curious minnesota
How did the North Loop neighborhood get its name?
Now one of the city's most popular entertainment destinations, its name has surprising transit origins.
From bankrupt racetrack to aviation hub — what remains from MSP Airport's early days?
Planes have been flying at MSP — formerly Wold-Chamberlain Field — for roughly a century.
Listen: Why does Minnesota test tornado sirens on the first Wednesday of the month?
Curious Minnesota podcast host Eric Roper discusses Civil Defense and the Cold War history of tornado sirens with writer Dave Kenney.
Why is there a new cellular pole in my Minneapolis neighborhood?
The transition to 5G wireless technology is having a visible impact on some city streets.
How did Dinkytown in Minneapolis get its name?
The unusual moniker for the commercial district near the University of Minnesota dates to the 1940s.
How much gold is hiding underground in northern Minnesota?
The precious metal has not been mined in Minnesota since the turn of the 20th century.
Ask a question now: What are you curious about, Minnesota?
Help us answer questions that matter to you.
Listen: Was Minnesota home to nuclear missiles during the Cold War?
Curious Minnesota podcast host Eric Roper discusses the 1950s initiative to install missile sites around the Twin Cities.
Why does Minnesota test tornado sirens on the first Wednesday of the month?
Siren testing began amid fears of a Soviet atomic bomb attack during the Cold War.
Is Minnesota's power grid ready for widespread electric cars?
Electric vehicles are growing in popularity. Keeping them all on the road will require a lot of power.
Was Minnesota once home to U.S. government-sponsored hemp farms?
The controversial crop was at the center of a short-lived program during WWII.
Who is the oldest living person in Minnesota?
The oldest Minnesotan, a supercentenarian, is also one of the oldest living people in the United States.
Listen: Does the Mississippi River really begin at Lake Itasca?
Host Eric Roper digs into the science and history behind the Mighty Mississippi's headwaters.
Where did suburban streetcar lines run and why were they removed?
The expansive Twin Cities streetcar network once reached from Lake Minnetonka to Stillwater.
What are the top five immigrant groups in Minnesota?
The origin countries of Minnesota's foreign-born population has changed significantly in the last three decades.
Is Minnesota cloudier in winter, or does it just seem that way?
Just last year, Minnesota recorded its gloomiest January in 57 years, according to the state Department of Natural Resources.
What's the best place, time to see the northern lights in Minnesota?
Although the lights can be seen any time of year, spring and fall, especially September and March, are the best chances to see the northern lights in Minnesota.
How safe is it, really, to walk on Minnesota's iced-over lakes?
"The standard answer is, really, ice is never 100% safe," said a DNR recreation safety coordinator. And early- and late-season ice is the most unpredictable.
Local
Poor families in Minneapolis could tap into 'guaranteed income' of $500 per month
Accusations fly in Minneapolis DFL party over fairness of online voting
Scoring error prompts confusion over Minnesota state robotics championship results
How did the North Loop neighborhood get its name?
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Sports
Longtime Duluth East hockey coach: 'Parental pressure' led him to quit
Burnham makes a major move at U.S. Women's Open
Five rookies in lineup, Astudillo batting clean-up for Twins in K.C.
'Can't wait to get started.' Alexandria's Thompson, other U hoops newcomers arriving
Business
Target to use Minneapolis startup's buy now, pay later platform
Minneapolis startup helping retailers up their presence on sites like Amazon, Etsy
Labor negotiations escalate at South Dakota pork plant
General Mills may cut 20% of 3,000 employees at Golden Valley HQ
Opinion
U.S.-Israel political parallels (and perils)
'Fail and fix' doesn't work as Rx for drug supply chain
Sack cartoon: Mar-a-lego
Readers Write: Race, civil unrest, Catholic Church sex abuse
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Mar-a-lego
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Variety
Minneapolis' iconic Walker Art Center, now 50 years old, is aging gracefully
15 fall concerts in Minnesota to score tickets to right now
5 best things our food writers ate in the Twin Cities this week
Master musicians present a Schubert serenade for sparrows, ducks and 125 Minnesota music lovers
Latest Columns
Politics
Biden rebuffs GOP infrastructure offer, citing broader goals
In new lawsuit, Lindell claims he could lose $2B because of 'conspiracy'
Facebook suspends Trump for 2 years, then will reassess
Fort Worth picking new mayor for first time in a decade
Nation
Anarchists and an increase in crime hijack Portland's social justice movement
Fisher-Price recalls baby soothers after 4 infant deaths
Biden taps groups to help pick asylum-seekers to come to US
US intel report on UFOs: No evidence of aliens, but. ...
World
Putin chafes at US, criticizes response to Capitol attack
Trudeau wants Vatican apology for church-run school abuses
Hundreds gather near Hong Kong park despite vigil ban
European regulators launch fresh probes of Facebook, Google
Curious Minnesota
How did the North Loop neighborhood get its name?
From bankrupt racetrack to aviation hub — what remains from MSP Airport's early days?
Listen: Why does Minnesota test tornado sirens on the first Wednesday of the month?
Why is there a new cellular pole in my Minneapolis neighborhood?
Duluth
Anderson: Plans in Canada are murky as resorts continue to suffer
New Glensheen Mansion exhibit highlights the weird, morbid and obscure
Duluth East hockey coach Mike Randolph resigns amid investigation
Ely custard shop settles sexual harassment case, kind of
Celebs
Ex-child actor Drake Bell accused of child endangerment
Princess Diana's wedding dress goes on display in London
Celebrity attorney F. Lee Bailey dead at 87
Queen Elizabeth II to meet with Joe Biden at Windsor Castle
Inspired
Minnesota's expanding Buy Nothing movement is a gift to its members and to Mother Earth
Hennepin County places 700th formerly homeless person in permanent housing
Mendota Heights couple head to Nepal, giving back to the country where they met
Man takes junkyard scraps, transforms them into new cars
More Stories
Listen: Why did Minneapolis tear down its biggest train station?
Minneapolis' two primary train stations met very different fates in the 1970s.
Why did Minneapolis tear down its biggest train station?
Minneapolis' two train stations met very different fates in the 1970s.
What happens to the de-icing fluid sprayed on planes at MSP airport?
Due to our cold winters, MSP is one of the busiest airports in the country for de-icing operations. Delta uses more than 1 million gallons of fluid each season.
What does it take to become a police officer in Minnesota?
In light of recent issues with police officer conduct, one reader wanted to know what kind of training law enforcement officers get in the state.
Listen: How Ford made millions of windows from St. Paul sand
For part of the 20th century, Ford Motor Co. relied heavily on sand mined from beneath its plant in St. Paul to make windows for its cars.