Recent content from Greg Stanley
It's the spruce top cutter vs. the game warden in a 'head-butting battle' in North Woods
Blake Buschman keeps getting ticketed for harvesting the holiday greenery without permission, but he says a Minnesota conservation officer is just out to get him.
Pheromones from tiny beetles could help save Minnesota's tamarack trees
University of Minnesota scientists have identified the chemicals tree-killing beetles use to communicate. Those could be formulated into repellents to safeguard one of the state's signature trees.
Resort owners near Boundary Waters drop expansion plans after state environmental lawsuit
The expansion on White Iron Lake would have exceeded shoreline development rules, the Minnesota DNR argued.
A clever wolf repeatedly snuck into a Minnesota ranch. Biologists figured out its MO.
The successful fencing of a northern Minnesota ranch could help reduce conflicts between ranchers and wolves.
Minnesota researchers find that native plants can beat buckthorn on their own turf
Virginia wildrye and other thatchy grasses can kill off young buckthorn before it takes over a woods.
Falcon Heights, St. Anthony renew police contract after parting ways following Philando Castile's death
The Falcon Heights City Council voted for contract estimated to cost $1.8 million a year.
Minnesota DNR sues Lake County to stop resort expansion near the Boundary Waters
The county ignored its own lakeshore protection rules when it gave permission for the expansion at the Silver Rapids Resort, the agency said.
Red flag warning issued for nearly all of Minnesota
A third of the state has fallen back into severe drought as dry spell deepened. Burning brush piles or yard waste is prohibited during the warning period.
A dwindling Minnesota fishing fleet chases the historic herring boom on Lake Superior
A day on the water yields full nets of a beloved Minnesota fish.
Why are lilacs blooming in Minnesota this fall?
Though it's a survival mechanism for future lilac plants, a second bloom will not harm them, experts said.
As Minnesota spends millions to restore peatlands, it sells mining rights for $12 an acre
Peatlands are vital to efforts to control greenhouse gas emissions, and the Minnesota DNR is in charge of both saving them and leasing them to peat mining companies.
Minnesota is rapidly losing valuable wetlands. That's a threat to wildlife and clean water.
Minnesota lost 140,000 acres of forested wetlands between 2006 and 2020. What replaced them lacks their ecological benefits.
Dead turtles lined up along St. Croix River were accidentally killed by Wisconsin DNR
The turtles, caught in agency nets, had been lined up on a sandbar in the hope they would recover.
As foundry closes in Minneapolis, attention will focus on what's left behind
Smith Foundry will close this month after more than 100 years in business, potentially leaving behind a polluted site.
Minnesota preserves beach and rare wetland on north shore of Lake Superior
Northeast of Grand Marais, the Icelandite Coastal Fen Scientific and Natural Area is home to rare carnivorous plants. It's open to the public.
Researchers work to identify every creature and plant in Minnesota
The University of Minnesota's Bell Museum has already assembled 650,000 observations for its Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas.
Minnesota drivers hit thousands of deer a year. Here's where it happens most.
Researchers are mapping out the most likely stretches of road in the state for hitting deer to help road engineers figure out where to prioritize fences or other protections.
Floodwater overwhelms sewage systems in nearly 100 Minnesota communities
Wastewater treatment plants had to pump raw sewage into rivers to avoid widespread backups.
Seventeen manure pits reportedly overflow at large feedlots in southern Minnesota
Heavy rain has spilled an unknown amount of livestock waste into the environment.
White Earth won't enforce water permits on non-tribal land
The band said a more comprehensive approach is needed to protect water in the area.
Minnesota to ban sales of invasive jumping worms
The state DNR is worried the damaging worm may be sold as fishing bait; the ban goes into effect July 1.
Small ponds in Minnesota prairies may save species
The shallow, unnamed ponds called oxbows are key for some of the state's most endangered critters.
Environmental groups say Minnesota failed to stop polluters, should hold statehouse hearings on enforcement
From industrial plants to farm country pollution, the MPCA, DNR, MDH and MDA have lapsed in environmental enforcement, a coalition of environmental groups claims.
Biologists: To save fireflies, turn off backyard lights this summer
A critical mating season for fireflies is about to begin. It could be upset by too much light.
Water turned dark and dirty after Elko New Market tested aquifer
Water polluted with manganese destroyed appliances and ruined clothes after the suburb ran an aquifer test.
Potato grower asks court to stop Minnesota tribe from regulating its water use
The White Earth Band of Chippewa wants its own permits for major irrigation on and near its reservation. R.D. Offutt Farms is suing to stop it.
Video shows wolf fishing for spawning suckers in northern Minnesota
A trail camera set up by the Voyageurs Wolf Project shows that Minnesota's wolves are taking advantage of the spring spawning run, in this case on the Ash River.
As bird flu spreads to dairy cows, Minnesota's raptors show signs of building remarkable immunity
High numbers of eagles, owls, condors and other raptors have beaten the H5N1 strain.
Forest Service: Superior wildfire that started with prescribed burn contained
Rain and clouds have helped subdue the 209-acre blaze.
Anglers hope to unlock the mysteries of Minnesota's oddest, oldest fish
The state's redhorse, bigmouth buffalo, gar and other rough fish have been misunderstood for more than a century.
Expect clearer air this summer in Minnesota, thanks to a milder wildfire season
Wildfires may still bring some smoke, but not nearly as much as 2023, forecasters said.
Biden opens door for tax credits so corn farmers can grow jet fuel
Corn growers can qualify for the lucrative credits if they use cover crops and avoid tilling the soil.
Rare and fatal brain disease in two deer hunters raises concerns about CWD
A team of researchers said the cases hint at a potential contamination from infected venison. CDC says link is unlikely.
Minnesota to take the pulse of the Mississippi River, from the headwaters to Iowa border
State regulators will study the health of Minnesota's entire 650-mile stretch of the river this year.
Minnesota House lawmakers push forward fertilizer tax to clean up contaminated wells
The tax on farmers, smaller than earlier proposals, cleared a key House committee.
Minnesota to close state park on Iron Range, turn it back into a mine
A reclamation company wants to find usable iron in the waste pilings at Hill Annex Mine State Park in Calumet, Minn.
Big and small ways to reduce your carbon footprint
Eat less beef. Ride the bus. Turn down the thermostat. For Earth Day, we bring you ideas on how to do your part and reduce your carbon footprint.
White House yet to release sustainable jet fuel tax credit rules; corn farmers eager to mix in ethanol
The lucrative federal tax credit created by the Inflation Reduction Act could be a boon for corn farmers, if it's ever released.
Legislation would give state land to Red Lake Nation
Local residents say they were blindsided by the Upper Red Lake proposal; DNR said it was not consulted about bills.
Bill would transfer vast tract of Minnesota-owned woodlands back to White Earth tribe
The proposal would change ownership of portions of the White Earth State Forest within the band's reservation boundaries.
Video of wolf killing Minnesota deer becomes political fodder
The video was publicized by U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber, who wants gray wolves off the endangered species list.
Dairy processor fined for overwhelming southeastern Minnesota sewer plant by dumping raw milk
Plainview Milk Products Cooperative has been cited for four spills in the last two years.
What caused the 'horrific' deformities of Minnesota frogs in the 1990s?
The discovery by Minnesota middle schoolers became national news, leading to similar finds elsewhere in the country.
Minnesota DNR goes to court to stop Minneapolis man from building riverfront house
The Minneapolis City Council approved Andy Wattenhofer's plan, but the DNR says it encroaches on a protected bluff.
Record ocean temps likely cause of Minnesota's weird non-winter
Ocean temperatures, which reached record highs for the sixth straight year, are supercharging weather around the globe.
Minnesota DNR calls for stepping up battle against carp, but postpones decision on barrier
The state's invasive carp strategy was updated Thursday for the first time in a decade.
State says it will provide clean drinking water in southeast Minnesota, but offers no new curbs on farm pollution
State Rep. Rick Hansen, chair of the House environment committee, called the state's response "embarrassing" and said the EPA should reject it.
Minnesota will build charging stations, replace trucks with VW settlement cash
The final round of settlement money from the company's emission scandal will be used to get dozens of old diesel engines off the state's roads.
Minnesota to close Upper Sioux Agency State Park in February
As directed by the Legislature last year, the state will transfer ownership of the land to the Upper Sioux Community.
Lynx recovery plan aims to keep Minnesota population stable, even as winters warm
The plan calls for $31 million in studies and support to halt the endangered animal's decline.
Minnesota man faces a $15,000 bill after his blown tire started a wildfire
The Minnesota DNR says the man is responsible for the cost of putting out a 32-acre wildfire.
Fairmont drops bid to allow shoreline patio after Minnesota regulators sue
The city agreed to disallow the construction rather than fight the state in court.
State's record warm December will leave mark on landscape
Without a deep snowpack, deer likely will flourish. It will cause havoc for moose, however, and likely lead to more summertime algal blooms on lakes.
Minnesota poised to protect 23 species of native fish once seen as throwaways
Such species as bowfin, gar, redhorses and buffalo fish perform valuable functions in aquatic ecosystems.
Loons are Minnesota's new icon, but they're wintering in Florida
The loon population is estimated at a stable 12,000, but there are some warning signs for the species.
Lawmaker: Tax fertilizer to clean up farm pollution in southeastern Minnesota
Rep. Rick Hansen, DFL-South St. Paul, wants to revive a plan to have farmers pay more to help reduce nitrate.
Farm seeking to expand its dairy operation loses legal fight to Winona County
Daley Farm had sued the county, saying officials had stacked an expansion vote against the large feedlot.
MPCA: We have no evidence Smith Foundry polluted Minneapolis neighborhood
The Environmental Protection Agency made a surprise visit to the iron foundry in May, and said it found a raft of problems. But Minnesota regulators insist they don't have the data to show Smith released excess soot.
St. Paul foundry fined $41K for air pollution permit violations
The MPCA's enforcement record at a different foundry in Minneapolis has come under scrutiny.
EPA to Minnesota: Take action to protect people from polluted wells in eight counties
A coalition of groups had asked the EPA to declare a public health emergency.
EPA: Foundry has been polluting Minneapolis air since 2018
Surprise inspection in May leads to order for Smith Foundry to come into compliance.
In remarkable turnaround, Minnesota cities consume much less water than decades ago
The conservation success is credited to upgrades in appliances, plumbing fixtures and garden sprinklers.
Minnesota plans to demolish dam in Hinckley over local objections
Removing the dam would bring back fish and mussels that have been gone from this stretch of the Grindstone River.
Woman killed in hit-and-run on Lake Street in south Minneapolis
Police are looking for a white pickup truck that fled on 13th Avenue S. after striking the woman.
Fridley man charged in March death of infant son
The criminal complaint says Aaron Michael Orlando Rathke, 23, would abuse the child until he passed, then try to resuscitate him.
Climate change spiked heat that canceled Twin Cities Marathon, climatologist says
The muggy 92-degree weather was more than 40 degrees hotter than ideal for running, race officials said.
In a rocky corner of Minnesota, botanists race to save imperiled cactus
The future of Minnesota's ball cactuses relies on the survival of a young group near an active granite quarry.
After more than 40 years, Blaine seeks split from Lexington's water system
Lexington's water is too dirty, Blaine argues, but it faces counter-accusations of covert actions.
Normally loners, loons are converging on Minnesota lakes to fuel up for migration
The birds are feeding on cisco, a little fish that's a crucial food source.
Minnesota mussel decline blamed in part on the plight of the mudpuppy
The salamander mussel, which hangs on only in a stretch of the St. Croix River, is proposed for endangered status.
Minnesota DNR sues city of Fairmont, restaurant owner to stop lakefront patio
The City Council approved the plan 3-2 over the objection of its planners.
Air quality threat downgraded as gusty winds spare Minnesota from worst of wildfire smoke
Wildfire smoke from Canada will linger across the state Friday, but it won't be as thick as feared.
Scattered August storms have helped, but drought persists across Minnesota
Much more rain is needed to break the dry spell. Time may be running out this year.
Canadian fires will blanket state with smoke the next two days
For a record 10th time this summer, state meteorologists issued a red category air quality alert.
Excessive heat warning for Twin Cities, Mankato areas; heat index could reach 105
A heat advisory remains in effect across the southern half of Minnesota. Much-needed rain has done little to moderate the high temps and humidity.
