Once abundant throughout Minnesota’s waterways, native freshwater mussels have declined after 150 years of setbacks. Some mussel species have disappeared from the state altogether. Evidence of the mollusk’s decline can be found in some unexpected places.
Prosecutors in Olmsted County dropped a case against a Rochester man who was charged with second-degree murder in the 2018 shooting death of 17-year-old Mohammed Rahim.
Prosecutors described officer Brett Palkowitsch as a bully who bragged about injuring Frank Baker to fellow officers. Defense attorneys say the prosecution lied when portraying Palkowitsch as the only officer who saw Baker as a threat.
Freshwater mussels are considered the most endangered group of organisms in the United States. But there are signs of hope: Thanks to conservation and reintroduction efforts, some native mussels are making a comeback in Minnesota rivers. And Minneapolis is putting their unique skills as harbingers of the river’s health to work.
After changes the Trump administration has made, it’s possible to buy health plans that do not comply with the Affordable Care Act without paying a penalty. While those plans may offer dramatically lower premiums, they can leave people on the hook for huge health care bills in the event of serious injury or illness.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for much of Minnesota — including the Twin Cities, Duluth, St. Cloud and Rochester — from Tuesday into Wednesday morning.
The Gophers beat Northwestern 38-22 on Saturday; the win improved their record to 10-1 this season, and bumped them up two spots to ninth in the national poll.