Outdoors

Nine Minnesota destinations for winter hiking
With a good pair of snowshoes and lots of willpower, one can hike most trails in Minnesota year-round. Luckily for the rest of us, there are also options either paved or packed down enough to not require fancy footwear or an emergency beacon. 
Deteriorating ice conditions force some Minnesota winter events to pivot
Heavier-than-average snowfall across much of Minnesota this winter has been a boon to a lot of winter sports enthusiasts. But it’s now causing problems with ice conditions on some frozen lakes, forcing organizers of some events to change plans.
A bright green comet may be visible with the naked eye starting later this month
Comet C/2022 E3 was first spotted last year and will draw nearest to the Earth in early February. The brightness of comets tends to be unpredictable, but astronomers say this one is promising.
In an ever-brighter world, tourists travel north for truly dark skies
The fourth annual Dark Sky Festival begins Thursday evening in Cook County in far northeastern Minnesota, a region increasingly known for its astrotourism and a chance to see truly dark skies in an ever-brightening world.
DNR: Suspected CWD case found in wild deer in Bemidji area for first time
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said Monday it's identified a suspected case of chronic wasting disease in a white-tailed deer near Bemidji. Officials say it's the first time a wild deer in that area is suspected of having the disease.
Fall's the best time to prep garden soil for new plants
If you’re planning a new bed for perennials, groundcovers, shrubs or trees to plant next spring, the path to success starts with a good foundation. It’s easier to improve soil before plants are in place, so the time to do so is now.