Reporter | Minneapolis K-12 schools

Mara Klecker covers Minneapolis K-12 schools for the Star Tribune. She previously reported on the suburbs of the Twin Cities. Before coming to the Star Tribune, she was the social services reporter at the Omaha World-Herald. 

A native South Dakotan and a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's journalism college, Klecker has always called the Midwest home. She's worked on journalism projects in Ecuador, Nicaragua and Nepal. In her free time, she can be found reading, hiking or planning her next international trip.


Albert Lea police find pipe bomb during vehicle search

The discovery led to the evacuation of the Freeborn County Government Center.


Pedestrian seriously hurt in hit-and-run near Nicollet Mall

Minneapolis police were investigating the incident.


Two teens killed and one injured in Big Lake crash

A state trooper spotted their vehicle speeding shortly before it left the highway and rolled.


North High homecoming king and queen persevere through incredible loss

Kai Darden lost his mom. Javayaa Puckett lost both her parents. Both teens lost a friend in Deshaun Hill Jr. But the homecoming king and queen persevered through tough times, and celebrated their achievements and the future at graduation.


Minneapolis school support staff reach tentative agreement on new contract

The education support professionals' tentative agreement came a day after they filed an intent to strike. That agreement, and another with the district's teachers, still need approval.


Minneapolis teachers union to vote on strike authorization

Members of the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers will vote Thursday and Friday on whether to walk out if a contract agreement can't be reached.


Amid teacher shortage, Minnesota schools turn to international recruiting

Districts from Fridley to Red Lake to Willmar have hired dozens of educators from other countries, namely the Philippines, to fill open jobs.


Minnesota's graduation rates dipped. Look up how your school performed.

Graduation rates dipped slightly for Black, Asian, Latino students and students learning English. Look up your school's results.


Kathy Cargill finally reveals her plan for Park Point and the reason she's scrapping it

Cargill told the Wall Street Journal on Saturday that she's soured on the community.


Minneapolis Public Schools faces a $115 million budget gap. Here's what to know about possible cuts

Reductions are likely coming to programs and staff positions in both schools and the district office, but the final budget won't be decided until June.