North Star Stories

Today, a northern community college looks to the environment for new workforce initiatives. Some metro area organizations are providing vital information to vulnerable communities. And new rules on the roads may have you checking your rearview mirrors more often. 

In today's broadcast, a student group's generosity makes a big impact on a local agency. It's never too early to check for cancer, as rates in Minnesota go up for some age groups. And help for those dealing with impact of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. 

In today's stories, a northern college sees a future in electronic sports. How organizations are accommodating to keep pride in the state. And a tribal council's new leadership carries the heritage tradition. 

In today's segment, how new logging orders will affect Minnesota's natural areas. Wildfire season is upon us. What the experts say you should know to be prepared. And construction is about to begin at one of the most photographed spots in the state. 

Voters in northern Minnesota are back at the polling stations. Communities around the state upset about a retailer's DEI decision respond by showing the power of the purse. And a warning about consuming fish from some Minnesota waters.

Today, Hibernation is over…it's time to start preparing for bears! Efforts to make state parks accessible to all Minnesotans. And which Minnesota students will start a four-day school week in the fall.

Today, the Trans Equity Summit is coming back to the Twin Cities. Major milestones for the New Native Theatre company. And, St. Louis County showcases one of the state's biggest industries.    

In today's stories: A monument in St. Cloud will now honor even more Minnesota Veterans. Why some lawmakers want to reduce the mandatory minimum fine for running a school bus stop sign. And, national recognition for two former Minnesota Lynx players. 

In today's segment, how hard work helped put Duluth's Veterans' history back on display. A chilling reminder of the dangers of distracted driving. And a safe space for Minnesota's queer and trans communities to help shape the state's future. 

A Special election next week will elect a new Minnesota senator. A recent incident at a public library in South Minneapolis sparks questions about security. And, another death at a private detention center is fueling demands for justice. 

As local leaders rally for legislative support following the announcement that Cleveland-Cliffs would lay off 600 miners on the Iron Range, small businesses and neighbors are already stepping up to soften the impact. Also on North Star Stories , Free Park Day at Minnesota State Parks, and Amazon expands to Duluth with a new distribution center.

A new report from the Council on American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR, reveals that Minnesota now leads the nation in Islamophobic incidents, including attacks on mosques. The executive director of CAIR’s Minnesota chapter discusses the findings and their impact on the state’s Muslim community. 

Ambulance response times sometimes stretch up to 30 minutes in Greater Minnesota. Why is this, and what does it mean for rural Minnesotans who might need lifesaving EMS care one day? Plus, free lunch funding is on the chopping block, and firefighters facing health challenges may see financial support.

In Minnesota, a proposed bill would ban cellphone use in classrooms in grades K-8 while regulating it in 9-12. In this segment, Jamad Jama interviews Senator Alice Mann, alongside a middle school student, and a teacher to take a look into varying perspectives and how this legislation could affect students' learning, performance, and daily lives.

Minnesota is requiring its citizens to carry what is known as a REAL ID. This is a federal document that will allow you to travel by air domestically and visit federal facilities. However, this new requirement may cause a burden to those who are already facing challenges .

Glencoe is one step closer to getting an artificial intelligence data banking center, a bipartisan education bill wants to send legislators back to school for 12 hours each term, and the Mayo Clinic will build a 2.8-mile rapid transit link to connect their campuses in Rochester .

Four hundred homes in rural Minnesota will soon be getting high-speed internet for the first time. Eveleth is fighting to keep the US Hockey Hall of Fame against efforts by the Minnesota Wild and some Twin Cities legislators to relocate it to St. Paul. And, state health officials warn Minnesotans to take extra precautions after dead geese found in Austin. 

Three community organizations are getting a boost to help farmers financially. The Twin Cities queer community is stepping up to show support for trans athletes targeted by legislative efforts to ban them from sports. Plus, the Minnesota State Fair and the Minnesota Farm Bureau recognized 77 farms that are 100 years old.

Generating $1.4 billion annually, Duluth International Airport has new construction in the works. Bike to Duluth is gearing up for the 170-mile trek from Minneapolis to Duluth on June 28th. And, Moorhead’s mayor declared March "Kurdish Heritage Month" which is welcome news to Minnesota’s largest Kurdish community. 

The Hibbing Community is coming together after learning that more than 600 Iron Rangers are being laid off. An epidemiologist with the Minnesota Cancer Reporting System has information on reducing your lifetime risk of melanoma. Minnesota-born college basketball star Paige Bueckers is slated to be the number one draft pick at this year’s WNBA draft night.

William "Willow Bill" Goulardt invites the public on a voyage down the Mississippi River aboard two dugout canoes, beginning mid-May from Bemidji, Minnesota. As they journey to the state of Mississippi to return the 'Flying Eagle' canoe to her maker, master carver John Ruskey, the crew hopes to engage people of all ages through a common love for the river. Plus, a Duluth third grader saves a choki...

An old Minnesota tradition practiced by the Ojibwe people is an example of how we can harvest a nutritional staple in our own backyards. Plus, a bipartisan group of lawmakers is trying to address the housing crunch faced by low- to middle-income Minnesotans, and state authorities want families to be aware of the "grandparent scam" that is targeting Minnesota seniors.

Together, a Twin Cities-based non-profit and a national organization have purchased 345 single family homes in the Twin Cities metro area in hopes of reshaping the landscape of affordable housing. Also, The US Supreme court ruled against the EPA’s authority to enforce pollution permits under the Clean Water Act.

WTIP News Director Kalli Hawkins discusses their coverage of the Cook County township meetings, which focus on updating the county’s land use plan. These meetings explore opportunities for residential development, potential rezoning, and economic growth. Plus, Health officials are concerned about radon levels in Minnesota schools, and The History Theatre in St. Paul presents The Secret Warriors ,...

On March 14, the Minnesota Council on Disabilities legislative forum met at the State Capitol to address transportation issues impacting Minnesotans with mobility issues. Also, The Shade Company, Blackduck's largest employer, is closing at the end of April, and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture has detected the emerald ash borer in Aitkin County.