curious minnesota
Where were some of the Twin Cities' most notorious speakeasies?
Caves, hotels and other businesses hosted illegal drinking in the 1920s. Some are open today.
Listen: Why did Minnesota erase much of its German culture?
The Curious Minnesota podcast discusses how — despite its "uff da" reputation — the state has more German than Scandinavian ancestry.
What happened to all the leeches in Leech Lake?
The bloodsucking invertebrates appear to be on the decline in their namesake lake.
Introducing the Curious Minnesota Collection. Every question we've answered — now in one place
Our new searchable database is home to more than 260 stories about Minnesota history and culture, all inspired by reader questions.
How Quonset huts helped solve the post-WWII housing crisis in the Twin Cities
Pop-up neighborhoods were filled with the 'ugly but necessary' corrugated steel sheds. Then they disappeared.
Ask a question now: What are you curious about, Minnesota?
Help us answer questions that matter to you.
Why Wisconsin claims — incorrectly — to have more lakes than the Land of 10,000 Lakes
America's "water states" don't quite agree on the definition of a lake.
A multilingual army of immigrants helped build the Iron Range. How did they communicate in the mines?
People from more than 40 countries navigated dangerous conditions to extract the precious and plentiful iron ore of northern Minnesota.
Why did Minneapolis close Nicollet Avenue for a Kmart?
For nearly 50 years, the store blocked one of the city's main thoroughfares. That wasn't the original plan.
Listen: What is the oldest tree in Minnesota?
The Curious Minnesota podcast discusses a journey to visit an ancient state artifact.
Why did Minneapolis bury Bassett Creek?
The waterway was used as an industrial dumping ditch. Then city leaders tunneled it out of sight.
Listen: Emptying state institutions was supposed to help fix mental health care. What happened?
The Curious Minnesota podcast discusses how the system for community mental health care did not get fully built.
Why did Minnesota erase much of its German culture?
Despite its "uff da" reputation, the state has more German than Scandinavian ancestry.
'A total unicorn': How Pine City, Minn., became a pioneer in rural Pride
The nearly 20-year-old East Central Minnesota Pride has grown from a small picnic to a major event.
Listen: How did gambling develop into a major industry in Minnesota?
The Curious Minnesota podcast discusses how gambling had been largely illegal in the state until half a century ago.
Did Bundt cake originate in Minnesota?
The ring-shaped desserts have been a hit with bakers since the Bundt pan's debut in the 1950s.
Listen: Searching for Snoopy: What happened to all the 'Peanuts' statues in St. Paul?
The Curious Minnesota podcast discusses how a tribute to the comic strip's creator became a sensation in the capital city.
Emptying state institutions was supposed to help fix mental health care. What happened?
Why the system for community mental health care did not get fully built.
Local
Filing: Bystanders tried to fend off dogs that badly wounded toddler, mother in Brooklyn Park
Margot Imdieke Cross, disability rights advocate who made Minnesota more accessible, dies at 68
Striking workers reach tentative agreement with Minneapolis Park Board
KARE 11 appeal: Ramsey County judge's order retracting court document violates First Amendment
Current Conditions Minneapolis
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Sports
Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy is a master of meditation
Quarterback shuffle: Transfers expected to start for 14 of 18 Big Ten teams
Reusse: Bill Nelson and Dundas are big parts of Minnesota 'townball' history
How Minnesota shines in Summer Olympics: Unveiling a century of triumphs
Business
3M spinoff Solventum sees bump in stock after activist investor buys shares
Stinky reception for manure rules in Minnesota farm country
Record rally for 3M shares as profits soar under new CEO
CenterPoint's landmark $106 million clean energy plan approved by regulators
Opinion
Amid ascendant nationalism, Olympics' internationalism endures
DEI efforts in Minnesota schools still matter
Editorial cartoon: Bill Day on JD Vance
Readers Write: Biden's withdrawal from race, childfree voters and a ban on cows at the fair
Most Read
Variety
3 art shows to see before the State Fair takes over Minnesota
At Minnesota-based Nature Memories, those experiencing memory loss 'reclaim some joy'
These buildings bring a touch of classical Roman design to the Twin Cities
Which 'Purple Rain' screening will fans attend: Paisley Park or Target Center?
Latest Columns.
Dennis Anderson
Anderson: Chiovitte's state record walleye shouldn't be thrown back
The DNR has changed the way it recognizes Minnesota's biggest fish, but the walleye record should still stand.
Patrick Reusse
Reusse: Bill Nelson and Dundas are big parts of Minnesota 'townball' history
The Dukes have been a state power for decades, with plenty of success and some recent bad news.
James Lileks
These buildings bring a touch of classical Roman design to the Twin Cities
Why are we so fascinated with this bygone empire? Perhaps because we grew up around buildings that look to Rome for their inspiration.
Jennifer Brooks
Brooks: After insulting Jennifer Aniston and 'childless cat ladies' everywhere, JD Vance heads to Minnesota
Why do politicians keep dragging cats into this?
Politics
'These are weird people': Walz goes viral as he stumps for Kamala Harris
Netanyahu meets with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, offering measured optimism on a Gaza cease-fire
Safety 'top priority' for Saturday's Trump campaign rally in St. Cloud
FBI says Trump was indeed struck by bullet during assassination attempt
Nation
FBI says Trump was indeed struck by bullet during assassination attempt
A tanker plane crash has killed a firefighting pilot in Oregon as Western wildfires spread
Wreckage of schooner that sank in 1893 found in Lake Michigan
A missing 12-year-old Georgia girl is found in Ohio after her community galvanized to locate her
World
More than 350 structures were destroyed by Jasper wildfire in the Canadian Rockies, officials say
Powerful cartel leader 'El Mayo' Zambada was lured onto airplane before arrest in US, AP source says
Canada women's soccer coach suspended over drone scandal, which may be part of 'systemic' issues
Arsonists attack French high-speed rail system hours before opening ceremonies of the Paris Olympics
Curious Minnesota
Where were some of the Twin Cities' most notorious speakeasies?
Listen: Why did Minnesota erase much of its German culture?
What happened to all the leeches in Leech Lake?
Introducing the Curious Minnesota Collection. Every question we've answered — now in one place
Celebs
Vanessa Williams reveals she ended her 6-year marriage in 2021: 'I'm in love with life'
Kevin Spacey's waterfront Baltimore condo sold at auction after foreclosure
Museum pulls wax figure of Sinead O'Connor after complaints it does not compare to the real thing
Justin Timberlake's lawyer says pop singer wasn't intoxicated, argues DUI charges should be dropped
Inspired
At Minnesota-based Nature Memories, those experiencing memory loss 'reclaim some joy'
Gizmo the dog went missing in Las Vegas in 2015. He's been found alive after 9 years
How you can help
Minneapolis principal's 'sandlot' works social muscles during summer break
More Stories
How did gambling develop into a major industry in Minnesota?
Gambling had been largely illegal in the state until half a century ago.
Listen: What Minnesota inventions have shaped modern life?
The Curious Minnesota podcast discusses how creative Minnesotans devised hundreds of products we take for granted.
Why did the Minneapolis Lakers basketball team move to Los Angeles?
The team became the NBA's first dynasty in Minnesota. But locals were generally sympathetic to the move west.
Searching for Snoopy: What happened to all the 'Peanuts' statues in St. Paul?
The creative tributes to the comic strip characters were ubiquitous in the capital city in the early 2000s.
Listen: What roles did Minnesota's Native American chiefs play? And who were some notable ones?
The Curious Minnesota podcast discusses how these celebrated figures of the past navigated difficult decisions.