curious minnesota
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.
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.
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.
Ask a question now: What are you curious about, Minnesota?
Help us answer questions that matter to you.
When's the last time a Minn. Republican won a majority statewide?
You have to go back a full quarter century for the answer.
Why doesn't Minnesota charge a sales tax on clothing?
Minnesota is one of just a handful of states that does not charge sales tax on clothing — a bit of tax policy that's so well known that it attracts tourists.
Why was I-94 built through St. Paul's Rondo neighborhood?
The highway connected Minneapolis and St. Paul, but its construction tore a hole through a thriving, historic Black neighborhood.
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.
Should you really let your car run on cold mornings 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?
Why does Minneapolis keep planting trees under power lines?
After a few years, the trees are pruned into "ridiculous V shapes" to keep them from hitting power lines, a Curious Minnesota reader points out.
Listen: Will Minnesota join push toward a national popular vote?
Fifteen states have joined the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, but Minnesota isn't one of them. Host Eric Roper talks to reporter Torey van Oot about why.
Why are car tabs more expensive in Minnesota?
The cost of annual motor vehicle registration varies wildly around the U.S. States use a variety of methods to calculate registration fees, including a vehicle's age, weight, value or a flat rate.
Why is Minnesota the only mainland state with an abundance of wolves?
In October, federal wildlife officials announced they were delisting the wolf, removing endangered species protections.
Will Minnesota join the push to switch to a national popular vote?
Coming off the 2020 presidential election, the conversation around the Electoral College continues to heat up.
Is it legal to panhandle in the median of Minneapolis city streets?
The legality of panhandling on a median is a bit complicated. "Whether it's legal or not depends on how you conduct yourself," says Timothy Richards of the Minneapolis City Attorney's Office.
Why does St. Paul leave alley snowplowing to its residents?
In St. Paul, many residents have to band together to hire plow drivers during the winter.
Listen: Why do so many Twin Cities mall names end in 'dale'?
Malls ending in the suffix "dale" are peppered across the Twin Cities. But why "dale"? Reporter John Ewoldt joins host Eric Roper to discuss the history of the Dales, starting with the landmark mall that started it all — Southdale.
Local
In-person volunteering slowly returns in Minnesota after COVID surge
Saturday storm could bring significant snow to Twin Cities, southern Minnesota
State's vaccine allocation increases to 871,650 doses
Wisconsin DNR board refuses to set early wolf hunt
Current Conditions Minneapolis
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Sports
Hank Aaron, Hall of Famer and legendary home run hitter, dies at 86
Dubnyk starts in Wild home opener ... but for San Jose
Cooking at home: Gophers lament being undefeated in their empty Barn
Kirill Kaprizov: The most dynamic Minnesota rookie since . . .
Business
Buyer of Eden Prairie's MTS finds another buyer for its biggest business
Pounded by the pandemic, Duluth shipping seeks rebound in 2021
200 Teamsters on strike at St. Paul Park refinery
Biden's choice on econ aid: Deal with GOP or go for it all
Opinion
President Joe Biden's scouring start
A Minneapolis police plan that failed at liftoff
How does someone live at the airport undetected for nearly three months?
Can liberty survive all this 'unity'?
Latest Sack Cartoon
Biden's honey-(un)do list
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Variety
5 best things our food writers ate in the Twin Cities this week
Why you should revisit 'Moonstruck,' plus 6 other things to watch this week
WCCO Radio parts ways with its program director
Former Bellecour in Wayzata will reopen as Italian restaurant and pizza takeout
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Politics
Impeachment will go to Senate on Monday, launching trial
Biden's choice on econ aid: Deal with GOP or go for it all
Austin wins Senate confirmation as 1st Black Pentagon chief
Guard in DC forced to sleep in garages, sparking outcry
Nation
Biden orders review of domestic violent extremism threat
$1B Mega Millions prize a result of long odds, slow sales
Hank Aaron, Hall of Famer and legendary home run hitter, dies at 86
Man pleads guilty to deaths of 36 people in warehouse fire
World
U.K. chief scientist says new virus variant may be more deadly
Canada thinking of quarantining travelers in hotels
Speculation over Tokyo Olympics: 2021, 2032 or not at all?
YouTube bans German channel that spread virus misinformation
Curious Minnesota
Were grizzly bears ever indigenous to Minnesota?
Did Ford make millions of windows from sand mined beneath its plant?
How are courts in Minnesota coping with the pandemic?
Listen: How is Mississippi River water made safe to drink?
Duluth
Duluth dredging project dumped 1970s aluminum shards on Park Point beach
In Duluth, vaccinations race to beat the next COVID-19 surge
Duluth bus fares dropping to encourage more rides after deep downturn
Duluth's Zeitgeist Arts Cafe reopens with pop-ups in tow
Celebs
Tom Brokaw says he's retiring from NBC News after 55 years
Dustin Diamond undergoing chemotherapy treatments for cancer
No-go for Joe Exotic: Trump pardon list omits 'Tiger King'
AP PHOTOS: Hank Aaron exceled and inspired
Inspired
When COVID arrived, Mpls. neighbors stepped outside to sing — 300 nights later, they're still singing
Minneapolis workplace strategist shares her thoughts on the post-COVID workplace
Retired Minnesota school psychologist and shy Swedish schoolgirl bond over a book
The teddy bear toss is a hockey tradition. Even in a pandemic, this community kept it going
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