North Star Stories

Esta semana, resultados electorales históricos, la sequía del verano está provocando el descenso del nivel de los lagos, las familias se preparan para el nuevo año escolar. This week, historic primary results; the summer drought is causing lake levels to drop and families are preparing for the new school year . ----- Productor/ Producer : Victor Palomino Voiceover: Marisa Rueda y Jose Ozoria Pie d...

More information on the tragic murder-suicide in Hopkins, election officials fix minor mistakes, and Rod Stewart drops his State Fair performance after a heart procedure. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  Blue Earth County election officials accidentally uploaded test results for the Mankato mayoral primary, but quickly corrected the issue. [p...

Women head up the state’s biggest elections after a historic primary day, Minnesota’s oldest Black-owned newspaper celebrates 92 years, and a tragic murder-suicide shatters the peace in Hopkins. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  The mural on the side of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder's office in South Minneapolis. The paper celebrates its 92...

This week, we look at how current media storylines about Minnesota's Somali community are impacting their wellbeing. We visit a St Cloud radio station with a unique format. And we hear from a Twin Cities museum working to preserve Somali culture and heritage.  ----- Executive Producer: Victor Palomino Producers: Jamad Jama Anchor: Victor Palomino, Britt Aamodt Reader scripting: Xan Holston, Tracie...

Annunciation families approach the anniversary that shattered their lives,  St. Paul voters may have a “right to repair,” and the Boundary Waters is just shy or 75-percent open for camping. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  Tuesday was Primary Day, but the state had record early voting in a non-presidential election year. [photo credit: Xan Ho...

Today is primary day, lake levels are low across the state, and it’s time for parents to make sure kids are up to date on vaccines before the school year starts. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  A great gray owl [photo credit: Mick Lobb / Great Gray Owl - Bird of Prey exhibit at Waddington Air Show / CC BY-SA 2.0] Audio credit: Great gray owl...

Esta semana, comienzan los desalojos de campamentos en parques de St Paul y nuevas leyes de violencia doméstica entran en vigor.   This week, evictions from St. Paul park encampments begin, and new domestic violence laws go into effect. ----- Productor/ Producer : Victor Palomino Pie de foto: Campamento de tiendas de campaña para personas sin hogar bajo los árboles. [crédito fotográfico: Adobe Sto...

Federal investment in permanent magnets up north, while a solar panel producer ramps down production, Georgia Fort and Don Lemon file to dismiss their cases in the Cities Church protest, and organic dairy famer Meg Studemann wins Farmfest’s Woman Farmer of Year award. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  Meg Studemann at Minnesota’s Farmfest [pho...

Detroit Lakes schools ban rainbow flags, a right-to-repair bill fails in St. Paul, and the Sabathani Community Center celebrates 60 years. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  The Sabathani Community Center is holding a block party Saturday to celebrate 60 years, and a march to honor Launa Q. Newman and Clarissa Walker — two women who left indeli...

Minnesota’s gubernatorial hopefuls face off at Farmfest, Lakeville’s Muslim community gets interfaith and city council support to build a new mosque, and a biotech entrepreneur helps pay the rent. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  Senator Amy Klobuchar, House Speaker Lisa Demuth, Mike Lindell, and Kendall Qualls share the state at Farmfest. [p...

After years of litigation and community complaints about pollution, an industrial plant on St. Paul's East Side announces it is closing. This week, we take a closer look at the complaints that led to the plant's closure, the effects of air pollution, environmental justice, and how community participation can shape urban planning.  ----- Executive Producer: Victor Palomino Producers: Maija Hecht An...

Last-minute pleas to the St. Paul City Council for more time before the city clears out homeless encampments, flock cameras go missing across the state, and state and federal candidates speak on agriculture at Farmfest. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  U.S. House hopefuls and incumbents take the stage at Minnesota Farmfest [credit: Minnesota...

A tale of three factories: The old Star Tribune printing plant could become a data center, a St. Paul foundry permanently shuts down before its license can be revoked, and the final days for Pearson’s candy factory. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image: Pearson’s Salted Nut Rolls and a Mint Patties will no longer be produced in its St. Paul factory...

New state laws went into effect over the weekend, including enhanced protections for victims of domestic violence and massive fines for producers and users of AI “nudification” tech. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  Representative Jessica Hanson speaks out against an Elon Musk led lawsuit against the state ban on AI “nudification” tech "credi...

Esta semana, una presentación especial sobre cómo abordar la salud mental y la prevención del suicidio entre los jóvenes.   This week, a special presentation on how to address mental health and suicide prevention among young people. ----- Productor/ Producer : Victor Palomino Pie de foto: Línea de Prevención del Suicidio y Crisis 988 en la pantalla de un teléfono inteligente. [Crédito fotográfico:...

The NorthMet mine proposes changes, St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her faces sexual harassment claims, and the State Fair becomes a bit more accessible. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  The NorthMet Mine site [credit: Minnesota DNR] Audio credit: State Fair Social Media, UMN Strategic Farming: Field Notes  ----- For the latest episode drops and update...

Elon Musk’s AI company sues Minnesota over its nudification law, Crow Wing County neighbors fight over lake rights, and it’s time for the 4th annual Rondo Block Party in St. Paul ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  Organizers showing the Rondo Block Party love [image credit: Rondo Block Party] ----- For the latest episode drops and updates, foll...

This week, we dedicate our program to conversations about youth suicide, prevention, and some of the systemic factors that can push young people and adults to the edge. Some of the content in this special presentation of North Star Stories may not be suitable for all listeners. ----- Executive Producer: Victor Palomino Producers: Katharine DeCelle Anchor: Victor Palomino, Britt Aamodt Reader scrip...

The Prairie Island Nuclear Plant runs safety drills, cyberattacks affect 30 water systems across the state, and dragon boat races make a splash in Bemidji ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  Racers prepare in Lake Bemidji [credit: Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival] Audio credit: Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival Instagram  ----- For the latest episode dro...

Some Boundary Waters sections reopen for overnight permits, the last of the "Minnesota 15" is arraigned in federal court, and Medtronic workers are called back to the office. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  Governor Tim Walz and state and federal partners provide an update the July Lightning Event in Ely Monday morning.  ----- For the latest...

Health officials warn of warm water-related issues from fish kills to brain-eating amoebas, overnight permits for the Boundary Waters may return this week, and Minnesota’s Liberians celebrate the 197th anniversary of the country’s independence. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  Naegleria Fowleri — an amoeba contaminating some warm, freshwater...

Esta semana, una tragedia sacude a las familias del centro del estado. Y la comunidad somalí responde a los comentarios del sheriff del condado de Ramsey.   This week, a tragedy rocks families in the central part of the state. And the Somali community responds to comments made by the Ramsey County she ----- Productor/ Producer : Victor Palomino Voiceover: Rito Ayala Pie de foto: Los incendios fore...

Vance Boelter is sentenced to two life sentences plus 40 years, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and Wilderness will allow some day permits, and North Minneapolis gets a new jazz festival. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  map of accessible entry points in the BWCA for day trips starting Monday [credit: US Forest Service] Audio credit: A short s...

This week, a tick-borne illness that creates a rare meat allergy is raising new concerns. And we’ll look at how to stay safe while enjoying Minnesota’s outdoors and waterways.   -----  Executive Producer: Victor Palomino  Producers: Jules Yaeger  Anchor: Victor Palomino, Britt Aamodt  Reader scripting: Victor Palomino  Fact checking: Joel Glaser  Editorial support: Emily Krumberger  Production Coo...

Power cuts for wildfire evacuees, four years of the state’s suicide and crisis hotline, and Chaska celebrates 50 years of River City Days. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image: Wildfires could force power cuts for evacuees. [credit: Minnesota DNR] Audio credit: The Fabulous Armadillos ----- For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on soc...