Minnesota Star Tribune columnist. Hobbyist woodworker on Instagram: https://nitter.cf/t.co/R7lRvWtJCP
Minneapolis, MN
Joined October 2009
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I have been working for five years on a project that began as a mystery about my home, but ultimately revealed an important history of race in Minneapolis. Our podcast, "Ghost of a Chance," will begin publishing Monday. Here is my first-person essay: startribune.com/a-mystery-ab…
I enjoyed digging through our archives to chronicle Dan Cohen's long and very interesting career in Minneapolis politics. Cohen famously took the Star Tribune to the U.S. Supreme Court -- and won. He died in early April.
startribune.com/he-fought-th…
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I'm very excited about a new searchable database we are launching today for the fifth anniversary of Curious Minnesota. The Curious Minnesota Collection features more than 260 stories about Minnesota history and culture, all based on reader questions. startribune.com/curious-minn…
Why didn't Minneapolis gobble up its suburbs? It actually nearly did! Curious Minnesota tackled a @BrandtMpls question about why the city of Minneapolis is so small. Featuring a @MaryJoWebster analysis of how it compares with other central cities startribune.com/minneapolis-…
The @maddow podcast "Ultra" spurred several readers to write Curious Minnesota about Sen. Ernest Lundeen -- Minnesota's Nazi sympathizer U.S. Senator. @KDuchschere brings us the dramatic and extraordinary tale of Lundeen's career in today's column. startribune.com/ernest-lunde…
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Thanks to everyone who helped brainstorm for today's Curious Minnesota story, "What is largest machine in Minnesota?" (A family asked this Q, inspired by a Transformers Lego set.) We'll be back with Part 2 after hearing from readers about what we missed startribune.com/biggest-mach…
What's the largest machine in Minnesota? Someone submitted this question to Curious Minnesota and I'm intrigued. Anyone know of some obvious candidates? I might have to set some parameters for what constitutes a "machine," but looking for some ideas on where to begin.
Overseeing Curious Minnesota is the most interesting role I have had in my 13-year career at the Star Tribune. We received nearly 800 reader questions in 2022! If you're enjoying the column and/or podcast, please help spread the word. startribune.com/curious-minn…
ICYMI: Engineer's report reveals extent of damage to historic Stevens House. It says first two fires caused "only superficial damage" to structural integrity, but the third fire "cause[d] considerably more damage to the structural elements" of the building startribune.com/john-stevens…
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Third arson fire was most damaging to historic Stevens House in Minneapolis startribune.com/john-stevens…
🎧🎙️After a hiatus for my wedding, the Curious Minnesota podcast is back! I've been looking forward to today's episode for a while. @am_reports and I discuss whether Minnesota actually has the "World's Oldest Rock," following my story in August. startribune.com/curious-minn…
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Some readers objected to the omission of Finns from my story several months ago on Scandinavian immigration. Finland is Nordic, not Scandinavian. The Finnish migration to MN is a unique and fascinating tale. I dug into that for today's Curious MN startribune.com/finland-immi…
What happens to the paint, gas, batteries and other hazardous waste that Minnesotans bring to county drop-off facilities? Turns out a lot of it is recycled to make new products and fuel. I delved into this topic for today's Curious Minnesota column startribune.com/hazardous-wa…
I'm very lucky to be marrying (in 8 days!) someone who will gladly go on a geology road trip adventure with me.
Ask “Does Minnesota have the world’s oldest rock?” and @StribRoper will dig till he gets to the bottom of it. We went to Granite Falls & Morton together this spring to find the answer. He interviewed geologists, historians, the mayor and more. Read his rockin’ story today!
Does Minnesota really have the "World's Oldest Rock"? This question from a reader led me to one of the most fascinating and challenging topics I've ever covered. Today's Curious Minnesota is about how MN became home to a slice of Earth's earliest history startribune.com/morton-gneis…
Today's parking story features one of the more interesting parking photos from our archives. In 1951, singer Burl Ives inaugurated the new parking ramp at 9th St. and LaSalle Ave. by releasing balloons. Whoever found one received 10 days of free parking. startribune.com/parking-ramp…
Why do Minnesotans call them 'parking ramps' instead of 'garages'? @Katy_Read delved into this interesting regionalism for today's Curious Minnesota, in response to a reader Q
startribune.com/parking-ramp…
.@Katy_Read is working on a Curious Minnesota story for next week about why Minnesotans call parking ramps "ramps." (It appears to be an Upper Midwest regionalism.) Does anyone have an anecdote or observation on the topic? Reply here or send a note to [email protected]
Reporting today's story about the Stevens House felt like I was channeling one of my Star Tribune heroes, the late Barbara Flanagan. Then I found her column from exactly 50 years ago, asking why people aren't paying more attention to the Stevens House! startribune.com/john-stevens…
Why has the Park Board allowed the 'birthplace of Minneapolis' to deteriorate? This week's Curious Minnesota story is based on my own question about the John H. Stevens House in Minnehaha Park -- a truly unique city landmark startribune.com/john-stevens…
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