Special Coverage

How biochar — the ‘Swiss Army knife of climate tools’ — is growing in Minnesota
Minnesota is emerging as a leader in the research and manufacturing of biochar, a substance that can combat climate change by locking away carbon for centuries. It can also provide other environmental benefits such as filtering water and improving soil.
The Breakthrough of ’48: When Civil Rights Won the White House
At the 1948 Democratic National Convention, Minneapolis Mayor Hubert Humphrey demanded his party “walk forthrightly into the bright sunshine of human rights.” Southern Democrats defected, creating their own Dixiecrat Party. But President Harry Truman ran for re-election as the candidate of civil rights, and his dramatic victory set the stage for the landmark civil rights laws of the 1960s.
To grow Minnesota’s future forests, an effort to collect seeds takes root
There’s a surge of interest to plant millions more trees in Minnesota, but there’s a problem — there aren’t nearly enough seeds to plant those trees. Work is underway to change that.
Unchecked development, lax regulation push Minnesota lakeshores to the edge
Development has destroyed nearly half the natural shorelines that help protect Minnesota lakes from erosion and pollution. Reversing that means convincing people that their vision of beauty is killing the thing they love.
Challenge of the DAMn-ed: 242 miles, 24 hours to bike across Minnesota
Nearly 400 bike riders put themselves to the test in The Day Across Minnesota endurance race, a sometimes-brutal single-day journey with only one reward, getting to the finish line before the clock strikes midnight. MPR News rode along during Saturday’s race. Here’s what we saw.
We’ve been here before: With Walz maneuvering, there’s another Minnesotan in the VP mix
Gov. Tim Walz is on the short list for likely Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris as she chooses a running mate. Walz is just the latest Minnesota politician to get a hard look for the No. 2 job.
Meet the summer Olympians and Paralympians with Minnesota ties headed for Paris
More than 40 athletes competing in the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic games, representing various countries, have connections to Minnesota. Whether they live here, train here or were born here, here’s your chance to learn about the Minnesota ties at the Paris Games.