Crowds once again flocking to county fairs across Minnesota
July 23, 2021
It's the heart of county fair season across Minnesota. For the first time in two years, people are lining up for midway rides, filling barns to look at animals and 4-H exhibits and eating a lot of corn dogs and funnel cakes.
- Come and get it Food and drink festivals across Minnesota
- Gettin' the bands back together Your guide to music fests around Minnesota
- Photos The State Fair is back this year and so are new fair foods
Iowa's Dobson Pipe Organ Builders picks up the pieces after devastating fire
July 22, 2021
After a devastating fire struck the world-famous Dobson Pipe Organ Builders in Lake City, Iowa, the company is slowly navigating a return to normalcy thanks to resourcefulness, others’ generosity and loyal customers.
Learn more on yourclassical.org
Low pay, no benefits, rude customers: Restaurant workers quit at record rate
July 21, 2021
Average wages for nonmanagers at restaurants and bars hit $15 an hour in May, but many say no amount of pay would get them to return. They are leaving at the highest rate in decades.
- MPR News with Kerri Miller Why it's so hard to find workers now
- As pandemic recedes Millions of workers are saying 'I quit'
Meet the summer Olympians from Minnesota
July 20, 2021
More than 20 athletes attending the Tokyo Summer Olympics have a connection to Minnesota. Get to know the athletes, and follow this page for updates on when athletes are set to compete.
- KARE 11 The Summer Olympics
- 10 things to watch for When the Tokyo Olympics begin
Rangers clear BWCA closure zone as officials keep eye on Quetico wildfires
July 19, 2021
Rangers worked through the weekend to reach campers spread across a vast swath of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness that's now closed to visitors amid a growing threat from wildfires just across the Canadian border.
- Earlier Forest Service expands BWCA closure north of Ely amid growing wildfire concerns
- Forecast updates MPR Weather's Updraft blog
After a tough year, Minnesota's Black women entrepreneurs look for ways to expand opportunity
July 18, 2021
For Black women entrepreneurs, the path to success can be filled with more obstacles than for people of other races. This was true before the COVID-19 pandemic and early data emerging shows the problem has worsened.
- In Minnesota Many Black women entrepreneurs missed out on PPP dollars
- Podcast Small change
Survey: Significant growth in bodycam usage by police
July 16, 2021
Many small police departments can’t afford to use body cameras. And the lack of footage of fatal police shootings in some rural cities has fueled skepticism and mistrust of law enforcement.
- June 21 Minnesota State Patrol, Capitol police to wear bodycams
- June 8 DOJ says it will now require federal officers to wear body cameras
What to look forward to at Twin Cities Pride 2021
July 16, 2021
Felix Foster of Twin Cities Pride tells Jill Riley how this weekend's celebrations came together, and what he's looking forward to.
Return of the fest: Things to do in Minnesota this weekend
July 16, 2021
Check out this week’s edition of The ‘sotan newsletter for events and activities around Minnesota, as well as some tips on keeping cool as we prepare to enter another heat wave.
Crews making progress on wildfire east of Ely; new BWCA closures announced near border
July 16, 2021
More than 150 firefighters continued to battle Thursday through a jumble of downed trees to contain a wildfire burning east of Ely. Meanwhile, officials announced a new slate of Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness closures along the Canadian border.
- Related Fires prompt campfire ban, some BWCA closures