The Federal government has recently released documents indicating that they plan to reopen the now-shuttered Prairie Correctional Facility in Appleton, MN, a 1,600-bed prison owned by private prison company CoreCivic, as an U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center. Minnesotans saw this winter how ICE and its detention network are being used to systematically […]
Say NO to an Appleton ICE Detention Center 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 »
Defending the carbon-free standard at the Public Utilities Commission and in the Legislature For the second year in a row, CURE has worked in coalition with environmental justice, environmental advocacy, climate activist, health professional, faith based, and zero waste organizations to defend Minnesota’s 100% Carbon Free Energy Law passed in law in 2023. We’ve created
CURE Work + Wins 2025 Read More »
We all need access to clean water, and it is essential to our rural MN communities. Currently, Minnesota is in a water quality crisis due to runoff pollutants and increased erosion as a result of unregulated land management practices. But we know Minnesota can do better. CURE, as part of a coalition of nine state-based groups
Ag Drainage Should Require a Permit Read More »
End of the 2025 Special Session This is the fourth and final CURE Legislative update of the 2025 Session. Check out our previous updates here: Keeping it Real and Rural; CURE’s Cliff Notes; and The Show Must Go On. Just before 2:00 am on Tuesday, June 9th, the Minnesota legislature wrapped up special session, passing all the necessary
This spring, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison created the Advisory Task Force on Future of Minnesota’s Water. This Task Force aims to study issues affecting the stewardship of Minnesota’s water resources, explore best practices, and collaborate to develop a broad set of recommendations for policymakers and regulators, advocacy groups and business leaders, communities, and individuals. Additionally,
A Brief Update on CURE’s priorities at the end of the Regular Legislative Session This is the third CURE Legislative update of 2025. Stay tuned for our end-of-session wrap-up at the conclusion of the special session. As of Monday, May 19th, the 2025 Regular Session of the Minnesota State Legislature has come to an end.
The Show Must Go On Read More »
This is the second CURE Legislative update of 2025. Stay tuned for periodic updates at key points during the Session, which officially ends on Monday, May 19th. It’s been two months since Minnesota legislators assembled at the Capitol for the start of session, and after a halting start, we now have a better idea of
CURE’s Cliffs Notes on the First Act of MN’s 2025 Legislative Session Read More »
*99.9% of the tax credits are claimed by massive oil and gas interests. Carbon capture is the most expensive, least effective climate mitigation strategy. Â Last week, I traveled to the Capitol with a small but determined group of Minnesotans: landowners, farmers, and community members who are experiencing the threats posed by the carbon capture
CO2 Pipeline Resistance to Congress: Cut the Waste, Repeal 45Q Read More »
Updated maps show new pipeline leg in Chippewa, Kandiyohi & Swift Counties On March 13, CURE, a rural advocacy organization based out of Montevideo, filed an appeal to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) arguing that the decision to grant Summit Carbon Solutions, LLC a permit for 28-miles of CO2 pipeline in Otter Tail and Wilkin Counties
CURE Seeks Reconsideration of CO2 Pipeline Permit in MN 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.
