North Star Stories

After 30 years, the 165-mile Mesabi Trail is complete, Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Natalie Hudson hears her last oral arguments before she retires, and two new clinics come to Minneapolis’ Indian Cultural Corridor. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  The entry to the Minnesota Supreme Court [photo credit: Minnesota Judicial Branch] ----- For...

Labor unions grow in Minnesota, a Stearns County man uses centuries-old Catholic edicts as a legal defences, and a herd of horses at Como Park turns 112. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  One of the hand-carved horses at Como Park’s Cafesjian’s Carousel, built in 1914. [Image photo credit: Cafesjian’s Carousel] Audio credit: Cafesjian’s Carous...

A U.S. Forest Service facility in Grand Rapids won’t close, “Spider Man” claims self defense in assault case, and the state fair ends. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  An updated law about stopping for school buses goes into effect. [photo credit: Xan Holston] Audio credit: https://www.waltonwebcasting.com/  ----- For the latest episode drops...

Esta semana, hay más espacios en refugios para quienes intentan escapar de la violencia doméstica en el sureste y la mitad del territorio del estado se clasifica en condiciones de sequía severa o extrema. This week, there are more shelter spaces for those trying to escape domestic violence in the southeast, and half of the state's territory is classified as experiencing severe or extreme drought c...

An update on Wednesday’s mass shooting in Minneapolis, Anoka confronts a historical attempted lynching and honors the survivor, and the State Fair closes with a cultural bang. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  A mob in Anoka tried to lynch Ernest McDuffey 95 years ago this Saturday. [photo credit: Minnesotans for Racial Justice: Ernest McDuffe...

This week, we honor the memory and legacy of Ernest McDuffey, a Black man who survived an attempted lynching in Anoka during the 1930s, and we explore how historical archives help us better understand Minnesota's racial history. We'll also celebrate 91 years of reporting by Minnesota's Black newspaper, the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder .  ----- Executive Producer: Victor Palomino Producers: Jose Oz...

Vance Boelter pleads not guilty, the Secretary of State holds a listening session tonight on election security, and some state fair donuts have a political stance. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  Proceeds from Grandstand Donuts go to the Ramsey and Anoka County DFL — but you’d never know if you don’t read the fine print. [photo credit: AMPER...

The Minnesota Supreme Court hears arguments in an alleged transgender discrimination case, "xenografting" comes to Stewartville, and the Tilt-A-Whirl is 100 years old — but still a kid at heart ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  The entry to the Minnesota Supreme Court [photo credit: Minnesota Judicial Branch]  ----- For the latest episode drop...

Crop art controversy, a Rochester women’s shelter doubles its capacity and services, and the Fair seeks its next top cow. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  Get moo-vin' to see heifer judging at the Warner Coliseum. [Image photo credit: MN State Fair] Audio credit: freesound.org  ----- For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on soci...

Drought is still hitting Minnesota hard, Leech Lake cuts the ribbon on a new transitional homeless shelter, and Prince’s new album is “Timeless.” ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  A ribbon cutting ceremony at the Niishooshimeyag Wigwam — or “Two Sisters Lodge” — Bena Shelter on the Leech Lake Reservation. [Image photo credit: Minnesota Interag...

Minnesota’s Colombian community seeks donations for earthquake victims, ICE agent Christian Castro is free in Texas despite a Minnesota warrant, and Siftungsfest kicks off for the 165th time in Noorwood Young America. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  Musikverein 1953 Diedesfeld e. V. will be at Siftungsfest all weekend [photo credit: Musikver...

Esta semana dedicamos el programa a conversar sobre la salud mental. Mientras las familias se preparan para el regreso a clases, la psicoterapeuta Ana Mariela Rivera señala que este año —además del estrés natural que conlleva volver a la escuela— muchos jóvenes podrían estar reviviendo la angustia causada por los operativos federales que tuvieron lugar en el estado a principios de año. This week,...

Today is the one-year anniversary of the tragedy at Annunciation Catholic Church and School, the state pushes back against an Xcel Energy rate increase, and two Clydesdales make their last trots at the State Fair this fall. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  Two of the State Fair Clydesdales earn a well-deserved retirement after this fall. [Ima...

This week, we reflect on the anniversary of the tragic events at Annunciation Catholic School and Church. Then, we look at ways communities can heal from collective trauma, and why mental health support is especially important as students return to school. ----- Executive Producer: Victor Palomino Producers: Katharine DeCelle Anchor: Victor Palomino, Britt Aamodt Reader scripting: Xan Holston, Tra...

Law enforcement release their reports on their Annunciation responses, Jake Lang won’t face felony charges in Minneapolis, and the Twin Cities radio community and beyond pay tribute to Charles “Chaz Millionaire” Dillon. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  Fletcher Merkel’s bench dedicated in his memory, at Grass Lake [Image photo credit: Kathari...

The U.S. Forest Service and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources lift their burn bans, schools prepare for the new year facing budget and service cuts, and hundreds of taxidermy animals go to northern University of Minnesota campuses. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  An automatic external defibrillator in a classroom [Image photo credit:...

The Chik-Wauk Museum near the end of the Gunflint trail celebrates a new Ojibwe exhibit, Minnesota’s job numbers are up big compared to the national average, and Bonnie Raitt opens the State Fair on what’s her ninth time playing. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  An interactive Turtle Island sculpture at the Zagaandagaa-Anishinaabeg exhibit at...

Esta semana, desmantelan una red de tráfico sexual en las Twin Cities y el gobernador firma una orden ejecutiva para impedir la minería en Boundary Waters. This week, a sex trafficking ring is dismantled in the Twin Cities, and the governor signs an executive order to block nickel mining in the Boundary Waters . ----- Productor/ Producer : Victor Palomino Voiceover: Marisa Rueda, Rito Ayala  Pie d...

A survey of Cook County businesses shows nearly $10 million in losses during July’s wildfires, the FBI launches a new program to help solve cold cases in Indian Country, and Barnesville celebrates 35 years of “Potato Days.” ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  Potato picking in Barnesville [Image photo credit: Barnesville Potato Days] Audio credi...

Rochester loses heritage commissioners over a development vote, Minnesota’s Karen population faces challenges over Federal Temporary Protected Status, and hot rods heat up Brainerd ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  Rochester Heritage Preservation Commissioners resigned after the City Council voted to move forward on a development project that...

This week, we look at how candidate endorsements shape politics today. And what voters should watch as November approaches. Then, we examine how Minnesota's sovereign Tribal Nations conduct their own elections. ----- Executive Producer: Victor Palomino Producers: Jules Yaeger Anchor: Victor Palomino, Britt Aamodt Reader scripting: Xan Holston, Tracie Wells Collier, Victor Palomino Fact checking: V...

Hermantown public officials are in the hot seat — again, Annunciation families tell their stories in advance of the anniversary of their loss, and Project Hero rides from St. Paul to Madison to support veterans with PTSD. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  Project Hero, a nonprofit dedicated to veterans and first responders affected by PTSD and...

A county attorney race with no candidates, the wild rice harvest is looking good, and Mankato’s newest legal residents shuffle and cluck. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  Backyard chickens: welcome to Mankato. [Image photo credit: Xan Holston]  Audio credit: Freesound.org: 183487__ecfike__chickens, and 724216__nickmaysoundmusic__chickens_wait...

A conservative activist may be in trouble over his actions during the state’s primary election, an ex-Anoka County prosecutor is in court for sex trafficking, and St. Cloud’s City Hall might be going to the dogs. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  Zebra mussels [Image photo credit: Deborah Rose, DNR] ----- For the latest episode drops and updat...

Esta semana, resultados electorales históricos, la sequía del verano está provocando el descenso del nivel de los lagos, las familias se preparan para el nuevo año escolar. This week, historic primary results; the summer drought is causing lake levels to drop and families are preparing for the new school year . ----- Productor/ Producer : Victor Palomino Voiceover: Marisa Rueda y Jose Ozoria Pie d...