curious minnesota
Why did Prince decide to live in Chanhassen?
The Minneapolis native's legacy will forever be linked to his state-of-the-art suburban playground, Paisley Park.
Why thousands of board games are buried beneath Mankato
The Anti-Monopoly alternative to America's most successful board game took off in the 1970s. But a gaming giant with Minnesota ties sought its destruction.
Ask a question now: What are you curious about, Minnesota?
Help us answer questions that matter to you.
Listen: Why didn't Minneapolis and St. Paul ever merge?
The Curious Minnesota podcast discusses how it was once considered 'manifest destiny' that the two cities would become one.
What happens to the plastic bags we recycle at grocery stores?
Our modern lives are flooded with plastic film, which cannot be put in curbside recycling bins.
Listen: Why does Minnesota have municipal liquor stores?
The Curious Minnesota podcast discusses why Minnesota's alcohol regulations are unlike most other states.
How did Minnesota become a recurring 'Golden Girls' joke?
Chickens play piano and cows have the right to vote in Rose Nylund's fictional hometown of St. Olaf, Minn.
Inside the mines and megamachines of the Iron Range
A family's question about large machines resulted in a Curious Minnesota field trip to the mighty Mesabi, a place that has fueled America's success story.
How did Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Park get their names?
The cities began as one township when Minnesota became a state.
Listen: Why didn't Minneapolis gobble up its suburbs?
The Curious Minnesota podcast discusses why the Minneapolis area fragmented into a web of smaller cities.
Why has Minnesota's suicide rate been steadily rising?
This heartbreaking public health trend has mirrored a similar increase across the country.
How did egg coffee become a Minnesota tradition?
This smooth brew was a common offering around the state before the proliferation of modern coffee machines. You can still find it, if you know where to look.
Listen: Did a famed parks leader import gray squirrels to Minneapolis — and have the red ones killed?
The Curious Minnesota podcast discusses Theodore Wirth's effort to replace one type of squirrel with another in the early 1900s.
How did Tonka trucks get their start in Minnesota?
Tonka Toys was a pioneer for its realistic designs and reliance on metal parts.
Why is it illegal to chase greased pigs in Minnesota?
This half-century-old law recently earned a spot as a question on "Jeopardy."
Listen: Why was the utopian plan for Minneapolis' Cedar-Riverside area never built?
The Curious Minnesota podcast discusses the ambitious vision behind what is now Riverside Plaza.
Why didn't Minneapolis and St. Paul ever merge?
It was once considered "manifest destiny" that the two cities would become one.
Why does Minnesota have municipal liquor stores?
The state's city-by-city approach to regulating alcohol sales is unlike most of the country.
Local
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Sports
Twins come through in 10th inning, break losing streak on sac fly
Dalvin Cook released by Vikings after six seasons
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Business
Duluth seaport's ag exports are at historic low. Could Moroccan businessmen revive its good fortune?
Thousands of Minnesotans could lose health insurance if they don't take action
Allina suspends policy that denied care to patients with large debts
Twin Cities suburbs confront post-COVID office vacancies
Opinion
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Why did Prince decide to live in Chanhassen?
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Why thousands of board games are buried beneath Mankato
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Why did Finnish immigrants come to Minnesota? (And no, they're not Scandinavian)
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![At the Eco Experience Building at the State Fair, plastic bags are being turned into landscaping products .] Richard Tsong-Taatarii/rtsong-taatarii@st](https://chorus.stimg.co/23619227/08_982896_01tornadobag082315.jpg?w=75&h=75&fit=crop&crop=faces)
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Review: 'Ted Lasso' deserved a bigger sendoff
With input from Minnesotans, African native invigorates his homeland
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Nation
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World
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Curious Minnesota
Why did Prince decide to live in Chanhassen?
Why thousands of board games are buried beneath Mankato
Ask a question now: What are you curious about, Minnesota?
Listen: Why didn't Minneapolis and St. Paul ever merge?
Celebs
Kim Cattrall 'had no contact with anybody' for 'Sex and the City' reboot cameo, co-star says
James Cameron feels he 'walked into an ambush' in Argentine lithium dispute
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Drake, GloRilla, Lizzo, 21 Savage enter BET Awards as top nominees
Inspired
With input from Minnesotans, African native invigorates his homeland
His wife died young. His response? Run and reset
How you can help
Pride flag stolen in West St. Paul sparks fundraising campaign
More Stories
Listen: What happened to Minneapolis' famous Weatherball?
The Curious Minnesota podcast discusses the landmark that dominated Minneapolis' skyline for part of the 20th century.
How important was the Iron Range to winning World War II?
Many of America's WWII-era tanks, warships, guns and ammunition can be traced back to Minnesota's plentiful iron deposits.
Listen: How a Twin Cities ammunition factory dominated by women helped U.S. win WWII
The Curious Minnesota podcast discusses the unique history of the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant.
Why didn't Minneapolis gobble up its suburbs?
Annexation once seemed likely. Instead, the Twin Cities became a region of fragmented local governments.
What's the story behind Minneapolis' smaller houses with huge front yards?
The "back-of-lot" homes can be seen around the city, particularly in south Minneapolis.