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curious minnesota

What was Minnesota's role in hemp production during World War II?

Farmers in Mapleton, Minn. harvest hemp for the first time in 1943.

The controversial crop was at the center of a short-lived program during WWII.

Who is the oldest living person in Minnesota?

Erna Zahn, right, visiting Mount Rushmore with a friend in July 1934. George Washington’s head was the only completed portion of the monument.

The oldest Minnesotan, a supercentenarian, is also one of the oldest living people in the United States.

Where did suburban streetcar lines run and why were they removed?

A double-decker streetcar operates in Excelsior in the early 1900s. These special cars were only run for several years.

The expansive Twin Cities streetcar network once reached from Lake Minnetonka to Stillwater.

Listen: Does the Mississippi River really begin at Lake Itasca?

People walk across the Mississippi River at Itasca State Park.

Host Eric Roper digs into the science and history behind the Mighty Mississippi's headwaters.

What are the top five immigrant groups in Minnesota?

The origin countries of Minnesota's foreign-born population has changed significantly in the last three decades.

Is Minnesota cloudier in winter, or does it just seem that way?

Just last year, Minnesota recorded its gloomiest January in 57 years, according to the state Department of Natural Resources.

Ask a question now: What are you curious about, Minnesota?

Help us answer questions that matter to you.

What's the best place, time to see the northern lights in Minnesota?

Although the lights can be seen any time of year, spring and fall, especially September and March, are the best chances to see the northern lights in Minnesota.

How safe is it, really, to walk on Minnesota's iced-over lakes?

"The standard answer is, really, ice is never 100% safe," said a DNR recreation safety coordinator. And early- and late-season ice is the most unpredictable.

Listen: Why did Minneapolis tear down its biggest train station?

Minneapolis' two primary train stations met very different fates in the 1970s.

Why did Minneapolis tear down its biggest train station?

Minneapolis' two train stations met very different fates in the 1970s.

What happens to the de-icing fluid sprayed on planes at MSP airport?

Due to our cold winters, MSP is one of the busiest airports in the country for de-icing operations. Delta uses more than 1 million gallons of fluid each season.

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.

What does it take to become a police officer in Minnesota?

In light of recent issues with police officer conduct, one reader wanted to know what kind of training law enforcement officers get in the state.

Listen: How Ford made millions of windows from St. Paul sand

For part of the 20th century, Ford Motor Co. relied heavily on sand mined from beneath its plant in St. Paul to make windows for its cars.

Why does I-35E through St. Paul have a 45-mph speed limit?

The lower speed limit on the "35E Parkway" stems from a battle that began decades ago.

How did Minneapolis end up with a street named after a Persian king?

In the late 1800s, the population of Minneapolis was booming and city engineers sought to create alphabetical and numerical street grids that could be reliably navigated.

Should you let your car run in the cold before driving it?

A reader wonders if it's really important to let your car warm up before driving in the cold. Also: Does it matter exactly how cold it is?

Local

Firefighters worked on putting out a fire at the Sacred Heart of Jesus church in Northeast Minneapolis on Monday, April 19.

A church in northeast Minneapolis heavily damaged in a fire

Judge halts enforcement of St. Paul tenant protections
Minn. program added acres of bee, pollinator habitat
Hotel coming to Duluth's historic former City Hall

Current Conditions Minneapolis

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Sports

Minnesota Wild left wing Jordan Greenway, right, celebrates his goal against the Arizona Coyotes with Wild left wing Marcus Foligno (17) during the se

Fiala responds after benching, leads Wild over Coyotes

Souhan: U's Johnson must keep more of Minnesota's hoops talent at home
Holmgren chooses Gonzaga, follows lead of ex-prep teammate Suggs
Twins have no new positive COVID-19 tests, will play Tuesday

Business

Wells Fargo & Co. says first-quarter net income jumped to $4.74 billion from $653 million a year earlier, when the pandemic struck the global economy.

Wells Fargo seems to be getting its Minnesota mojo back

How a deep freeze in the South burned Minnesota consumers
Health services providers remain committed to Lake Street
How to earn up to 5% interest on a Minnesota checking account

Opinion

Walter Mondale in 2014. The former vice president died Monday.

Walter Mondale, 1928-2021: A rich life devoted to public service

Stop the attacks on working journalists
Minnesota is armed and ready to defend its investment in whiteness
We must meet the crisis on America's border ... with Canada

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Sack cartoon: A community on edge
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    Nation

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    Curious Minnesota

    Farmers in Mapleton, Minn. harvest hemp for the first time in 1943.

    What was Minnesota's role in hemp production during World War II?

    Who is the oldest living person in Minnesota?
    Where did suburban streetcar lines run and why were they removed?
    Listen: Does the Mississippi River really begin at Lake Itasca?

    Duluth

    Brooks: Art thief makes off with a piece of Grand Marais history

    Brooks: Art thief makes off with a piece of Grand Marais history

    Shard cleanup on Duluth's Park Point beach should be finished in June
    Daunte Wright's killing resonates in Duluth: 'We will not give up'
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    Laura Carmichael, left, stars as Lady Hexham, Elizabeth McGovern as Lady Grantham and Michelle Dockery stars as Lady Mary Talbot in the 2019 film “D

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    Inspired

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    More Stories

    Were grizzly bears ever indigenous to Minnesota?

    Long before grizzlies were driven into the mountains, they thrived in the plains, with their brown fur blending in almost perfectly with tall prairie grasses,

    Did Ford make millions of windows from sand mined beneath its 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.

    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.

    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.

    When's the last time a Minn. Republican won a majority statewide?

    You have to go back a full quarter century for the answer.