Politics & Policy
In Washington and St. Paul, progress on rural broadband internet is slow, spotty
Both parties in both capitals claim to be for rural broadband development. That doesn’t mean the problem’s getting solved quickly.
Walker Orenstein
Articles by this author:
Good Jobs
Combating fraud came to dominate the Legislature’s debate about child care in Minnesota
What that means for parents, and business owners, concerned about making child care cheaper — and easier to access — across the state.
Environment
How a bipartisan plan to ban the use of carcinogenic TCE fell apart at the Minnesota Legislature
Both the House and the Senate voted to outlaw TCE, and Minnesota would have been the first state in the country to end the use of the chemical, commonly used as an industrial solvent. But neither bill ultimately became law.
Environment
‘An absolute failure’: Why the Legislature’s energy and climate budget does a whole lot of nothing
Despite a fair bit of common ground between House DFLers and Senate Republicans, a conference committee on the topics deadlocked.
Environment
Budget deal looks to address chronic wasting disease, even as Legislature sidesteps more controversial environmental issues
The CWD legislation was a top priority for Republicans and DFLers in the Legislature’s environmental committees, though they differed on how best to address the issue.
Environment
Feds renew Twin Metals’ mineral leases: What it means for the company’s proposed copper-nickel mine near the BWCA
The prospect of a copper-nickel mine on the edge of Minnesota’s most famous wilderness area has made it one of the most controversial natural resource projects in the country.
Environment
The long-simmering fight over wolf hunting in Minnesota is political — and emotional
As the federal government prepares to cut wolves from the Endangered Species Act again, the debate over wolf hunting in Minnesota is emerging anew.
State Government
Why a Minnesota environmental group is pushing new legislation based on a bill written by the mining industry in Montana
The measure would put new restrictions on certain waste storage dams for future copper-nickel mines in Minnesota.
Environment
Minnesota’s community solar program has been wildly popular. Why some want to limit it
Critics say the program has disproportionately benefited business and governments — at the expense of the average energy customer.
Environment
The Walz administration wants to conduct two major environmental studies in different parts of Minnesota. An unlikely coalition is pushing back on the idea
Democrats in the House may be aligned with Gov. Tim Walz’s administration on many environmental issues. But they have split with Walz on studying the karst and Pineland Sands regions.
