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.

Implosion will take down a nearly century-old Mississippi River bridge between Iowa and Wisconsin
Crews are set to blow up the 94-year-old Black Hawk Bridge bridge over the Mississippi River. The implosion Friday will bring a dramatic end to the riveted cantilever bridge between Iowa and Wisconsin. The bridge was permanently closed in October. 
State officials announce plans for more study on impacts of sulfate pollution on wild rice
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says it will further study the impacts of sulfate on wild rice. The announcement comes in the wake of concern expressed over a 52-year-old state standard that limits how much of the pollutant mines and other facilities can release into waters where the plant grows.
From shorebirds to songbirds: Understanding Great Lakes birds
MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with the co-founder of Wisconsin’s BIPOC Birding Club, who is also the author of a new book, “Birds of the Great Lakes.”
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.