Minnesota Today from MPR News

An editor's guide to today's news and ideas in Minnesota

Top 5

Tragic class field trip; Bloomington leads suburban growth; Patio life

Recovery efforts resume Thursday morning for a student still missing after a tragic class field trip that left another child dead and two injured.

Bloomington leads suburban growth

Namekagon paddlers on day 4

Background on the trip

Take it outside

“Clouds” hist #1

Gravel slide at Lilydale Park traps children in St Paul on field trip

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Beer cities: Mpls/St Paul comes in 6th nationally

The Twin Cities trail Kansas City, MO but rank higher than San Diego.

No. 6 Minneapolis/St. Paul

See More of America’s Best Beer Cities

The Twin Cities climbed nine spots in the survey this year, and the buzziest beers seem to channel the outdoorsy, hipster vibe that voters love about Minnesota. Indeed Brewery prides itself on its retro, back-to-basics cans, while Fulton Beer offers a Russian imperial stout—a bracing 9.2% ABV (alcohol by volume) brew that, the site promises, “if left outside during winter, won’t freeze, even in Minnesota.” Readers might not want to test that claim: they ranked the Twin Cities near the bottom among places to visit in winter.

via Travel + Leisure.

Ex-Vikings coach Bud Grant: Dont use outdoors money for metro parks

Grant is upset about projects that circumvented the citizen-led process.

Bud Grant says Gov. Mark Dayton knows the right call on $9.3 million in outdoors projects approved by the House and Senate. Veto.The former Vikings coach is leading the charge for outdoors groups and some lawmakers urging Dayton to ax two projects: $6.3 million for metro parks and $3 million for boat inspections to combat aquatic invasive species.

via Pioneer Press.

Top 5

More elbow room at MOA; Iron ore deposit could spell end to state park; Twins kinda stink right now

A bigger Mall of America, thanks to you

A Minneapolis first?

Iron ore under state park could lead to park’s demise

Magnetation gets approval for 4th taconite recovery plant

Meanwhile the Twins are stinking up the joint

Navigating the rushing waters of the Namekagon

Stinnet Landing chute on the Namekagon River, photo by Greg Seitz St. Croix 360.

Stinnet Landing chute on the Namekagon River, St. Croix 360 photo/Greg Seitz

More than 70 paddlers are making their way down the Namekagon River this week. Greg Seitz from St. Croix 360 is one of the paddlers making the 92 mile trek. We asked him a few questions about the trip.

What draws the group to the Namekagon?

The Namekagon is part of the Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway. It is the only tributary of the St. Croix that is included in this designation, and it is a national Wild and Scenic River. The Namekagon is also longer than the upper St. Croix (the part above its confluence with the Namekagon). I was joking with someone yesterday that we really ought to rename the Namekagon the true upper St. Croix River. As part of the National Scenic Riverway, it is managed by the National Park Service, with interpretive programs and primitive campsites.
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Ecosystems work best when diverse

New research at the Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve north of the Twin Cities adds to a growing body of evidence that diversity matters in healthy ecosystems.

Vegetation, such as a patch of prairie or a forest stand, is more productive in the long run when more plant species are present.

A new University of Minnesota long-term study of plant biodiversity found that each species plays a role in maintaining a productive ecosystem, especially when a long time horizon is considered.

via Farm and Dairy.

Top 5

Legislature wraps; State Fair music; Using chemicals to clean up lakes

Same-sex marriage, tax hikes, all day pre-K and more

Best Buy reports loss

Minnesota State Fair music announced

Polluted lake? Just add chemicals

Typical Woodbury lawn no more!

Top 5

Last call at the capitol; Gas prices soar; Minnesota from above

Down to the wire

Gas prices up in Minnesota

Time for improvements at the Minnesota Capitol?

Obit: Sioux elder Tom Ross

Photo: Minnesota from above

Video: How to grow hops in Minnesota

Chop & Brew: Another spring, another hop crop gets underway. In this episode of Chop & Brew, we look at the basic steps to planting hop rhizomes in containers and in the yard. Ted and Paul help new hop-growers with tip and techniques for the start of the growing season. Chop & Brew will do several episodes over the coming months on maintenance, harvesting, drying and of course a fresh-hop brew day episode.

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