Duluth
Zebra mussel mystery: How did they get into a northern Minnesota mine pit?
The Rouchleau Mine Pit in Virginia, Minn., is closed to the public and its waters have seen little, if any, activity, officials say.
Duluth
![The PolyMet mine in Hoyt Lakes, Minn. ] GLEN STUBBE • glen.stubbe@startribune.com Saturday, October 6, 2018 EDS, FOR ANY APPROPRIATE USE](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/WGNLSQHGEPTZXK4UXSQALA4PPQ.jpg?h=91&w=145&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Broad group of Minnesota lawmakers voices support for PolyMet
In a letter to Gov. Tim Walz, the bipartisan group says opponents are making a last-ditch effort to block the copper-nickel mine.
UN climate report: Change land use to avoid a hungry future
Human-caused climate change is dramatically degrading the Earth's land and the way people use the land is making global warming worse, a new United Nations scientific report says. That creates a vicious cycle which is already making food more expensive, scarcer and less nutritious.
Outdoors
Record catch: At 112 years, Minnesota fish is the oldest freshwater fish ever verified
A graduate student took the fish in Crystal Lake in Otter Tail County. Radiocarbon dating verified the fish's age, making it the oldest age-validated freshwater fish ever taken.
St. Paul
Project Scientist camp in St. Paul lets girls fly
Girls see new horizons in engineering and aviation at STEM camp
Duluth
Minn. judge sets rules for inquiry on disputed PolyMet permit
Mine opponents have alleged irregularities in the way Minnesota approved the mine's water quality permit.
Duluth
Minn. Court of Appeals stays a crucial PolyMet water permit
Minnesota judge cites possible irregularities by state and federal regulators.
East Metro
![The Maplewood Nature Center's resident toad stands In his tank on Friday afternoon.] ALEX KORMANN • alex.kormann@startribune.com Most folks jus](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/ELDNCZDG75AF253QJA26JZECF4.jpg?h=91&w=145&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Maplewood frog count measures wetland health
Volunteers fan out after dark, listening for the distinctive croaks, chirps and ribbits of nine species of frogs and toads living in the Twin Cities.
Walloped by Europe's heat wave, Greenland sees massive ice melt
The heat wave that smashed high temperature records in five European countries a week ago is now over Greenland, accelerating the melting of the island's ice sheet and causing massive ice loss in the Arctic -- 11 billion tons on Wednesday alone.
Science
Losing weight before bariatric surgery may not be safe, study says
Weight loss before surgery was associated with readmission for abdominal pain and increases in urinary tract and surgical site infections, researchers found.
Science
Teen living with Batten disease fights to raise awareness of rare disorder
The progressive illness affects an estimated two to four out of every 100,000 children in the United States.
Science
Gut virus that's older than all of us could one day help us
Moreover, different strains of this common virus can be traced to countries or even individual cities.
Science
Fruit juice linked to higher cancer risk
The research is one of the first to find a connection between sweet drinks and cancer.
Minneapolis
Judge's ruling gives north Minneapolis metal shredder more time
Facility had been ordered to close Aug. 1 because of air pollution concerns.
Minneapolis
EPA says cleanup of arsenic-laced Minneapolis Superfund site is mostly complete
The East Phillips neighborhood has been cleared of arsenic that had contaminated soil.
West Metro
Invasive viburnum leaf beetle discovered in Minnesota
State has received several reports and confirmed a sighting in Eden Prairie.
Science and Technology
News coverage and feature stories on the latest in the world of science and tech.