Minnesota
Sheep take on landscaping at Minnesota solar farm
Hundreds of sheep are hard at work this spring in central Minnesota — not on a farm, but beneath solar panels.
At the Serco Solar Array in Clear Lake, more than 600 sheep are being used to manage vegetation around the 1,200-acre site.
“We have 600 mews and all of them are with lambs, by the end of the summer we will have 1500 adult sheep and by the end of the project 7000 sheep,” said Briana Beck with Minnesota Native Landscapes.
Part of a growing relationship between Xcel Energy and MNL.
The sheep graze between rows of solar panels, keeping grasses trimmed and allowing native prairie plants to thrive –— all without using gas powered equipment or herbicides.
“Its really important for the health of the prairie, to get rid of that vegetation build up and also on solar sights for fire mitigation,” said Beck.
The sight itself is home to dozens of native prairie plants and flowers, one of which is essential to an endangered species.
“Sundial Lupine, that’s a legume species. It is the only known host plant for the Karner Blue Butterfly – Which is an endangered species,” said Beck. “Its fantastic to see the lupine blooming out here.”
“MNL provides the seeds for the pollinator mix that we are using at the Sherco project,” said Luke Molus, Head of Operations at Sherco Solar Array.
The goal of the cooperation is to protect vulnerable prairie lands and animal species. While also keeping the land fertile for any future farming uses.
“The top soil is pretty thin. Restoring the native prairie back to this area,” said Molus. “It’s actually going to help the topsoil become thicker and more healthy so that if the solar project gets decommissioned in say 30 years – If farmers do choose to come back, they’ll actually have better soil to grow on,=.”
In the meantime, the field is part of Minnesota’s broader effort to move away from fossil fuels. The Serco site will eventually try to replace the energy output once generated by the near-by Sherburne County Coal Plant.
“Serco solar one is the first phase of the Serco solar project that Xcel is building to replace the Sherburne County Coal Plant,” said Molus. “All three Serco projects will be a full replacement for the coal plant that retired back in 2023.
Molus says that Serco Solar Array one is providing energy for 150,000 customers.
Xcel Energy could expand the grazing project to other sites across the state in the coming years.
City parks are all across Minnesota. But a town in Murray County has one that’s gone off its rails.
Currie, Minnesota, is truly small-town America. The population hovers at just over 200. But on the northern outskirts, you’ll happen upon a place with plenty of bells and whistles: End-O-Line Railroad Park and Museum.
“It’s like a little village from way back when. You have your church. You’ve got a school,” said visitor Larry Diedrich.
You’ve also got railroad relics, up and down the tracks.
“1901 was when the first line was put in here,” said Jake Halverson, site manager for End-O-Line Railroad Park and Museum.
Halverson said Currie was once a thriving railroad town. In fact, it was the end of the line for steam engines heading west. If you wanted to go east, Currie was your gateway to the rest of the world. The first stop was Bigham Lake.
“From Bigham Lake they could go to Minneapolis, from Minneapolis to Chicago, from Chicago to New York,” said Halverson.
But by mid-century the last train had left the station. No sooner did that happen than teenagers from the local 4H club began to clean up the abandoned turntable.
The platform was used to turn 400,000-pound steam engines around when they hit the end of the line. Thanks to the 4Hers, it still works today.
The club also bought the train depot for $1 from the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Company and moved it closer to the turntable.
“That is really the beginning of maybe bringing more attention to the history of the railroad here,” said Halverson.
It’s history that comes in all shapes and sizes, including a model railroad that’s a replica of a time that was.
“It was built to look like what Currie was 100 years ago,” said Halverson.
Much of what you see at the park and museum is original, including a 125-year-old water tower that was moved to the site from Walnut Grove.
The caboose nearby originally came from South Dakota. The locomotive once ran in Georgia.
The rail business may have left Currie, but the love for trains never did. It’s a chance to celebrate big history in a small town.
“Wherever there have been trains, there have been people who are fascinated by them,” said Halverson. “I think this is an opportunity for individuals to learn about not only this part of Minnesota but to know where this part of Minnesota fits in with the rest of the world.”
The End-O-Line Railroad Park and Museum is open from Wednesday through Sunday from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day.
A Minnesota college professor on Tuesday pleaded guilty to stealing gun parts and ammunition from a Twin Cities store.
Aaron Banks, 52, entered a guilty plea to one count of theft as part of a plea deal, according to court records. Under the agreement, which a judge still needs to approve, a count of possession of burglary or theft tools would be dismissed and Banks would receive a stay of imposition at sentencing.
According to a criminal complaint, Banks stole from a Scheels in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, on multiple occasions, taking two triggers, a rifle accessory and multiple boxes of ammunition totaling more than $750.
Gustavus Adolphus College placed Banks on leave when he was charged in March. WCCO has reached out to the school for an update on his employment status.
Banks’ sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 26.
Gustavus Adolphus is in St. Peter, about 68 miles southwest of Minneapolis.
Maury’s Stories: Stone Arch Bridge
A longstanding fixture in Minneapolis, this Maury’s Stories goes in-depth on the history of the Stone Arch Bridge, a popular attraction to this day.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – It’s a big weekend in Minnesota, with barrel racing, block parties, brewery anniversaries, a bookish festival, outdoor markets, and live music stretching from Shakopee to Minneapolis.
Battle of the Barrels
- June 19, 7 p.m.
- Canterbury Park, Shakopee
- Tickets available at Canterbury Park’s website
Watch the region’s top cowgirls race against the clock in a high-stakes barrel racing competition where every turn counts. Come early for a pre-party featuring live music, a Busch Light Happy Hour, vendor sip and shop, and games. Stick around after for more live music and a Pure Adrenaline FMX show.
Pryes Block Party 2026
Pryes Block Party kicks off its two-day run with a Friday night concert at the Pryes Side Lot featuring Soul Asylum, Agnes Uncaged and LAAMAR. The taproom and patio are open to the public all weekend, but a ticket gets you into the heart of the party.
Midwest Bookish Fest 2026
- June 19–21
- DoubleTree by Hilton Bloomington Minneapolis South, Minneapolis
- Tickets required; ages 10 and under are free, ages 11–17 must have a ticket and be accompanied by an adult
A two-and-a-half-day celebration of books, authors, and all things literary, featuring authors and bookish vendors from around the world. Expect a masquerade, author brunch, panels, trivia, and more across the full weekend.
Unmapped Brewing’s 9th Trip Around the Sun Outdoor Party
- June 20, 11 a.m.–11 p.m.
- Unmapped Brewing, 14625 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka
- Free entry; limited edition anniversary T-shirts and giveaways available on-site
Unmapped Brewing celebrates nine years with an all-day outdoor party packed with live music from Teacher Party, The Southern Resident Killer Whales, The Changeups, and Static Jones. Food trucks, yard games, free face painting, beer sampling, and a tote bag giveaway round out a full day of fun for the whole family.
Stone Arch Bridge Festival – Vintage & Vinyl Market
- June 21, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Stone Arch Bridge, Minneapolis
- Free entry; no tickets needed
The Minneapolis Vintage Market takes over the Stone Arch Bridge Festival, the Twin Cities’ third-largest festival, drawing an average of 75,000 visitors over two days. Browse more than 200 artist and vendor booths spanning fine art, vintage goods, classic cars, food, and drink along the Minneapolis riverfront behind the Guthrie Theater.
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