variety
What's new, gone virtual or gone from the St. Paul Winter Carnival
Despite COVID, St. Paul's annual celebration will go on, complete with torch-wielding Vulcans.
First Avenue open for business again – sort of
The club is welcoming back customers to view livestreamed shows from reserved tables.
HBO's 'Real Sports' spotlights North High School and its football coach
The 27th season premiere airs 9 p.m. Tuesday.
5 artists of color to celebrate in kids music after Grammys controversy
After criticism of all-white Grammys, songwriter Pierce Freelon and Minnesota's Okee Dokee Brothers help us spotlight artists of color in children's music.
In year of canceled traditions, mushers say Duluth's Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon is 'a bright spot'
Other dog sled races have been canceled, but the North Shore's Beargrease marathon will start Sunday, albeit with some modifications.
Eat & drink insider
Minnesota elementary school teacher stands out on 'The Bachelor'
Michelle Young, an Edina resident looking to change the world, was once a Woodbury High School basketball star
Evening grosbeaks and other outliers visit northern Minnesota
Beautiful northern visitors may show up at feeders this winter.
6 strategies for cooling it down on social media
Tips on how to lower the temperature on social media without losing your mind.
Political divide threatening relationships among family, friends and co-workers
Political divisions continue to strain relationships among families, friends, even co-workers.
Marcus Samuelsson's latest book celebrates Black food and the chefs who make it
In his new book, chef Marcus Samuelsson starts the conversation about Black food.
With Marvel's 'WandaVision' TV series, nothing is ever as it appears
Iowa's Surf Ballroom, site of Buddy Holly's last concert, named National Historic Landmark
Don McLean immortalized "the day the music died" at the Surf in his classic song "American Pie."
Scandia teen gardener and environmentalist is the butterfly whisperer
Scandia teen has planted more than 400 flowers, shrubs and trees in her bid to save pollinators.
Draw a brighter future with our downloadable weekly coloring page
Every Saturday in January, Minneapolis artist Lissette López Pridemore will help us envision the not-too-distant future when we can once again experience the simple things we've most missed.
Why you should revisit 'Moonstruck,' plus 6 other things to watch this week
Our weekly picks to lift your spirits and expand your pandemic playlist.
David Spade lands on his feet – again
With his talk show dead, he finds a new home promoting Netflix.
Ask Amy: Miscarriage devastates expectant couple
Dessa is hollerin' for Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in new tribute song
The Twin Cities hip-hop star delivered the "Hamilton"-inspired track at the behest of public radio's "Marketplace" — and President Biden, too.
BLOGS + COLUMNISTS
James Lileks
Lileks: Size really does matter sometimes
Does paper towel size change our usage habits?
'Mannequin trees' deck the halls at virtual holiday exhibition

Part-Christmas tree, part-mannequin, works at the Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery explore Black culture.
Eat & Drink
Former Lucia's space in Uptown Mpls will reopen as Sooki & Mimi next month
5 best things our food writers ate in the Twin Cities this week
Stock your fridge and pantry with these 12 products made by Twin Cities restaurants
11 places to get your bagel fix in the Twin Cities for National Bagel Day
Home & Garden
Fairytale $2M home outside of Minneapolis was inspired by medieval castles
Scandia teen gardener and environmentalist is the butterfly whisperer
Latest kitchen trends tracked in Houzz
Home listings: What $359,900 buys in the Twin Cities area
Music
First Avenue open for business again – sort of
5 artists of color to celebrate in kids music after Grammys controversy
Dessa is hollerin' for Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in new tribute song
Minnesota's Lyra Baroque brings 17th-century music into the Zoom era
Celebs
Judge OKs Weinstein bankruptcy plan with $17M for victims
Mossimo Giannulli loses bid to finish prison term at home
R&B artist Trey Songz arrested at AFC Championship game
Epstein's ex-girlfriend seeks dismissal of charges she faces
Movies
'The Marksman' is standard-issue Liam Neeson material
'Vivid' Dakota Johnson brings humor, heart to 'Our Friend'
'The White Tiger' is a corrosive satire of the Indian caste system
You may not know this former Guthrie actor's name but you'll recognize his face in these films
Inspired
When COVID arrived, Mpls. neighbors stepped outside to sing — 300 nights later, they're still singing
Minneapolis workplace strategist shares her thoughts on the post-COVID workplace
Retired Minnesota school psychologist and shy Swedish schoolgirl bond over a book
The teddy bear toss is a hockey tradition. Even in a pandemic, this community kept it going
Taste
Marcus Samuelsson's latest book celebrates Black food and the chefs who make it
Former Bellecour in Wayzata will reopen as Italian restaurant and pizza takeout
Twin Cities hotels get creative with cozy in-room dining experiences
Cornbread provides Southern comfort during Northern winters
Health
Do curfews slow spread of virus?
Minnesota reports 1,565 new COVID-19 cases, 31 more deaths
Minnesota on guard against the coronavirus variants
It's normal not to have 'normal' body temperature
Style
Why Crocs are the hottest shoes of 2020
Twin Cities designer Rammy Mohamed makes fashion — and a statement
TV & Media
Meet the new Batwoman: New actor steps in after only one season on the CW
'Fate: The Winx Saga' and four other shows our TV critic is watching this week
Minnesota elementary school teacher stands out on 'The Bachelor'
Why you should revisit 'Moonstruck,' plus 6 other things to watch this week
Travel
Thrifty Traveler provides the lowdown on cheap airfare from MSP
Returning to U.S. by air? You'll need a negative COVID test first.
Here's where and how to ski safely in Minnesota this winter
The pandemic will change vacations in 2021. Here's how Minnesotans can embrace the trends.
Stage & Arts
How Twin Cities theaters are connecting with audiences online
Bringing Minnesota art to Chicago art lovers is this woman's mission
A force behind Minnesota's Legacy Fund, arts advocate Sheila Smith retires after a quarter-century
Macalester professor takes home $50K Creative Capital grant
Books
10 books that will bring color back into this drab winter
Review: 'The House on Vesper Sands,' by Paraic O'Donnell
Review: 'American Baby,' by Gabrielle Glaser
Review: 'Bride of the Sea,' by Eman Quotah
More Stories
Tips for handling suet
Merlin birding ID app now free.
Centerpiece is in Art Nouveau style, but not of that era
Civil war cannonball shard appears to be souvenir.
Was there another McGuire sister?
Q: In a story about the McGuire Sisters I saw a mention of a sister named Ruby. The sisters I remember were Phyllis, Dorothy and…
Fairytale $2M home outside of Minneapolis was inspired by medieval castles
French country-style estate was inspired by medieval castles.
A 4-year-old made a garden. A neighbor pretended to be a fairy. It was the start of a beautiful friendship
A neighbor took this note to heart: "Please add to the magic."