Mille Lacs walleye season catch-and-release only in 2016

Walleye fishing on Mille Lacs Lake will be catch-and-release only in 2016, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources announced Monday. A ban on taking walleye from Mille Lacs this season is part of the state’s plan to revive the walleye population in the destination lake.

White-nose syndrome confirmed in Minnesota bats

White-nose syndrome, a disease that is usually fatal to bats, has been confirmed at Lake Vermilion - Soudan Underground Mine State Park in northeastern Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, several hundred dead bats were found near the main entrance to the mine in January. Bats that were sent to the National Wildlife Health Center in February confirmed the...

MPCA samples find central Minnesota groundwater contaminated

Many of Minnesota's groundwater wells may need some serious clean-up work. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says up to 60 percent of the wells that were sampled across central Minnesota are contaminated with nitrates.

EPA takes control of expensive Freeway Landfill cleanup

The Environmental Protection Agency is taking over the cleanup of the Freeway Landfill along Interstate 35W in Burnsville, Minn. The landfill, which stopped operating 25 years ago, is Minnesota’s largest Superfund site, and the cleanup is expected to run a bill of more than $60 million.

Black Friday deal at Minnesota state parks

There’s a Black Friday deal at Minnesota state parks! The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Lt. Gov. Tina Smith are taking a cue from outdoor retailer REI and encouraging people to get outside and enjoy nature on the Friday after Thanksgiving.

Freeway Landfill gets 3rd extension, public meeting

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is asking the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a third extension as it tries to cleanup one of the largest toxic landfills in the state, the Freeway Landfill in Burnsville. 

Animal lovers asking Yoplait to change yogurt cup shape

The flexible lip and conical shape of Yoplait yogurt cups is causing squirrels and other small animals to get their heads stuck. There is currently a petition and campaign to boycott Yoplait until they change the design

Bison herd released at Minneopa State Park, with drive-thru

A group of 11 genetically-rare bison were released into Minneopa State Park near Mankato, Minn. on Friday as part of a joint conservation effort by the Minnesota DNR and the Minnesota Zoo. You will have the chance to see the bison on a Yellowstone-style drive-through road within the park.

Minnesota's largest toxic landfill gets 2nd EPA extension

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has granted the State of Minnesota a second extension to negotiate an agreement to clean-up the Freeway Landfill, a federal Superfund site and Minnesota’s largest toxic landfill.