'State of the River Report' making headlines in the metro, across the nation

Since the September 21 release to the press, the State of the River Report has been receiving a great deal of media attention, carrying the report's key messages through the metro and beyond.

The report is a joint project of FMR and the National Park Service - Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. Written for nonscientists, it examines the status and trends of 14 key indicators of the river's health, including bacteria, phosphorus, nitrate and sediment levels, as well as the river's viability for recreation and wildlife. It also addresses new or emerging contaminants of concern, such as microplastic fibers and chloride.

Released in 2012, the first report received a great deal of media attention as well. It also helped lead to vital river changes: the closure of the St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam to prevent the spread of invasive carp, the banning of coal-tar sealants, and the statewide phase-out of triclosan (which was recently banned by the FDA as well!).

This initial response is very encouraging and we look forward to seeing what changes the 2016 report inspires.

Recommended reading and viewing

Star Tribune • Report finds a new pollutant - tiny bits of plastics and fiber - building up in the Mississippi

Star Tribune editorial board • Mississippi River requires agriculture's help to stay healthy

MinnPost • Report on metro Mississippi River health shows progress, new concerns

MPR • Report: Plastics, road salt and farm runoff threaten Mississippi

KFAI • How is the Mississippi doing? (Radio clip and interview)

The Journals • Mississippi - sick, not dying

WCCO • How Healthy Is The Mississippi River?

City Pages • Mississippi River: Wildlife making a comeback, but please don't swim

Pioneer Press • Your fleece jacket might be polluting the Mississippi River – and your beer

Mill City Times • ‘State of the River Report’ Reveals Progress

Camden Community News • Mississippi River report reveals progress – It ain’t so bad, but it needs help

Coon Rapids TV • ‘State of the River’ Highlights Improvements, Concerns on the Mississippi [Video]

Acess Minnesota Public Affairs Radio • "So, how is the Mississippi River?"

Kare 11 • Mississippi River healthier, but threats loom

 

Northeaster Newspaper • State of the River examines microplastics, invasive species

Northfield News and Owantanna Peoples Press • Water in the media, but is any of it good news?

Longfellow Nokomis Messenger • The State of the River Report: How can citizens contribute to a healthier Mississippi River?

AM 1240 St. Cloud • State of the Mississippi River Report Shows Positive Trend in River Health

St. Cloud Times • Mississippi health improving, but new threats emerge

Hastings Star Gazette • ‘State of the River’ report comes to Schaar’s Bluff

Additional coverage

The Associated Press (AP) also issued an article, "Report: Mississippi improving but protections needed," quickly covering the report's key findings. The brief, which most often included a link to the StateOfTheRiver.com for more information, was published by over 30 publications and stations across the country.

Local and Minnesota AP coverage:
 • Pioneer Press (metro)
 • KSTP (metro)
 • St. Cloud Times
 • Marshall Independent 
 • New Ulm Journal
 • KROC am (Rochester)
 • KTTC (Rochester)
 • KEYC News 12 (Mankato)
 • KNSI am (St. Cloud)
 • WJON am (St. Cloud)

Additioanlly, the Access Minnesota radio show played at 48 stations throughout the state.

Beyond Minnesota:
• Washington Times
• CT Post  
• Fairfield Citizen (CT) and affiliates  The Hour (Norwalk, CT), and Greenwich Time (CT)
• The Daily Progress (Charlottesville, VA) 
• Bristol Herald Courier (Bristol, VA) 
• Clay Center Dispatch (KS) 
• Huron Daily Tribune (MI)
• Midland Daily News (Midland, MI) 
• WXOW (LaCrosse, WI) 
• WKOW (Madison, WI) 
• Iowa Public Television, "Market to Market"
• Watertown Public Opinion (SD) 
• Aberdeen News (SD) 
• Houston Chronicle
• The Eagle (Bryan-College Station, TX) 
• San Antonio Express / My San Antonio
• San Francisco Gate
• San Francisco Chronicle

Additional republications

• The MPR story, "Report: Plastics, road salt and farm runoff threaten Mississippi" was republished by the Rochester Post Bulletin.
• The Star Tribune editorial, "Mississippi River requires agriculture's help to stay healthy" was republished by the Nashville Herald, Washington Times, and the Denver Sun.

• The Pioneer Press article, "Your fleece jacket might be polluting the Mississippi River – and your beer" was republished by the Grand Forks Herald, WDAY ABC, Ag Week, West Fargo Pioneer, The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead, and the West Central Tribune.