Greater Minnesota

Historic North Shore lodge destroyed in overnight fire, owner plans to rebuild
The fire at the lodge along the Lake Superior shore was reported just after midnight, with staff members reporting smoke coming from the floor in the lobby area. Crews from eight fire departments battled the fire. The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating.
On the cusp of a contentious election year, Ely finds new ways to talk about divisive issues
The northern Minnesota town has long been the epicenter of the state’s conflict around mining and the environment. Now, though, there’s a renewed effort in Ely to restart a civil discussion around long-standing divisions.
Event, park expansion to mark 100th anniversary of Milford mine disaster
On Feb. 5, 1924, 48 miners were finishing up their shift at the Milford mine near Crosby, when a mine shaft about 170 feet underground collapsed, rapidly flooding the mine with water and mud. Only seven survived.
George Morrison’s legacy honored by new Indigenous arts center at the U of M
George Morrison’s commitment to creating a robust community for Native artists is still felt today. The late painter and sculptor was from the Grand Portage Band of Ojibwe.
Solar fence stops snow and generates electricity
Minnesota uses miles of snow fences to catch blowing snow before it drifts onto roadways in a typical winter. At a one-of-a-kind test site near Moorhead, researchers are finding a year-round use for the snow fence.
Mora's Vasaloppet USA cross-country ski race canceled due to lack of snow
With “no ability to make additional snow or groom this week, we will not be able to put on a race worthy of the Vasaloppet name,” organizers of the longtime ski race in Mora announced Thursday.
Warm weather forces park officials to suspend Isle Royale wolf count for first time in decades
The National Park Service suspended the count Tuesday out of concerns that warm weather has left the ice surrounding the island unsafe for the ski-planes the researchers use in their surveys. Regional temperatures have been above freezing for the last week.