MINNESOTA

A woman takes a black Labrador dog to smell bags of potato tubers on a driveway, as researchers look on.

Business

‘Nose Knows Scouting’ uses trained dogs to sniff out Potato Virus Y

A North Dakota potato breeder brings in a speaker from Wyoming who has trained a dog to detect potato virus diseases using their nose.

News

Report finds little progress reducing violence against Native American women

The Amnesty report calls for full restoration of tribal jurisdiction over crimes committed in Indian country, and increased funding for prosecution, law enforcement and health care.

May 17, 2022 10:48 AM

Business

Drought forces dairy into difficult selloff decision, but farmer hopes to rebuild

Quaal Dairy in Otter Tail County sold off most of its herd in April. Vernon Quaal says the 2021 drought drastically cut into its feed supply and the rising prices for feed made maintaining the 300 cow herd unstainable. Quaal says many dairies are suffering. But he is determined to build back up, with a crop of bred heifers ready to calve in September.

May 16, 2022 05:30 AM

David Hallberg sits in an examination room at the Rice Rehabilitation Center in Willmar on Wednesday, April 15, 2022. Hallberg's hard work and determination assisted his recovery from long COVID symptoms while working with respiratory therapist Kendra Sandmann.

NewsMD

Survivor calls long COVID experience surreal, scary

The symptoms that linger after a COVID-19 infection can be puzzling and worrisome. Fatigue, breathing issues and brain fog can last for months. And because the disease has been around for only about two years, no one knows how much longer they may last.

May 15, 2022 10:00 AM

Latest Headlines

Northland Outdoors

Tribes’ spring fish harvest on Minnesota lake provides food, preserves culture

With the ice finally gone on most Minnesota lakes, the spring fish harvest is in full swing. Tribal members say the annual ritual of gathering fish through spearing or netting provides a vital food source for the community and preserves a cultural tradition.

May 13, 2022 01:36 PM

By Kirsti Marohn and Dan Kraker / MPR News

Weather

STORM ROUNDUP: 2 deaths reported as storms with hurricane-force winds sweep across Minnesota, South Dakota

More than 70,000 homes and businesses remained without power across the region early Friday as damage assessment and cleanup continued after the second straight night of widespread severe weather.

May 13, 2022 11:24 AM

By Andrew Krueger / MPR News

Northland Outdoors

Most Minnesota lakes are open for Saturday's fishing opener

Only larger, deeper lakes in the Arrowhead still have ice.

May 12, 2022 11:05 AM

By John Myers

clinic escort outside of the WE Health Clinic

NewsMD

What might happen to Duluth abortion access if Roe v. Wade is overturned?

WE Health Clinic, the only abortion provider in northern Minnesota, northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula, could become more in demand for out-of-state patients.

May 09, 2022 08:00 AM

By Laura Butterbrodt

Business

Small grains making small steps back into crop rotations

Jared Goplen, a farmer and University of Minnesota Extension educator on crops and forage, is seeing more interest in small grains in traditional corn and soybean country for a few reasons: soil health, weed and pest management, and benefits to livestock operations.

May 02, 2022 05:30 AM

By Jeff Beach

A man in a red shirt, khaki pants and black rubber boots leans over and points at a collection of small metal barrels. Behind him is a pile of cut wood and another man dressed in brown.

Business

Weekend hobby turns into full-time agribusiness operation for Camp Aquila Pure Maple Syrup

Stu and Corinne Peterson's Camp Aquila Pure Maple Syrup is sold in 30 stores in Minnesota and has been honored locally and nationally.

April 30, 2022 05:30 AM

By Katie Pinke

The Vault

Rural Minnesota farm slaying of Karla Jo Nieland remains unsolved

On May 17, 1981, Karla Jo Nieland was found dead inside a vehicle belonging to her boyfriend, John Keep. Authorities arrested Keep and charged him with second- and third-degree murder — one year later, a jury found him not guilty. The case remains open.

April 28, 2022 04:11 PM

By Trisha Taurinskas

Weather

Forecast: Wildfire smoke could hurt Minnesota air quality this summer, but nothing like 2021

With above-normal fire activity expected in Canada, the region can expect smoky air this summer. But drought conditions in Minnesota have improved so the likelihood of major wildfires within the state is lower, according to a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency forecast released Tuesday, April 26.

April 26, 2022 02:59 PM

By Alex Derosier

Policy

After being 'rattled' by EPA, soybean growers and Corteva, hope for lessons learned on endangered species

In January, the Environmental Protection Agency announced it was restricting the use of a herbicide in six Minnesota counties out of concern for an endangered species, a species it chose not to make public. Before the calendar could flip to April, EPA had reversed those restrictions as well as even wider herbicide bans because of an insect called the American burying beetle. So what was behind the initial secretiveness? Why the sudden reversal?

April 25, 2022 05:30 AM

By Jeff Beach