Recent content from Eric Roper
Listen: Why did Minnesota erase much of its German culture?
The Curious Minnesota podcast discusses how — despite its "uff da" reputation — the state has more German than Scandinavian ancestry.
Listen: What is the oldest tree in Minnesota?
The Curious Minnesota podcast discusses a journey to visit an ancient state artifact.
Listen: Emptying state institutions was supposed to help fix mental health care. What happened?
The Curious Minnesota podcast discusses how the system for community mental health care did not get fully built.
Listen: How did gambling develop into a major industry in Minnesota?
The Curious Minnesota podcast discusses how gambling had been largely illegal in the state until half a century ago.
Listen: Searching for Snoopy: What happened to all the 'Peanuts' statues in St. Paul?
The Curious Minnesota podcast discusses how a tribute to the comic strip's creator became a sensation in the capital city.
He fought this newspaper — and won. Dan Cohen, mainstay of Minneapolis politics for decades, dies at 87.
The former City Council president took the Star Tribune to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Listen: What Minnesota inventions have shaped modern life?
The Curious Minnesota podcast discusses how creative Minnesotans devised hundreds of products we take for granted.
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.