Minnesota
67 Minnesota waterways, likely more, impacted by too much de-icing salt
WEST ST. PAUL, Minn. — In the Twin Cities metro, an estimated 365,000 tons of salt is applied to our roads each year. To put that in perspective, that’s how much the Empire State Building in New York City weighs.
In fact, 67 waterways — from Lake Como to Minnehaha Creek — have made the list of Minnesota waterways damage by chloride.
Thompson Lake in West St. Paul has made the list for the past ten years.
Brook Asleson with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency said 13 bodies of water have been added to the list since two years ago.
“This is a pretty big jump,” said Asleson.
While the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says that salt has impaired at least 67 waterways in our state, the actual number is believed to be higher, since only about 10% of bodies of water have been tested.
Minneapolis neighborhood associations encourage residents to use less or no salt this winter
Waterways are considered impaired when one teaspoon of salt is found within five gallons of water.
The big culprit: De-icing salts.
“De-icing salts did come up as the number one source of chloride,” said Asleson.
The problem is that chloride is toxic to fish, insects and plants. It kills the smallest insects and impacts fish reproduction and growth. Once the salt is there, it’s too late, there’s no way to remove it, either.
“While it’s not a health risk or a hazard for us, most people don’t want to drink salty tasting water,” said Asleson.
MPCA is fighting back, by educating plow drivers and other winter maintenance professionals through their Smart Saltier certification program and by educating those at home.
“We recommend that you use about one mug of salt for about 10 sidewalk squares,” said Asleson.
The key here is to only use what you need, with the hope of keeping our precious waters pristine.
“Reducing a little bit of salt can go a long way to protecting our water resources,” said Asleson.
For a list of all impaired waterways, including those impacted by chloride, click here.
Minnesota leaders are sending photos that highlight the state’s landmarks and culture to the U.S. Capitol for a special time capsule.
The time capsule gives each state and territory delegation an opportunity to provide a snapshot of time in 2026 as America celebrates its 250th birthday.
Photos from all eight Minnesota congressional districts were sent to the Capitol.
They include Lake Superior, the State Fair, the loon, Prince’s Purple Rain and the National Eagle Center.
The capsule will be sealed inside the Capitol Visitor Center until America’s 500th birthday on July 4, 2276.
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (WCCO News) – Vance Boelter, the man who pleaded guilty to fatally shooting former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, is set to be sentenced on federal charges later this summer.
According to court documents, the sentencing date is set for July 23 at 10 a.m. at the Minneapolis federal courthouse.
Earlier this month, Boelter, 58, changed his plea to guilty on six counts against him in the June 14, 2025 lawmaker shootings as part of an agreement with federal prosecutors.
Under the terms of the plea deal, Boelter’s recommended sentence will be two consecutive life terms followed by 40 years. The judge approved the plea deal and ordered an expedited sentencing.
The U.S. Department of Justice said it would not seek the death penalty against Boelter, which, according to a letter from U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen, was part of the proposed plea agreement.
In his guilty plea, Boelter admitted to fatally shooting the Hortmans, wounding state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, and attempting to shoot their daughter, Hope. The shootings prompted a massive manhunt that lasted 43 hours.
Following the guilty plea, theHoffman family released a statementthat said, “there is no justice when our family and our state will never truly heal.”
Boelter also faces state charges, including two counts of first-degree premeditated murder, four counts of attempted first-degree murder and one count each of felony cruelty to an animal and impersonating an officer. A guilty verdict for one of the first-degree murder charges carries a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office confirmed its case against him will move forward.
Copyright 2026 KVLY. All rights reserved.
The entirety of the Metro Transit Blue Line and parts of the Green Line will shut down for a few weeks this summer and be replaced by buses as crews work to swap worn track and outdated equipment.
The Blue Line will be offline from June 29 to Aug. 19. The west end of the Green Line — from West Bank to Target Field — will shut down between July 1 and July 26 and again between Aug. 16 and Aug. 19.
Metro Transit says buses will stop at or near the stations every 15 minutes. Some boarding locations will be moved to Hiawatha Avenue, and staff will help guide riders to their bus stops for the construction period.
Nearly every stop along the 22-year-old Blue Line will see improvement, Metro Transit says. The stations will be outfitted with real-time signs and shelter glass.
“We recognize that this needed maintenance work will be disruptive to riders, but once completed, the work we do this summer will help improve the customer experience for years to come,” said General Manager Lesley Kandaras.
The Green Line will be back in service for the beginning of August to accommodate summer events, such as Twins and Lynx games, the WWE Summer Slam at U.S. Bank Stadium and Noah Kahan and Ed Sheeran concerts.
-
Health15 minutes agoDoes Berberine Aid Weight Loss? The Best Time To Take It To Boost Results
-
Lifestyle30 minutes agoJohn Cena wanted to step away from the WWE ring before he became ‘too slow for the show’ : Wild Card with Rachel Martin
-
Technology42 minutes agoHere’s a bunch of Prime Day deals on keyboards, mice, and other peripherals we like
-
World45 minutes agoIsrael slams UN report as ‘political blood libel’ for alleging deliberate targeting of Palestinian children
-
Politics50 minutes agoBiden judge rejects Trump’s sanctuary cities lawsuit, says even a win wouldn’t solve DOJ’s problem
-
Health57 minutes agoLatest COVID vaccine may have unexpected health benefit, study suggests
-
Sports60 minutes agoHow to watch USA vs Turkey: Live stream the 2026 FIFA World Cup
-
Technology1 hour agoBionic hands are now teaching robots to feel
