Poll reveals stark divisions between Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota voters on critical issues
“Place is becoming a political identity now, ” says the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Cynthia Rugeley.
Greater Minnesota
A collection of news and stories from around the state of Minnesota.
How a citizen-led group hopes to keep invasive species out of the Boundary Waters
The group has managed to boost watercraft inspections on some lakes in the Ely area and to begin inspections on other lakes that have never been monitored for invasive species. But the region is vast.
The curious case of Minnesota’s Senate District 4
On paper, the contest between DFLer Kent Eken and GOP nominee Mark Larson for a crucial Moorhead-area state Senate seat should be competitive. So why has the race been so quiet?
In Mayo’s hometown, DFLers look to put science, and Trump’s response to COVID-19, on the ballot
In the race for Minnesota Senate District 26, which encompasses much of Rochester — including the Mayo Clinic — DFL candidate Aleta Borrud has tried to tie three-term GOP Sen. Carla Nelson to Trump, and particularly to his handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
How six state Senate races explain the Republican Party’s strength in Greater Minnesota
Though Democratic candidates in the six districts maintain they have a shot to upset their Republican opponents, the lack of activity to boost their candidacies reflects the GOP’s growing strength and confidence in Greater Minnesota.
National Democrats are going after GOP candidate Michelle Fischbach for something Minnesota Democrats have long championed
A new ad from the primary super PAC of House Democrats slams Republican congressional candidate Michelle Fischbach for voting in favor of a bill that included the state’s buffer rule, an environmental policy that DFLers have long supported.
Think small and local: Young farmers creating new food systems in northeastern Minnesota
A new generation of small growers is stepping into the complex world of farming. They hope to change our fragile agricultural systems.
For the mayor of Bemidji, Trump visit is ‘monumental’ — but complicated
Bemidji Mayor Rita Albrecht is helping facilitate the president’s campaign stop, a highly anticipated event for the city of 15,000 people. At the same time, she’s running as a Democrat for a seat in the Minnesota Senate.
Judge finds Minnesota regulators largely followed rules on key PolyMet permit, despite efforts to avoid bad press
The ruling comes out of a lawsuit brought by a coalition of environmental nonprofits and the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, which had accused the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency of trying to bend rules to suppress criticism from the Environmental Protection Agency.
‘There was a positive energy in our building today’: Farmington, Hastings districts hold student orientations
This week a handful of Minnesota districts kicked off their new formats of part in-person, part-distanced learning.
Creative programs help dairy farmers transition to plant-based milks
Minnesota-based Live Real Farms launched blends that contain 50% dairy milk and 50% almond or oat milk.
Minnesota Republicans are deploying their own ‘law and order’ strategy in legislative races
From St. Cloud and Austin to Lakeville and Woodbury, Republicans are hoping to swing close legislative races by tying DFL candidates to what they see as lawlessness — and efforts to dismantle the police — in Minneapolis.
Mining, fossil fuels, police and guns: Why Iron Range Mayor Larry Cuffe is supporting Trump
The Virginia mayor describes himself as a “lifelong Democrat,” but endorsed Donald Trump in 2016 and Republican Rep. Pete Stauber in 2018.
The fight over the Minnesota Department of Commerce’s role in the Line 3 pipeline project, explained
The Department of Commerce says its decision to challenge a critical permit is focused on a narrow issue of law. But Republican state Senators say it’s a political choice, aimed at halting or delaying the pipeline.
Yes, there are actually Minnesotans opening new child care facilities during the pandemic
For many providers, the pandemic has been another difficult hurdle in an already tough business. For others, though, COVID-19 made the industry more attractive because of poor job prospects elsewhere.
After ousting labor commissioner, GOP senators turn focus to Walz’s environmental appointees
If the Senate’s recent hearing schedule for Walz appointees are any indication, Republicans are not happy with one particular aspect of the governor’s administration: the state’s environmental policy.
What a progressive DFLer’s primary victory in Duluth says (and doesn’t say) about politics and environmental policy in northern Minnesota
Though plenty of DFLers in northern Minnesota support two copper-nickel mining projects proposed for the region, PolyMet and Twin Metals, Jen McEwen says Duluth residents have pent-up demand for a “more progressive politics.”
Omar, Fischbach win congressional primaries; challengers poised to oust incumbent DFL legislators Hayden, Dehn and Simonson
In Minneapolis, Jamal Osman leads in first-place votes for the Ward 6 council seat, while general election contests are also set for three open seats on the Hennepin County Board.
How local governments are spending their share of Minnesota’s $841 million in federal COVID-19 aid
Under the federal government’s use-it-or-lose-it constraints, Minnesota cities and counties are quickly finding ways to spend the money.
These five Minnesota school districts have items on the primary ballot
Both the Minneapolis Public Schools district and the Red Lake School District are holding school board races.
