curious minnesota
What was the first movie filmed in Minnesota?
Released a century ago, Minnesota's entrance on the silver screen has since become a history mystery.
Listen: Was organized crime behind the demise of Twin Cities streetcars?
The Curious Minnesota podcast examines how underworld characters influenced the region's transit company in the mid-20th Century.
Ask a question now: What are you curious about, Minnesota?
Help us answer questions that matter to you.
Why do Minnesotans have accents?
The state's well-known accent has come to symbolize folksy charm. But it has also been gradually evolving.
Is there place in Minnesota where you can have your body frozen for the future?
Some Minnesotans want their bodies frozen and placed in long-term storage after death. No one knows if they will ever be revived.
How is the sheriff's office different from the police department?
From performing water rescues to selling foreclosed properties, county sheriff's offices handle a wide range of tasks.
Was organized crime behind the demise of the Twin Cities streetcar system?
The transit system was plagued by scandals before and after the switch from streetcars to buses.
West, North, South, Park: Why are there so many suburbs named St. Paul?
Many east metro locales are named after Minnesota's capital city, though not all of their names neatly line up with the compass.
Listen: Why a slice of I-94 is a 'candyland for researchers'
The Curious Minnesota podcast examines how real-world traffic west of the Twin Cities is helping engineers build better roads.
How did Minnesota get its shape on the map?
Minnesota could have extended into present-day South Dakota, with a chunk bitten out by Wisconsin. Each of the borders is a separate tale.
What is the most haunted place in Minnesota?
Ghost hunters believe many locations across the state are hotspots for paranormal activity.
Which Indigenous tribes first called Minnesota home?
Archeologists and historians believe Native Americans have lived in Minnesota since the glaciers receded 13,000 years ago.
Listen: The mysterious wall that holds St. Anthony Falls in place
The Curious Minnesota podcast explores the questions being raised about a 145-year-old wall located deep beneath the Mississippi River.
Historic wildfires once destroyed entire cities in northern Minnesota. Could it happen again?
More than a century after the deadly blazes of 1894 and 1918 killed hundreds of people, wildfires continue to threaten the North Woods.
Why do military cargo planes regularly fly in pairs over the Twin Cities?
The large aircraft with four propellers are easy to distinguish from passenger air traffic.
Twin Cities area is recycling more than ever. Why hasn't landfilling declined?
Nearly half of the metro area's waste is recycled. But a significant share continues to be buried.
Listen: Why are there so many new 5G cell antennas in some neighborhoods?
The Curious Minnesota podcast explores the evolution of cellular technology and the reason for all the new antennas.
Did political shenanigans derail an effort to move Minnesota's capital?
The well-known tale about an 1850s proposal to move the capital to St. Peter has been passed down for generations.
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What was the first movie filmed in Minnesota?
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Listen: Was organized crime behind the demise of Twin Cities streetcars?
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Was organized crime behind the demise of the Twin Cities streetcar system?
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How much are electric vehicles affected by Minnesota's extreme cold?
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Twin Cities area is recycling more than ever. Why hasn't landfilling declined?
Variety
Takeout for Christmas? An updated list of Twin Cities restaurants that are cooking for the holidays.
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Lil Nas X, Saweetie couldn't out-party Pitbull in Jingle Ball's return to St. Paul
Minnesota's native pine trees produce beautiful cones for seeds and crafts
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Curious Minnesota
What was the first movie filmed in Minnesota?
Listen: Was organized crime behind the demise of Twin Cities streetcars?
Ask a question now: What are you curious about, Minnesota?
Why do Minnesotans have accents?
Duluth
Forest Service reducing access to BWCA next year in response to crowding
After hedge fund owner closed its newspaper, International Falls got a new one
High levels of arsenic found in well water in northeast Minn. township
Tall Ships festival moves from Duluth to Two Harbors for 2022
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Jussie Smollett testifies at his trial: 'There was no hoax'
Fired CNN anchor Chris Cuomo steps away from SiriusXM show
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Inspired
Roseville-based Salvation Army helps incarcerated parents give Christmas gifts to their children
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Retired FBI official saw a shortage of school bus drivers. He stepped up to the wheel
More Stories
What do you want to know about the 2021 election?
Star Tribune reporters will be answering reader questions about the 2021 election on a future episode of the Curious Minnesota podcast. Let us know…
Are more wild animals moving into Minnesota's cities?
Drought conditions may embolden animals looking for food in the urban core.
Listen: What do State Fair attendees want to know about Minnesota?
Fairgoers spoke to the Curious Minnesota podcast about what questions they would like to see us answer.
Why don't farms water their crops at night?
Keeping fields properly watered is a complex challenge for Minnesota farmers — especially during this year's drought.
Listen: What is the future of COVID-19 and the delta variant?
Reporters Jeremy Olson and Glenn Howatt join the Curious Minnesota podcast to answer reader questions about the latest phase of the pandemic.