North Star Stories

Southeast Minnesota faces grain elevator closures, a kidnapping suspect faces federal charges, and it’s what would have been Prince’s 68th birthday this Sunday — 10 years after his death. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  Prince’s star at First Avenue [credit: Xan Holston] ----- For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on social med...

Mankato comes up short on federal airport funding, an ICE agent wanted for shooting a man in North Minneapolis is arrested in Texas, and June means Pride in Minnesota. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image Minnesotans marching holding a massive Bill of Rights in protest to federal immigration enforcement in Minneapolis. The people of the Twin Cities...

Algunas granjas del Estado están en peligro de bancarrota. Luego revisamos cómo estar listos para evacuaciones por incendios forestales, y el aire libre es la nueva receta de salud mental. Some farms in the state are at risk of bankruptcy. Next, we look at how to prepare for wildfire evacuations—and how the outdoors is the new prescription for mental health . ----- Productor/Producer: Victor Palom...

Rural hospital expansion in Virginia, a plaque to commemorate Pride in Pine City, and a trip back in time to Coney Island on Lake Waconia this Saturday. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image: Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flannagan, Governor Tim Walz, and Fond Du Lac Chairman Bruce Savage at a bill signing ceremony that clears the way for the University...

Activists win a temporary pause against a Google data center in Pine Island, Fond Du Lac gets a big investment to expand its Ojibwe language program, and mental health advocates remind us that care looks different for everyone. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image: Qlever's plans for a proposed Inver Grove Heights data center [credit: Inver Grove H...

This week, we continue our coverage of the legislative session by examining some of the lesser-known bills that passed. Then, we look at what residents in northern Minnesota are thinking about the future of their natural areas. And black bears are expanding their territory in some parts of the state.  ----- Executive Producer: Victor Palomino Producers: Ngoc Bui, Maija Hecht Anchor: Chantel SinGs...

Fire preparedness in the Northland, mothers’ milk in Central Minnesota, and a very good dog stops Zebra Mussels for the DN ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image: The Department of Natural Resources’ new start employee, Molly. [credit: MN DNR] ----- For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on social media.  instagram.com/ampersradio/ insta...

Measles cases rise in the state, airplane drama up north, and the DNR implores you to be “BearWise” this summer. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  A black bear [credit: MN DNR] ----- For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on social media.  instagram.com/ampersradio/ instagram.com/northstarstoriesmn/ Never miss a beat. Sign up for...

It’s Memorial Day, and Minnesotan’s honor the state’s fallen, the Rise & Remember Festival honors the sixth anniversary of the murder of George Floyd, and Goosebery Falls is the best state park in the country. ----- Producer: Xan Holston   Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image: Gooseberry Falls [credit: MN DNR] ----- For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on s...

The Department of Justice announces new charges for Minnesota fraud, an ICE agent accused of pulling a gun on motorists says he will turn himself in, and revisit Highway 61 on Bob Dylan’s 85th birthday. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  A manhole cover on Duluth’s Bob Dylan Way [credit: bobdylanway.com] ----- For the latest episode drops and u...

La sesión legislativa llega a su final. Un nuevo documental resalta a los latinos en el Estado, y la gobernación nos recuerda que todos merecemos ser tratados con respeto. The legislative session draws to a close. A new documentary highlights Latinos in the state, and the Governor's Office reminds us that we all deserve to be treated with respect . ----- Productor/Producer: Victor Palomino Voiceov...

More on the repatriation of a long-lost WW2 Navy pilot to Jackson, Minnesota, after more than 100 years, the University of Minnesota is close to returning land to the Fond Du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, and a Drive-in theater won’t be showing “Twister” anytime soon. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston Image: The damaged screen at the Sky-Vu Drive...

This week, six years after the murder of George Floyd, we take you back to the Minneapolis neighborhood to hear how the community is coping and report on the progress that's finally being made to create a permanent memorial at George Floyd Square. Then, we reflect on how the incident changed the way local media covers stories from Minnesota's diverse communities. And we'll have a conversation abou...

Missing for 80 years, a second World War Two veteran’s body returns to southern Minnesota. Authorities look for persons of interest in the mostly contained Flanders Fire in Crow Wing County. And Minneapolis announces development plans for "The People's Way" in George Floyd Square. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image: An aerial view of the Flanders...

Crews get fires up north under control, last-minute legacy funding for habitat restoration, and the Hennepin County Attorney files charges against a second ICE agent. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image: Fire crews mop up hot spots to keep fires contained [credit: Courtesy of inciweb.wildfire.gov] ----- For the latest episode drops and updates, fo...

The legislative session ends, fires rage up north, and the Sugarhill Gang — along with Melle Mel and Scorpio from the Furious Five — will bring a new taste sensation to the State Fair free stages: old school flavor. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image: The Sugarhill Gang, Melle Mel, and Scorpio [credit: MN State Fair] ----- For the latest episode...

Minnesota conmemora el mes de la concientización sobre la salud mental, y el búfalo se apunta como una opción para reducir el hambre en el estado. Minnesota observes Mental Health Awareness Month and buffalo emerges as an option to reduce hunger in the state . ----- Productor/Producer: Victor Palomino Voiceover: Marisa Rueda, Rito Ayala ----- Pie de foto: Un joven búfalo o bisonte con cuernos, pas...

Red Lake Nation moves toward solar energy sovereignty, the legislature hits its final days, and smelt take to the streets of Duluth ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  The Magic Smelt Puppet Troupe’s Smelt Queen and her loyal denizens [credit: Courtesy of the Magic Smelt Puppet Troupe] ----- For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on...

This week, we reflect on Mental Health Awareness Month and the debate to legalize Medical Aid in Dying. And after 50 years, lawmakers look to recognize the impact one immigrant community has had on our state.  ----- Executive Producer: Victor Palomino Producers: Jules Yaeger, Jamad Jama Anchor: Britt Aamodt Reader scripting: Xan Holston, Tracie Collier, Victor Palomino Fact checking: Victor Palomi...

Moorhead decides not to become a “sanctuary city,” osprey make their home on a highway sign, and questions about the St. Cloud Diocese and its pension fund. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  ----- For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on social media.  instagram.com/ampersradio/ instagram.com/northstarstoriesmn/ Never miss a beat. Sign u...

Minnesota’s rural hospitals seek support, free lunches for Minnesota kids this summer, and the DFL wonders if its package of gun safety bills will even be heard on the House floor. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image: United Health District CEO Richard Ash speaks in support of a bill that bolsters Minnesota’s 340B prescription drug program [credit...

A bridge safety fix for people at their lowest, Tribal food and energy sovereignty projects, and a former state senator plans to change his plea in a sex sting case. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image: A bison from the Grand Portage Band of Superior Chippewa’s herd [credit: WTIP-FM] ----- For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on soc...

XCEL Energy owes ratepayers $40.6 million dollars (plus interest), the leader of the state’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives is fired, and peregrine falcon chicks at the Mayo Clinic need names. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image: Balls of fluff. What should the Mayo Clinic’s new peregrine be named? Vote at their website through May 15....

Los legisladores del estado aprueban un amplio paquete de legislación sobre armas y se abre oficialmente la temporada de pesca de este año. Lawmakers pass a sweeping package of gun legislation, and this year's fishing season officially opens . ----- Productor/Producer: Victor Palomino Additional voice work: Jose Ozoria, Marisa Rueda ----- Pie de foto: El senador Matt Klein sostiene una colección d...

An Iron Range task force says thousands of children are without care, the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa works to increase water safety, and moms fish for free. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston   Image: Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Tribal Chair Robert Deschampe and law enforcement leaders in front of two of the Band’s mar...