Researchers at the North American Bear Center bring us this video of one of Jewel's little cubs climbing out from under its mother for a quick breath of fresh air before trying to duck back under for warmth.

First-graders in Andover were inspired by the popular den cam of Lily the Bear. Their effort languished at the Capitol last year as lawmakers wrestled with the budget. But this year a hearing on their suggestion has been scheduled. The kids say Minnesota is one of only four states without a state mammal.

It's that tricky time of year when hungry bears have come out of hibernation but there aren't many berries yet. Nuisance bear reports have come not just from northern Minnesota but from Twin Cities suburbs, too. The animals can be attracted to livestock feed, garbage, dog food, or bird seed.

Since last week, black bears have been spotted in southeastern Minnesota, likely young males searching for mates after swimming over from Wisconsin, a Department of Natural Resources official said.

Bear sightings are on the increase in the Anoka County town of Ramsey. KARE 11 reports that that Ramsey police have received so many calls of bears in the area that they've put up signs warning residents. One resident even snapped a picture of a bear cub eating from her bird feeder.

A Lino Lakes man told the Star Tribune he was driving home from the Minnesota Twins game Monday night when he collided with a full-grown bear. The 27-year-old says he was traveling about 60 miles per hour in his Volkswagen Jetta when he hit the animal.