Dakota County PFAS groundwater data dashboard show levels beyond state, federal guidelines

Data on PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) shared in a Dakota County online dashboard shows some PFAS levels were beyond state and federal drinking water guidelines.

Pine Island City Council adopts new public input policy amid data center debate

In one community near Rochester, the debate over construction data center got so heated at a recent city council meeting, new decorum rules for public comment had to be adopted. Plus, the mayor of Pine Island also abruptly resigned this week.

Mayfly hatch expected soon in Wisconsin
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Kevin Skow with the National Weather Service on the possible upcoming mayfly hatch in Wisconsin. 

Concerns about the quality of Iowa's water
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Michael Schmidt, general council for the Iowa Environmental Council on the state of Iowa's water. 

Solar energy passes coal power on list of largest U.S. electricity sources for first time

The United States hit a clean energy milestone last month as the amount of electricity generated through solar power topped what was made by coal for the first time ever. 

Air quality alert issued for Twin Cities, central Minnesota due to high ozone levels

An air quality alert is in effect for the Twin Cities metro and parts of central Minnesota from noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday as ozone pollution is expected to reach levels considered unhealthy for children and other sensitive groups.

Fowl play: Hundreds of live eggs smuggled as winter coats seized

Hundreds of live eggs that were claimed to be winter jackets were intercepted and seized by border patrol agents this week. 

Ocean Observatories Initiative dismantled by Trump administration: What to know

The Ocean Observatories Initiative, a network of over 900 sensors that track everything from climate change to extreme weather, is being dismantled by the Trump administration.

Trump announces $700M coal initiative using Defense Production Act

President Donald Trump invoked the Defense Production Act on Thursday to order federal support for coal-based plants and projects.

Gallery: Latest fountain of lava breaks record at Hawaiian volcano

When lava shot into the air at Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano, the fountaining set a new record for the volcano which has been erupting for more than a year.

Hennepin County program to plant 1 million trees
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Hennepin County has launched a new campaign to plant 1 million trees by 2030 to help the climate. All trees will go to county landscaping projects.

Erin Brockovich pushing for data center transparency as AI booms

Erin Brockovich says she’s received thousands of reports on AI data centers, and the most common concern is transparency. “If data centers are so great, why are they being built in secret?” she asks.

Pine Island Google data center construction halted by court

The construction on a Google-backed data center on Pine Island has been temporarily halted by a Goodhue County judge.

Zebra mussels detecting dog now on patrol for Minnesota DNR

The DNR says you can expect a new type of patrol at boat launches this summer as the department hopes to combat the spread of zebra mussels.

Canada’s oil-rich province of Alberta to vote on separating from country

A vote will be held this fall on whether Alberta should stay in Canada or take legal steps under the Constitution to hold a binding referendum on leaving.

Whale at center of rescue effort controversy found dead off Denmark coast

The humpback whale that rescuers tried to save two weeks ago after it became stranded in the Baltic Sea was found dead off a Danish island, authorities confirmed over the weekend.