North Star Stories

Reporter Andrea Duarte-Alonso shares her family’s journey to finding a home in Worthington, Minnesota, a small town that has undergone significant demographic and cultural changes over the past few decades.  Producer: Andrea Duarte-Alonso.

Highland Popcorn, a small popcorn shop in St. Paul, has made a significant impact on its community in just one year by providing meaningful job opportunities for individuals with developmental and physical challenges. Under the leadership of General Manager Goog Applebaum, the store partners with Midwest Special Services to employ staff who face barriers in the job market, helping them excel in va...

What is a "third place," and why are they key to maintaining strong communities in rural Minnesota and beyond? Sampaguita is a multidisciplinary art space in Aitkin, Minnesota, that was created to give people somewhere to come and "just be." AMPERS is joined by Sampaguita co-owner Richard Lupu to discuss what he has learned from creating Sampaguita, and what community organizers and members might...

Trauma is common within the Native community in Minnesota. New therapies are helping to treat trauma.  Producer: Deanna StandingCloud.

After 25 years, Lisa Cullen retired from military service. She was only in her 40s and wanted to make a career in the civilian world. But doing what? She and her wife Holly Boeckman decided to follow their passion for animals into the world of pet-sitting, though neither of them had ever owned a business or knew the first thing about being an entrepreneur. They founded Oh, Fur Pet’s Sake in April...

Young actress Antonisia (Nisi) Collins takes the stage as part of the main cast for the world premiere of Milo Imagines the World, a production by the Children’s Theatre Company (CTC). Collins earned the role as an alumna of the CTC Performing Apprentice Program.  Producer: Victor Palomino.

Big changes are happening at Minnesota libraries — some bringing new protections, while others raise concerns for communities and schools. North Star Stories’ Emma Needham talks with Brainerd Public Library Branch Manager Laurel Hall for more.  Producer: Emma Needham.

Vincent Moniz explores the problems Indigenous American students face, the new challenges from recent policy changes, and the role of culturally responsive teaching and community support in their success.  Producer: Vincent Moniz.

Minnesota’s first Kenyan born legislator talks about her election, her first weeks in office, her aspirations, immigration, and the American dream.  Producer: Victor Palomino.

Twice a month, Saint Paul’s Adaptive Recreation Music Night brings together individuals with developmental and physical disabilities, their families, and support staff for an evening of joyful singing and dancing. Led by long-time musicians Ken Schaefer and Dan Rumsey, this beloved event fosters a strong sense of community and belonging, transforming the space into a sanctuary where everyone can e...

Minnesota, and neighboring Wisconsin, are hotspots for folk schools, boasting 10 to 15 percent of all such institutions in the United States. These folk schools serve communities by preserving traditional skills, fostering sustainable practices, and providing a rare opportunity to step away from modern life and reconnect with deeper meanings.   Producer: Emma Needham.

The MN state’s Department of Human Services is partnering with grassroots organizations to ensure that non-English speaking communities receive vital, culturally relevant information about the opioid epidemic in their own languages. Vecinos Unidos is the campaign launched by HACER, a research organization serving Minnesota’s Spanish-speaking community.  Producer: Victor Palomino

Located in the heart of Minneapolis, Karmel Mall has become a venue where Somali speaking business owners can fulfill their dreams with a whole community behind them. In this segment, North Star Stories' Jamad Jama details the purpose behind Karmel, its importance as a third space, and features interviews with two inspiring business owners.  Producer:  Jamad Jama

For part two of our ongoing commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act, North Star Stories spoke with the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA) about the state of water in Minnesota and the significance of this landmark legislation.  Producer: Victor Palomino

Northern Minnesota’s Mesabi Iron Range is known for more than iron ore. It has its own unique culinary traditions brought here by immigrants with some 40 different national identities who poured into this region around the turn of the 20th century. One of the most famous Range treats is potica.  Producer: Britt Aarmodt

North Star Stories's Victor Palomino spoke with Ellie Krug, a writer, inclusivity workshop presenter, and one of the few trans women radio hosts in the nation. Ellie shares her thoughts on what it means for Minnesota to be a "refuge state," the current status of the trans community, and her hopes for the future.  Producer: Victor Palomino

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act, a landmark federal law that established health-based standards for contaminants in drinking water. At North Star Stories, we’re commemorating this milestone with a series of reports on water in Minnesota. Victor Palomino starts with a look at the Minnesota Department of Health’s Water Protection Report.  Producer: Victor Palomino...

Conor O'Meara, a young man with autism, has turned his lifelong dream into reality through his sports radio show, "Conor's Corner," broadcasted on WFNU Frogtown Radio in St. Paul. Over the past four years, Conor has carved out a space for himself in the broadcasting world. North Star Stories' Katharine DeCelle has more.  Producer:  Katharine DeCelle  

Last October, the state of Minnesota launched the "Driver’s License for All" program. This achievement followed nearly two decades of persistent advocacy by community leaders and organizations. North Star Stories's Victor Palomino spoke with COPAL, a local organization serving Latine immigrants, about how they're preparing for the new administration.  Producer: Victor Palomino 

For the past two years, Minnesota has experienced a decline in winter snow accumulation, leading to significant changes in events and traditions that are vital to the culture, economy, and even scientific research in many northern communities. North Star Stories's Victor Palomino speaks with WTIP News Reporter Kalli Hawkins for more.    Producer: Victor Palomino