curious minnesota
Why do so many Minnesota homeowners get free roofs after a hailstorm?
Stormy weather has been beating up local roofs lately. But insurance companies are also scaling back coverage, arguing that "something's got to change."
What are the financial pros and cons of retiring in Minnesota?
The state has higher taxes. But it is also important to look at the "whole picture."
Introducing the Curious Minnesota Collection. Every question we've answered — now in one place
Our new searchable database is home to more than 260 stories about Minnesota history and culture, all inspired by reader questions.
How did Faribault become home to Minnesota's deaf and blind academies?
These southeast Minnesota institutions date back to the earliest days of statehood.
Why is my mail addressed to a city where I don't live?
The city in official mailing addresses can be different from the actual destination.
What's the story behind Duluth's Aerial Lift Bridge?
The largest mechanical bridge in Minnesota once operated very differently than it does today.
Skid-steers, Softsoap and Nerf: 8 more Minnesota inventions that changed the world
One article couldn't hold all of the state's innovations that shape our daily lives.
Why does Maplewood have such an odd shape?
The suburb bordering St. Paul is home to one of Minnesota's largest companies — and that's not an accident.
What roles did Minnesota's Native American chiefs play? And who were some notable ones?
There are many misconceptions about these leaders, who sometimes had a fragile hold on power.
Ask a question now: What are you curious about, Minnesota?
Help us answer questions that matter to you.
Listen: What does it mean when Minnesota courts sentence offenders to 'the workhouse'?
The Curious Minnesota podcast discusses the background of these unique correctional facilities, which are neither jails nor prisons.
What's the story behind the Minnesota communities in Arizona and Florida?
Even far away from their home state, Minnesotans often find each other.
How did Northfield become home to St. Olaf and Carleton colleges?
The prominent private schools have given the town an outsized stature.
What caused the 'horrific' deformities of Minnesota frogs in the 1990s?
The discovery by Minnesota middle schoolers became national news, leading to similar finds elsewhere in the country.
Listen: What is Minnesota's deepest lake?
The Curious Minnesota podcast discusses how humans created many of the state's deepest water bodies.
What Minnesota inventions have shaped modern life?
Many know the story of the pacemaker and Post-it notes. But creative Minnesotans have devised hundreds of other products we take for granted.
Did union rules prevent Leonard Bernstein from joining the Minnesota Orchestra?
The "West Side Story" composer's career might have unfolded very differently had he worked with his mentor in Minneapolis.
Listen: How did Minnesota become the nation's top turkey state?
The Curious Minnesota podcast discusses how a turkey turnaround a century ago made Minnesota birds a Thanksgiving staple around the country.
Local
Two new female Minnesota Supreme Court justices come with strong public defense backgrounds
Minnesota to take the pulse of the Mississippi River, from the headwaters to Iowa border
This could be the windiest April ever in Minnesota
MnDOT will replace misspelled 'Ady Mill Road' sign on I-35E in St. Paul on Monday night
Current Conditions Minneapolis
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Sports
Kepler returns, Twins' offense comes alive in 7-0 win over White Sox
After saying he'd stay, U point guard Hawkins entering transfer portal
Excited for new journey, Lynx first-round pick Pili gets warm intro
McCauley makes golf history for Gophers with comeback for the ages
Business
UnitedHealth reveals hackers may have stolen data on a sizeable number of Americans
Delta raises ground worker, flight attendant base pay 5%, affecting more than 5,000 in Minnesota
Developer of St. Paul's Keg & Case food hall declares bankruptcy
How to avoid going broke soon after starting a business
Opinion
Do more to deter suicide at the Washington Avenue Bridge
Aid votes show Congress can still work
Editorial cartoon: Lessons on antisemitism
Readers Write: Cellphones in schools, potholes, child abuse, good journalism
Most Read
Variety
Penumbra Theatre sets up to score with hoops dream play 'Flex'
Review: Tim McGraw was on all night like a porch light at the Xcel Center
Elegant condo in former Minnetonka office building could be yours for $379,900
On the Wolves' playoff menu: Surf and turf, Ann Kim's Korean ribs and Marc Heu's pastries
Latest Columns.
Laura Yuen
Yuen: Why do people forgive? It's messy, complex and 'the best form of self-interest'
Forgiving may seem syrupy or saintly, but it's much more complicated, says a journalist now touring the Midwest.
Patrick Reusse
Reusse: Paddack, Twins find some redemption against woeful White Sox
The offense is still mired in a terrible start, but the Twins' hitters and starter Chris Paddack looked rejuvenated on Monday night. The White Sox looked like, well, the White Sox.
Jim Souhan
Souhan: Now that's a playoff atmosphere, Minnesota!
Target Center was electric for the Timberwolves-Suns opener on Saturday, with more on tap for Tuesday.
Jim Souhan
Souhan: Should Vikings even consider McCarthy in NFL draft?
If the choice for the Vikings is between Michael Penix Jr., Bo Nix or J.J. McCarthy, why is the Michigan quarterback worth the risk?
Politics
When it comes to government planes and political trips, who pays for a president's campaign travel?
Puerto Rico Republicans award Trump all 23 of their delegates
The House passes billions in aid for Ukraine and Israel after months of struggle. Next is the Senate
Conservatives in Otter Tail County have been fighting for years, with no end in sight
Nation
Pro-Palestinian protests sweep US college campuses following mass arrests at Columbia
Trump tried to 'corrupt' the 2016 election, prosecutor alleges as hush money trial gets underway
With homelessness on the rise, the Supreme Court weighs bans on sleeping outdoors
As Blinken heads to China, these are the major divides he will try to bridge
World
Israel's military intelligence chief resigns over failure to prevent Hamas attack on Oct. 7
Papua New Guinea leader takes offense after Biden implies his uncle was eaten by cannibals
Australian judge bans X from sharing video of bishop being stabbed in Sydney church
Indian opposition accuses Modi of hate speech after he calls Muslims 'infiltrators'
Curious Minnesota
Why do so many Minnesota homeowners get free roofs after a hailstorm?
What are the financial pros and cons of retiring in Minnesota?
Introducing the Curious Minnesota Collection. Every question we've answered — now in one place
How did Faribault become home to Minnesota's deaf and blind academies?
Celebs
Mary J. Blige, Cher, Ozzy Osbourne, A Tribe Called Quest and Foreigner get into Rock Hall
Yoko Ono to receive Edward MacDowell Medal for lifetime achievement
Recently arrested Morgan Wallen says he's 'not proud' of behavior
Has Salman Rushdie changed after his stabbing? Well, he feels about 25, the author tells AP
Inspired
Female inductee in Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame is flying high
The story of Hercules the cat: Rescued in 2022, Target model in 2024
Old newspaper boxes become life-savers as Twin Cities self-serve dispensaries
At St. Olaf College, talking about death is on this 'cafe' menu
More Stories
Listen: What roles did Minnesota's Native American chiefs play? And who were some notable ones?
The Curious Minnesota podcast discusses how these celebrated figures of the past navigated difficult decisions.
Listen: Why does Maplewood have such an odd shape?
The Curious Minnesota podcast discusses how Maplewood was born out of leftover land — and became home to a signature Minnesota company.
Listen: How did Northfield become home to St. Olaf and Carleton colleges?
The Curious Minnesota podcast discusses the collaborative roots of these two prominent institutions.
Listen: Did union rules prevent Leonard Bernstein from joining the Minnesota Orchestra?
The Curious Minnesota podcast discusses how sometimes rejection is the beginning of an exciting new path in life.
What happened to Paul Wellstone's green campaign bus?
The vehicle became famous for its central role in an underdog campaign. It has survived two decades out of the spotlight, but its future is uncertain.