curious minnesota
Why did Scandinavian immigrants choose Minnesota?
No state in the country has more residents of Swedish and Norwegian ancestry.
Listen: How an inside joke led to St. Cloud getting its name
Reporter Jenny Berg joins the Curious Minnesota podcast to share the tale behind St. Cloud's moniker.
Ask a question now: What are you curious about, Minnesota?
Help us answer questions that matter to you.
How the heck did Minnesota end up with a state muffin?
Students at a northern Minnesota elementary school received a civics lesson they'll never forget.
Why does Minnesota require new license plates every seven years?
Regularly replacing license plates is a hassle for drivers that dates back more than three decades.
Listen: The hidden electrical system that keeps our lights on
Reporter Mike Hughlett joins the Curious Minnesota podcast to discuss where Minnesota's electricity originates, and how it gets to homes.
What is Minnesota's connection to the historic Dred Scott decision?
The U.S. Supreme Court case that laid the groundwork for the Civil War traces its roots to the frontier area that became Minnesota.
Why is Minnesota a national leader in its share of women who work?
Minnesota has ranked among the top 10 in women's workforce participation for many years.
Listen: Why do Minnesotans have accents?
The Curious Minnesota podcast delves into the accent's origins and what defines this uniquely Minnesotan way of speaking.
Why can't Minnesotans bypass the Legislature to change state laws?
Several past attempts to allow citizen initiatives in Minnesota have failed at the ballot box.
Why are there so many stucco homes in the Twin Cities?
The region's "love for stucco" is unique in the Midwest.
Listen: Did St. Paul really protect gangsters during the Prohibition era?
The Curious Minnesota podcast explores an unusual historical agreement between criminals and St. Paul police.
What are Minnesota's most exported products?
From snowmobiles to Scotch tape, companies ship an eclectic mix of locally made products to other countries.
What happened to Minneapolis' famous 'Mighty Kimball' organ?
One of the largest pipe organs ever produced in the U.S. fell silent when the Minneapolis Auditorium was demolished in the 1980s.
Listen: Why did Minneapolis' famous flour boom go bust?
The Curious Minnesota podcast explores how Minneapolis became a flour milling capital and why it didn't last.
What's the story behind Minnesota's military training ground, Camp Ripley?
For nearly a century, soldiers have prepared for war at a sprawling facility in central Minnesota.
Does water really only flow out of Minnesota — not into it?
A rare intersection of North America's continental divides on the Iron Range has a big impact on the flow of water in the region.
Listen: The stories behind Minnesota's oldest building and the Northwest Angle
The Curious Minnesota podcast talks with reporter Katy Read about listeners' favorite questions from the State Fair.
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Why did Scandinavian immigrants choose Minnesota?
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Why does Minnesota require new license plates every seven years?
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What is Minnesota's connection to the historic Dred Scott decision?
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Listen: Why do Minnesotans have accents?
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Curious Minnesota
Why did Scandinavian immigrants choose Minnesota?
Listen: How an inside joke led to St. Cloud getting its name
Ask a question now: What are you curious about, Minnesota?
How the heck did Minnesota end up with a state muffin?
Duluth
USS Minneapolis-St. Paul commissioned for duty in ceremony at Duluth Port
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More Stories
Is Minnesota really one of the nation's top sugar producers?
Americans consume sugar from beets every day, whether they realize it or not. And Minnesota farmers produce a lot of it.
Why did so many Jewish people move to St. Louis Park decades ago?
The western suburb is famously associated with Minnesota's Jewish population, which built a sizable community there in the latter half of the 20th century.
Will electric vehicles pay their fair share for Minnesota's road costs?
Electric cars and truck owners don't pay gas taxes but do contribute to road upkeep in other ways. Some think the state's policies need to change.
Why is the BWCA a wilderness and not a national park?
The area's history as a hub of industry and recreation led to unique protections and management for the Boundary Waters — and a national park next door.
Listen: Historic wildfires once destroyed part of Minnesota. Could it happen again?
The Curious Minnesota podcast talks with Jana Hollingsworth about the tragic fires of 1894 and 1918.