February 12, 2007 - MPR’s Bob Kelleher reports on potential Great Lakes Compact, a binding document between the eight Great Lakes states to adopt uniform state laws regulating water withdrawals. Minnesota laws are already stricter than possible compact.
February 20, 2007 - DFLers Larry Pogemiller: Senate majority leader; and Larry Pogemiller, Speaker of the House, provide a Capitol progress report on where things stand almost two months into the session.
February 22, 2007 - Minnesota has a new law establishing one of the most aggressive standards for renewable energy in the country. Governor Pawlenty signed a bill that would require utilities to generate more of their power from renewable sources over the next two decades. Pawlenty and others say they hope the bill is the first of many energy initiatives to reach the governor's desk this year. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
February 23, 2007 - MPR’s Bob Kelleher reports that researchers in Duluth say Lake Superior is quickly warming, even faster than the climate around the lake. They believe decreased lake ice over that last couple decades is behind the warming. With the water temperature change comes concerns over future impact for the local environment and lake species.
February 26, 2007 - MPR’s Stephanie Hemphill reports that commercial fishermen along the North Shore of Lake Superior could be allowed to bring more lake trout to market. A bill addressing the issue received a first hearing. Commercial trout fishing has been essentially banned on Lake Superior since the 1960s.
April 17, 2007 - MPR's Lorna Benson reports that public health officials have issued new fish consumption advisories after finding elevated levels of a 3M perfluorinated chemical in bluegills from a Minneapolis lake and in Mississippi River fish as far south as Winona.
April 27, 2007 - MPR’s Bob Kelleher looks at one of the impacts of extreme low water levels of Lake Superior. The lake is about 18 inches below normal, creating a problem for shippers who now must load lighter to avoid hitting bottom. It has also renewed frustration over the Federal Government's harbor dredging program.
May 8, 2007 - The Ham Lake fire continues to burn unpredictably and furiously at the end of the Gunflint trail. Governor Pawlenty flew over the fire this morning and spoke with residents. Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Hemphill spent much of the day with fire crew members and joins us now from the Gunflint.
July 3, 2007 - Stephanie Hemphill reports on the U.S. Forest Service facing a lawsuit over its plan to log near Trout Lake, just outside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
August 20, 2007 - A new children's book by two northern Minnesota writers combines vibrant watercolors with a gentle message of positive self-esteem. It's about a moose called "Agate," and its authors both live on the North Shore of Lake Superior. They talked with Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Hemphill.