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Why home insurance rates are rising so fast across the US – climate change plays a big role

Millions of Americans have been watching with growing alarm as their homeowners insurance premiums rise and their coverage shrinks. Nationwide, premiums rose 34% between 2017 and 2023, and they continued to rise in 2024 across much of the country.

Holding harvested marigold blossoms, farmer and educator Maddy Bartsch said, “We’re land stewards really, those of us who are working to develop our local fiber system.”

Three Rivers Fibershed connects people with local fiber

Marigolds, hollyhocks, cosmos, and black eyed Susans. These are just a few of the late-summer flowers bursting into bloom right now. While many are cutting them for bouquets, farmer Maddy Bartsch is …

Ericsson resident Jessica Wyn Miller (right), an entomologist, leads a Bug Club adventure into the world of bugs near her Minnehaha Creek-side home. She has found that her work as an artist intersects with insects.“I got excited for aquatic insects when I found out they reflect the health of a water,

She hated bugs – so she decided to become an entomologist

Jessica Miller still shrieks sometimes when a spider jumps on her, but the south Minneapolis environmental entomologist has found that makes her more approachable when she’s teaching classes on …

Joel Albers and Eric Johnson, both Seward residents, are working to save the historic Bethany Church from being demolished. They think the community will regret destroying a historic structure.

Activists rally to save historic Seward Church

For 70 years, Eric Johnson has lived in the shadow of Bethany Church, but that shadow may soon disappear if the building’s current owner, Augsburg University, moves ahead with plans to demolish …

What can one person do to help birds avoid collisions with windows? Close your curtains at night, especially during the migration season, to reduce light spread. Make sure outdoor light is directed downward and use minimally. And consider using window markings.

Make the Twin Cities more bird-friendly

Cradling the Mississippi River on either side, the Twin Cities are a critical, yet hazardous, resting place for migrating birds. An estimated 40 million birds migrated through the Mississippi River …

A rain barrel collects roof runoff so you can save the rainwater for later use. Reroute downspouts away from pavement and onto grass, a rain barrel or a rain garden. (Photo courtesy of the University of Minnesota Extension)

A watershed moment

What is a watershed? What is our local watershed called? Where does it begin and end? What is the largest watershed in the U.S.? According to board chair of the League of …

Expert tips to save you money heating your home

(BPT) - As the days get shorter and cooler, it's the perfect time to turn your attention to your heating system. Before it gets too chilly, you'll want your HVAC system to be in great condition …

5 tips for sustainably decorating your home

From upcycling to investing in quality materials, Made Trade rounded up five tips for sustainably decorating your home.

Keeping Your Community Clean: 4 ways to do your part for spotless public spaces

(Family Features) From a day spent in the office to evenings out and everywhere in between, there's one thing virtually everyone leaves behind now and again: a mess.

Inside fast fashion brands' love affair with uncomfortable, synthetic, and slow-to-biodegrade fabrics

The RealReal used data from Textile Exchange to explore the far-reaching prevalence of polyester, including in the fast fashion industry.

‘Just the Facts with Steve Ballmer’ Shares Government Data on Energy & the Environment, and Economy

(BPT) - USAFacts, a not-for-profit, nonpartisan civic organization founded by former Microsoft CEO, Steve Ballmer, is launching the next set of PSAs in a six-part series — these will focus on …

What if your pets' steps could create renewable energy?

(BPT) - Does your dog run crazy-eights? Does your cat get midnight madness? Of course, any of your pets can get the zoomies, or, maybe they simply follow you around the house all day in hopes of a …

New round of federal grants injects billions into rural renewable energy projects

The Daily Yonder reports on a new round of federal funding and its focus on communities across the country with fewer than 10,000 residents.

The Importance of Clean School Transportation

(Family Features) Across the country, more than 1.3 million children ride to school each day in school buses, most of which are powered by diesel and produce harmful emissions.

Ancient Rome had ways to counter the urban heat island effect – how history’s lessons apply to cities today

Trees are one way to cool down a city. Architects in ancient Rome also designed buildings with porticos for shade and air flow. Laszlo Szirtesi/Getty Images As intense heat breaks records around the …

New big storm is headed for the Caribbean: What meteorologists look for in early signs of a future hurricane

Disturbances in the Atlantic may be nothing, or they could be the seeds of a destructive hurricane. NOAA GOES When tropical meteorologists peer at satellite images , they often catch sight of subtle …

One city's unique bike giveaway program is a win for mobility justice

Next City reports that by giving free bikes to those most in need, the Bike Chicago program has proven a powerful strategy to grow active transportation.

Help your home and your energy bill handle summer heat

(BPT) - As summer temperatures rise, what can you do to beat the heat at home? Before lowering the thermostat setting, consider an often-overlooked approach to help your home and your energy budget …

Could permeable pavement ease flooding woes in New York City?

Reasons to be Cheerful examines how permeable pavement could help cities across the United States improve their stormwater resilience.

A 64-year-old who swam the earth's circumference shares his longevity tips

Hone Health profiles the habits and tips for longevity from 64-year-old competitive swimmer Chuck DiMeglio.

Verifying facts in the age of AI–librarians offer 5 strategies

The Conversation shares ways to validate the accuracy of an article and determine news facts from fiction, from librarians who specialize in helping people find good information.

Most and least expensive states for senior assisted living

QMedic examined data from the Genworth Cost of Care Survey and the NCAL to determine the cost of senior assisted living in different states.

Would Kamala Harris be our first Gen X president?

Economic Hardship Reporting Project writer makes the case that being so Gen X self is, surprisingly, Kamala Harris' best bet for connecting with a wide range of voters, especially young ones.