The Department of Natural Resources is closing islands in two Minnesota lakes until the Newcastle virus is no longer a threat.

The American Bird Conservancy says trap-neuter-release programs in Minneapolis have led to "cat colonies" which threaten the local bird populations.

The Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus had not been found in Minnesota until recently. The virus can be fatal to humans, as well as wildlife. Its mortality leads one veterinarian to call it "the evil twin sister of West Nile Virus." Officials are studying whether the virus might be related to the disappearance of moose from the region.

The death is Minnesota's 16th West Nile Virus fatality in Minnesota since 2002. The virus showed up unusually early this year - in late May - and health officials say twenty cases have been confirmed in the state so far.

More than 700 people who own thousands of animal hides have found themselves in the middle of bankruptcy proceedings. The Pioneer Press reports the century-old Uber Tanning Co. in Owatonna is no longer in business after the owners, Jared Rinerson and his wife, Shawna, walked away from the operation this summer and filed for personal bankruptcy in August. "We ran out of money," Rinerson told the newspaper. It's unclear if or when customers will get their hides back.

Minnesota is on pace for one of the safest years for pedestrians in a decade. Last year, October marked the deadliest month for pedestrians with seven deaths. Officials are hoping for a safer fall in 2011.

The Minnesota Zoo will be in uncharted air space next week when it carries on without the bird expert who's been in Apple Valley since the zoo opened 34 years ago. Jimmy Pichner was instrumental in re-establishing trumpeter swans in Minnesota and guided development of the zoo's penguin exhibit. In his retirement he'll hunt and fish -- and watch birds.

The Public Utilities Commission dealt a setback to a planned wind farm near Red Wing. Commissioners decided the plan does not do enough to protect eagles and other birds that could be killed by its 50 turbines. The decision will at least delay the project and could kill it.