Environmental News

MPR News is your source for environment news from Minnesota and across the country.

Getting to Green: Minnesota’s energy future

Getting to Green is an MPR News series that shares stories about Minnesota’s clean energy transition, including what needs to be done to get there.

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Climate Cast

Listen to Climate Cast, the MPR News podcast all about our changing climate and its impact in Minnesota and worldwide.

Trump’s EPA wants to narrow the scope of federal water protections. What does that mean in Minnesota?
Environmental advocates say the proposal could lead to increased pollution and destruction of wetlands that provide valuable benefits, including flood protection and wildlife habitat.
AI tool may improve flood forecasting for Mississippi and other rivers
A new forecast model that uses AI could improve flood predictions for rivers like the Mississippi. Zac McEachran, a research hydrologist from the University of Minnesota, explains the model.
U.S. judge rules Trump administration’s freeze on wind energy permits is unlawful
A federal district court judge in Massachusetts this week ruled in favor of Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and 17 other attorneys general, and vacated President Trump’s executive order banning new federal permits for all offshore and onshore wind energy projects.
Mower County water wells show elevated levels of arsenic and manganese
State health officials report that private well water testing has detected high levels of arsenic and manganese in the wells of some homes in southeast Minnesota’s Mower County. The levels are not high enough to endanger people’s health, but they are a concern.
U of M scientists find fungi can fight emerald ash borers
University of Minnesota researchers say they’ve discovered several naturally occurring parasitic fungi that could be weaponized against the invasive beetles responsible for killing millions of ash trees across Minnesota and the eastern United States.
Mountain lion spotted in Duluth has been wandering across Minnesota for 3 months
DNR officials say they’ve been tracking the mountain lion’s journey across the state. It is originally from Nebraska, but was first spotted in Fergus Falls, Minn. in September.
Batteries need manganese but talk of mining the mineral roils northern Minnesota’s lake country
There’s a renewed effort in northern Minnesota’s Brainerd Lakes area to develop an underground mine for manganese, which is coveted to make batteries. Many local residents are uneasy.