curious minnesota
Did Ford make car windows of sand mined from under its St. Paul plant?
Henry Ford chose the St. Paul site carefully. Minnesota was a central location, and the plant was sitting on a mine — not of gold, but of pure, white silica sand.
How are courts in Minnesota coping with the pandemic?
There were only five state jury trials in December, with COVID-19 protocols in place, but plenty of court hearings are happening, mostly remotely.
Listen: How is Mississippi River water made safe to drink?
We visited Minneapolis' drinking water treatment facility to understand the complex process that makes river water safe to drink.
Listen to the Curious Minnesota podcast
What do you wonder about the people, places and culture of Minnesota? Listen to our community-driven reporting project, which invites listeners to ask questions that our newsroom researches and answers.
When's the last time a Minn. Republican won a majority statewide?
You have to go back a full quarter century for the answer.
Why doesn't Minnesota charge a sales tax on clothing?
Minnesota is one of just a handful of states that does not charge sales tax on clothing — a bit of tax policy that's so well known that it attracts tourists.
Ask a question now: What are you curious about, Minnesota?
Help us answer questions that matter to you.
Why was I-94 built through St. Paul's Rondo neighborhood?
The highway connected Minneapolis and St. Paul, but its construction tore a hole through a thriving, historic Black neighborhood.
Why does Minneapolis keep planting trees under power lines?
After a few years, the trees are pruned into "ridiculous V shapes" to keep them from hitting power lines, a Curious Minnesota reader points out.
Grizzly bears ... Curious Minnesota
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Listen: Will Minnesota join push toward a national popular vote?
Fifteen states have joined the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, but Minnesota isn't one of them. Host Eric Roper talks to reporter Torey van Oot about why.
Why are car tabs more expensive in Minnesota?
The cost of annual motor vehicle registration varies wildly around the U.S. States use a variety of methods to calculate registration fees, including a vehicle's age, weight, value or a flat rate.
Why is Minnesota the only mainland state with an abundance of wolves?
In October, federal wildlife officials announced they were delisting the wolf, removing endangered species protections.
Will Minnesota join the push to switch to a national popular vote?
Coming off the 2020 presidential election, the conversation around the Electoral College continues to heat up.
Is it legal to panhandle in the median of Minneapolis city streets?
The legality of panhandling on a median is a bit complicated. "Whether it's legal or not depends on how you conduct yourself," says Timothy Richards of the Minneapolis City Attorney's Office.
Why does St. Paul leave alley snowplowing to its residents?
In St. Paul, many residents have to band together to hire plow drivers during the winter.
Listen: Why do so many Twin Cities mall names end in 'dale'?
Malls ending in the suffix "dale" are peppered across the Twin Cities. But why "dale"? Reporter John Ewoldt joins host Eric Roper to discuss the history of the Dales, starting with the landmark mall that started it all — Southdale.
Are motorcycles allowed to be louder than cars in Minnesota?
Loud bikes are a pet peeve of many who say the unbridled mufflers make their bodies shake, hurt their ears and wake them from sleep.
Local
Minnesota's forests, land offer chance to cut greenhouse gases
Police watchdog group says Minneapolis uses legal loophole to hide police misconduct
Car skids on ice, goes airborne and nose-dives onto 2 parked vehicles in Mpls.
Fire damages greenhouse at Gertens in Inver Grove Heights
Current Conditions Minneapolis
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Sports
No late-game magic as Wild gets shut out by Ducks
Scoggins: Pitino's weekend shows joy, sorrow of hoops in a pandemic
Shorthanded Wolves, missing Towns, fall flat in Atlanta
Toby Gardenhire will manage Twins' top affiliate, the St. Paul Saints
Business
Minneapolis-based venture-capital firm for founders of color aims to raise $50 million
Florida company accused of selling fake 3M masks to HCMC hit with injunction
Construction to begin on apartments at former Flyte Tyme Studios site in Edina
Pakistan PM angry over reports TV anchor knew about strike
Opinion
Why the Senate may convict Trump
A new viral threat, but still time to act
Sack cartoon: Presidential pardons
Readers Write: Inauguration Day, Trump and impeachment, icy roads
Latest Sack Cartoon
Presidential pardons
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Variety
How Twin Cities parents can guide kids through food shortages
Streamed concerts by Minnesota Orchestra and SPCO offer both intimacy and brilliance
Working from bed: Productive cocoon or symptom of malaise?
Historic $1.55M St. Paul home was hangout for a young F. Scott Fitzgerald
Latest Columns
Politics
Biden to propose 8-year path to citizenship for immigrants
Dominion Voting Systems threatens to sue MyPillow CEO over false claims.
North Dakota lawmaker sorry for mass email of QAnon video
Freshman Rep. Fischbach faces challenges as a loyal Trump ally
Nation
In open letter to Dr. King, Stevie Wonder calls for equality
California becomes first state to top 3 million virus cases
Coronavirus deaths rising in 30 US states amid winter surge
Man allegedly hid 3 months at Chicago airport due to virus
World
Kremlin foe Navalny jailed for 30 days; allies plan protests
WHO chief lambasts vaccine profits, demands elderly go first
China economy grows in 2020 as rebound from virus gains
Xi, Modi expected for 'virtual' Davos in era of pandemic
Curious Minnesota
Did Ford make car windows of sand mined from under its St. Paul plant?
How are courts in Minnesota coping with the pandemic?
Listen: How is Mississippi River water made safe to drink?
Listen to the Curious Minnesota podcast
Duluth
Sex offenders at Moose Lake protest after rash of COVID deaths
Blatnik Bridge between Duluth and Superior headed toward retirement, replacement
2021 BWCA visitors will have to learn to 'leave no trace' of their visit
Federal stimulus will help pay internet bills, boost broadband access across Minnesota
Celebs
In open letter to Dr. King, Stevie Wonder calls for equality
Garth Brooks joins lineup of entertainers at Biden inaugural
Betty White marks 99th birthday Sunday; up late as she wants
Blue Jackets hold on, defeat Red Wings 3-2 for their 1st win
Inspired
Roseville nonprofit expands free food pick-up sites for Minnesotans in need
In recovery from perilous addictions, young adults share their stories through Change the Outcome
Twin Cities-based Remember Project uses plays to talk about dementia and memory loss
For her 53rd birthday, 53 acts of kindness
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020720 ... Curious Minnesota
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013120 ... Curious Minnesota
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How many WPA projects were built in Minn. as part of FDR's New Deal?
It's easy to stumble across the fruits of the agency's work, however — just look for the telltale bronze plaques.
Why do so many Twin Cities mall names end in 'dale'?
Southdale was designed to be more than a shopping experience, complete with a day care center, aviary, fish pond and sidewalk cafes.
Do the Twin Cities really get their drinking water from the Mississippi River?
Minneapolis and St. Paul treat about 100 million gallons of river water per day.