Minnesota History

Twenty years after first proposed, NewRange still vying to build Minnesota’s first copper mine
Nearly 20 years after it was first proposed to state and federal regulators, the project formerly known as PolyMet Mining — now NewRange Copper Nickel — soldiers on, despite environmental groups’ contention that the project in its current form is dead.
A sweet lesson: History museum teaches appreciation for buildings, design through gingerbread
The Stearns History Museum sponsors community classes that aim to teach concepts of architecture and design using an unusual medium: gingerbread. Its organizers say if people know more about how buildings are put together, they’ll be able to better care for them and keep them in use.
After years of delays, revived taconite mine offers new economic hope on Minnesota’s Iron Range
Mesabi Metallics — a controversial project that’s been in the works for more than two decades and could be the first new taconite mine in Minnesota in nearly 50 years — is once again bringing hopes of economic revival to the Iron Range.
Edmund Fitzgerald’s final voyage captured in radio play
After four decades, Minnesota writer Hal Barnes has brought a radio play capturing the SS Edmund Fitzgerald’s fateful final voyage to life — with help from a couple of old friends.
A deadlocked Minnesota House? We’ve been here before
The Minnesota House of Representatives appears headed for a tie — with Republicans and Democrats in a 67-67 split, if current election results hold. The state has seen this situation play out before.
Voters overwhelmingly back Minnesota lottery spending on environmental projects for another 25 years
More than 77 percent of voters backed a constitutional amendment that continues to funnel tens of millions of dollars of Minnesota’s lottery proceeds into environmental research and natural resource protection efforts for another 25 years.
Preserving a legacy: Nonprofit raises money to save home of first Black Fergus Falls resident
The home built in 1885 by Fergus Falls first Black resident — and Minnesota’s first Black baseball player faces an uncertain future because of financial challenges. The nonprofit which manages the building says it faces a Nov. 1 deadline to raise the money to save it
 Show and tell: New interactive tour aims to raise Dakota visibility in Minneapolis
A new self-guided walking tour highlighting Dakota history at Owámniyomni or St. Anthony Falls in Minneapolis is now live. Visitors can scan QR codes at five designated spots to learn about the sacred area through an Indigenous lens. 
Longtime resort owner Bruce Kerfoot dies, ‘legend‘ of the Gunflint Trail
In a post on social media, Kerfoot’s family said he died in his sleep Wednesday night. “The family has some peace knowing he and Justine are paddling together to their shore lunch spot,” they wrote.