curious minnesota
How do organics get recycled in Minnesota — and how good are we at it?
Residents can now recycle food scraps at the curb in more than 40 cities, either in an organics bin or special bags tossed in the trash.
How many Minn. breweries existed before the microbrewery boom?
![Patrons left Surly on Saturday, August 1, 2015. ] Aaron Lavinsky ¥ aaron.lavinsky@startribune.com Restaurant review: Surly Brewing's casual beer hall](https://stmedia.stimg.co/3CURIOUS052420.JPG?fit=crop&crop=faces&w=100)
The state's history of beermaking is filled with milestones, but now brewers face an uncertain future.
Why was the career of Minnesota's first congresswoman cut short?
The state's first U.S. congresswoman took office in 1955, holding the seat for four years before a scandal disrupted her career trajectory.
Why are Minnesota's pro teams named after the state, not a city?
While most pro teams are named after the cities they are based in, each of Minnesota's six teams uses the state name — the Twins, Vikings, Wild, Timberwolves, Lynx and United. Blame the Twin Cities.
Where does 'uff da' come from, and why do Minnesotans say it?
It's the most common of peculiar Minnesotan phrases. Some of us can't stop saying it. Many of us have no idea where it came from.
With far less traffic, why can't MnDOT make road projects go 24/7?
Traffic has dropped by 50 percent or more since the coronavirus shut down schools and many businesses, and that has many wondering why the state Department of Transportation isn't speeding up road construction.
Ask a question now: What are you curious about, Minnesota?
Help us answer questions that matter to you.
Why is Minnesota more liberal than its neighboring states?
The answer is a mix of history, culture and shifting demographics.
Listen: Why do so many Fortune 500 companies call Minnesota home?
Minnesota has more than its fair share of big companies that got started here with next to nothing — in a Minneapolis garage (Medtronic), a Roseau metalworking job shop (Polaris) and a stereo components store in St. Paul (Best Buy).
When you flush a toilet in the Twin Cities, where does everything go?
Most maps of the Twin Cities feature highways and bridges that connect our region. But few show another grid that is even more crucial to daily life.
Why do so many Fortune 500 companies call Minnesota home?
Minnesota has more than its fair share of big companies that got started here with next to nothing — in a Minneapolis garage (Medtronic), a Roseau metalworking job shop (Polaris) and a 1,200 square-foot stereo components store in St. Paul (Best Buy). Host Eric Roper talks with business columnist Lee Schafer about how the region came to have so many little companies that managed to mature into really big ones. Read more: www.strib.mn/2M8VxdP. Sixteen companies make latest Fortune 500 list: www.strib.mn/2WJRIkt
Was Minnesota once home to nuclear missiles during the Cold War?
A reader wanted to know if it was true that the farmlands of Minnesota were once home to dozens of nuclear-tipped missiles.
How did Minnesota become the Gopher State?
It appears Minnesotans have been misled about their beloved gophers. Host Eric Roper talks with reporter M.L. Smith to unravel the mystery behind Minnesota's unofficial nickname. Read the story: www.strib.mn/2MK9Vcx. More on the R.O. Sweeny cartoon that started it all: www.bit.ly/umncartoon. In 1856, Minnesota Weekly Times reader suggests calling Minnesota the Gopher State: www.bit.ly/gopherstate
Your top questions about Minnesota lakes answered
If Minnesotans love one thing, it's their lakes. We did some research to answer your five most frequent questions about Minnesota's cherished bodies of water.
Why does Minnesota have one of highest rates of volunteering in the country?
Minnesotans penchant for helping others goes beyond "Minnesota Nice."
Pandemic prep: Here's what you need to know
As the novel coronavirus spreads across the world, we asked readers what they want to know about the pandemic. Host Eric Roper talks with Pulitzer Prize-winning reporters Jeremy Olson and Glenn Howatt to answer your most pressing questions.
What's the truth behind Minnesota's Kensington Runestone?
After Swedish immigrant Olof Öhman said he unearthed the rock on his farm in Kensington in 1898, it immediately became a subject of fascination.
Listener lightning round: 3 answers on history, geography, traditions of Minnesota
From 19th century "glamping" on White Bear Lake to a mysterious missing street name in downtown Minneapolis, host Eric Roper tackles three questions from listeners in a special Curious Minnesota lightning round. Read more about why Minnesotans play Duck, Duck, Gray Duck instead of Duck, Duck, Goose: www.strib.mn/2QLaUfj
Local
On patrol in St. Paul, National Guard waits 'for the scales to tip'
Small Minnesota bail nonprofit pulled into presidential politics, draws Trump criticism
Iron Range teacher under review after telling county he 'would not be nice to any refugees'
Trucker who rolled into 35W protest released without charges
Current Conditions Minneapolis
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Sports
Vikings' Kendricks and Barr speak out against NFL on justice reform
Twins' St. Peter: MLB 'closer to resolution than most people believe'
How WCCO sports anchor Mike Max became a frontline reporter at the George Floyd protests
3M Open director says not much time to decide tournament's fate
Business
Dorsey & Whitney ends pro bono program with Minneapolis prosecution
Burned-out pharmacies leave a hole in Twin Cities neighborhoods
Minnesota companies cashing in on CARES Act business tax breaks
UnitedHealth to donate $10M to George Floyd family, rebuilding causes
Opinion
A democracy in crisis needs Michelle Obama
Ellison can help build trust that justice will be served in Floyd case
Sack cartoon: The photo-op
Readers Write: George Floyd, police union, police tactics, gun control, inequality
Latest Sack Cartoon
The photo-op
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![Single family home construction is booming at the Kingston Fields development in Cottage Grove. ] Shari L. Gross ¥ shari.gross@startribune.com Over t](https://stmedia.stimg.co/08_1009405535_3WOOD082519_56068319.JPG?w=75&h=75&fit=crop&crop=faces)
How did Minnesota become one of the most racially inequitable states?
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How do organics get recycled in Minnesota — and how good are we at it?
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What is Minnesota Nice and where did the expressoin originate?
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How did the Twin Cities become a hub for Somali immigrants?
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Why is Minnesota more liberal than its neighboring states?
Variety
DJ Mark Wheat signs off at 89.3 the Current after 15 years
How WCCO sports anchor Mike Max became a frontline reporter at the George Floyd protests
Hook & Ladder operators see 'moral responsibility' after surviving Lake Street riots
Amid restaurant closings, the Grocer's Table is opening Wednesday in Wayzata
Latest Columns
Most Watched
Politics
With wins in 7 states and DC, Biden closes in on nomination
Trump says GOP is pulling convention from North Carolina
DFL leaders: Policing reform will be 'centerpiece' of special session agenda
Tourist towns balance fear, survival in make-or-break summer
Nation
Nation's streets calmest in days; police credit curfews
Zuckerberg still under fire over inflammatory Trump posts
Friends mourn ex-Indiana football player slain during unrest
3 killed when helicopter hits power line in California
World
Scientist defends Sweden's hotly debated virus strategy
Trump questions render Trudeau speechless for 21 seconds
Putin signs Russia's nuclear deterrent policy
Italy opens borders ahead of neighbors, beckoning tourists
Curious Minnesota
How do organics get recycled in Minnesota — and how good are we at it?
How many Minn. breweries existed before the microbrewery boom?
Why was the career of Minnesota's first congresswoman cut short?
Why are Minnesota's pro teams named after the state, not a city?
Duluth
Iron Range teacher under review after telling county he 'would not be nice to any refugees'
In Duluth, late-night protesters weren't outside agitators; 'That is us'
Union protests in Duluth over Essentia's plan to lay off 900 employees
Duluth protests over George Floyd's death called unprecedented
Celebs
Lea Michele apologizes for being 'difficult' on 'Glee' set
Eagles' Don Henley asks Congress to change copyright law
Judge gives control of Joe Exotic's zoo to Carole Baskin
Social media, music world go dark for Black Out Tuesday
Agriculture
Corn prices keep slumping, and Minnesota farmers keep planting more
U.S. farmers will get $16 billion in direct aid because of COVID-19
Long Prairie Packing latest Minnesota meatpacking plant to have COVID-19 outbreak
Minnesota farmer charged with cheating grain elevator
Inspired
When a brain tumor cut short his hockey dream, Cretin-Derham Hall student took up golf
Metropolitan State garden experiment helps students sow human connections
Minneapolis Legal Rights Center celebrates 50 years of rebalancing legal disparities
An 8-year-old St. Paul girl is taking her neighborhood on a space walk
More Stories
Why is Uptown south of downtown in Minneapolis?
"Uptown" is the common name today for the district around Hennepin Avenue and Lake Street, but that is a relatively recent phenomenon. Host Eric Roper talks with authors Thatcher Imboden and Cedar Imboden Phillips about the roots of Uptown name. Read more here: www.strib.mn/2WNvVFQ
Listen: Why is Uptown south of downtown in Minneapolis?
"Uptown" is the name for the district around Hennepin Avenue and Lake Street, but that's a relatively recent phenomenon. Eric Roper gets to the bottom of the story behind the Uptown name.
What you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic
As the novel coronavirus spreads across the world, we've asked readers what they most want to know about the pandemic. Host Eric Roper talks with Pulitzer Prize-winning reporters Jeremy Olson and Glenn Howatt to answer your most pressing questions. Read more here: www.startribune.com/virus
How to see the northern lights
The elusive aurora borealis has an attraction that's indisputable. Host Eric Roper talks with reporter Kelly Smith and photographer Brian Peterson about where and when to find the northern lights — and how to capture them when you do. Read the story: http://strib.mn/2Neo9Dd. Check out Astro Bob's blog: http://bit.ly/astrobob
Why do electric-vehicle owners pay a surcharge in Minnesota?
Because EV owners aren't gas guzzlers, they don't pay state and federal gas taxes that help maintain roads and bridges. Yet they still use the state's crumbling road system.