MPRdotOrg
Small plane crash sparks house fire in Brooklyn Park, Minn.
- Title
- Small plane crash sparks house fire in Brooklyn Park, Minn.
- Runtime
- 2:24
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- A small plane crashed in a residential neighborhood in Brooklyn Park, Minn., and sparked a large fire on Saturday, March 29, 2025. The single-engine plane was traveling from Iowa to Minnesota when it crashed into the suburban house, the Federal Aviation Administration said.
The crash ignited a fire in a home at 10792 Kyle Avenue, but no one was injured and the fire was extinguished in an hour. Brooklyn Park fire officials said there were no survivors on the plane, and they believe only one person was on board the craft.
U.S. Bank issued a statement Sunday responding to reports that the plane was registered to its vice chair and chief administration officer, Terry Dolan. It said company officials believe Dolan was aboard the aircraft. Officials had not named the pilot of the plane as of Monday morning.
Video courtesy of Mark D. Johns
Read more here:
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/03/29/small-plane-crashes-in-brooklyn-park
- Title
- The Minnesota Twins are launching facial-recognition stadium entry
- Runtime
- 1:04
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Target Field is in the next wave of Major League Baseball parks to start using facial-recognition stadium entry.
Starting opening day, fans can opt-in to the MLB’s “Go-Ahead Entry” technology which uses a camera to authenticate the entrant and automatically scan their tickets once they’re identified. The tech was first used in the Philadelphia Phillies ballpark in 2023.
The service is opt-in only and traditional entry lanes will still be available. There will be four participating “go-ahead entry” gates at Target Field: Gates 34, 29, 6 and 3.
The Minnesota Twins’ home opener game is 3:10 p.m. Thursday, April 3 against the Houston Astros.
Video by Anne Guttridge
- Title
- How substance abuse shaped Carolyn Wiger's time on "The Traitors"
- Runtime
- 1:01
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Minnesotan Carolyn Wiger was one of first traitors on Peacock’s newest season of “The Traitors.”
Wiger, who said she was addicted to drugs and alcohol before getting sober and becoming a drug counselor, said her experience helped her read people, which got her to episode nine in “The Traitors.”
She has gained national attention for her exuberant, outspoken personality on “The Traitors,” so MPR News sat down with her to talk about representing Minnesota on the international stage.
Video by Anne Guttridge with contributions from Alex Simpson
Thumbnail photo by Tim Evans
- Title
- "The Traitors" star Carolyn Wiger on being Minnesotan on reality TV
- Runtime
- 1:07
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Minnesotan Carolyn Wiger was one of first traitors on Peacock’s newest season of “The Traitors.”
She has lived in Minnesota her whole life and she stood out as a Midwesterner among a crowd of reality TV stars from the coasts.
Wiger has gained national attention for her exuberant, outspoken personality on “The Traitors,” so MPR News sat down with her to talk about representing Minnesota on the international stage.
Video by Anne Guttridge with contributions from Alex Simpson
Thumbnail photo by Tim Evans
- Title
- Carolyn Wiger on Minnesota, "The Traitors" and being true to yourself
- Runtime
- 21:40
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Minnesotan Carolyn Wiger was one of first traitors on Peacock’s newest season of “The Traitors.”
She has lived in Minnesota her whole life and she stood out as a Midwesterner among a crowd of reality TV stars from the coasts.
Wiger has gained national attention for her exuberant, outspoken personality on “The Traitors,” so MPR News sat down with her to talk about representing Minnesota on the international stage.
Video by Anne Guttridge with contributions from Alex Simpson
Thumbnail photo by Tim Evans
- Title
- Teen gets 23 years for fatal mass shooting at Minneapolis DIY punk show
- Runtime
- 2:15
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Dominic Burris, 18, has been sentenced to 23 years for second-degree murder and first-degree assault for his role a mass shooting on Aug. 11, 2023, at Nudieland, a mainstay in Minneapolis’ DIY punk music scene.
Burris is the second teen to be sentenced for the shooting that killed one man, 35-year-old August Golden, and injured six other people. Burris and Cyrell Boyd were 17 at the time of the shooting. Prosecutors have said Burris is the one who opened fire on the crowd in a backyard. Elias Thompson, 21, is scheduled to go on trial April 21 for aiding and abetting.
Pool video via KSTP, edited by Anne Guttridge
- Title
- This bishop was the first Black child at his Minneapolis school
- Runtime
- 2:10
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Bishop Richard D. Howell, Jr. is the pastor of Shiloh Temple International Ministries, the church his grandparents founded in 1931. While he's served north Minneapolis for decades, he gained national prominence for his ministry while the city grappled with the police murder of George Floyd in 2020.
He recently sat down with Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about leading Minneapolis with forgiveness and love.
Interview by Minnesota Now, video by Anne Guttridge.
- Title
- Co-defendants found guilty in nation’s largest COVID fraud trial
- Runtime
- 2:41
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- A federal jury in Minneapolis on Mar. 19 convicted Feeding Our Future founder Aimee Bock and former restaurateur Salim Said on charges of wire fraud and bribery in a trial that followed a lengthy investigation into an alleged scheme to scam taxpayers out of $250 million by exploiting government child nutrition programs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the overall fraud case, 70 people including Bock and Said were charged. A little more than half have pleaded guilty. The trial of Bock and Said was the second to follow the sprawling investigation by the FBI, IRS, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service into fraud in the nutrition programs.
Follow the link in our bio to read more.
Story by Matt Sepic, video by Anne Guttridge
- Title
- ‘Wicked’ costume designer Paul Tazewell reflects on ‘formative’ years at the Guthrie Theater
- Runtime
- 1:08
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Paul Tazewell is the first Black man to win an Oscar for costume design for his most recent film, “Wicked.”
Tazewell called the achievement the pinnacle of his 35-year-long career in costuming. Many of those years were spent in Minnesota, designing costumes for the Guthrie Theater. Before arriving in Minnesota, Tazewell worked at the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. His first Guthrie show was the ”Big White Fog” in 1995, directed by Penumbra Theater’s Lou Bellamy.
While still at the Guthrie, Tazewell began working on Broadway. He finished his run at the Minnesota theater in 2008 with Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” He later won a Tony in 2016 for his costumes in “Hamilton.”
Tazewell spoke with MPR News producer Lukas Levin about the evolution of his career.
Story by Lukas Levin, video edited by Anne Guttridge
- Title
- “Love is Blind” participants Casandra and Madison matched on Hinge before the show
- Runtime
- 0:43
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- While Casandra Barron didn’t find a partner on “Love is Blind,” she found a friend in fellow cast member Madison Errichiello — who she revealed she had already met on a dating app before the show.
We spoke with Barron, Hugo Orieny and Vanessa Boreland about their experience on the Minneapolis-based season eight of Netflix’s “Love is Blind" during MPR News' “Love is Unaired” event on March 11.
Video captured by Tom Campbell and Derek Ramirez, edited by Anne Guttridge
- Title
- ‘Wicked’ costume designer Paul Tazewell reflects on ‘formative’ years at the Guthrie Theater
- Runtime
- 24:46
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Paul Tazewell is the first Black man to win an Oscar for costume design for his most recent film, “Wicked.”
Tazewell called the achievement the pinnacle of his 35-year-long career in costuming. Many of those years were spent in Minnesota, designing costumes for the Guthrie Theater. Before arriving in Minnesota, Tazewell worked at the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. His first Guthrie show was the ”Big White Fog” in 1995, directed by Penumbra Theater’s Lou Bellamy.
While still at the Guthrie, Tazewell began working on Broadway. He finished his run at the Minnesota theater in 2008 with Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” He later won a Tony in 2016 for his costumes in “Hamilton.”
Tazewell spoke with MPR News producer Lukas Levin about the evolution of his career.
INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
4:39 Paul Tazewell recalls his favorite productions from working at the Guthrie
8:24 Paul says his time in Minneapo...
- Title
- Season 8 “Love is Blind”participants respond to ”Love is Bland” criticism
- Runtime
- 1:19
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Minnesota is never beating the “Love is Bland” 🫣
We spoke with Casandra Barron, Hugo Orieny and Vanessa Boreland about their experience on the Minneapolis-based season eight of Netflix’s “Love is Blind" during MPR News' “Love is Unaired” event on March 11.
Video captured by Tom Campbell and Derek Ramirez, edited by Anne Guttridge
- Title
- EXCLUSIVE: “Love is Blind” season 8 cast members dish at MPR News “Love is Unaired” event
- Runtime
- 1:13:11
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- MPR News spoke with Casandra Barron, Hugo Orieny and Vanessa Boreland about their experience on the Minneapolis-based season eight of Netflix’s “Love is Blind.” All three received minimal air time but still said the experience was great and they’d do it again. They dished with journalists Feven Gerezgiher and Kaila White at an event called “Love is Unaired” on March 11, 2025, at MPR News in St. Paul, Minn.
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS:
1:00 The cast rates their experience on “Love is Blind”
5:52 Vanessa Boreland reveals she dated Adam Bevis “all the way up until the end” of the pods – but it wasn’t shown
12:09 Casandra Barron reveals she decided to leave the pods after day one
14:47 Vanessa shares details of a deleted scene with Brittany Dodson
18:09 Cast members respond to criticism that season eight lacked diversity or was boring
24:14 The cast says the pod scenes are NOT scripted
27:23 Casandra Barron reveals “Lo...
- Title
- ‘Love is Blind’ Minneapolis walking tour
- Runtime
- 2:10
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Season 8 of Love is Blind may be over, but that doesn’t mean you can’t pay homage to the hallowed grounds of Minneapolis that were featured on the show.
Let us know what we left out!
Video by Anne Guttridge with contributions from Ben Hovland
- Title
- Funeral service with police honors for former St. Paul officer Felicia Reilly
- Runtime
- 57:42
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- A funeral service with full police honors is Monday for former St. Paul officer Felicia Reilly. Reilly died March 1 at age 67 — 15 years after suffering a traumatic brain injury when she was attacked while on duty. Reilly’s family said her death was due to injuries stemming from that assault. She spent nearly 17 years with the St. Paul Police department.
Read more here:
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/03/10/watch-funeral-service-with-full-police-honors-for-former-st-paul-officer-felicia-reilly
- Title
- South Minneapolis bookstore devastated by water main break
- Runtime
- 2:19
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- In the early morning of Feb. 13, a water main broke at 50th Street and Penn Avenue South, flooding the building housing Paperback Exchange, apartments and several other small businesses.
Crews responded to the site around 3 a.m. and found water pouring down the block and through the alley. It took crews five hours to find the problem and shut the water off on the subzero morning. It completely flooded the bookstore’s basement, and swamped the ground floor a foot deep. It left sheets of ice on the sidewalk, streets and alley outside.
In addition to homes in the surrounding blocks, Paperback Exchange is one of several long-running small businesses in the building. Terzo and Sparrow Cafe have also been damaged.
Story by Estelle Timar-Wilcox, video by Anne Guttridge
- Title
- We all know this Minnesotan when it snows
- Runtime
- 0:18
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Yeah, we wear shorts to shovel snow in March.
Video filmed in St. Paul by Anne Guttridge
- Title
- Neighbors help out after winter storm dumped up to a foot of snow across southern Minnesota
- Runtime
- 0:57
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- MPR News reporter Sarah Thamer captured this scene in Minneapolis after a winter storm dumped up to a foot of snow across southern Minnesota. She wrote, "Minnesotans being Minnesotans ❤️ this woman was stuck in this spot trying to make a right turn for a good 10 minutes, before one by one folks started showing up to push her out. Eventually a man with a shovel came to the rescue."
- Title
- Minnesota House set to vote on banning transgender athletes from girls sports
- Runtime
- 1:59
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- The Minnesota House of Representatives is set to vote Monday on a bill that would ban transgender athletes from competing on girls' sports teams. While it is unlikely to pass, the bill comes as state and federal authorities wrangle over Minnesota’s position on the matter.
A recent executive order by President Donald Trump banned transgender athletes from participating in women’s and girls' sports. Federal officials are pressuring the state to comply with the order.
The Minnesota High School League has let students to participate on teams that best align with their gender identity for 10 years. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison says Minnesota human rights law lets transgender athletes compete in sports consistent with their gender identity and that the state law supersedes Trump’s executive order.
Regardless of the outcome of the House vote Monday, the DFL-led Minnesota Senate is unlikely to bring the GOP bill up for a vote. It could b...
- Title
- Out to Lunch with Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth
- Runtime
- 2:20
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth made history earlier this month when she became the first person of color to hold the position.
She recently sat down with Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about how she doesn’t want to be defined by one part of her identity, among other topics.
Interview by Minnesota Now, video by Anne Guttridge
- Title
- Historic Minneapolis gay bar reopens nearly a year after fire
- Runtime
- 0:21
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- The historic 19 Bar in Minneapolis reopened on Thursday Feb. 27, nearly a year after a devastating fire forced it to shutter its doors.
The popular gay bar dating back to the 1950s was closed after a fire gutted the building last March. A garbage truck hit an adjacent utility pole, causing electrical wires to fall on the building’s gas supply and spark a fire.
Story by Nicole Ki, video captured by Ben Hovland and edited by Anne Guttridge
- Title
- Chippewa National Forest employee loses dream job in Trump administration cuts
- Runtime
- 2:34
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- On Feb. 14, Angela Stenberg received a termination letter for her job as a conservation education coordinator at Chippewa National Forest in Cass Lake. Stenberg says she had perfect performance reviews and was just 11 days away from finishing her mandatory one-year probationary period.
She's among the thousands of people facing unemployment as the Trump administration slashes jobs. Minnesota is home to more than 18,000 federal workers, with nearly 60 percent working for the Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Those getting termination letters have probationary status because they recently were hired, transferred or got a promotion. Probationary workers have fewer union protections.
Interview by Nicole Ki, video edited by Anne Guttridge
Read more at MPRnews.org. https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/02/27/minnesotan-rehired-after-losing-forest-service-job-in-colorado
- Title
- Viral car half-submerged in frozen White Bear Lake is pulled out
- Runtime
- 0:47
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- After 30 days the 2008 Buick Lucerne that was stuck in the ice on White Bear Lake has been set free. American Towing and Recovery, Bruce's Legacy and RexTowing Company posted on Facebook that they worked pro bono on behalf of the owner to safely remove the vehicle.
The car has been stuck since Jan. 27 when the owner drove it over a pressure ridge on the frozen lake and it broke through the ice. The owner was able to get out of the car and left it half-submerged.
Video edited by Anne Guttridge
- Title
- Viral car stuck on White Bear Lake remains submerged as deadline for removal approaches
- Runtime
- 0:39
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- A white 2008 Buick Lucerne has been left stranded on a frozen-over White Bear Lake since Jan. 27. It's been the center of viral social media posts, showing the car half-submerged in the lake with its rear bumper sticking out. The car has even attracted spectators to the lake.
The 41-year-old owner of the car was given a 30-day notice to remove the car, or face hefty fines. Ramsey County confirmed the car had not yet been removed as of Thursday morning and has until the end of day to get the car out. Fines will begin to accrue starting Friday.
Story and video by Nicole Ki
- Title
- North Star Journey Live: My family's immigration story -- and yours
- Runtime
- 1:22:11
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- How do we remember the journeys that brought us to Minnesota? And why do those stories matter now, more than ever? Join MPR News and Sahan Journal for a North Star Journey live conversation about the importance of immigrant stories.
- Title
- 100 people swam in a frozen lake for this "ice swimming" race
- Runtime
- 0:33
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- One hundred people took to swimming lanes carved out of a frozen Lake Johanna in Arden Hills, Minnesota for an inaugural “ice swimming” race on Feb. 22. Organizers pulled together the event in just a few short months and were able to attract an Olympic swimmer and other renowned competitive ice swimmers to the event.
If you're wondering how cold the lake is when ice swimming, it's cold. On the day of the event the water was a chilly 36 degrees Fahrenheit.
Story by Ellie Roth, video captured by Ben Hovland and edited by Anne Guttridge
- Title
- This program makes skiing and snowboarding accessible for people with disabilities
- Runtime
- 1:28
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Allina Health’s Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute Alpine Ski & Snowboard Adaptive Program has its roots in Welch Village in Welch, MN where the program has run since 1968.
Courage Kenny offers 1,200 lessons annually at six ski locations across Minnesota and Wisconsin. The program’s more than 400 volunteer instructors teach downhill sports to students with a range of disabilities from blindness to cerebral palsy.
Story by Catharine Richert, video captured by Tom Baker for MPR News and edited by Anne Guttridge.
- Title
- Extended cut: Mom of 'Love is Blind' participant Vanessa reveals details about season 8
- Runtime
- 18:30
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Sue Boreland, the mom of "Love is Blind" season 8 participant Vanessa Boreland of Minneapolis, sat down with MPR News reporter Feven Gerezgiher to reveal unaired details about the show. She revealed that Vanessa had a whole relationship with Adam that was cut from the show, as well as a romance between two other participants, Brittany and Mo. She also criticized what she described as a lack of diversity in the final edit of the show.
Read Vanessa's interview with Feven here: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/02/13/love-is-blind-minneapolis-season-8-participants-interview
Interview by Feven Gerezgiher, video by Anne Guttridge #loveisblind
- Title
- ‘Love is Blind’ participant’s mom reveals Vanessa and Adam’s relationship was cut from season 8
- Runtime
- 3:03
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- After chatting with "Love is Blind" season 8 participant Vanessa Boreland of Minneapolis, we wanted to hear more. So... we talked to her mom. Sue Boreland spilled all the tea, revealing that her daughter had a whole relationship that was cut from the show.
Interview by Feven Gerezgiher, video by Anne Guttridge #loveisblind
Read the full story here: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/02/21/mom-of-love-is-blind-minneapolis-season-participant-vanessa-reveals-unaired-romance
- Title
- New Japanese-inspired “clawcade” opens in Eagan
- Runtime
- 0:59
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Duck Entertainment, or DUCK!, in Eagan is a Japanese-inspired claw machine arcade that has drawn thousands since it opened Jan. 1. It reopened on Feb. 15 after closing for nearly a month to restock on sold-out plushies.
The “clawcade” mimics arcades found all over Asia, mostly filled with claw machines that have plushies of popular anime characters or iconic Sanrio personalities like Hello Kitty.
Clawcades have been on the rise in Minnesota. In the last two years, more Japanese-inspired arcades have opened in the Twin Cities, including Claw Land in Maplewood and ClawZone Park in Bloomington. DUCK! is the largest clawcade in Minnesota with around 100 machines.
Read more here: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/02/18/new-japanese-inspired-claw-machine-arcade-duck-eagan-draws-thousands
Story and video by Nicole Ki
- Title
- Investigators release video of 2021 police killing of Winston Smith in Minneapolis
- Runtime
- 0:35
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Winston B. Smith was fatally shot by sheriff’s deputies in Minneapolis more than three years ago. According to video of the incident made public on Feb. 14, Smith raised a handgun in the direction of officers and said “just shoot” before apparently exchanging gunfire with them. After the officers boxed in Smith’s vehicle, the 32-year-old attempted to livestream the confrontation. Smith was unable to transmit the video, but a 35-second clip was retained on his phone.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension began examining Smith’s phone soon after the incident but was unable to break its encryption. In late 2023, more than two years later, independent digital security experts were able to retrieve data from the device. After a third year passed, the BCA announced on Dec. 3, 2024 that its own investigators had also unlocked Smith’s phone after trying 780,000 password combinations.
Read more here: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/02/14/newly-re...
- Title
- Behind ‘Saturday Night’: Al Franken’s Early Days with Tom Davis & Lorne Michaels
- Runtime
- 24:25
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Al Franken shares stories of collaborating with Tom Davis in SNL’s infancy. Discover how Lorne Michaels guided the show from a rough concept to one of television’s most iconic late-night programs.
- Title
- Honoring missing and murdered Indigenous people through art
- Runtime
- 1:06
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Day of Remembrance is observed every Feb. 14. People typically wear red while attending rallies or marches around the state.
To prepare this year, members of the Twin Cities Indigenous community and allies gathered at the Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Center in south Minneapolis on Feb. 12 to screen-print bandanas and clothing.
The designs center on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives, also known as MMIR. It's a movement that calls for action and attention towards the epidemic of Indigenous people who have gone missing or have been murdered in acts of violence.
The march will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Minneapolis American Indian Center on Friday.
Read more: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/02/14/building-awareness-for-missing-murdered-indigenous-relatives-through-art-making
Story by Chandra Colvin, video by Anne Guttridge
- Title
- Getting the ‘Love is Blind’ tea from the participants
- Runtime
- 3:00
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- We're pretty sure we have the exclusive first interview with participants in the upcoming Minneapolis-based season of Netflix's "Love is Blind" reality dating show (outside of Netflix, of course) ahead of its premiere on Valentine's Day. Vanessa Boreland, 31, is a media planner and classically trained ballerina living in Minneapolis but originally from the south Twin Cities metro. Kylie Schuelke, 28, is a medical student from Chanhassen.
Get more of the (iced) tea at the link in our bio.
Interview by Feven Gereziher, video by Anne Guttridge
- Title
- U.S. Sen. Tina Smith of Minnesota announces she will not seek reelection
- Runtime
- 0:40
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- U.S. Sen. Tina Smith announced Thursday she will retire after next year, opting against a 2026 bid for another six-year term and putting a Democratic-held seat in play in an increasingly competitive Upper Midwest.
The decision comes after Smith had been conveying her plan to run again for a seat she has held since 2018. She has won two prior Senate elections, including a 5-percentage-point victory when last on the ballot in 2020. She had more than $700,000 in her campaign account to start the year.
She said she would put her all into the final two years of the term and expressed confidence that a fellow Democrat from a "deep bench of political talent" in Minnesota would take her place after the next election.
Video courtesy of U.S. Sen. Tina Smith, edited for length by Anne Guttridge
- Title
- Anthony Sledwards, Plowabunga! among winners in MnDOT's Name a Snowplow contest
- Runtime
- 0:11
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- While Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards drives the lane against NBA opponents this season, “Anthony Sledwards” will soon be clearing driving lanes for Minnesota motorists.
The Ant-inspired moniker was one of eight winning snowplow names announced Wednesday by the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The names will go on one MnDOT plow in each of the agency’s eight districts around the state.
It’s the fifth winter that MnDOT has run its contest.
After receiving more than 7,300 entries earlier this winter, MnDOT released a list of 50 finalist names. Voters were allowed to pick up to eight names in online balloting that ended on Feb. 7.
Follow the link in our bio to see the complete list of winners.
Story by MPR News Staff, video captured by Nicole Ki and edited by Anne Guttridge
- Title
- Minneapolis musician Laamar doesn't want to be pigeonholed
- Runtime
- 2:29
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Geoffrey Lamar Wilson’s project, Laamar, burst onto the Twin Cities music scene in 2023 with the EP “Flowers.” Shortly after, Laamar was named one of First Avenue’s Best New Bands. The band has since opened for Semisonic and will be playing a stage at Minnesota Yacht Club Festival in St. Paul this summer.
Minnesota Now host Nina Moini sat down with Laamar at Lowry Cafe in Minneapolis to talk about songwriting, living in Minnesota and empathy.
Follow the link in our bio to listen to hear more from the interview.
Interview by Minnesota Now, video by Anne Guttridge.
- Title
- This Valentine’s Day, name a bug at the Minnesota Zoo after someone who bugs you
- Runtime
- 0:46
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- For a $15 donation, you can name a bug that will be fed to an animal at the Minnesota Zoo.
The zoo said that they encourage people to name the bug after anyone in their life, but the vast majority of this year’s donations have been for loved ones, like parents naming bugs after their kids who “bug them” or women buying their friends a bug and naming it after their friend’s ex-partner.
With each donation, the zoo will send an e-card with your personalized message to the recipient.
The bugs, which include mostly crickets and mealworms, will feed are variety of animals at the zoo including a tamandua (a type of anteater), golden lion tamarins, panther chameleons, poison-dart frogs, turtles, opossums and hedgehogs.
Donations must be made before the end of Friday, Feb. 14.
Story by Sam Stroozas. Video courtesy of Minnesota Zoo, video narration by Euan Kerr and edited by Anne Guttridge
- Title
- Former Biden national security advisor defends USAID amid funding freeze
- Runtime
- 1:38
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- As National Security Advisor, Minnesotan Jake Sullivan helped shape former President Joe Biden’s foreign policy agenda and was involved in the U.S. response to war. He joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about his tenure at the White House and his reaction to President Donald Trump's second term so far.
Follow the link in our bio to hear more from the interview. Interview by Nina Moini, video edited by Anne Guttridge
- Title
- The Minnesota Vikings are still dancing
- Runtime
- 1:13
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Minnesota Vikings safeties Cam Bynum and Josh Metellus recreated the dance battle scene from 2004's "White Chicks" once again, this time on the NFL Honors stage in New Orleans on Feb. 6. Their version of the dance went viral in December after they performed it after an interception in a game against the Atlanta Falcons.
On stage, the pair competed in a dance-off against LA Rams players Kobie Turner and Cameron Dicker and Buffalo Bills player Dion Dawkins, who briefly danced to Wicked’s “What Is This Feeling” before Bynum and Metellus joined.
Together, the players ended the dance-off segment by joining forces and re-creating the final dance to "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" from "Dirty Dancing."
Video edited by Anne Guttridge
- Title
- May Day Cafe in south Minneapolis reopens as a worker cooperative
- Runtime
- 1:56
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- May Day Cafe in the Powderhorn Park neighborhood of Minneapolis reopened early Friday, Feb. 7, as a worker cooperative cafe.
The cafe has been a staple of the neighborhood since the mid-'90s when it was opened by Mala Vujnovich, and it was purchased by employee and baker Andy Lunning in 2003. Twenty years later, Lunning decided to sell and the workers and people in the neighborhood organized to purchase the cafe as the May Day Cafe Workers Cooperative. During a yearlong fundraising campaign, the worker cooperative raised more than $100,000 and in January, the Minneapolis City Council awarded May Day a $130,000 Great Streets Loan.
As of opening, there are currently five worker-owners and 16 full-time and part-time employees. All staff are eligible to become worker-owners after meeting member qualifications.
Read more: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/02/06/the-may-day-cafe-reopens-as-a-worker-cooperative
Story by Alex V. Cipolle, vid...
- Title
- U.S. Sen. Tina Smith of Minnesota on Elon Musk's role in the White House
- Runtime
- 2:37
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- U.S. Sen. Tina Smith of Minnesota spoke with MPR News about the first few weeks of President Donald Trump’s second term in office. Smith is a member of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party and has recently been vocal in her criticism of Elon Musk, who according to Forbes is the richest man in the world.
Hear more from the interview on Politics Friday: https://www.mprnews.org/episode/2025/02/06/politics-friday-blur-of-action-in-washington-back-to-action-in-st-paul
Interview by Brian Bakst, video edited by Anne Guttridge
- Title
- Frozen lake racers take to the ice in Otter Tail County
- Runtime
- 0:55
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Racers battle for position during a race on the ice of Bass Lake near Underwood, Minn., on Feb. 2, 2025.
Video by Dan Gunderson
- Title
- Minnesota Supreme Court hearing on Secretary of State's power over House proceedings
- Runtime
- 56:51
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- The Minnesota Supreme Court is hearing a case over the extent of Secretary of State Steve Simon's role presiding over a stalled state House. Republicans say Simon has gone too far in rejecting efforts to compel DFLers to attend and help form a quorum. Simon points to requirements that 68 members be present before the House can conduct business.
Find more coverage at mprnews.org.
- Title
- Bus driver narrowly avoids head-on collision with semi in central Minnesota
- Runtime
- 0:15
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- An Onamia school bus driver is being called a hero for avoiding a head-on collision with a semi-truck Wednesday on U.S. Highway 169.
The Mille Lacs County Sheriff’s Office says a northbound semi crossed over into the lane of the southbound school bus north of Shakopee Lake Road shortly before 7:15 a.m.
Video from the school bus released by the sheriff’s office shows the driver, Brian Lathrop, making a quick maneuver to avoid colliding head-on with the semi. Sheriff Kyle Burton said Lathrop’s action “undoubtedly saved many lives.”
The Minnesota State Patrol and the sheriff’s office are investigating the incident.
This video contains expletive language.
Video courtesy of Mille Lacs County Sheriff's Office.
- Title
- There’s a new vinyl pressing plan in south Minneapolis
- Runtime
- 1:23
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Outta Wax is a vinyl pressing plant in the south side of Minneapolis. Best friends Sara Pette and Alex Stillman founded the plant with Sara’s brother, John Pette and have been working on bringing their vision to life since 2021.
Most of the clients are independent artists who can come and watch their records being made. Turnaround time is about 12 weeks, and there is currently a backlog of orders. Their lowest priced package is about $1,000 but they said they are willing to work with artists to serve them however best they can.
They often consider the environmental factors of vinyl and are currently working with a company in Europe that is developing bio-plastic for vinyl records called EVO vinyl. It is sugar beet-based, and Outta Wax is hoping to be the first pressing plant in the U.S. to use it.
Read the full story here: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/01/31/new-minneapolis-vinyl-pressing-plant-outta-wax-focuses-on-local-music-south-side-pr...
- Title
- An uncommonly high number of owls are visiting Minnesota's North Shore
- Runtime
- 0:21
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- An uncommonly high number of owls are visiting Minnesota's North Shore. This is due to a drop in the vole population in Canadian forests. When there is a shortage of voles, the owls fly south in search of food.
The owls have attracted a large number of tourists and birders flocking to see them. This has created safety concerns for the owls, and people, as owls have been struck by vehicles.
Video captured by Derek Montgomery, edited by Anne Guttridge.
- Title
- Minneapolis man speaks out after anti-trans commentators blast his video
- Runtime
- 2:09
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Micah Leroy is a 19-year-old student at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis who went viral online after posting a video of himself healing from top surgery. His video drew negative attention from right-wing, anti-transgender commentators in January and eventually led Meta to shut down his accounts on Instagram and Facebook.
Before his account was disabled, Leroy had long been posting to social media, slowly growing and finding his niche community online. But he said he hadn’t gotten much attention until his most recent videos about his gender transition. He wanted to publicly share his experience as a disabled adult and as a transgender man with cerebral palsy because he wants people "to know that it is possible to be disabled and be trans."
Story by Feven Gerezgiher, video by Anne Guttridge.
- Title
- How to celebrate winter in Minneapolis: interactive art on a frozen lake
- Runtime
- 1:51
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Art Shanty Projects has been creating joy on frozen Lake Harriet, or Bdé Umáŋ, since 2004. Artists create shanty structures and invite the public to be creative and engage in art making.
This year, 20 artist teams created projects and all are interactive. Artists apply and submit proposals in the summer which are reviewed by a jury and the production process starts in September. While the event is free to the public, they take donations in order to pay staff and artists.
The Art Shanty Projects can be seen on Lake Harriet in Minneapolis on weekends through Feb. 9.
Story by Jacob Aloi, video by Anne Guttridge.
- Title
- Out to Lunch with Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan
- Runtime
- 0:45
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Nationwide, eyes were on Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan during the 2024 election as she campaigned for former Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. She is the highest-ranking Indigenous woman elected to executive office in the U.S. She is a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe and has served as lieutenant governor since 2019.
Minnesota Now host Nina Moini sat down with Flanagan over lunch at Owamni in Minneapolis as she reflected on the election, how it feels to represent her culture and how she lives an authentic life working in politics.
Follow the link in our bio to listen to hear more from the interview.
Story by Minnesota Now, video by Anne Guttridge.
