curious minnesota
What is the largest machine in Minnesota?
Transformers inspired a family to hunt for a mechanical mammoth. Here's what we found.
Listen: How did Minnesota become a window manufacturing hub?
The Curious Minnesota podcast discusses the history of the state's window giants, Marvin and Andersen Windows & Doors.
Ask a question now: What are you curious about, Minnesota?
Help us answer questions that matter to you.
Did a famed parks leader import gray squirrels to Minneapolis — and have the red ones killed?
Gray squirrels were once a rare breed mostly found in forests. Now they are abundant in the city's parks.
Listen: Why are there so many stucco homes in the Twin Cities?
The Curious Minnesota podcast discusses why the cement-based siding became especially popular in this region.
How a Twin Cities ammunition factory dominated by women helped U.S. win WWII
The plant in Arden Hills produced billions of bullets in the 1940s. Now it is one of the region's prime development sites.
Wind gusts are blowing away recent records in Minnesota. But is technology partly to blame?
Weather watchers are observing notable wind trends, though other factors could be boosting the numbers.
How we choose Curious Minnesota questions submitted by readers
Readers sent in nearly 800 questions in 2022. Help us keep the momentum going in the new year.
Listen: Minnesota companies once dominated the supercomputer industry. What happened?
The Curious Minnesota podcast discusses the Minnesota companies that built some of the fastest computers in the world.
How St. Cloud nearly became a car manufacturing hub
Samuel Pandolfo planned to disrupt the automobile industry with a new type of car. Then he went to prison.
Why does Minnesota have so many lakes?
Minnesota's landscape has been transformed much more than its neighbors, even those once covered by glaciers.
Listen: Why did Finnish immigrants come to Minnesota? (And no, they're not Scandinavian)
The Curious Minnesota podcast discusses why Minnesota has more residents of Finnish ancestry than any other state.
Why workers are reluctant to come to Minnesota, but stay once they're here
The state is grappling with one of the worst workforce shortages in the country.
Why was the Mall of America built in Minnesota?
The "fantasyland" proposal for the former Met Stadium site almost didn't materialize.
Listen: Did a TV debate decide one of Minnesota's most scandalous elections?
The Curious Minnesota podcast delves into the contentious 1990 gubernatorial campaign.
Minnesota companies once dominated the supercomputer industry. What happened?
Control Data, Univac and Cray Research designed some of the world's fastest computers. But their success didn't last.
How were the bluffs of southeast Minnesota formed?
In a region known for its flat topography, one area diverges from the norm.
Minnesota is a top corn producer. But how much of it is eaten by humans?
The state's plentiful corn harvest is destined for much more than grocery stores and summer barbecues.
Local
Driver shortage hits volunteer-run services, including Medlink
Driver in custody after hitting two teens in Bloomington
Lawmakers seek to reduce fare-dodging penalty on transit
300 rally for police reform in St. Paul after Tyre Nichols killing
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Sports
Souhan: Eagles' smart rebuilding lands another Super Bowl berth
Hurts, Eagles soar into Super Bowl, rout 49ers for NFC title
Chiefs top Bengals 23-20 on last-second kick for AFC title
Gophers women's basketball scores only 41 points vs. No. 13 Michigan
Business
Social media is constantly changing, and the way your company uses it also must shift
What the heck is potassium sorbate? Demystifying common 'chemical sounding' food ingredients
Minnesota's Emmer, still a crypto booster, says Congress needs to step up oversight of regulators
Ramstad: You had a lot to say about my first columns, especially on immigration. Here's my response
Opinion
Allow gun bans in public spaces
Elder mass shooters, a new variant in America's plague
The uninhibited states of America
Readers Write: Winter blues, the Legislature, TikTok
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What is the largest machine in Minnesota?
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Why did Finnish immigrants come to Minnesota? (And no, they're not Scandinavian)
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Minnesota companies once dominated the supercomputer industry. What happened?
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Listen: Why did Finnish immigrants come to Minnesota? (And no, they're not Scandinavian)
Variety
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Politics
Biden, McCarthy to discuss debt limit in talks on Wednesday
State Senate narrowly backs right to abortion in state law
Concerns over prayer breakfast lead Congress to take it over
Minnesota nonprofits seek a slice of state's $17.6 billion pie
Nation
Tyre Nichols case revives calls for change in police culture
'Don't be numb to this': Battling despair over gun deaths
Snow leads to massive pileup in Wisconsin, dozens injured
Protesters: 'Cop City' activist's killing doesn't make sense
World
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Curious Minnesota
What is the largest machine in Minnesota?
Listen: How did Minnesota become a window manufacturing hub?
Ask a question now: What are you curious about, Minnesota?
Did a famed parks leader import gray squirrels to Minneapolis — and have the red ones killed?
Celebs
'24,' 'Runaways' actor Annie Wersching has died at 45
Barrett Strong, Motown artist known for 'Money,' dies at 81
Julie Otsuka, Ed Yong win Carnegie Medals for Excellence
T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach depart ABC News following relationship scandal
Inspired
Minnesota prosthetics project for Ukrainian soldiers seeks to be 'lights in this world'
St. Paul teacher honored for work with Hmong language
Minneapolis entrepreneur commemorates slain son in expanding salon
Wisconsin town rallies to help art center, music shop damaged in fire
More Stories
Why is St. Paul located where it is? Hint: It involves liquor
Religion and rebels feature prominently in the tale, which begins at Fort Snelling.
Listen: Does Minnesota really have the 'World's Oldest Rock'?
The Curious Minnesota podcast discusses the 3.5 billion-year-old history of Minnesota's most ancient artifact.
Listen: Who was Hennepin and why did Minnesota name so many things after him?
The Curious Minnesota podcast discusses the 17th century Catholic priest whose name is prevalent in the Twin Cities.
Was Duluth once home to more millionaires per capita than any other U.S. city?
The claim was popular in Duluth's industrial heyday and is still dished to visitors today.
Why did Finnish immigrants come to Minnesota? (And no, they're not Scandinavian)
Minnesota boasts more residents of Finnish ancestry than any other state. The story of how Finns arrived here is distinct from Swedes and Norwegians in several ways.