Matt McKinney

Reporter | Regional Team

Matt McKinney is a reporter on the Star Tribune's state team. In 15 years at the Star Tribune, he has covered business, agriculture and crime. 

McKinney graduated from St. John's University in Collegeville and spent the ensuing years chasing stories through Wisconsin, Rhode Island, and Cambodia. A Minnesota childhood taught McKinney to love winter, skiing, the first warm day of spring, good books and time spent outdoors. He benefited from great teachers at Stillwater High School, and again in Collegeville and at the University of Minnesota. He's a fan of several local breweries, Prince, Jessie Diggins, the Loons, and newspaper reporters near and far who taught him the craft. McKinney bikes to work year-round from his home in the Twin Cities, which he shares with his wife and two sons.

Recent content from Matt McKinney

A Minnesota sailor killed at Pearl Harbor to come home, 83 years later

William F. Gusie, 19, was aboard the Oklahoma when it was torpedoed and sunk

The story of Hercules the cat: Rescued in 2022, Target model in 2024

Hercules, the cat with the lovable face, now appears on cartons of Target brand kitty litter.

Mary Johnson-Roy, who drew on faith to forgive the man who killed her son, dies at 71

Renewing her life after the death of her son, Laramiun Lamont Byrd, Johnson-Roy went on to champion mercy and peace.

Judge stops St. Croix apartment project, reversing Wisconsin board's approvals

Citing evidence and "public outcry," Judge Daniel Tolan ruled the building would be visible from the St. Croix River in violation of environmental protections.

Ex-wife testifies that Apple River stabbing suspect a peaceful person

Sondra Miu testifies in court that feared for her ex-husband's safety when she saw young men surround him on the Apple River; Nicolae Miu has claimed self defense in the fight that left four people seriously injured and one person, Isaac Schuman, 17, dead.

Friend of stabbing victim who made key video testifies at Apple River stabbing trial

Jawahn Cockfield said he didn't realize what was happening as stabbings took place.

Gruesome video shown at trial on fatal Apple River stabbing

Prior Lake man's defense attorney and prosecution both say chaotic footage will prove their case in teen's death.

Apple River stabbing trial to begin Monday

Nicolae Miu, a 54-year-old Prior Lake man, is charged with homicide and faces life in prison in the 2022 killing of teenager Isaac Schuman.

Washington County Historic Courthouse in Stillwater reopens after renovation

The building had been closed since June 2023 and is now open Wednesday through Sunday for guided and self-guided tours.

Arne Carlson: Why wasn't public told sooner about Stillwater PFAS contamination?

The former governor says the delay in notifying residents about the contamination is "stunning," and calls on government officials to act.

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