North Star Stories

More on the repatriation of a long-lost WW2 Navy pilot to Jackson, Minnesota, after more than 100 years, the University of Minnesota is close to returning land to the Fond Du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, and a Drive-in theater won’t be showing “Twister” anytime soon. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston Image: The damaged screen at the Sky-Vu Drive...

This week, six years after the murder of George Floyd, we take you back to the Minneapolis neighborhood to hear how the community is coping and report on the progress that's finally being made to create a permanent memorial at George Floyd Square. Then, we reflect on how the incident changed the way local media covers stories from Minnesota's diverse communities. And we'll have a conversation abou...

Missing for 80 years, a second World War Two veteran’s body returns to southern Minnesota. Authorities look for persons of interest in the mostly contained Flanders Fire in Crow Wing County. And Minneapolis announces development plans for "The People's Way" in George Floyd Square. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image: An aerial view of the Flanders...

Crews get fires up north under control, last-minute legacy funding for habitat restoration, and the Hennepin County Attorney files charges against a second ICE agent. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image: Fire crews mop up hot spots to keep fires contained [credit: Courtesy of inciweb.wildfire.gov] ----- For the latest episode drops and updates, fo...

The legislative session ends, fires rage up north, and the Sugarhill Gang — along with Melle Mel and Scorpio from the Furious Five — will bring a new taste sensation to the State Fair free stages: old school flavor. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image: The Sugarhill Gang, Melle Mel, and Scorpio [credit: MN State Fair] ----- For the latest episode...

Minnesota conmemora el mes de la concientización sobre la salud mental, y el búfalo se apunta como una opción para reducir el hambre en el estado. Minnesota observes Mental Health Awareness Month and buffalo emerges as an option to reduce hunger in the state . ----- Productor/Producer: Victor Palomino Voiceover: Marisa Rueda, Rito Ayala ----- Pie de foto: Un joven búfalo o bisonte con cuernos, pas...

Red Lake Nation moves toward solar energy sovereignty, the legislature hits its final days, and smelt take to the streets of Duluth ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  The Magic Smelt Puppet Troupe’s Smelt Queen and her loyal denizens [credit: Courtesy of the Magic Smelt Puppet Troupe] ----- For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on...

This week, we reflect on Mental Health Awareness Month and the debate to legalize Medical Aid in Dying. And after 50 years, lawmakers look to recognize the impact one immigrant community has had on our state.  ----- Executive Producer: Victor Palomino Producers: Jules Yaeger, Jamad Jama Anchor: Britt Aamodt Reader scripting: Xan Holston, Tracie Collier, Victor Palomino Fact checking: Victor Palomi...

Moorhead decides not to become a “sanctuary city,” osprey make their home on a highway sign, and questions about the St. Cloud Diocese and its pension fund. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  ----- For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on social media.  instagram.com/ampersradio/ instagram.com/northstarstoriesmn/ Never miss a beat. Sign u...

Minnesota’s rural hospitals seek support, free lunches for Minnesota kids this summer, and the DFL wonders if its package of gun safety bills will even be heard on the House floor. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image: United Health District CEO Richard Ash speaks in support of a bill that bolsters Minnesota’s 340B prescription drug program [credit...

A bridge safety fix for people at their lowest, Tribal food and energy sovereignty projects, and a former state senator plans to change his plea in a sex sting case. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image: A bison from the Grand Portage Band of Superior Chippewa’s herd [credit: WTIP-FM] ----- For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on soc...

XCEL Energy owes ratepayers $40.6 million dollars (plus interest), the leader of the state’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives is fired, and peregrine falcon chicks at the Mayo Clinic need names. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image: Balls of fluff. What should the Mayo Clinic’s new peregrine be named? Vote at their website through May 15....

Los legisladores del estado aprueban un amplio paquete de legislación sobre armas y se abre oficialmente la temporada de pesca de este año. Lawmakers pass a sweeping package of gun legislation, and this year's fishing season officially opens . ----- Productor/Producer: Victor Palomino Additional voice work: Jose Ozoria, Marisa Rueda ----- Pie de foto: El senador Matt Klein sostiene una colección d...

An Iron Range task force says thousands of children are without care, the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa works to increase water safety, and moms fish for free. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston   Image: Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Tribal Chair Robert Deschampe and law enforcement leaders in front of two of the Band’s mar...

Updates to a program that helps people escape violence without leaving a trail, a program to help families cover utility bills, and it’s the state fishing opener this weekend. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image: The humble walleye [credit: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources].    ----- For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on...

This week, we examine a controversial classroom practice used to control students with disruptive behavior. And, as the fishing season starts, we'll tell you about some new consumption guidelines to keep you safe. ----- Executive Producer: Victor Palomino Producers: Jose Ozoria and Maija Hecht Anchor: Gracie J. Reporter: Britt Aamodt Reader scripting: Victor Palomino, Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Hol...

The Minneapolis sound comes to The Great Minnesota Get-Together, the fight over a google data center tax deal in Hermantown isn’t over, and renovations at Little Earth — the heart of Minneapolis’ Native American community. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image: The Little Earth community during the 2026 MMIR March [credit: Xan Holston].   ----- For...

Replanting hundreds of thousands of trees up north, relief for homeowners if their houses are damaged by tear gas by police, and school safety and gun legislation moves forward in the Minnesota senate. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image: Senator Matt Klein holds up a collection of letters written by Annunciation Catholic School families and commu...

World War Two Captain Willibald C. Bianchi is laid to rest, and legislators make sure Tribal governments are notified when wastewater is released upstream. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image: A memorial board at Captain Willibald C. Bianchi’s funeral [credit: courtesy of KNUJ Radio].   ----- For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on...

Los legisladores continúan debatiendo proyectos de ley antes del cierre de la sesión, y los funcionarios estatales nos recuerdan compartir la carretera durante la temporada de siembra. Legislators continue debating bills ahead of the end of the session, and state officials remind us to share the road during planting season . ----- Productor/Producer: Victor Palomino Additional voice work: Rito Aya...

New Ulm lays a fallen WW2 hero to his final rest back home, the senate gets ready to debate gun legislation, and spring kicks off in Minneapolis on Sunday with the May Day Parade. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image: Bird puppets at the May Day Parade [credit: Xan Holston] ----- For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on social media. ...

This week, we look at organizations providing immigrant communities access to autism related services in inclusive and culturally responsive ways. We'll also take a deep dive into where plastic residues show up in our daily lives. ----- Executive Producer: Victor Palomino Producers: Faaya Adem & Britt Aamodt Anchor: Chantel SinGs Reader scripting: Victor Palomino, Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Hol...

Minnesota gets its first Youth Poet Laureate, organizations try to keep up with changes to state financial aid programs, and fire departments statewide look to add more women to their ranks. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image: Republican First-term Representative Bidal Duran of Bemidji speaking at a press conference introducing the Minnesota Lati...

A new exhibit contemplates a statue of President Lincoln in Mankato, pharmacists may soon join the first line of defense in the fight against opioid addiction, and federal agents come back to the Twin Cities. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image: A marker for the 38 Dakota hanged by order of President Abraham Lincoln in 1862 [credit: Minnesota Hist...

Minnesotans fight back against invasive plants, lawmakers target ATM scams, and the Minnesotans with Disabilities act gets closer to being law. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image: Wild parsnip is just one of many invasive non-native plants in Minnesota. [credit: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources] ----- For the latest episode drops and upd...