Lynn Rogers says he was looking forward to documenting the evolution of Hope’s family as the 2-year-old bear matured. He says scientists had never gotten so close to a mixed-age bear family.

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.

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.

An international team that includes University of Minnesota scientist Gary Muehlbauer has mapped the genome of barley, one of the world's most important and genetically complex cereal crops, and a key beer ingredient. The researchers say the findings could lead to higher yields and a grain that can more easily handle climate change.

The North American Bear Center reports one of the bears it's been studying was killed this week. Researchers think a scarcity of food led Gentle Jo to wander into Soudan. A BBC television show that's been following the bears in the Ely area will cover Gentle Jo's death Thursday night.

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.