Ground Level®: Amplifying Community Voices

Your story is powerful. The stories you share with others honor the complexity of our communities while forging a more equitable and vibrant future.

Call 651-228-4800 and leave us a voice memo. If you're more comfortable texting, you can text “Hello” to 1-833-870-4111. You can also email us at tell@mpr.org and join in on conversations in our Ground Level Facebook group.

We’d like to hear your thoughts and questions. Your ideas about solutions. How are your communities? What are you seeing today? And what do you want to see tomorrow?

Note that while we will exercise editorial judgment for language, length and avoiding personal attacks, we will not sacrifice your meaning. We will ensure your main message comes through on air and online.

Inspired by the 2016 elections, MPR News set out to gain a better understanding of how Minnesotans view their lives, their communities, their state and the nation.
Annandale watches special session for broadband help
Annandale managed to get an earmark for broadband funding in legislation this year, but Gov. Mark Dayton vetoed the bill, asking for more money for rural broadband but objecting to the city's special treatment.
DNR pushes ahead with its groundwater planning
The DNR's new approach makes it clear the agency retains ultimate authority over groundwater pumping but promises that stakeholders will get all the information they need.
Broadband providers seek $44 million from state fund
All the money must go to projects that will provide high-speed Internet access to areas that have no or poor service.
Shifting rain could be lowering groundwater
New satellite data shows a decline in Minnesota's groundwater supplies and one scientist suggests a reason in addition to irrigation pumping might be that rain is falling at different times.
Satellite: A better way to measure groundwater levels?
Researchers are using satellite data to measure groundwater use and how much is left. A key scientist will talk about the effort tonight in St. Paul.
Dayton panel seeks $200 million more for broadband
The state's task force advising Gov. Mark Dayton on high speed Internet access has told the administration it should seek another $200 million in next year's legislative session.
Judge won’t place blame for White Bear Lake water woes
Ramsey District Judge Margaret Marrinan refused to decide by summary judgment whether the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is at fault for the low water levels in White Bear Lake.
Who’s my neighbor? New Twin Cities maps tell the story
Wilder Research in St. Paul has revamped its demographic profiles of Minneapolis and St. Paul neighborhoods, making the information much easier to use.
New student housing at the University of Minnesota includes a system for collecting stormwater from the roof and using it to flush the toilets for 600 students.