Outside in MN

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Catch, click, release: Fishing tournaments going virtual
A new format is gaining advocates who say fish caught and quickly released are less likely to die afterward. It's an alternative to the traditional catch-hold-release tournament, in which anglers would race to shore with their catch and crowd around a weigh-in station to see how it stacked up against competitors.
Duluth mayor proposes $24 million investment in Spirit Mountain
Duluth Mayor Emily Larson is recommending a $24 million investment into Spirit Mountain— in addition to forgiving nearly $1 million in debt— to help put the struggling city-owned ski area on more sustainable financial footing.
Audio postcard: Early spring violets in bloom
Our resident Morning Edition wildflower chasers Phyllis Root and Kelly Povo have been out and about, letting us know where the earliest spring flowers are starting to pop up. Today, they have a report of a beautiful display of violets in Washington County.
Pandemic-fueled surge in visitation to BWCA expected to continue this year
More than 165,000 people visited the Boundary Waters last year — a 16 percent jump over the previous year — as people sought refuge in the isolated wilderness from the COVID-19 pandemic. Outfitters say early reservations suggest this summer could be even busier.
Camping is an adventure for all Americans in 'Fatima's Great Outdoors'
Ambreen Tariq's new children's book explores the immigrant experience of America's great outdoors — it's based on her own childhood experiences of family camping trips.
Pandemic brought more people outdoors — and parks are planning for a busier future
The pandemic has inspired a surge of interest in outdoor recreation. Some in the industry predict lasting interest in being outside, long after the pandemic and its demand for social distancing have passed.