Reporter | Ramsey County

Shannon Prather covers Ramsey County for the Star Tribune. Previously, she covered philanthropy and nonprofits. Prather has two decades of experience reporting for newspapers in Minnesota, California, Idaho, Wisconsin and North Dakota. She has covered a variety of topics including the legal system, law enforcement, education, municipal government and slice-of-life community news.

Prather attended high school in Fargo, N.D. and went on to earn a bachelor's of journalism from the University of Missouri. She has received additional training from Investigative Reporters & Editors and The Poynter Institute. She has covered everything from death penalty trials to growing pains in Twin Cities suburbs. She has been recognized for her work by the Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists and the California News Publishers Association.


Metro briefs: Record number of guns detected at MSP Airport


Guilty verdicts in doubt as Ramsey County reviews cases linked to ex-medical examiner

Prosecutors will take another look at 71 cases in which Dr. Michael McGee provided key testimony.


Boutique gyms offer 'sense of community' in Twin Cities suburbs


St. Paul mayor's plan to raise sales tax by 1% is no slam dunk

The city must persuade state lawmakers, then voters, that it's the best way to fund roads and parks.


Pricey accessory dwelling units slow to take off in Twin Cities

Cost, local restrictions have tempered interest.


A decade after $243 million renovation, St. Paul's Union Depot struggles to gain traction

The historic train station has become an events hub as transit connections gradually materialize.


Ramsey County to commit $26M to RiversEdge development in downtown St. Paul

The county is hoping to spur matching state funds by investing in a proposed park along the Mississippi River.


Twin Cities property taxes jump, cutting deep into family budgets

St. Paul is raising its property tax levy nearly 15% in 2023.


Metro briefs: Blaine's National Sports Center hosts free pickleball

Plus: St. Paul winter warming spaces open; Woodbury lodging tax to raise funds for city's promotion; Wayzata to get high-speed internet.


At age 80, Shoreview's first female mayor retires after 26 years in top job

Sandy Martin waded into municipal politics in the 1960s when she was a stay-at-home mom.