curious minnesota
Searching for Snoopy: What happened to all the 'Peanuts' statues in St. Paul?
The creative tributes to the comic strip characters were ubiquitous in the capital city in the early 2000s.
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."
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.
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."
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.
Local
As longtime Hutchinson, Litchfield papers close, 2 newspapers launch to take their place
Former diversity worker sues University of Minnesota after firing over swastika photo
Duluth mayor pledges population growth in the long-stalled city
Minneapolis to set up Lake Street Community Safety Center, and wants residents' help to define it
Current Conditions Minneapolis
| Hourly forecast
Sports
Vikings draft grade round-up: Praise, reservations for McCarthy, Turner
Scoggins: Adofo-Mensah, O'Connell get Vikings reboot right in Year 3
Anderson: Building a new Waterville fish hatchery will help shorten the time between bites
Five things to know about new Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy
Business
After ATF ruling, bottom falls out for St. Cloud firearms maker
Immigrant workers sue Minnesota vegetable farm for shorted pay, 'deplorable' conditions
Minneapolis to set up Lake Street Community Safety Center, and wants residents' help to define it
As longtime Hutchinson, Litchfield papers close, 2 newspapers launch to take their place
Opinion
What does Anoka-Hennepin really teach about DEI?
What's lost when newspapers die
Editorial counterpoint: Embrace the shift in public notices
Thoughts from the Star Tribune's new community engagement director
Most Read
Variety
Minneapolis native Poppy Harlow parts ways with CNN
TV to watch: Dan Rather documentary is second-rate journalism
Icehouse owner hopes to avoid eviction as music scene rallies around Eat Street venue
Minnesota veteran makes 1,000-mile 'gratitude walk' for program that helps vets
Latest Columns.
Chip Scoggins
Scoggins: Adofo-Mensah, O'Connell get Vikings reboot right in Year 3
The Vikings held a news conference Friday to welcome their top two draft picks. The moment doubled as an unofficial unveiling of management's vision for the team.
Dennis Anderson
Anderson: Building a new Waterville fish hatchery will help shorten the time between bites
With new funding, a long-dreamed-of facility will replace the 1954 Waterville, Minn., hatchery that began as a garage.
James Lileks
Who's Minnesota's favorite superhero?
And also, who cares?
La Velle E. Neal III
Neal: McCarthy mania sweeps through Vikings draft party
There was jeering, booing and yelping at U.S. Bank Stadium, where thousands of fans gathered for a Vikings draft party. And then J.J. McCarthy was picked and the mood changed.
Politics
President Joe Biden says he's 'happy to debate' Donald Trump. Trump says he's ready to go
What we know about the Sen. Nicole Mitchell burglary allegations so far
Charges revealed against a former Trump aide and 4 lawyers in Arizona fake electors case
Frustrated Minnesota teachers paying lawyer $78,000 for pension review
Nation
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's lead witness in hush money trial
Midwest tornadoes cause severe damage in Omaha suburbs
G/O Media sells satirical news site the Onion to group of digital media veterans
Tennessee governor signs bills to allow armed teachers nearly a year after deadly Nashville shooting
World
British Army says horses that bolted and ran loose in central London continue 'to be cared for'
Antony Blinken meets with China's President Xi as US, China spar over bilateral and global issues
These are the countries where TikTok is already banned
Italy halts loans to Minneapolis Institute of Art following dispute over 'Doryphoros' sculpture
Curious Minnesota
Searching for Snoopy: What happened to all the 'Peanuts' statues in St. Paul?
Why do so many Minnesota homeowners get free roofs after a hailstorm?
Introducing the Curious Minnesota Collection. Every question we've answered — now in one place
What are the financial pros and cons of retiring in Minnesota?
Celebs
Britain's King Charles III will resume public duties next week after cancer treatment, palace says
Minneapolis native Poppy Harlow parts ways with CNN
Harvey Weinstein due back in court Wednesday, as key witness weighs whether to testify at a retrial
Caitlin Clark helps KARE 11 and Fox 9 reporters bond with their daughters
Inspired
At 90, Minneapolis volunteer has lifetime of service
Minnesota veteran makes 1,000-mile 'gratitude walk' for program that helps vets
Get better sleep with these 5 tips from experts
How you can help
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.
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.