North Star Stories

The St. Paul community of Rondo was uprooted in the 1950s by the construction of the I-94 highway, which cut through the heart of Rondo. In this segment, North Star Stories’ Jamad Jama explores how a new generation in Rondo is grappling with the lasting impact of the construction of the I-94 highway. With interviews from Reconnect Rondo and a rondo native, the story focuses on the work being done...

As immigration enforcement intensifies in Minnesota and new laws emerge at both state and federal levels, immigrant communities increasingly rely on local nonprofit organizations and community resources for guidance and support. This segment explores the challenges faced by immigrants, the efforts of advocacy groups, and the legislative landscape shaping immigration policy in the state.

The 'Wild Rice Act' (SF 1247) aims to protect clean water by improving regulations surrounding pesticide use and local-level government collaboration between Tribal entities. Rise and Repair representatives Eóin Small and Leanna Goose join North Star Stories to share their thoughts on the bill and their hopes for what it represents in Minnesota.

At the 2025 Legislative Forum hosted by the Minnesota Council on Disabilities on March 14, 2025, State Representatives addressed budget cuts affecting the disability community, including the $19 million deficit in Minnesota's Vocational Rehabilitation Program, which threatens to cut vital support for nearly 14,000 individuals with disabilities. Representatives contend that denying access to employ...

On March 8, 2025, Ag for All , Minnesota’s first agricultural conference for the LGBTQIA+ community, took place in St. Cloud.

Rodolfo Gutierrez, Executive Director of HACER (Hispanic Advocacy and Community Empowerment through Research), discusses MILLA, an alliance of Latino-led organizations that are advocating for their community with state legislators and creating pathways for leadership to enhance civic participation among Latino leaders in Minnesota.

The Minnesota Court of Appeals has ordered the Department of Natural Resources to reconsider its environmental review of the Milepost 7 tailings basin. Vincent Moniz reports on the implications for Lake Superior, Indigenous Nations, and environmental safety as the case moves to the state Supreme Court.

Presented by the White Earth Land Recovery Project, the Great Lakes Indigenous Farming Conference celebrated its 22nd year this March. Deanna StandingCloud speaks with two of the conference participants about their work: Kaylee Carnahan, the Administration Associate and Greenskeeper for the Indigenous Environmental Network, and Leanna Goose, a citizen of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and a Co-Faci...

The Special Olympics Minnesota State Poly Hockey and Powerlifting Competition was held on March 8 and 9, 2025 at Stillwater High School, and it showcased the talents of Special Olympics athletes from across the state. Founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver in 1968, Special Olympics has grown into the largest sports program globally, empowering over 4.5 million athletes with intellectual disabilities. T...

Production and backstage workers at Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) got their first union contract after a vote from the Members of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 13. This marks a local milestone for these types of workers in the theater industry, and it sets an example for theater unions across the nation. North Star Stories talks with a CTC administrator...

The final file date for income tax is coming up fast, and the Minnesota Department of Revenue and HACER are reaching out to families to take advantage of the Child Tax Credit.

This Women’s History Month, we hear from three women stewarding culture through storytelling: Tracey Dagen, Jess Anderson Ojala, and Dani Pieratos have all made thoughtful contributions to the past & future iterations of the Vermilion Lake Oral History Project, an effort to preserve stories from Elders for future generations. Full transcripts of Mary Anderson’s interview and more interviews wi...

Palisade, a town in central Minnesota, is grappling with the failure and deterioration of its water infrastructure. In part three of North Star Stories' series marking the 50th anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act, we focus on infrastructure, examining how maintenance, upgrades, and funding are essential to ensuring safe drinking water and securing the future of rural communities.

As Minnesotans await the results of the Minnesota House District 40B special election, Kathleen Cole, Professor and Department Chair of Social Science at Metropolitan State University, discusses the state's current political landscape and how Minnesotans can stay engaged in the democratic process.

On March 3, 2025, OutFront Minnesota, the state's largest LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, held a rally in the Capitol Rotunda to show support for the trans community ahead of a House vote on HF12, a bill that would have banned trans girls from K-12 sports.

When her old career was stripped from her because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kathy Friedrich founded Gateway Meadows Equine-Assisted Services. At the Dayton ranch, this nurse and Army vet facilitates group therapy sessions with horses for veterans with PTSD, anxiety and other health issues. That’s where Navy vet Carrie Gilmer found a way to unpack years of unexplored emotions and memories around mi...

In this episode of North Star Stories, Darek DeLille sits down with artist Jonathan Thunder to explore his solo exhibit at Gamut Gallery. Jonathan discusses how storytelling and personal experiences shape his pieces, offering listeners a deeper understanding of his art. Join Darek and Jonathan for a rich conversation that explores the heart of Jonathan’s creative process, the messages he shares th...

In an age dominated by online dating, finding love can be particularly challenging for individuals with developmental disabilities, who often face additional hurdles in building meaningful connections. Katherine Gyolai, a mother of eight, is reigniting the art of old-school matchmaking with the dating service Find Love Safely. This dating service for people with developmental disabilities prioriti...

"Big Data" centers are coming to Minnesota, with companies such as Amazon planning massive facilities.  But as the industry expands, residents are weighing the long-term economic benefits against their concerns about the possible strain on the state’s electrical grid and water resources.

In this month's conversation with WTIP’s News Director Kalli Hawkins, we discuss their interview with Rima Dael, CEO of the National Federation of Community Broadcasters (NFCB) about the work of the organization and challenges for small rural stations during a period of uncertainty for federal funding. Produced by Victor Palomino.

Katie Thune, the founder of Mad Hatter Wellness, is on a mission to empower individuals with disabilities through crucial education on healthy relationships, consent, and personal boundaries. With her background in health and special education, Katie left her teaching career to address the alarming issue of sexual assault among her students with intellectual disabilities. She created "Sexuality fo...

An art center in the Rondo and Frogtown communities is committed to spreading joy within the Twin Cities, starting with their black history month celebration. North Star Stories' Jamad Jama interviews Mercedes Yarbrough and Nehemiah Jett of 825 Art, giving listeners insight into their three upcoming events and how they connect to their mission as an art center.  Produced by Jamad Jama.

Minnesota Department of Health Laboratories use state-of-the-art equipment to analyze bacterial genomes. Sara Vetter, director of the Public Health Lab at the Minnesota Department of Health, talks about the high-tech ways they track diseases in an effort to limit and prevent outbreaks.  Produced by Victor Palomino

Barbershops are a multi-generational space where people from the Black community come together for a fresh cut, storytelling, and a sense of connection. North Star Stories ' Jarrett George-Ballard interviews St. Paul's Kali Kutz owner June Hunter for more. Producer:  Jarrett George-Ballard 

An all-girls robotics team from St. Paul, Minnesota is leading the way for girls in STEM. The "Bucket Cats," along with hundreds of other young engineers gathered in Burnsville, Minnesota to compete in the FIRST LEGO League state competition. Teams come from around the state with robots they have built from LEGOs and compete to win points in robot missions. With a focus on underwater exploration,...