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Chloe Johnson

Environmental Reporter
Environment
A graduate of American University in Washington, D.C., Johnson joined the Minnesota Star Tribune in 2022. She has completed the Metcalf Institute's Science Immersion Workshop for Journalists, and is a member of the Society of Environmental Journalists. Johnson previously covered the environment at the Charleston Post and Courier in South Carolina, where her work was honored as a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.

Latest from Chloe Johnson

Minnesota taconite plants get reprieve from mercury pollution limit after Trump order

A Biden-era rule would have required reducing the pollution by a third, but some environmental groups felt it didn’t go far enough.
July 18, 2025

Before latest pollution problem, Eagan lead recycler settled $30 million suit over health of workers, families

More recently, Gopher Resource has been accused of breaking lead emissions rules in the beginning of 2025.
July 16, 2025
Gopher Resource employee Tracy Bennett poured melted lead from recycled batteries into ingots for reuse at the Eagan plant on 4/16/14. Eagan-based Gopher Resource recycles the lead and plastic out of millions of car/truck batteries a year (That equals 540 million pounds of lead and 30 million pounds of plastic each year.) Gopher Resource has plants in Eagan, MN. and Florida. The company added 72 workers last year in Minnesota, and just opened a Florida plant, and is increasing total production a

Copper tariff could help proposed Twin Metals mine in Minnesota, owner says

The proposal near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness still needs mineral leases and several permits.
July 10, 2025
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

Some politicians cautious about safety in July Fourth parades after lawmaker shootings

Minnesota legislators participated in Fourth of July festivities as usual, but the attacks on their colleagues hung over the events.
July 4, 2025

What you need to know about copper-nickel mines in Minnesota

Twin Metals, NewRange Copper Nickel and Talon Metals are all proposing hardrock mines. Each plan has environmental risks.
June 26, 2025
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

Sen. John Hoffman got into politics because he wanted to help his neighbors

Hoffman and his wife survived being shot repeatedly by a would-be assassin.
June 14, 2025

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Twin Metals mine may still get a lifeline. The lake next door is already polluted.

For decades, an abandoned mine upstream has released sulfates into a watershed that flows to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
June 12, 2025

MPCA intends to yank permit for St. Paul foundry accused of polluting the neighborhood

Northern Iron says it will fight the state’s decision.
June 4, 2025

Drainage work stalls at mine pit that could flood small Iron Range town

The Department of Natural Resources said it may have to change its plan to drain the Canisteo Mine Pit because a filter for zebra mussels may not work as designed.
June 4, 2025
A picture of a mine pit filled with water on an overcast day.

Minnesota veterans reflect on the Vietnam War, 50 years later

Even when wars are unpopular, veterans should be honored for their service, Memorial Day speakers said.
May 26, 2025

A mushroom hunting novice hunts for Minnesota’s elusive morel

The Gentleman Forager guides Minnesota Star Tribune reporter Chloe Johnson and others into the world of fungi.
May 16, 2025

Xcel steps up pumping at Monticello nuke plant as radioactive water moves toward Mississippi River

The water is testing close to the EPA’s safety threshold for tritium, but Minnesota agencies say there is no risk to the public.
May 12, 2025
Xcel Energy Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant Sunday, March 19, 2023, in Monticello, Minn. ] CARLOS GONZALEZ • carlos.gonzalez@startribune.com.
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