Sector
https://www.zm.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/zemkopibas-ministrija-nepiekrit-valsts-kontroles-secinajumiem
The Ministry of Agriculture disagrees with the findings of the State Audit Office's performance audit into the effectiveness of AS “Latvijas valsts meži”'s oversight, and on Monday, 11 May, filed a statutory appeal against the State Audit Office's decision approving the report.
https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/zinas/latvija/14.05.2026-kokrupnieku-lieta-10-personas-pret-kuram-sakts-kriminalprocess.a647143/
Last November, submissions were received from several individuals alleging possible unlawful favouritism towards the timber industry. The Prosecutor's Office carried out a review and opened criminal proceedings in March. The investigation has now entered an active phase (...)
https://www.lrvk.gov.lv/lv/jaunumi/valsts-kontrole-zemkopibas-ministrijas-sudzibu-par-revizijas-zinojumu-izskatis-18-maija
On Monday, 11 May 2026, the Ministry of Agriculture submitted a complaint to the State Audit Office challenging a decision of its Audit Department. The performance audit report “AS “Latvijas valsts meži” Oversight Effectiveness” will not be published on 13 May. The State Audit Office Council will consider the complaint on 18 May.
https://www.lvm.lv/jaunumi/7970-tiesvedibas-par-ilgtermina-mezizstrades-ligumu-izbeigsanu-apmierinati-lvm-lugumi-par-pagaidu-aizsardzibu
In the ongoing litigation over the termination of long-term timber harvesting contracts, all of LVM's claims have so far been upheld (...)
https://www.apollo.lv/8466697/ko-patiesiba-nozime-dabai-tuva-mezsaimnieciba-latvija
(...) “there is no single core definition in Latvian”, and, in his view, close-to-nature forestry is not really described in legislation either. In essence, however, he defines it clearly – it is “the commercial use of forest that respects natural processes in the forest and essentially ensures the continuity of the stand”.
https://www.malnavaskoledza.lv/aktualitates/644-toposchie-kokapstrades-specialisti-gust-pieredzi-somija.html
(...) the company Karelia Puutec uses wooden nails in production and creates industrial structures with a craft feel. The company demonstrated how the remains of historic buildings are scanned (...)
https://www.liepajniekiem.lv/viedokli/zigmunds-jaunkikis-ap-90-proc-meza-ugunsgreku-ir-cilveku-del/
Our statistics show that close to 90% of forest fires start as a result of human action, inaction and, in some cases, malicious intent.
https://rigasmezi.lv/jaunumi/rigas-mezi-uzsak-mezizstradi-olaines-novada-pie-medemciema
The work will take place in a forest area between the railway and the A8 Riga-Jelgava road, north of Medemciems railway station.
https://www.varam.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/aizvadits-seminars-teritorijas-planotajiem-mezsaimnieciskas-darbibas-regulejuma-piemerosana-teritorijas-planosana
https://www.varam.gov.lv/lv/pasakumi-projekta-nr-5112123i001-pasvaldibu-un-planosanas-regionu-kapacitates-uzlabosana-ietvaros
To promote a shared understanding of how forestry regulation is applied in spatial planning, on 6 May this year the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development held a capacity-building seminar for municipal and planning-region spatial planners and other specialists.
https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/zinas/latvija/09.05.2026-latvija-pirmo-reizi-notiek-gulbuvju-namdaru-sacensibas.a646397/
Using a chisel and a chainsaw, the ten participants had to create a precise log joint, with judges assessing both the quality and precision of the work and the craftsmanship technique used.
Worth knowing! Upcoming and current events
22 and 23 May “Latvian Forest Days”
https://www.lvm.lv/jaunumi/7854-latvijas-meza-dienas-tervete-notiks-22-un-23-maija
23 May Whitsun plant parade in Ropaži
https://www.zemeunvalsts.lv/pirmo-reizi-ropazos-notiks-vasarsvetku-stadu-parade
5 June conference “Science and Industry for State Security: From Food Systems to High Technologies”
https://www.lbtu.lv/lv/raksts/2026-05-12/lbtu-notiks-augsta-limena-ekspertu-konference-zinatne-un-industrija-valsts
27 June: Malnava College's 105th anniversary
https://www.malnavaskoledza.lv/aktualitates/642-lbtu-malnavas-koledza-aicina-uz-105-gadu-jubilejas-svinibam.html
1 August Hunters' festival “Minhauzens 2026”
https://www.latma.lv/minhauzens-2026-koknese-mednieku-festivals-notiks-augusta-pirmaja-nedelas-nogale/
https://www.latma.lv/nebijis-notikums-minhauzens-2026-lidztekus-festivalam-notiks-ari-lmka-medibu-sunu-izstade/
Until 22 May, 10.00, open competition “Mechanised Forest Planting 2027-2029”
https://www.lvm.lv/jaunumi/7960-izsludinats-konkurss-masinizetas-meza-stadisanas-darbu-veiksanai-2027-2029-gada
Until 24 May, exhibition “From Latvian Roots to World Summits” in Rēzekne
https://www.finieris.com/lv/latgales-vestnieciba-gors-skatama-izstade-par-koksnes-nozimi-bioekonomika-un-rupnicas-verems-attistibu/
Until 31 May, exhibition “Peat. An Introduction” at Bauska Museum.
https://bauskasdzive.lv/kultura-un-izklaide/bauskas-muzeja-aplukojama-unikala-izstade-kudra-partapusi-makslas-darbos/
Until 31 May, public engagement campaign “Become an Avenue Detective!”
https://kurzemesregions.lv/aprili-un-maija-aicinam-klut-par-aleju-detektiviem-kurzeme/
Until 26 July, photo exhibition “My Bird 2026” at the Latvian Museum of Natural History
https://www.varam.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/fotoizstade-mans-putns-2026
Baloži Peat Museum Railway tours in 2026
https://kudrasbanitis.lv/lv/ekskursijas
Garden Days and masterclasses at the Institute of Horticulture in 2026
https://fruittechcentre.eu/lv/article/2025-12-23/darza-dienas-un-meistarklases-darzkopibas-instituta-2026
Official
https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/zinas/latvija/14.05.2026-kokrupnieku-lieta-pec-aizturesanas-atlaiz-zemkopibas-ministru-krauzi-un-atstadina-valsts-kancelejas-vaditaju-kronbergu.a647093/
(...) Prime Minister Evika Siliņa (Jaunā Vienotība) has announced that she has removed Minister Armands Krauze from office.
https://www.zm.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/aicinam-pieteikties-latvijas-biozinatnu-un-tehnologiju-universitates-tris-padomes-loceklu-amatiem
The state higher education institution's council is the collegial supreme decision-making body of a state higher education institution, responsible for its sustainable development, strategic and financial oversight, and for ensuring that the institution operates in line with the goals set out in its development strategy.
https://www.daba.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/iznomajam-biologiski-vertigus-zalajus-ilgtermina-apsaimniekosanai-visa-latvija
Biologically valuable grasslands are among the most species-rich ecosystems in Latvia, but their preservation depends on regular, traditional management – mowing or grazing.
https://lvceli.lv/celu-tikls/projekti/ppp/bauskas-apvedcels/
As improvements to the Latvian section of Via Baltica continue, the Riga bypass needs to be rebuilt, the Iecava and Bauska bypasses and the sections linking all three bypasses need to be built, along with a connection between the Riga bypass and the A7 once the new dual bridge over the Daugava has been built.
Science
https://www.db.lv/zinas/niri-istenos-30-miljonu-eiro-projektu-latvijas-notekudenu-uzraudzibai-526422
The project will be one of the first major examples of the added value created by the merger, into a single research organisation, of two of the country's strongest scientific institutions – the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis and the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre.
https://www.silava.lv/aktualitates/uzsakts-starptautisks-petijums-par-melioretu-mezu-pielagosanu-klimata-parmainam
The study will analyse how seasonal water availability affects tree growth, water quality and biodiversity in drained hemiboreal forests, and will assess the effectiveness of adaptive drainage solutions – overflow dams and regulated weirs – in mitigating the effects of drought.
https://www.silava.lv/aktualitates/meza-zinasanu-dienas-2026-nosledzas-ar-lvmi-silava-petijuma-inbestsoil-eksperimentalo-objektu-apmeklejumu-smiltenes-novada
(...) those interested learned about the challenges involved in afforesting gravel and sand pits, as well as possible solutions using various mulching and fertilising materials.
https://kki.lv/aktualitates/starptautiska-konference-btechpro2026-pulce-jaunos-zinatniekus-un-bioekonomikas-ekspertus-no-teju-20
The international young scientists' conference “BTechPro2026”, held from 6 to 8 May in Riga and Sigulda, brought together 87 participants from nearly 20 countries (...)
Hunting
https://www.lvm.lv/jaunumi/7972-medibu-infrastrukturas-uzturesana-latvijas-valsts-mezos
Hunting infrastructure includes hunting towers, animal feeders, small bridges, footbridges, shooting lanes, and supplementary feeding areas – elements that improve hunting safety and effectiveness but require responsible management.
https://www.medibam.lv/kad-ar-sudainu-lapstu-sagrauj-mednieka-telu-sauj-garam-335-epizode
(...) why it is so important to explain the hunting process and nature management.
https://www.medibam.lv/medibas-pie-ta-nav-vainigas-sveice-peleka-zaka-populacija-60-gadu-laika-sarukusi-30-reizes
Even a total hunting ban cannot save a species if its habitats are being destroyed at the same time. The hare population is not disappearing because of hunters. Hares are disappearing from monoculture fields with no shrubs, no hedgerows, no cover.
Predators
https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/dzive-stils/vide-un-dzivnieki/08.05.2026-laci-jau-maniti-ari-kurzeme-to-skaits-latvija-tuvojas-200.a646294/
Since the early 2000s, when 10 to 15 individuals were recorded, their numbers have grown tenfold. Researchers are now finding that bears also inhabit Kurzeme.
https://www.medibam.lv/vai-tas-ir-signals-ari-mums-medibu-foruma-ukraina-prezenteta-satraucosa-statistika-par-plesejiem
(...) the question of regulating predator populations is no longer merely a theoretical discussion about nature conservation or hunting ethics. It is becoming a very practical issue of safety, public health and the survival of rural farms.
Roads and traffic
https://lvceli.lv/remontdarbi/plasakie-celu-buvdarbi-notiek-balvu-barbeles-un-valdemarpils-apkartne/
The number of construction works on the state road network is growing, and they are currently under way on 31 sections, including seven bridges. Larger-scale works are taking place on regional roads around Balvi, Bārbele and Valdemārpils.
https://www.sam.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/iedzivotaji-pozitivi-verte-istenotos-uzlabojumus-vilcienu-satiksme-dzelzcela-modernizacijas-darbi-turpinas
To strengthen the railway as the backbone of public transport and reorient it towards passenger transport, an Indicative Railway Development Plan for 2025-2029 has been prepared and approved. It sets out the medium-term framework for the operation and financing of the railway sector (...)
https://ovt.lv/top-ogres-tehnikuma-mednieku-ielas-zemes-cela-posma-attistibas-projekts/
Representatives of the Ogre Municipality Council praised the proposals developed by students of Ogre Technical School and expressed the possibility of implementing some of the ideas in the future.
Environment
https://kodols.lv/zinas/vide/latvija-iestajies-sezonals-mazudens-periods-ko-tas-nozime-201885
(...) a low-water period is a natural hydrological phase in which river water levels drop and the current slows. Under these conditions the water warms up faster, its oxygen content decreases, and aquatic plants and algae start growing more intensively.
https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/dzive-stils/ikdienai/09.05.2026-kada-jega-skirot-atkritumus-ja-visus-aizved-viena-masina-skaidrojam-popularo-mitu.a644873/
At the same time, there are cases where the contents of a light-packaging container really are taken away together with household waste, but residents themselves are to blame for this, since it means that household waste has been found mixed into that container.
https://www.lvm.lv/jaunumi/7965-pern-valsts-mezos-atklatas-astonas-ieprieks-nezinamas-zivjergla-apdzivotas-teritorijas
Over the 13 years since the company began monitoring this protected bird species, the number of surveyed areas has grown considerably.
https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/dzive-stils/vide-un-dzivnieki/11.05.2026-latvijas-pucu-iepazisanai-pieejams-bezmaksas-noteicejs.a646591/
The pocket-sized material has been designed as an easy-to-use, practical field guide that can be taken outdoors, and can be used by children, teenagers and adults alike (...)
Current affairs in cartoons
https://www.lasi.lv/par-svarigo/karikatura/zime-gatis-sluka-kartibas-rullis.42109
https://www.diena.lv/raksts/diena-citi/karikaturista-skats/kurs-palis-14351752
https://www.lasi.lv/par-svarigo/karikatura/zime-gatis-sluka-kurs-bus-pirmais.42026
https://www.lasi.lv/par-svarigo/karikatura/zime-gatis-sluka-turieties-rezekniesi.41896