curious minnesota
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.
Listen: What Minnesota inventions have shaped modern life?
The Curious Minnesota podcast discusses how creative Minnesotans devised hundreds of products we take for granted.
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.
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.
Why do so many Minnesota homeowners get free roofs after a hailstorm?
Stormy weather has been beating up local roofs lately. But insurance companies are also scaling back coverage, arguing that "something's got to change."
Ask a question now: What are you curious about, Minnesota?
Help us answer questions that matter to you.
What are the financial pros and cons of retiring in Minnesota?
The state has higher taxes. But it is also important to look at the "whole picture."
How did Faribault become home to Minnesota's deaf and blind academies?
These southeast Minnesota institutions date back to the earliest days of statehood.
Why is my mail addressed to a city where I don't live?
The city in official mailing addresses can be different from the actual destination.
What's the story behind Duluth's Aerial Lift Bridge?
The largest mechanical bridge in Minnesota once operated very differently than it does today.
Skid-steers, Softsoap and Nerf: 8 more Minnesota inventions that changed the world
One article couldn't hold all of the state's innovations that shape our daily lives.
Why does Maplewood have such an odd shape?
The suburb bordering St. Paul is home to one of Minnesota's largest companies — and that's not an accident.
What roles did Minnesota's Native American chiefs play? And who were some notable ones?
There are many misconceptions about these leaders, who sometimes had a fragile hold on power.
Listen: What does it mean when Minnesota courts sentence offenders to 'the workhouse'?
The Curious Minnesota podcast discusses the background of these unique correctional facilities, which are neither jails nor prisons.
What's the story behind the Minnesota communities in Arizona and Florida?
Even far away from their home state, Minnesotans often find each other.
How did Northfield become home to St. Olaf and Carleton colleges?
The prominent private schools have given the town an outsized stature.
What caused the 'horrific' deformities of Minnesota frogs in the 1990s?
The discovery by Minnesota middle schoolers became national news, leading to similar finds elsewhere in the country.
Listen: What is Minnesota's deepest lake?
The Curious Minnesota podcast discusses how humans created many of the state's deepest water bodies.
Local
For sale: Downtown St. Paul's historic Lowry Hotel, now home to affordable apartments
St. Cloud City Council member to run for mayor
Essential Minnesota: Your guide to what everyone is talking about
White Earth tribal member charged with felony cannabis possession after raid on tobacco shop
Current Conditions Minneapolis
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Sports
Late-game meltdown sends Twins to 10-6 loss vs. Mariners
Nuggets' Murray fined $100,000 after throwing heat pack in Game 2
Wild stay put at No. 13 in NHL draft lottery; Sharks get No. 1 pick
Wolves center Gobert earns fourth NBA Defensive Player of the Year award
Business
Sun Country Airlines' profit dented as COVID-era federal funding expires, sending airport fees up
Minneapolis Fed's Kashkari says interest rate conundrum makes 2024 uncertain
Ramstad: Minnetonka council meeting shows compromise on affordable housing is possible
Cat & Jack in Canada: Target expands kids brand in Hudson Bay and considers other international markets
Opinion
State housing bills are dead; time for local leaders to step up
As Capitol clock ticks, focus on priorities
Editorial cartoon: The 'most important election of our lives' ... again.
Readers Write: Pro-Palestinian protests, health care coverage, teaching history
Most Read
Variety
Famed Twin Cities baker sets cupcakes aside to write bestselling 'Minnesota spicy' romance novels
Guthrie's 'Skeleton Crew' reveals the pain and resilience of auto plant workers during the foreclosure crisis
SPCO musicians vote no confidence in leadership: 'It feels like we're dying'
Peter Macon goes from North High School to Emmy Award to 'Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes'
Latest Columns.
Patrick Reusse
Reusse: Former Twins pitching coach Johnson brings his velocity to Georgia
Wes Johnson is the head baseball coach at Georgia where he is still looking for an edge on the pitching mound and still focusing on velocity.
Jennifer Brooks
Brooks: Kristi Noem's puppy tale reads even worse in print
The only thing worse than puppy killing excerpts? Puppy killing in full detail.
La Velle E. Neal III
Neal: The ceiling for these Timberwolves? There isn't one.
Book your Western Conference finals plans, Wolves fans. Beyond that? There's no reason to doubt this team can win it all.
Evan Ramstad
Ramstad: Minnetonka council meeting shows compromise on affordable housing is possible
Making change in an old neighborhood takes tough negotiating and thick skin.
Politics
Ticket-selling enters regulation era as Walz signs fee transparency into law
Ethics panel takes up complaint against Republican senator who sent graphic video link
GOP House lawmaker unveils resolution to censure U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar
GOP senators grill Sen. Nicole Mitchell's attorneys during ethics hearing about her burglary charge
Nation
Biden condemns current antisemitism in Holocaust remembrance during college protests and Gaza war
Boy Scouts of America changing name to more inclusive Scouting America after years of woes
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
TikTok sues US to block law that could ban the social media platform
World
US paused bomb shipment to Israel to signal concerns over Rafah invasion, official says
Putin begins his fifth term as president, more in control of Russia than ever
Ukraine says it foiled a Russian spy agency plot to assassinate President Zelenskyy
Israel seizes Gaza's vital Rafah crossing, but the US says it isn't the full invasion many fear
Curious Minnesota
Why did the Minneapolis Lakers basketball team move to Los Angeles?
Listen: What Minnesota inventions have shaped modern life?
Introducing the Curious Minnesota Collection. Every question we've answered — now in one place
Searching for Snoopy: What happened to all the 'Peanuts' statues in St. Paul?
Celebs
Police investigating shooting outside Drake's mansion that left security guard wounded
Katy Perry and Rihanna didn't attend the Met Gala. But AI-generated images still fooled fans
Oprah Winfrey's new book club pick is Colm Tóibín's 'Long Island,' the sequel to 'Brooklyn'
Actor Bernard Hill, of 'Titanic' and 'Lord of the Rings,' has died at 79
Inspired
Minnesota music teachers play alongside Minnesota Orchestra members in special concerts
Two Minneapolis police officers earn Medal of Valor for daring water rescue of 4-year-old boy
St. Paul's Arborators play in the treetops: 'We're the world's only tree-climbing brass band'
Centennial High School senior highlights Native American community in new mural
More Stories
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.
Listen: Why does Maplewood have such an odd shape?
The Curious Minnesota podcast discusses how Maplewood was born out of leftover land — and became home to a signature Minnesota company.
Listen: How did Northfield become home to St. Olaf and Carleton colleges?
The Curious Minnesota podcast discusses the collaborative roots of these two prominent institutions.
Listen: Did union rules prevent Leonard Bernstein from joining the Minnesota Orchestra?
The Curious Minnesota podcast discusses how sometimes rejection is the beginning of an exciting new path in life.
What Minnesota inventions have shaped modern life?
Many know the story of the pacemaker and Post-it notes. But creative Minnesotans have devised hundreds of other products we take for granted.