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The Department of Natural Resources has acquired nearly 6 miles of railroad property for the Mill Towns State Trail between Faribault and Dundas in Rice County. “We haven’t had an opportunity like this — to acquire such a long segment of trail at one time from a single landowner – since we purchased 6.5 miles of railroad corridor for Brown’s Creek State Trail in 2012,” said Erika Rivers, director of Minnesota state parks and trails. “Once completed, the Mill Towns State Trail is going to be very popular because of its scenic beauty and its proximity to the Twin Cities.”

U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, along with Representative Collin Peterson, today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded Windom Municipal Airport a grant of $166,160 for infrastructure improvements.

U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, along with Representatives Collin Peterson and Rick Nolan, today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded Bemidji Regional Airport a grant of $1,394,200 for infrastructure improvements.

Appraisers from the City of Minneapolis Assessor’s Office are currently conducting an official review of residential properties in the Powderhorn, Diamond Lake, Downtown East, Downtown West, Folwell, Webber-Camden, Willard-Hay and Lynnhurst neighborhoods

U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, along with Representative Collin Peterson, today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded Hector Municipal Airport a grant of $265,500 for infrastructure improvements.

The Karlstad Fire Department in northwestern Minnesota now has a significant upgrade to its fire fleet courtesy of the Department of Natural Resources’ Department of Defense Firefighter Property Program

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced that a HUD Administrative Law Judge ruled against a northern Minnesota landlord charged with refusing to rent an apartment to prospective tenants because of their disabilities. Landlord Deane Woodard of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota was ordered to pay $27,000 to one woman, a $16,000 civil penalty, and $1,000 in other court sanctions. Read the ruling.

U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan today applauded the successful addition of his six amendments and top policy priorities to the successfully-passed Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) during the bill’s markup in the House Committee Transportation and Infrastructure. Nolan is the only Minnesotan on this House Committee.

With the warm weather, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds homeowners and forest landowners that spring is an excellent time to plant trees. There are many good reasons to plant trees.

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar today joined Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Steve Daines (R-MT), and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) to introduce the Timber Innovation Act, bipartisan legislation that would help accelerate research and development – and ultimately construction – of wood buildings in the United States. Specifically, this legislation would focus on finding innovative ways to use wood in the construction of buildings above 85 feet in height or roughly seven or more stories

Lakeshore property owners are reminded that a permit may be required to remove lake plants. Aquatic plant regulations are summarized at the aquatic plant regulations page. “Aquatic plants are essential to healthy lake ecosystems, a fact that bears repeating each year as people turn attention to outdoor recreation and their shorelines,” said Steve Enger, supervisor of the aquatic plant management program for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. “We remind property owners to check the regulations to see if they need a permit.”

Sen. Al Franken successfully pressed his Senate colleagues to adopt a bipartisan measure to properly fund a key program that would help create jobs, ensure access to reliable energy on tribal lands in Minnesota, and enable tens of millions of dollars in new energy infrastructure investments. The measure will now be included in the comprehensive energy and water appropriations bill

U.S. Senators Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar issued the following statements today on the nomination of Benjamin Fowke, the Chairman, President, and CEO of Minnesota-based Xcel Energy, to be a member of the Department of Homeland Security's National Infrastructure Advisory Council (NIAC). The NIAC provides the President, through the Secretary of Homeland Security, with advice on the security of critical infrastructures, both physical and cyber

Klobuchar’s provision will create a grant program to help nonprofits—including places of worship, faith-based organizations, and youth centers—afford materials needed for energy efficiency upgrades

Minnesota Housing announced that $56 million is available to provide affordable mortgages to first-time homebuyers through a collaboration with Minnesota cities and counties, including $3,496,783 for St. Louis County