The Pesticide Action Network spent three years monitoring the air in 19 locations such as Perham and Frazee. The group says sites near potato fields are especially prone to pesticide drift. One fungicide turned up in 64 percent of the air samples.

State officials will take the rare step of using a pesticide to try and curtail a zebra mussel infestation in a western Minnesota lake. The Pioneer Press says the chemical might be effective if the mussels haven't spread from a contained area. Local officials, though, say the DNR is not responding effectively to stop the destructive mollusks.

A University of Minnesota report says the modern-day flu vaccine -- while better than nothing -- does not offer Americans sufficient protection. U of M experts say the vaccine has not changed much since it was first introduced in the 1960's. They say better vaccines are in the early stages of research but it will take a coordinated effort similar to the Manhattan Project to bring those prospects to market.