Worth It

It turns out invasive goldfish in a metro lake make a nice snack for the less picky animals at the zoo. Less work flexibility means more working moms are making big life changes. Plus, we find out if the 40th annual Farm Aid concert really does help farmers. And this year a famous son joins the lineup.   Read more about discarded pet goldfish in Lake Cornelia, women leaving the workforce and every...

Palmer’s Bar is closing after an incredible 119-year run. There’s no replacement but we’ve got some ideas for your new favorite dive bar hangout. Workers are heading back to downtown Minneapolis, and our food team has the ultimate food and drink guide! Plus, we ask the burning question: are campfires still worth it?   Read more about bars that might stand in for Palmer’s, eating in downtown Minnea...

Two Star Tribune photographers share the stories behind the images they took after the shooting at Annunciation school. Plus, why the biggest fans of the young adult romance series “The Summer I Turned Pretty” are also the least likely. And music critic Jon Bream shares some star-studded stories as he celebrates his 50-year career writing about the world’s most famous musicians.   View some of Ric...

On Wednesday, a shooting at Annunciation Church rocked Minneapolis. Two children were killed, 18 people were injured and an entire community was shaken. Two experts share advice on how caregivers can find support and offer the words to process this violence with children of all ages. We hear from Jenny Britton from Washburn Center for Children and Matt Witham from Gillette Children’s. Find more re...

We dive into one big story this week. A particular set of religious teachings from Evangelical Christianity shaped Vance Boelter’s life. We find out more about the beliefs that may have fueled his alleged crimes: the assassination of Minnesota state representative Melissa Hortman, the murder of her husband and their dog and the shooting of Minn. state representative John Hoffman and his wife, Yvet...

Minnesota’s lakes are a source of pride, but does your favorite lake make the grade? There’s a new way for you to check out the stats on lakes around the state. As recreational cannabis expands, we’ve got some best practices for staying safe while getting high. Plus, a beloved novel by Kate DiCamillo celebrates a milestone.    Read more about consuming cannabis safely. Get tickets to celebrate the...

This year we’ve all been dealing with unhealthy air, but summer camps and the kids who attend them have been facing extra challenges. How are they coping and is this the new normal? We talk to one Boundary Waters newbie and one veteran about their trials and triumphs in Minnesota’s wilderness crown jewel. Plus, a unique new wedding venue in North St. Paul, and it might tell us a little something a...

This week, we're sharing a show we think you'll like: MPR News with Angela Davis is MPR News’ daily live call-in show and podcast. The show features conversations about life in Minnesota and how the state is changing, Monday – Thursday at 9 a.m. Hosted by award-winning journalist, Angela Davis, the show is currently in its sixth year. You can listen to the show on-air, online at mprnews.org/angela...

Recreational marijuana has been legal in Minnesota for two years now. We’ve got an update on where things stand. People are getting pumped up about inflatable watercrafts. We’ll talk about how these inflatables became game changers for lake life. Plus, wild rice harvests have been diminishing, and there’s a fierce debate over how to respond. What you need to know about the battle over Minnesota’s...

Going to the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival this weekend? We’ve got you covered with everything you need to know. People are using buy-now-pay-later to afford things like groceries – but at what cost? Plus, Mendota Heights neighbors are battling a bird colony polluting their lake with poo. But a solution to this crappy situation is proving difficult.    Read more about Minnesota Yacht Club, buy-now...

We’ve got the inside scoop on why the Guthrie’s “Cabaret” is one of their best productions in years. “The Great Gatsby” turns 100 – is it worth another read? Plus, we’ll tell you about the Culinary North Stars that are pushing the boundaries of the Twin Cities’ dining scene.   Read more about the Culinary North Stars, Gatsby’s centennial, Gatsby remixes and the Guthrie’s production of “Cabaret”.  ...

This Fourth of July weekend, our music critic breaks down the best concert venues in town and takes us backstage at a Dylan concert. We’ll tell you where to stay cool with cotton candy-topped beverages and help you find a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard route through the Twin Cities’ most interesting waters.    Read more about the best concert venues, gourmet cotton candy, and paddling urban lakes an...

It’s Pride weekend, and there are 10,000 ways to celebrate - our team has your weekend plans on lock. We’ll get you caught up on local women’s rugby just in time for the championship final this weekend. The story of the closure (and reopening) of 19 Bar is a window into the history of an important gayborhood in Minneapolis. We’ll tell you about it. Plus, what it’s like to walk Minneapolis from the...

Happy Pride Month! We’ll hear stories from an online map that’s documenting stories of LGBTQ and Two Spirit people in Greater Minnesota. Grandma’s Marathon is this weekend and we’ll take a closer look at the one hill runners will have to face to finish. We’ll show you the line between legal and illegal e-bikes. And, we’ll get the inside scoop on the clawcade craze. Are we OK with these little casi...

Our food expert shares her insider’s guide to the best food in downtown St. Paul – morning, noon and night. The job market is hard for everyone right now, but especially for recent college grads. We’ll get the full picture of what’s going on. Plus, we’ll tell you about a new place in southern Minnesota that uncovers a fascinating piece of Dakota history.  Read more about what to eat in downtown St...

We’re talking about some of the best ways to kick off a great summer. It’s the unofficial Prince Week in Minnesota, but the celebrations are legit. We’ll be your guide to the purple festivities. The state health department has cracked down on unlicensed pools and hot tubs, so what does that mean for your pool party plans? Plus, why a thousand people visit a 20-ft pencil every June and the winning...

If you’re a fan of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” or just a tasty drink enjoyer, we’ll give you the deets on where to find a dirty soda. Tensions between the US and Canada spill over into a bike race in Grand Marais, and a couple of local $10 cereal brands are flying off the shelves. Plus, an amphitheater near St. Cloud worth checking out for summertime jams.    Read more about dirty sodas, c...

In the mood for a drive? Before you head out on your next road trip - we find a couple places worth stopping for. We’ve got the essential guide for casual Timberwolves fans and we find out what’s stinking up some northern lakeshores. Plus five years later, the facts of George Floyd’s murder remain the same, but some are changing the story. We’ll find out more.   Read more about the Timberwolves ba...

Whether you kayak, canoe or paddleboard - or you want to - we’ll hear the best paddling routes to try in the Twin Cities metro. There’s a new show about a real-life Minnesota woman-cowboy-detective from the 1800s. Plus, why you should think “salvage” for home remodeling and the cost to raise a kid here.   Read more about “Whoa, Nellie!,” our ultimate paddling guide, salvaging for your home and how...

Spring weather is here and we’re ready for it. Our expert foodie shares her tips for enjoying restaurant patio season, including how to do it on a budget. We’ve got a handful of reasons why Detroit Lakes is worth a look this summer. Plus, fishing drama and the pros/cons of being a human guinea pig, for science.   Read more about the best restaurant patios in the Twin Cities, where to eat in Duluth...

We’ve got ways to win the cutthroat home buying game in MN. Plus we’re taking you inside the best places in the Twin Cities for Vietnamese food and the old-school fabric warehouse that’s an extravaganza of sewing supplies for DIY fashionistas. Our expert on going out also brings you a couple of fun, only-in-Minnesota things you can do exclusively this weekend – find out what they are before it’s t...

Your time is limited. Your money is, too. So how do you know what’s worth it? The Minnesota Star Tribune’s Nicole Norfleet and Aaron Brown curate a weekly guide to the Minnesota stories and happenings worth your time, attention – and money. The cool suburban stop for gourmet cotton candy, the new spot to farm camp, the best place to see a concert – and the venues to avoid – it’s all here on Worth...