Reporter | Outdoors

T"A Minnesota native, Kennedy lives in the Twin Cities and on land surrounding a Driftless Area trout stream. Previously, he was an investigative reporter at the Star Tribune, an Associated Press newsman and a beat writer covering the environment, aviation, state politics and police. His journalism career started at Marquette University, a small-town newspaper in Indiana and The St. Cloud Times. Kennedy's wife is an inner-city kindergarten teacher and their two boys are crazy about hockey and the outdoors.


Minnesota duck hunting gets off to a flying — and in some places, record-making — start

The DNR's waterfowl specialist graded opening weekend as "very good to excellent," and some records were set.


State bear harvest down; outlooks promising for grouse, pheasants

Fall hunting is almost in full swing, with duck and goose hunters joining on Saturday with the opening of their primary season.


Optimism over Minnesota duck opener tempered by 'so-so' surveys

Spring counts were called "so-so at best," but production of ducklings and goslings seemed to go well, DNR said.


Internal DNR survey results: 90% disagree with approach to logging

A survey was sent to wildlife section employees about the agency's handling of logging on lands where wildlife considerations are required to come first.


Famous Minnesota walleye lake in line for a northern upgrade

Gull Lake could see an upgrade of its northern pike population if the Minnesota DNR finalizes a proposed experimental fishing regulation. The northerns are often an accidental catch for anglers.


Pheasant population doubles in state's southwest corner; declines elsewhere

But a DNR summary of this year's survey said pheasant indices remain well below their long-term averages in most other regions of Minnesota.


Legendary catch: Minnesota teen reels in wallet with $2,000, returns it

Connor Halsa of Moorhead returned every penny and gained a friend for life when connected with Iowa livestock hauler Jim Denney.


What happens when the federal government shuts off state wildlife habitat funds?

The federal wildlife program in the news this month for being violated by the Minnesota DNR has given more than $400 million into the state over the past 20 years


New Minnesota rules will keep teal hunters away from tribal ricing areas

Ricers on the White Earth Nation and Leech Lake reservations won't have to share water with duck hunters during the five-day teal season starting Sept. 2


DNR abruptly pauses logging on federally aided hunting lands

The pause is the latest development in the ongoing conflict over efforts to make sure the DNR's timber sales are mainly for wildlife purposes — not to satisfy relentless timber quotas.