Mining & Environmental News

Wisconsin, Minnesota to Fight Invasive Species along River

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Decontamination units in Minnesota and Wisconsin will launch a multiday effort to stop numerous invasive species that threaten a river separating the two states. The Star Tribune reports that inspectors will staff six decontamination boats on the St.…

NRRI Receives Recurring Funding

DULUTH, Minn. - It's big news and big funding for the Natural Resources Research Institute. The institute was granted an additional $2 million in recurring funding from the Minnesota State Legislature. This…

Minnesota DNR Upgrading Electronic Licensing System in 2020

  ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) –Minnesota hunters and anglers can expect a more modern electronic licensing system with some new bells and whistles. The Department of Natural Resources is looking for a vendor to upgrade the system when its current…

Analyst: 1 in 60 Chance of Straits Pipeline Spill by 2053

HOLT, Mich. (AP) - Analysts say there's a small chance but serious risk of an oil spill from a nearly 65-year-old dual pipeline underneath the Straits of Mackinac in northern Michigan. Engineer James Mihell of Dynamic Risk Assessment Inc. says…

Fees to Enter Minnesota State Parks Increase

CLOQUET, Minn. -- For the first time in about a decade, the fees to visit Minnesota’s state parks have increased. Daily park passes have increased from five dollars to seven,…

Bird Tests Positive for West Nile Virus in Washburn County

WASHBURN COUNTY, Wis. - A dead raven has tested positive for West Nile Virus in Washburn County, according to the Washburn County Health Department. West Nile virus is spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito, which acquire…

LCP Works to Restore Power in Grand Rapids, Kettle River Areas

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. - Thursday morning's fast moving thunderstorms affected electric service for more than 1,200 Lake Country Power members. As of 9 a.m. Thursday, crews repaired service to more than 570 members. Those affected were primarily in the Grand…

Mesabi Metallics Laying Off Half Their Staff

NASHWAUK, Minn. - Mesabi Metallics has announced it is reducing its workforce in half at its newly acquired facility in Nashwauk from 50 to 25 workers. Recently the company was bought up by Chippewa Capital Partners during bankruptcy proceedings. The…

DNR: Mille Lacs Walleye Fishing Closed from July 7-28

ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is reminding anglers that walleye fishing will be closed on Mille Lacs Lake for 20 days. According to the DNR, walleye fishing will be closed from July 7-27. Fishing fall…

Nolan Bill Would Force Completion of PolyMet Mine Land Swap

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - U.S. Representative Rick Nolan has introduced a bill to force completion of a land swap needed for the proposed PolyMet copper-nickel mine in northeastern Minnesota. PolyMet is welcoming the move, saying the transaction hasn't been moving forward…