile of the camp, where foam containing PFAS chemicals was used for testing and training until 2017.
Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe seeks to increase number of foster families
The need for foster care comes as the U.S. Supreme Court is set to decide on a challenge to a federal law that aims to keep Native children within their community and culture. 
Xcel gets $20 million for batteries to store solar, wind power
Breakthrough Energy Catalyst has agreed to commit $20 million in grant funding for the projects. The battery systems will allow Xcel to store renewable energy for later use, when the sun isn't shining or the wind isn't blowing.
Proposed shift in funding for older adult services worries rural providers
Rural Minnesota agencies that serve seniors are concerned a revised funding formula will mean fewer dollars to serve growing demand. The Minnesota Board on Aging says the update reflects changing demographics.
Jessie Diggins' former ski coach to boycott 'Birkie' over gender equity concerns
Kris Hansen, the longtime coach at Stillwater High School, and former coach of Olympic gold medalist Jessie Diggins, wants Birkie race officials to make changes that would result in more women qualifying to start in prime positions earlier in the race.
Backyard chickens are having their moment in the spotlight
Backyard chickens are having a moment. Around Minnesota, many communities which once outlawed keeping a coop in the backyard are relaxing those regulations.