North Star Stories

North Star Stories continues its special coverage marking a year since the murder of Former House Speaker Melissa Hortman, Bemidji looks for answers on a recent ICE raid, and we say goodbye to longtime Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder sports journalist Larry Fitzgerald Sr. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  Image: Larry Fitzgerald Sr.  [credit: KMO...

North Star Stories hears from House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman’s colleagues and friends marking one year since Hortman, her husband Mark, and dog Gilbert were murdered. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  House Speaker Melissa Hortman in 2024 [credit: Andrew VonBank, House Public Information Services] ----- For the latest episode drops and...

La policía del estado alerta sobre un nuevo modelo de estafa. Una comunidad de la zona metro rechaza las cámaras de vigilancia y la cara de un bebé le da un nuevo motivo de orgullo a Mineesata. Police warn of a new type of scam, a metro-area community rejects surveillance cameras, and a baby's face gives Minnesota a new reason for pride . ----- ProductorProducer: Victor Palomino Voiceover: Marisa...

Vance Boelter changes his plea to guilty and will spend life in prison, community members around George Floyd Square won’t be charged for infrastructure changes, and the 158th White Earth Treaty Day Celebration and Powwow kicks off. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  US Attorney for Minnesota Daniel Rosen announces Vance Boelter’s plea deal [cr...

This week, residents in Northern Minnesota find a space to celebrate trans joy. Then, how a group of Minnesota athletes is preparing to be the center of a national sports competition. And, Minnesota has a new claim to babyface fame. ----- Executive Producer: Victor Palomino Producers: Katharine DeCelle, Emily Krumberger Anchor: Chantel SinGs Reader scripting: Xan Holston, Tracie Wells Collier, Vic...

The Upper Sioux Community gets closer to energy sovereignty, scammers move on from crypto kiosks, and a North Shore easement protects nearly 1,000 acres of forest. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  North Shore forest land [credit: Xan Holston] ----- For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on social media.  instagram.com/ampersradio...

A real estate broker accused of religious discrimination goes on trial, the University of Minnesota forges a new partnership with Fairview, and a preview of next week’s coverage remembering Melissa Hortman. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  DFL Leader Melissa Hortman in 2 [credit:  Michele Jokinen, House Public Information Services] ----- For...

The Bois Forte Band of Chippewa live streams its election count, Mesabi Metallics gets closer to opening, and a bomb threat interrupts attempts to smell a flower that reeks like rotting flesh. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image: The blooming of Como Park Zoo & Conservatory’s Corpse Flower, Horace, was nearly ruined by a bomb threat. [credit:...

As one Northland wildfire is contained, two more pop up, rural healthcare providers find strength in numbers, and a Minnesota Gerber baby. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  A firefighter walks the hose line for the Birch Bay Fire. [credit: inciweb.wildfire.gov] ----- For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on social media.  instagr...

La modernización del aeropuerto de Makato sufre retrasos por financiación. St Cloud detiene un proyecto de vivienda para los más vulnerables, y un nuevo centro cultural Dakota abre en las ciudades gemelas. The modernization of Mankato Airport faces delays due to funding issues. St Cloud halts a housing project for the most vulnerable, and a new Dakota cultural center opens in the Twin Cities . ---...

A Roseau pilot gets his plane back from Red Lake Nation, a Minneapolis City Council committee rejects a developer for the Peoples’ Way site at George Floyd Square, and children — and kids at heart — fish for free this weekend. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  The Peoples’ Way at Geroge Floyd Square [credit: Xan Holston] ----- For the latest e...

This week, we examine the benefits and drawbacks of artificial intelligence and how some state agencies are putting it to use. Then, we look at the current job market and why many recent graduates and younger Minnesotans are struggling to land their first position.  ----- Executive Producer: Victor Palomino Producers: Jose Ozoria, Jamad Jama Anchor: Grace Jacobson Fact checking: Joel Glaser Editor...

A potential break in decades-old missing persons case of news anchor Jodi Huisentruit, the future of conservation goes to Washington County’s ballot this fall, and the Superior Hiking Trail marches to its 40th year — in style. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  A map of the Birch Bay Fire in the Superior National Forest. [credit: inciweb.org] -...

Another northern wildfire, St. Cloud votes against housing for homeless, and Dakota cultural center Wakan Tipi opens ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  An aerial view of the Birch Bay Fire in the Superior National Forest [credit: inciweb.wildfire.gov] ----- For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on social media.  instagram.com/ampe...

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...