Anne Borgendale

Washed out rapidan dam on the Blue Earth River - photo by Rob Levine

Environmental Groups & Rural Minnesotans Say State Must Protect Water for Everyone 

CURE News, CURE Press Releases, Land & Water Press Releases

CURE and four other environmental organizations sue the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency under the Minnesota Environmental Rights Act  Across southern Minnesota, people are watching rivers creep closer to homes, roads wash out after heavy rains, and drinking water bills climb while the state agency charged with protecting Minnesotans’ water has declined to take action. That’s

Environmental Groups & Rural Minnesotans Say State Must Protect Water for Everyone  Read More »

vote here banner at a polling place

Tell your senators to oppose the “SAVE Act” and all forms of this anti-voter bill.  

Action Alert

The anti-voter SAVE Act has passed the U.S. House and is now expected to come up for a vote in the U.S. Senate this week. Now is a critical time to ask U.S. Senators to stand up against voter suppression.  What is the SAVE Act?  The SAVE Act, also called the SAVE America Act, would require voters to provide additional physical

Tell your senators to oppose the “SAVE Act” and all forms of this anti-voter bill.   Read More »

minnesota state capitol superimposed over the state flag

2026 Minnesota Legislative Preview

CURE News

We’re in the second year of the 2025-2026 Biennium, and while there’s a lot of public momentum for decisive action on many issues, what the legislature ultimately achieves remains to be seen. CURE remains steadfast in our mission to advocate for rural communities and their vital interests at the state legislature.  Here are CURE’s top policy priorities for the 2026 Session:   Demanding Responsible Data Center Development 

2026 Minnesota Legislative Preview Read More »

ICE Out of MN - Day of Truth & Freedom - Friday, January 23

Day of Truth and Freedom

People & Communities

CURE is pausing our normal order of business on Friday, January 23rd, and we want to share why.    ICE’s dangerous operations have surged across Minnesota. Federal agents are inciting fear and violence and putting our families and neighbors at risk. Last year, 32 people died in ICE custody. And on January 7th, ICE agent Jonathan

Day of Truth and Freedom Read More »

PUC hearing on MN Power sale in October 2025.

CURE petitions for reconsideration of Minnesota Power private equity takeover 

CURE Press Releases, Energy & Innovation Press Releases

Revelations about undisclosed data center project in utility’s territory raises community concerns  On December 30, 2025, CURE formally petitioned the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to reassess its approval of the sale of ALLETE, the parent company of Minnesota Power, to two private equity investors—the Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP) and Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP/BackRock), a subsidiary of BlackRock, the world’s

CURE petitions for reconsideration of Minnesota Power private equity takeover  Read More »

Gov. Walz: Protect Minnesota Families from LIHEAP Suspension

Energy & Innovation, People & Communities

Winter is setting in across Minnesota.  At the same time, thousands of Minnesotans are at risk of not being able to afford to keep the heat on because the federal government shutdown has halted funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).  A CURE-led coalition of 18 organizations from around Minnesota, have sent

Gov. Walz: Protect Minnesota Families from LIHEAP Suspension Read More »

Small red house in the woods with lots of snow

CURE-led coalition calls on Gov. Walz to shield Minnesotans from harms of LIHEAP suspension

CURE News, People & Communities Press Releases

Today, eighteen organizations from across Minnesota that advocate for equity and justice in our energy system sent a letter to the administration of Governor Walz asking it to take action to protect the tens of thousands of Minnesotan households who will be severely impacted by the suspension of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Normally, LIHEAP funds would be distributed to

CURE-led coalition calls on Gov. Walz to shield Minnesotans from harms of LIHEAP suspension Read More »

MN PUC Greenlights Private Equity Takeover of Minnesota Power

Energy & Innovation Press Releases

Today, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) unanimously approved the sale of ALLETE, the parent company of Minnesota Power, to two private equity investors, the Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP) and Global Infrastructure Partners, a subsidiary of BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager. This decision concludes a lengthy regulatory, legal, and public battle which

MN PUC Greenlights Private Equity Takeover of Minnesota Power Read More »

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Kelsey Olson

Kelsey Olson

Director of Environmental Stewardship

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Kelsey Olson (she/her) joined CURE in 2025 as its Director of Environmental Stewardship. As a skilled environmental naturalist, Kelsey’s work focuses broadly on environmental education and advocacy with a keen focus on rural land use and how that use impacts our environment and climate. Working Lands, how land is used to support agriculture and forestry, is a key focus of her work. She brings 15 years’ experience in public communication, environmental education, and rural community engagement – strong communication strategies are core in her work. This includes two terms of service with AmeriCorps in the VISTA program in Oregon and Maryland and a nearly 10-year career as a naturalist followed. She recently worked on communications and marketing for rural economic development.

Kelsey lives in New London, MN, with her young children, husband, dog, and two cats. They enjoy spending time together outside and finding small treasures in nature. Visits to Minneapolis often include visits to one of their favorite historical museums, the American Swedish Institute. Kelsey enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, canning local produce, and making kombucha.