Environment
17
Stories
10
Related Topics
Local
Minnesota drought worsens; 4% now in extreme category
Minnesota's drought worsened this week as the U.S. Drought Monitor and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reported the area in extreme drought jumped from 1% to 4% of the state. FOX 9
Local
Minnesota expands wasp biocontrol program as emerald ash borer spreads to 60 counties
On Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture released about 8,000 parasitoid wasps into Ki-Chi-Saga Park in Chisago County as the emerald ash borer spreads across the state. FOX 9
Local
Northern MN wildfires: burning ban lifted in Superior National Forest as BWCA reopenings expand
Burning restrictions were lifted across all three million acres of Superior National Forest, including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, effective 12:01 p.m. Monday, Aug. 24, officials said. FOX 9
Local
USDA move puts 62K Minnesota forest acres at risk
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service proposed rescinding the 2001 Roadless Rule, a move that could open about 62,000 acres in Minnesota's Superior and Chippewa national forests to logging and roadbuilding. FOX 9
Local
Walz mining ban near Boundary Waters deepens rift with labor allies
Gov. Tim Walz signed Executive Order 26-10 on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, banning new nonferrous mining near the Boundary Waters and targeting the Rainy River Headwaters Watershed. FOX 9
Local
Northern MN wildfires: firefighter ID'd as Alaskan crew member; Walz orders flags half-staff
A firefighter died after a mid-morning medical emergency while working the Bear Trap Fire near Ely, officials said. FOX 9
Local
Revol Greens warns of Medford plant closure, 89 layoffs
Revol Greens warned it will close its Medford, Minnesota greenhouse on Oct. 4, 2026, a move that would eliminate 89 jobs if no buyer or investor is found. Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal
Local
Shakopee medical waste firm fined for permit violations
Daniels Sharpsmart of Shakopee paid $47,000 in penalties after state regulators found it stored hazardous and infectious waste without the proper permits, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency said. FOX 9
Local
Blue-green algae shuts Cedar Lake beaches in Minneapolis
Minneapolis officials issued a hazardous blue-green algae warning that immediately closed all three Cedar Lake beaches — East/Hidden, Point/West and South. FOX 9
Local
CWD confirmed in wild deer near Stillwater
A wild female deer near Stillwater that died July 16 has tested positive for chronic wasting disease, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said Tuesday. FOX 9
Local
July ranks as sixth-warmest month ever in Twin Cities
July 2026 was the sixth-warmest month on record for the Twin Cities, with an average temperature of 78.9°F. FOX 9
Local
MPCA fight forces shutdown of St. Paul iron foundry
Northern Iron, a St. Paul iron foundry, will close in December after a fight with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency over air pollution. FOX 9
Local
Senior housing plan revives Stone Arch riverfront fight
Developer Steve Minn proposed a five-story, 104-unit affordable senior housing building beside the Stone Arch Bridge at the east end of Main Street. FOX 9
Local
Twin Cities move into moderate drought as 95% of Minnesota dries
More than 95% of Minnesota is now in some level of drought, and the Twin Cities metro has moved into moderate drought, state drought monitors reported Thursday, July 30, 2026. FOX 9
Local
DNR weighs new review for NorthMet copper-nickel mine
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is weighing whether proposed changes to the NorthMet copper-nickel mine require a supplemental environmental impact statement, and it plans to decide on next steps in roughly one month. FOX 9
Local
Xcel, McGough fined over St. Paul stormwater spills
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency fined Xcel Energy $13,687 and McGough Construction $12,168 for stormwater violations at Xcel's St. Paul Service Center, the agency announced Thursday. FOX 9
Local
Minneapolis closes beaches after E. coli spike
Minneapolis closed multiple city beaches on July 7, 2026, after tests detected elevated E. coli levels, city officials said. FOX 9