More Minn. waters deemed “impaired,” state’s largest air polluters identified, crop yields down

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More Minnesota lakes, rivers added to impaired list

MPR News: "Minnesota is adding another 500 lakes and stretches of river to its list of impaired waters.

"This new list brings the total number of impaired rivers and lakes to more than 3,600. Impaired means the waters have excess nitrogen, phosphorus, mercury, bacteria or other pollutant to support activities like swimming or fishing, or even to provide healthy habitats for fish and wildlife.

"Listing these lakes and rivers is the first step in attempts to fix them. But some critics say the state isn't doing what it takes to clean up the pollution. Once they're on the list, the state works with local governments and citizen groups to design clean-up plans.

"So far, researchers have found that about 40 percent of Minnesota's waters are impaired."

Northland sites among top Minnesota emitters of greenhouse gases

Duluth News Tribune: "Coal-fired powerplants and taconite processing are the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in Northeastern Minnesota, according to a new list of the nation's largest sources of carbon dioxide, methane and other gases."

Map: Largest producers of greenhouse gases in Minnesota [pdf]

USDA: Minnesota fall crop yields down

Pioneer Press: "Minnesota farmers already knew it, but today the USDA made it official: The fall harvest was disappointing."

Ikea's rooftop solar array will be the largest in Minnesota

Star Tribune: "The project, to be built this summer, is one of five solar power projects in four states that Ikea announced Thursday. The new projects and others now underway will put solar arrays atop 37 of its 44 U.S. locations, Ikea said."

Dayton names panel to map fixes for ailing transportation system

Pioneer Press: "Saying Minnesota's transportation system is deteriorating, Gov. Mark Dayton on Thursday announced a task force to look for ways to reverse that trend."

Dayton to mull over competing stadium plans

KARE: "Governor Mark Dayton said Thursday he'll spend the next week pondering three competing Vikings stadium options, in anticipation of recommending a single plan to lawmakers when they return to the Capitol January 24."

Referee report riles Privette parents

Fox: "Jenna Privette's parents say they are livid after seeing a report from the referees who were on the ice when the 18-year-old suffered an injury. An incident report obtained by FOX 9 News on Wednesday afternoon says the teen was not checked behind, despite what her family says they saw."

Bill Janklow, a four-term governor of South Dakota, dies at 72

New York Times: "Bill Janklow, a four-term governor of South Dakota with a colorful and brash persona whose political career ended abruptly when, as a congressman, he was convicted of manslaughter for killing a motorcyclist while speeding, died on Thursday in Sioux Falls, S.D. He was 72."

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