2026 Minnesota Legislative Session Review Minnesota Legislators just wrapped up the session, marking the end of an at-times contentious 2025-2026 biennium. Despite strong efforts from advocates, the legislature was ultimately unable to come to agreement on almost any energy and environmental proposals. “If we don’t fight hard enough for the things we stand for, at […]
They Didn’t Get It Done. We’re Just Getting Started. Read More »
In late March, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a plan to reorganize the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). The proposal would shut down research labs, break the Forest Service into a disjointed state‑by‑state system, and move its headquarters to Utah — far away from Congressional oversight and other science-based agencies it’s supposed to work with.
Only You Can Prevent the U.S. Forest Service Reorganization Dumpster Fire Read More »
Community encouraged to attend MPCA Public Hearing in Morris on April 28 The push to “get big or get out” in farming has left its mark on rural Minnesota. In the last two years alone, 1,300 farms have gone out of business across the state, while large corporate operations have continued to expand. Now, Riverview LLP, one of
“How Big Is Too Big?” Minnesotans Demand Environmental Review of Mega Dairy Read More »
This week, Legislators returned from their spring break, marking the unofficial start to the second half of the session. First and second deadlines—the day by which a bill is supposed to be through its necessary committees—have passed, and attention will start turning to fiscal priorities and omnibus bills. Check out our Legislative Preview for more information! Here’s how CURE’s top
Talking Big, Moving Slow: A Mid‑Session Legislative Check Read More »
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 »
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 »
Hyperscale data centers are a major concern for Minnesotans across the state. Whether or not a hyperscale data center is proposed for your community, people still have questions and concerns. CURE’s upcoming webinar series will help you get up to speed on key issues, including Nondisclosure Agreements (NDAs), energy, water, environmental review, community benefit agreements,
Webinar Series: Data Centers Read More »
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
This Saturday morning, as I was loading our recycling bins and a single yellow bag of garbage into the back of the car, my neighbor Joey called out from behind me: “Hey! Headed to dump? Me too, see you there!” “Great minds, I guess!” I yelled in return. Living at the end of a dirt
Waste Not: Reclaiming Rural Resilience in a Disposable Age Read More »
In 2024, Minnesota passed a new law called the Packaging Waste & Cost Reduction Act. This makes Minnesota only the fifth state in the U.S. to have a special law for packaging and paper products. The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program, which was created by the law, aims to make companies that manufacture packaging more
CURE’s Maggie Schuppert Named to Extended Producer Responsibility Packaging Board Read More »
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.
