5 simple ways to save 'green' by going green at home

(BPT) - With rising energy costs and an increasing awareness of homeowners' environmental impact, creating a greener home isn't just a trend — it's a responsible choice for both your wallet and …

As the city prepares to tear down the old Kmart building, it considers how to reconnect Nicollet Ave. Over 500 residents attended an open house on Oct. 10, and 1,200 people responded to a survey by Oct. 12.

What do people think?

The long process of reopening Nicollet Ave. at Lake St. took another step forward this month. City planners released design concepts for the public areas planned for the 10-acre site where a surface …

Lyndale Ave South reconstruction

Hennepin County is working to build a Lyndale Avenue for today and tomorrow. The county is partnering with the city of Minneapolis, Metro Transit and others to continue improving safety for all users …

Motorists can’t cross Lyndale at 25th anymore, but pedestrians and bicyclists can use the median to pause while crossing. Last summer, the two lanes in either direction were changed to one lane in either direction with a center turning lane. The pilot project was deemed successful as crashes and injuries have been reduced.

Lyndale safer since 4-to-3 conversion

The reduction of traffic lanes on Lyndale Ave from 31st St. to Franklin Ave. has improved safety and will remain in place. Called the “4-3 Lane Pilot Project,” Hennepin …

The Wilson’s back porch was opened up through careful deconstruction by a Better Futures crew. (Photo submitted)

Why throw away a house when parts can be reused?

From early 20th Century thrift to building cabins from contractor cast-offs, building materials reuse had long been an informal norm. But in a more recent world, entire houses have been thrown in the …

Twin Cities ranks 24th nationally for EV-friendliness

The Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington metropolitan area ranks 24th nationally for EV-friendliness, mainly prompted by a strong EV ownership mindset, the overall favorable infrastructure, the growing …

Lawn and beyond: The powerful benefits of natural turfgrass

(BPT) - Healthy, natural turfgrass is more than just a pleasing addition to your yard and home’s curb appeal. Natural turfgrass is among the most resilient plant materials and provides many …

Why can’t we throw all our trash into a volcano and burn it up?

It’s true that lava is hot enough to burn up some of our trash. When Kilauea erupted on the Big island of Hawaii in 2018, the lava flows were hotter than 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit (1,100 Celsius). That’s hotter than the surface of the planet Venus, and hot enough to melt many rocks. …

Transform Your Home and the Planet: Mercury Insurance Offers Eco-Friendly Home Solutions This Earth Month

(BPT) - In these economically and environmentally challenging times, the cost of running a home is rising just as swiftly as interest rates. The costs associated with maintaining our homes are …

4 ways the latest tech can boost your spring home projects

(BPT) - Spring is all about renewal — whether that means cleaning and organizing your house, or making improvements that enhance your home's efficiency and security. Thanks to the latest …

How bird flu virus fragments get into milk sold in stores, and what the spread of H5N1 in cows means for the dairy industry and milk drinkers

The discovery of fragments of avian flu virus in about 20% of milk samples from stores in initial testing across the U.S. suggests that the H5N1 virus may be more widespread in U.S. dairy cattle than previously realized. …

When Allergy Season Knows No Season: The Climate Change Connection

(BPT) - By Jad Daley, President and CEO of American ForestsClimate change is reshaping our world in unexpected ways, including the worsening of seasonal allergies. This was confirmed by a 2019 study …

Wild turkey numbers are falling in some parts of the US – the main reason may be habitat loss

Birdsong is a welcome sign of spring, but robins and cardinals aren’t the only birds showing off for breeding season. In many parts of North America, you’re likely to encounter male wild turkeys, puffed up like beach balls and with their tails fanned out, aggressively strutting through woods and parks or stopping traffic on your street.y …

100% Grass-Fed Organic Dairy Benefits Consumers, Environment, Cows and Family Farms

(Family Features) While the difference between dairy alternatives such as oat, almond and other nut milks is easier to decipher, choosing between organic dairy varieties can be more difficult.

During the 2024 eclipse, biologists like us want to find out how birds will respond to darkness in the middle of the day

The total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, coincides with an exciting time for wild birds. Local birds are singing for mates and fighting for territories as they gear up for their once-a-year chance to breed. …

America’s green manufacturing boom, from EV batteries to solar panel production, isn’t powered by renewable energy − yet

Renewable energy provides about 20% of U.S. electricity. AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez Panasonic’s new US$4 billion battery factory in De Soto, Kansas, is designed to be a model of sustainability …

Who are today’s climate activists? Dispelling 3 big myths for Earth Month

Climate rallies, like this one in New York City in 2022, draw activists of all ages. AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe As Earth Month 2024 gets underway, climate activists around the world are planning …

Female mosquitoes rely on one another to choose the best breeding sites − and with the arrival of spring, they’re already on the hunt

Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, one of the most common species in the U.S., love everything about humans. They love our body heat and odors, which enable them to find us. They love to feed on our blood to make their eggs mature. …

City mouse or country mouse? I collect mice from Philly homes to study how they got so good at urban living

Dusty barns, gleaming stables and damp basements. These are all places where you might find a house mouse – or a member of my research team. I’m an evolutionary biologist, and my lab at Drexel University studies wild house mice. …

National Grid: Improving Jobs with the Clean Energy Transition

Doing well by doing good: Many New Yorkers may soon find good jobs in the clean energy sector.

(NAPSI)—Addressing climate change is an all-hands-on-deck undertaking. It requires a smarter, stronger, and cleaner energy grid that provides affordable, reliable power when and where people need …

Make an Impact This Earth Day: 5 steps to plant a tree

(Family Features) There are countless ways you can make your contributions felt this Earth Day. If you'd like to join millions of others in the fight for the environment, consider one of the most popular gifts given back to the world each year: planting a tree.

3 Reasons to Ditch Your Laundry Detergent for Eco Strips

(NewsUSA) - The laundry industry would have you believe that in order to get brilliant, clean laundry, you need to use powders, liquids and pods that are diluted with water, and come in bulky, …

Purina’s commitment to pets, people and planet Earth

(BPT) - By Gopi Sandhu, vice president of Environmental Sustainability at Nestle PurinaEfforts to protect the planet are important for every creature that calls Earth home, including people and their …

A visual history of campus protests in the US

Stacker compiled images of student-led demonstrations from the past century to contextualize the history of protests on American college campuses.

Voters in 12 states may decide on abortion in 2024, including 3 states where abortion is confirmed on the ballot—Florida, Maryland and New York

Ballotpedia provides the most recent updates on abortion-related ballot measure certifications and potential measures.

Best cities for naked gardening

LawnStarter reports on the best cities in the U.S. to bare it all in the garden.

5 ways to improve your mental health during Mental Health Awareness Month

Way.com introduces five ways to make connections in your life that can lead to better mental health

10 U.S. cities where residents are happiest

SmartAsset evaluated 90 of the largest U.S. cities across 11 variables spanning personal finance, well-being and quality of life.