minnesota state capitol superimposed over the state flag

Talking Big, Moving Slow: A Mid‑Session Legislative Check

CURE News

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 Field Notes

Need NOT Greed 🛢️ + Even Robots Need Rules 🤖 + Too Fast Too Furious 💧

Field Notes

Public Need! Not Big Oil Greed! 🛢️  CURE is working with MN allies to improve laws around big oil pipelines in our state. This bill (HF 4377/SF 4554) would add needed clarity to our existing policies so that any company seeking a Certificate of Need in Minnesota for an oil pipeline would provide a forecast of demand

Need NOT Greed 🛢️ + Even Robots Need Rules 🤖 + Too Fast Too Furious 💧 Read More »

Need Not Greed

Tell your MN legislators: look at public need, not oil company greed, for pipeline approvals

Action Alert, CURE News

This legislative session, CURE is working with allies in Minnesota to propose improvements to laws around big oil pipelines in our state. HF 4377 / SF 4554 would add needed clarity to our existing policies so that any company seeking a Certificate of Need in Minnesota for an oil pipeline would provide a forecast of

Tell your MN legislators: look at public need, not oil company greed, for pipeline approvals Read More »

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 »

Banners in the MN state capitol at a data center rally

🚨 ACTION ALERT 🚨 Gov Walz & MN Lawmakers: Press Pause on Hyperscale Data Centers

Action Alert, CURE News

In the past year, at least a dozen new hyperscale data centers have been proposed in communities across Minnesota. The Minnesota legislature, with the support of the Walz administration, passed a handful of laws last year in an attempt to address concerns about this massive, new-to-Minnesota development. Unfortunately, those laws primarily tackled energy and taxes.

🚨 ACTION ALERT 🚨 Gov Walz & MN Lawmakers: Press Pause on Hyperscale Data Centers Read More »

CURE Field Notes

MN Leg 🏛️ + Data Centers 🔥 + MN Values 🚫 + Staff Departure 👋

Field Notes

MN Legislative Session is in Full Swing Minnesota’s 2026 legislative session kicked off last week. As always, CURE remains steadfast in our mission to advocate for rural communities and their vital interests at the state legislature. CURE’s 2026 MN Legislative priorities: READ about them and WATCH our preview webinar. Remember: your voice is critical to remind lawmakers why their action (or inaction) matters to Minnesotans across

MN Leg 🏛️ + Data Centers 🔥 + MN Values 🚫 + Staff Departure 👋 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 »

CURE Field Notes

Hot Garbage 🔥 + MN Leg 🏛️ + Petition for Reconsideration 🤔 + Caucus Night 🇺🇸

Field Notes

Minnesota Regulators Trash 100% Law 🏭🔥🌲 Earlier this month, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) decided that burning trash and wood to generate electricity can now be considered as a carbon-free energy source. This controversial decision goes against the plain wording of MN’s 100% carbon-free energy law and the legislature’s vision. This is a huge step backwards for Minnesota’s energy

Hot Garbage 🔥 + MN Leg 🏛️ + Petition for Reconsideration 🤔 + Caucus Night 🇺🇸 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 »

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⚠️ Action Alert: Pause Hyperscale Data Centers in MN

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Commit to Caucus with CURE

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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.