Essential Minnesota Podcast As the 10-year anniversary of Prince’s death approaches, Melissa Townsend sits down with Minnesota Star Tribune music critic Jon Bream to discuss his decades-long relationship with the Purple One.

This episode of the Essential Minnesota Podcast is gripping. Host Melissa Townsend chats with Strib music writer Jon Bream, who has covered Prince from the first inklings of stardom to present time. www.startribune.com/essential-mi...

Live: Senate votes to end ban on mining near Boundary Waters Senators voted 50-49 to approve the measure.

Follow along here for reactions to today's senate vote. www.startribune.com/live-us-sena...

Reality TV star Luke Gulbranson to challenge Republican Rep. Pete Stauber Gulbranson’s entry comes just weeks before the Eighth District DFL’s endorsing convention and he plans to run in a primary if he doesn’t get the endorsement.

Start your day here. www.startribune.com/reality-tv-s...

Cool story by @cassidyhett.bsky.social about hoops star Gianna Kneepkens as the WNBA draft nears. www.startribune.com/wnba-draft-g...

Gophers hire Brett Larson as Bob Motzko's replacement The Gophers are hiring St. Cloud State's Brett Larson to be their next men's hockey coach, replacing Bob Motzko.

Local boy gets primo coaching gig. www.startribune.com/gophers-mens...

Public office, private peril: Threats increasing the price of holding office in Minnesota The Minnesota Star Tribune reviewed police service calls for more than 200 elected officials. Here’s what we learned.

Kudos to my buddy @janahollingsworth.bsky.social and others. What an illuminating story. www.startribune.com/public-offic...

Gophers part ways with Brad Frost after 19 seasons, four NCAA titles The Gophers are parting ways with women's hockey coach Brad Frost, who won four national titles during his 19 seasons at Minnesota.

Among the last coaches standing from my days of covering college women’s hockey. www.startribune.com/gophers-wome...

Live: Upset alert — Central Minnesota Christian inching toward win | StribVarsity Either Central Minnesota Christian or Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s will face Mountain Iron-Buhl in the Class 1A championship.

The snow is up to my head practically on some corners, but it's hot here in Duluth. WEATHER. Also Mountain Iron Buhl girls basketball is off to the Class 1A championship. varsity.startribune.com/mn-girls-bas...

It is wild outside in Duluth. There are massive ice chunks falling from trees and the streets look like they’re covered in broken glass.

He was in players’ weddings and held their babies: Duluth hockey remembers beloved ‘Hoagie.’ Dale “Hoagie” Haagenson, a volunteer assistant equipment manager, was the longest-serving volunteer in the history of UMD’s athletics program.

Here's the scene from a lovely memorial for Hoagie on Tuesday at Amsoil Arena. www.startribune.com/minnesota-du...

It’s a mighty rip-roaring weather day, which is not visible in this image. :(

Live: Follow Minnesota’s Olympians in action today at the Milan Cortina Games Korey Dropkin and Cory Thiesse of Duluth will go for the gold medal in mixed doubles curling while Jessie Diggins and Paula Moltzan are also in action in Italy.

Korey Dropkin and Cory Thiesse of Duluth will go for the gold medal in mixed doubles curling today at the Winter Olympics. Get live updates on all the Minnesota Olympians in action here:

Live: Duluth mixed doubles curling team will play for the gold medal at the Winter Olympics Korey Dropkin and Cory Thiesse of Duluth beat Italy in the semifinals Monday to advance to Tuesday’s gold medal match.

Let's go! www.startribune.com/2026-winter-...

Who is Bryce Campbell, accused of torching Lutsen Resort? Campbell had dreams of making the former North Shore landmark a fine dining destination, drawing the same wealthy patrons who flock to Vail and Glacier National Park.

Here's what we know about Bryce Campbell, accused of burning down Lutsen. (Also, traveling around with @janahollingsworth.bsky.social for a story is among my favorite things. She makes sure we eat well.) www.startribune.com/lutsen-lodge...

At Duluth Curling Club, everyone’s rooting for ‘Boy Korey’ and ‘Girl Cory’ Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin, Team USA’s mixed doubles team, has big support at its home club.

If you've never curled, and you visit the Duluth Curling Club, at least one person will offer to teach you by the time you leave. www.startribune.com/at-duluth-cu...

What’s the story behind the abandoned Cold War station in Finland, Minn.? Now a ghost town, the remote spot on Lookout Mountain was once part of a secret defense network.

Hobbies include reading old newspapers. www.startribune.com/whats-the-st...

Vikings fullback C.J. Ham officially announces retirement Vikings fullback C.J. Ham, one of the most unlikely captains in team history, has officially announced his retirement after 10 NFL seasons.

It's official. Story by @andrewkrammer.bsky.social : www.startribune.com/vikings-full...

David Brom, a teenager when he killed family members with an ax decades ago, granted parole Brom said the transition to work release has been relatively smooth.

Here's an update on a case I've been following since I was 12. www.startribune.com/david-brom-a...

Meet Abbey Murphy, the Gophers women's hockey star who is going viral Abbey Murphy, a standout forward for the Gophers and Team USA, is going viral in her pursuit of a national championship and Olympic gold medal.

I know I'm more of a UMD person, but this is my favorite player see in action in the modern era. www.startribune.com/meet-abbey-m...

Renee Good came to Minneapolis seeking a safe place. Less than a year later, she was killed. After years as a military wife, Good was starting over when an encounter with ICE agents cut her new life short.

Here is a lovely story about Renee Good by @kimvhyatt.bsky.social and @cvondracek.bsky.social : www.startribune.com/renee-good-f...

These northern Minnesota brothers went from campfire songs to full-fledged jam band Jacob and Owen Mahon of jam band Saltydog reflect on their musical journey ahead of album release in the new year.

And here's a fun story from Kim Hyatt about Duluth band Salty Dog. www.startribune.com/two-brothers...

Gophers star safety Koi Perich to enter transfer portal The Esko native hasn’t ruled out returning to Minnesota but will explore his options, ESPN reported.

Esko's Perich news: www.startribune.com/gophers-star...

Your all-week, all-access pass awaits — don’t miss out | Strib Varsity Stats, scores and schedules are always free, but this week, nonsubscribers can enjoy all Strib Varsity has to offer.

Heads up, prep sports fans. There is no paywall on Strib Varsity this week. Get scrolling. varsity.startribune.com/strib-varsit...

Uh oh. I can never remember what it means.

Every time I encounter a woolly bear I take a photo of it? Not sure why. In case it’s the last one of the season? They don’t translate well to photo. Anyway, yesterday in Hermantown. (Though my phone is full of these)

Brooks: Smile! Time for mandatory fun on your Target run Why would Target force Minnesotans to make prolonged eye contact?

"In the end, they voted no: eye contact is terrible." It's early, but this from a column by @stribrooks.bsky.social is my favorite sentence of the day.

www.startribune.com/brooks-smile...

50 years later, the mystery of the Edmund Fitzgerald still haunts the children of its lost crew “This time of year when the gales of November kick up, it’s almost impossible not to think of the men on the Fitz.”

“This time of year when the gales of November kick up, it’s almost impossible not to think of the men on the Fitz.”

www.startribune.com/50-years-lat...

Ope. Here we go. It’s winter.

What’s ‘The Birds’ star Tippi Hedren’s Minnesota connection? Star of Alfred Hitchcock thriller was born and raised in the state.

Obsessed with this Curious Minnesota by @ericapearson.bsky.social. It's a perfect Halloween read. Ten minutes ago I didn't even know Tippi Hedren was from Minnesota. www.startribune.com/tippi-hedren...

I had the same reaction! Tears, LOLs, delight at the earnestness.