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International Falls votes to no longer dress up its famous Smokey Bear statue
The International Falls City Council voted unanimously last week to prohibit dressing the 26-foot-tall Smokey Bear statue that stands tall over the city. For decades locals have dressed the statue in seasonal attire. But moving forward, Smokey will only wear his traditional blue jeans, belt, buckle and hat, with shovel in hand.
Appeals court agrees that St. Cloud State University violated Title IX
An attorney for the female athletes who sued the university for gender discrimination said they’re ‘delighted’ with the ruling. However, the federal court sent part of the case back to a lower court for further review.
Northern lights this weekend? Yes, maybe
A strong geomagnetic storm will deliver the basic ingredients to produce aurora borealis sightings across Minnesota Saturday and Sunday. But don’t grab your camera just yet.
Walz opts for insider for new MPCA commissioner
Gov. Tim Walz has chosen engineer Katrina Kessler, an assistant commissioner since 2019, to lead the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. She assumes the job months after the governor’s prior commissioner resigned amid a confirmation fight.
COVID-19 in MN: Hopeful outlook wobbles as cases edge higher
While the disease metrics have flashed signs of hope and worry the past two weeks, Friday’s numbers offered fresh evidence the disease is not retreating quickly.
Artists' colorful creations ready to lift spirits for Día de Muertos
Organizers hope the Dia de Muertos celebration will help lift the spirits of the living as participants welcome the return of dead loved ones.
‘That’s a lot of neck to break’: Giraffe surgery at Como is a tricky task
Giraffes are beautiful, but also incredibly fragile, so how do you knock out a 16-foot-tall, 2,000-pound wild animal for surgery? For vets and zookeepers who had to operate on Como Zoo's male giraffe, Skeeter, on Thursday, the answer is: very, very carefully.
Hunters want more 'urgency' in state's CWD response
It's been nearly 20 years since the first case of chronic wasting disease was identified in a farm-raised elk in Minnesota. The disease that afflicts species in the deer family is getting more attention this year after it was found in a herd of captive white-tailed deer near Bemidji and is prompting calls for more aggressive action.