Photo Galleries

MPR News photos of the week
This week, The St. Paul Saints lobbied for a new stadium, professional cyclists hit the Twin Cities for an annual race, and former Gov. Jesse Ventura stopped by to talk about his new book.
Photos: Fighting sea lamprey in Lake Superior
The sea lamprey was one of the first non-native species to invade the Great Lakes, and it's been one of the most destructive. The eel-like parasite nearly wiped out the entire lake trout population. But scientists have devised ways to keep the blood-sucking fish in check, and that's allowed lake trout to make a historic comeback.
MPR News photos of the week
Western Wisconsin preps for a new St. Croix River bridge, locked-out American Crystal Sugar workers rallied and Minnesotans watched the transit of Venus. All that and more in our photos of the week gallery.
MPR photos of the week
From Tough Mudders to traditional Norwegians, Minneapolis tornado survivors to fire dancers on the beach in Duluth, and friends and foes of a new Vikings stadium we were all over Minnesota for our photos of the week.
Minnesota in Photos: Dancing with the Spin Collective
The sun is setting on Lake Superior as members of the Spin Collective dancers soak small kevlar orbs in fuel and set them afire. Then, wielding them at the end of chains or long metal arms, they begin twirling the orbs in what's called a poi dance.
Photos: School trust land inside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area
More than three decades after the controversial deal that established the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in northern Minnesota, relatively small plots of land in the wilderness continue to generate big disputes. Known as school trust lands, these plots were set aside to generate income for schools, primarily through logging or mining.
Photos: Mud, electric shocks and more test athletes in Tough Mudder Minnesota
Tough Mudder events are hardcore 10-12 mile obstacle courses designed to test strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie, the organization's website says. Athletes took up the challenge over the weekend in Somerset, Wis.
Photos: Minn. Republicans gather in St. Cloud
About 2,200 Republican delegates gathered in St. Cloud Friday to endorse a candidate for U.S. Senate. They will also vote on Saturday to parcel out the remaining 13 delegates that will represent Minnesota at the Republican National Convention in Tampa.
Photos: The Highway 1 Fire near Ely
Firefighters were able to stop a fast moving wildfire just outside the town of Ely on Thursday. The Highway 1 Fire started when a power line snapped. Several small fires quickly grew into a 216-acre blaze and homes were evacuated as the blaze neared town. By Friday morning, fire crews began to get the upper hand.