Ely remains divided between those who want mining and those who don’t believe it’s worth the risk to the Boundary Waters.
More from Greater Minnesota
Google announces data center near Rochester
An agreement with Xcel Energy includes an investment in clean energy the utility provider says will help the state meet carbon-free goals.
February 24, 2026
Minnesota’s frozen lakes offer respite in late winter, but be careful
Follow the crowds, watch for fragile areas and monitor the weather closely.
February 22, 2026
Congress might end a ban on mining near the BWCAW. Here’s what to know.
Efforts overturn the ban in Superior National Forest may come to fruition in late February. A rollback could send a lifeline to the Twin Metals proposal in northern Minnesota.
February 22, 2026
![Rising above the treeline (Top of this photo), on the shore of Birch Lake, the Twin Metals Copper Nickel Mine Plant site and Tailings Management site is part of the proposed plan. ] In theory, the copper-nickel mine Twin Metals wants to build in the headwaters of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is a zero-discharge mine -- a closed loop that will endlessly recycle millions of gallons of water, including rainwater and the polluted process water it uses to extract ore and](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/YHBTRGPTHTAE2QDYTS6YZ24OS4.jpg?&w=252&ar=3:2&fit=crop)
Tolkkinen: In 23 years, this immigrant in rural Minnesota says he hasn’t had more than 3 days off at a time
Undocumented immigrants find opportunity but pay endless penalties to live in the U.S. 
AuthoredKaren Tolkkinen
AuthoredKaren TolkkinenFebruary 22, 2026
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Berry pickers and mushroom hunters may soon have more state guidance
A special task force tells the Legislature to put foraging on par with hunting and fishing.
February 22, 2026
Duluth’s Cirrus leads U.S. plane sales again in 2025
The Duluth-based plane maker had another billion-dollar year and topped all U.S. general aviation manufacturers by volume.
February 21, 2026
New documentary ‘Under the Rainbow’ sheds fresh light on ruby slipper theft
Debuting at the Slamdance Film Festival this weekend, it features the thief who turned the global spotlight on Grand Rapids, Minn.
February 21, 2026
Hormel sells whole-turkey business to another Minnesota company, but Jennie-O remains
Waning consumer demand and volatile commodity prices have put pressure on poultry producers. Life-Science Innovations already owns other bird facilities throughout the state.
February 21, 2026
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USDA giving nearly $240M to sugar producers in boon for Minnesota farmers
Some say the MAHA movement and GLP-1 drugs hurt sugar beet farmers. The White House is blaming former President Joe Biden.
February 21, 2026
Rather than get annexed, this northern Minn. community is becoming its own city
For Northern Township, it was a border battle decades in the making that came down to water, both wastewater treatment and protecting the area’s greatest asset: Lake Bemidji.
February 21, 2026
Life sentence for Brainerd man in murder and kidnapping case that sparked Amber Alert
Chad Aanerud pleaded guilty to murder, arson and kidnapping.
February 19, 2026
How Isle, population 800, became Minnesota’s only city to sign an agreement with ICE
The Mille Lacs Lake town stands to gain training and federal money for equipment in the deal.
February 19, 2026
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