North Star Stories

Fires break out across the state, a state and tribal partnership monitors moose populations over the winter, and Minnesota takes a rare approach to fighting illegal drug sales. Produced by Xan Holston Image: Duluth's Park Point Forest is slated for a controlled burn this spring [credit: Minnesota Historical Aerial Photographs Online] For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on social me...

Ice on the Great Lakes freezes up shipping lanes, a northern Minnesota school makes a hard choice, and a new twist to the drunk driving arrest of Representative Elliott Engen. Produced by Xan Holston Image: United States Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon announces Department of Justice charges against Minnesota [credit: United States Department of Justice] For the latest episode drops and...

More than 100,000 people flock to the Minnesota Capitol for the No Kings rally, St. Louis County considers how to spend opioid settlement money, and will the state get an official …sled? Image: Lillian Thuente speaks on behalf of toboggans at the Minnesota Senate. [credit: Senate Media Services] Produced by Xan Holston For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on social media: www.facebo...

A change in the Medicare payment system forces some rural medical providers to consider ending services, Minneapolis hits pause on “Cop City,” and if you start seeing more childish behavior in the Minnesota Senate, it might not be the lawmakers. Produced by Xan Holston Image: 41 yea and 25 nay, a resolution allows children on the Senate Floor during session for the first time in history [credit: S...

This week, a Minnesota mom describes the moment her life changed forever—after dropping off a baby she trusted would be safe. Then, Minnesota hospitals demonstrate how our healthcare system is struggling. A new group is asking what would it take to repair healthcare, not just patch it up? ----- Executive Producer: Victor Palomino Production Assistant: Britt Aamodt Producers: Jose Ozoria, Ngoc Bui...

Some state lawmakers stop a program for small dairy farmers, parents want to prevent another school shooting like Annunciation Catholic school, and one of the nation’s highest civilian honors is going to one of Minnesota’s youngest heroes. Image: Annunciation Catholic School shooting survivor Victor Greenawalt with his family and U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith before receiving an award...

The No Kings protest returns for its third edition, Iron Range schools weigh big cuts, and Delta airlines turns up the heat on Congress. Image: A couple dressed as George and Martha Washington at the No Kings march in June 2025. [credit: Xan Holston]

Bemidji starts its Inclusive Fire Brigade, a judge rules in favor of gender affirming care, and state lawmakers race to repeal César Chávez day. Image: Members of Lead for Inclusion team up with Bemidji Fire Chief Justin Sherwood to present their Inclusive Fire Brigade to the Bemidji City Council in January. [credit: Bemidji City Council]

One Minnesota family is suffering from one of the deadliest car crashes in recent state history, leaders of the Red Lake Nation take a message to D.C., and state and federal lawmakers target concert ticket price gouging. Image: Temperance River State Park on the Gitchi-Gami Trail [credit: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources] Audio credit: freesound.org ----- For the latest episode drops and...

A bill to drastically reduce the Minnesota Senate, Hibbing Schools on the brink of a strike, and an unlikely pair of lawmakers look to stop local government from signing non-disclosure agreements with businesses. Image: A new bill would fill the 135th desk in the House of Representatives [image credit: Minnesota House of Representatives] Audio credit: freesound.org

In today's broadcast, we hear about the end of the Mni Owe Sni prayer camp at Fort Snelling. And, we mark Women's History Month by learning about some of the women who have left a lasting mark on our state. ----- Executive Producer: Victor Palomino  Producers: Xan Holston, frankie felegy  Anchor: Chantel SinGs  Reader scripting: Victor Palomino   Fact checking: Victor Palomino, Tracie  Wells Colli...

The end of Ramadan brings preparations and celebrations, Bemidji draws a hard line with Northern Township, and students suspended and staff removed from coaching positions after hazing allegations. Image: A map of Northern Township septic systems [credit: www.northerntownship.com]

A public viewing for Nicole Amor, the rising cost of diesel hits Minnesota truckers, and lawmakers commemorate House speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and former Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic with their own buildings. Image: The soon-to-be named Kari Dziedzic Senate Building. [credit: AMPERS]

A fire at a ski lodge in Lutsen, state legislators and students have a snow day, and venison donations to a state food program are up. Image: A white tail deer [credit: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources]

A state lawmaker calls on those who can legally carry a gun inside the capitol, the Minnesota Supreme Court makes a ruling on the custody case involving Red Lake Nation twins, and lots and lots of snow. Image: Closed roads across Southern Minnesota [credit: MNDot]

A community leader explains why the boycott against Target is still on, the common loon gets its flowers, and an immigrants’ rights organization sues the federal government. Image: A Target store in Minneapolis [credit: Xan Holston]

We look at a bill that would penalize certain protests outside private homes, and we hear how cultural differences can make everyday financial tasks more complicated for immigrant communities. ----- Executive Producer: Victor Palomino  Producers: Jose Ozoria, Faaya Adem  Anchor: Grace Jacobson  Reader scripting: Victor Palomino   Fact checking: Victor Palomino, Tracie Wells Collier Editorial suppo...

A blind woman her service dog help change national rideshare policy, the latest on a brief environmental scare at the Monticello nuclear plant, and spongy moths come to Olmsted County. Image: A plane sprays for spongy moths [credit: Minnesota DNR]

An army soldier from Minnesota is recovering from a deadly attack in Kuwait, Duluth changes rules on public comments at city council meetings, and lawmakers aim to recognize wild rice’s inherent rights. Image: Senator Mary Kunesh introduces a bill to give wild rice inherent right to exist and thrive in Minnesota. [credit: Senate Media Services]

Thief River Falls cleans up its water, legislators look to regulate artificial intelligence for youth, and legislators work on expanding rights and recognition for Hmong and Lao veterans who fought with U.S forces during the Secret War in Laos. Image: Major Gia Tou Lee addresses the Minnesota Senate [credit: Senate Media Services]

A rally and march for International Women’s Day, the prayer camp at Mni Owe Sni comes to an end, and Nicole Amor’s body is returned to the U.S. Image: Jana Williams speaks about her murdered niece, Allison Lussier, on International Women’s Day. [credit: Xan Holston]

It’s High School State Championship hockey time, Minnesota farm evictions rise, and tensions are high at the Mni Owe Sni prayer camp. Image: Mni Owe Sni  [credit: Xan Holston]

In today's program, we'll hear how Muslim communities across the state are celebrating and finding hope this Ramadan. We'll also look at how ongoing federal immigration operations are affecting renters and landlords, and what local and state leaders are doing in response. ----- Executive Producer: Victor Palomino Producers: Jose Ozoria, Jamad Jama Host: Chantel SinGs Reader scripting: Victor Palom...

House Republicans in Washington grill Governor Walz, “Harvey’s Law” aims to add security to childcare, and Minnesota honors Nicole Amor. Image: Minnesota Capitol Building [credit: Ampers]

Google is outed as the company behind the controversial Hermantown data center, state fisheries want to know your angle, a Minnesota woman is one of six soldiers killed in Operation Epic Fury. Image: Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor [credit: U.S. Army Reserve]