Disparities in the Minneapolis park system and their health implications on communities of color
From 1910 to 1955, when covenants were used in Minneapolis, 73% of new park areas had at least one racial covenant within a block of the park.
Environment
Some DFLers, including Walz, push for nuclear study after Xcel plant leak
Nuclear has long been controversial among Democrats, many of whom argue that new plants are too expensive and carry pollution risk. But others want to study its future.
DFL energy plans include incentives for heat pumps and other climate-friendly technology
Democrats have some significant differences to sort out on climate policy and spending. But they agree on directing cash into a smorgasbord of rebates, tax incentives and grants for climate technology.
Why fish consumption advisories in Great Lakes states carry their own risks
Amid PFAS fears, oversimplified warnings could discourage residents from consuming a food central to Ojibwe lifeways.
Xcel Energy agrees to pay Prairie Island $7.5 million more a year to store spent nuclear waste
Under a deal announced Tuesday at the Minnesota Legislature, Xcel said it would increase a yearly payment from $2.5 million to $10 million, a hike that Prairie Island leaders said would bring benefits to the tribe more in line with the tax revenue that nearby local governments like Red Wing get.
With copper-nickel mining uncertainty, how long will mining be a steady economic driver in Minnesota?
Despite setbacks, the mining industry has not given up hopes of establishing a new era of mining in the state to extract nickel, copper, cobalt and perhaps other metals, incentivized by the prospects the United States will need more of these materials to shift to clean energy and a greener economy.
Golden Valley’s attempt to close home ownership gap met with questions about equity
Some residents are asking why the city is pursuing affordable housing next to a freeway.
A look at the four bills regulating PFAS chemicals being considered at the Minnesota Legislature
Often referred to as “forever chemicals,” PFAS are found in products ranging from carpet to cleaning products to cosmetics.
Critical of Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, some DFLers want to revive citizens board idea
The proposed eight-member “community board” would vote alongside the MPCA commissioner on permits for things like new dairy farms and mining projects.
Public Utilities Commission vice chair on how regulators will approach Minnesota 100% carbon-free law
MinnPost caught up with PUC vice chair Joe Sullivan last week about whether the electric sector can hit goals in the landmark climate law and whether he’s concerned about reliability of the grid.
Great Lakes pollution threatens Ojibwe treaty rights to fish
PFAS are the latest concern in Lake Superior, where fishing is central to the lifeways of the Red Cliff Band and other Indigenous nations.
The long, bitter fight over Minneapolis’ Roof Depot site, explained
An occupation-style protest against tearing down an East Phillips warehouse — and a judge’s last-minute order halting the demolition — were two new twists last week in a drama that’s lasted almost a decade.
With carbon-free law in place, Minnesota Democrats now debating whether to mandate energy storage
A thorny debate has been emerging at the Legislature over whether lawmakers should pass more regulations on the electricity sector after requiring utilities to be carbon-free by 2040. One Democrat hopes to jumpstart construction of batteries to store wind and solar power.
Snow dazed and amused: Rochester superintendent’s video goes viral after blizzard that wasn’t
After Rochester superintendent lampoons his own bad call, students draw on Shakespeare, sleep research and outright flattery to plead for snow days.
Impressed by the snow? That’s nothing compared to Minnesota’s 60-below record Tower set in 1996
While Tower holds the record, the local weather guy in Embarrass had one of his thermometers break during the extreme cold.
How energy incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act could worsen Midwest water pollution
Billions of dollars worth of clean energy incentives rely on raw materials from polluting corn and livestock.
9 things to know about Minneapolis-St. Paul snowstorm response plans and how you can help
Where and when should I move my car? Should I put my trash out? Answers to these, and other important questions as the Twin Cities straps in for a potential record-breaking storm.
How this snowstorm and this season stack up to Minnesota winters past
How does what’s in the forecast for this week compare to snowstorms of yesteryear? And how does this season stack up to historic records and averages?
A slew of state proposals shows threat of ‘forever chemicals’
Lawmakers in Alaska, Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont are expected to offer proposals that would take on PFAS in products across a multitude of industries.
How small city utilities are grappling with Minnesota’s new 100% carbon-free standard
Hibbing has a biomass plant, while Princeton has backup diesel generators. Could they and other city utilities be forced to find alternative power sources?
