Recent content from Aimee Blanchette
19 years after MOA marriage, wife and terminally ill husband will renew vows
A couple who got married at Mall of America after knowing each other for just five minutes are saying 'I do' again, this time amid a terminal cancer diagnosis.
Al Roker of NBC's 'Today Show' to broadcast live from Minnesota State Fair
The TV personality is promoting his Minnesota appearance in a Facebook video wearing Vikings purple.
Eugene 'Gene' Kruckeberg, maker of Hope Butter, dies at 78
The head butter maker for one of the last independently owned creameries in the state died July 25.
Minnesota girl competes for $1M tonight on NBC's 'World of Dance' finale
Eva Igo, 14, is one of three dancers still standing in the TV competition — and will learn her fate tonight.
Minnesota musicians unite in the fight to destigmatize mental illness
A key event that makes the local support scene unique is HazelFest, a sober music festival taking place Saturday at Hazelden.
Video shows Justine Damond rescuing family of ducklings in Mpls. weeks before death
The Guardian released video showing Justine Damond saving ducklings from a storm drain just weeks before her shooting death by a Minneapolis police officer.
Father granted wish to see son graduate early from the U dies from ALS
Ken Brown wasn't expected to live until May so the U held a special ceremony in March.
From Paul Bunyan to a 65-foot fish, where to find state's giant roadside statues
We've rounded up the top 10 statues most likely to entice travelers off the Minnesota highway. Some are big, some are weird, but all are worth a stop.
Minnesota woman's first muskie nearly breaks state record
The 23-year-old woman from southern Minnesota caught a possible record-breaking fish that was too big to properly document.
New Children's Museum unleashes the power of play
When the Minnesota Children's Museum in St. Paul set out to renovate and expand, Barbara Hahn, the museum's vice president of learning innovation, wondered: "How do we create new exhibits to unleash the power of play?"
Giant 1,000-foot slip and slide opening in northern Minnesota this summer
The Iron Range town of Chisholm, Minn., is planning to be the epicenter of summer fun for one big day in August, thanks to a 1,000-foot waterslide.
'Father's Eve' created in St. Paul garage is now a nationwide dad's night out
A casual get-together in 2012 has exploded into dozens of events around the country for dads to bond together.
Minneapolis City Hall will become 'Kitty Hall' to bring awareness to cat adoption
Get ready for to vote for the cutest, furriest mayor ever.
10 surprises at revamped MN Children's Museum, including a 4-story slide
Officially open today, the museum's $30 million makeover gives kids a place to break the rules and explore their wild ideas.
Political move or thrifty shopper? Ivanka Trump wears $35 dress from Target
Unlike the $51,500 jacket that First Lady Melania Trump recently wore, Ivanka Trump chose a dress this week that's less than $20 from Target.
Minnesotans are melting away their double chins with new fat-blasting injections
It's part of a movement in cosmetic surgery toward cheaper, less invasive therapies targeting smaller areas of the body without going under the knife.
New Cirque du Soleil show — all about ice — coming to Target Center
Just days after Ringling Bros. performed its final show, Cirque du Soleil announced its latest high-flying circus production.
'We can never forget': Volunteers to cover Fort Snelling with 20,000 flags for Memorial Day
The volunteer group hopes to one day place a flag next to every gravestone, which would total 200,000.
Semi pins car against median barrier, seriously injuring man on I-94 near Hudson
Troopers removed the injured man from the car by breaking out the back window.
Oops! Forgotten weed stash donated to Once Upon A Child in Maplewood
Maplewood police: "Hey genius, Once Upon A Child thanks you for the clothing donation, but you forgot something in your pant pockets."
Fisherman catches mysterious shark jawbone in Mississippi River
"When we saw it coming up, we had no idea what it was," said Joey Piskel, who watched his dad, Joe Piskel, reel it in. "We thought it was a sheep skull or cow jaw until we saw the teeth."
After calling off nuptials, Minn. bride donates entire dream wedding to charity
When bride-to-be Jenna Yorkovich's fairytale wedding came to a screeching halt weeks before the big day, she turned her planned walk-down-the-aisle into a happy ending anyway.
The fittest city in America? It's Duluth, actually
Surprise! Minnesota's northern city comes in at No. 1 on Fitbit's new list of rankings.
Sweet! Minnesota's Largest Candy Store gets even bigger with massive new dome
The beloved candy emporium on Hwy. 169 is adding an 85,000-pound, 60-foot space planetarium.
Minnesotan singer advances to top 10 of 'The Voice'
The one-time Prince hopeful considered quitting music after his dad died of a heart attack.
'Fidget spinners' are all the rage, but some Minnesota schools have had enough
Fidget spinners are the latest craze to hit classrooms, playgrounds and social media. But some schools say the spinning has gotten out of control.
Stunt or trend? Nordstrom under fire for selling $425 jeans covered in fake mud
Reminiscent of every child's elementary school playground days, the jeans appear to have been smeared with mud on the knees, thighs and crotch. But they will cost you.
Minneapolis man creates 1,000-piece Lego diorama of Nye's Polonaise Room
The former piano bar and restaurant has been built entirely out of Legos.
Woman with Down syndrome to compete in Miss Minnesota USA pageant
When Mikayla Holmgren takes the stage later this year, it will be a first for the Minnesota contest and, as far as pageant officials know, the country.
St. Paul Saints will settle 'duck, duck, gray duck' debate with daffy new jerseys
A prank turned the Saints into the Duck Duck Gray Ducks.
Starbucks' most unusual drink yet — the Unicorn Frappuccino — wows fans
The brand-new drink changes colors and flavors.
'I do, I did, I'm done': Divorce cakes are trending right now
People have begun "celebrating" their splits with so-called divorce cakes.
Obituary: Ione Siegel, friend of Loring Park, dies at 88
A property manager near the Minneapolis park for nearly four decades, she was remembered as genuine and passionate, a doer and a quiet advocate.
Jessica Alba surprises Target shoppers with makeovers in Edina store
The Hollywood celebrity had some funny questions for locals: "Do you do fishing? Is that like one of the activities you do?"
U grants dying man's wish to see his son graduate
For possibly the first time ever, the University of Minnesota will host a one-student graduation ceremony Monday.
Families divided in the Trump era: 'I didn't talk to my parents for weeks'
The election has been over for months, but the rancor it spawned among families, friends and couples is not fading.
Como Zoo is live streaming what we all need right now: adorable animals
On Thursday, Como is partnering with Animal Planet as it begins a 10-hour livestream of life inside the zoo.
Best and worst dressed on the Oscars red carpet
The 89th annual Academy Awards was awash with Hollywood A-listers who mastered the sartorial minefield. As for the rest? You be the judge. Scroll through…
Hottest accessory on Oscars red carpet? A tiny blue ACLU ribbon
Oscar nominees wear blue ribbons on red carpet to support ACLU.
100 women pack Mpls. tattoo shop to get inked with 'Nevertheless, she persisted'
Over a nine-hour span, Twin Cities women lined up to get the exact same tattoo.
Finding love the Minnesotan way: Afton Alps hosting chairlift speed dating event
It's all downhill from here as singles look for a match on Afton's ski lifts.
Fox 9's Jeff Passolt describes icy fall, hip fracture on Twitter
The popular anchor slipped on an icy patch while on assignment, sidelining him for weeks.
Ditch the dudes: How Amy Poehler turned Galentine's Day into feminist celebration
To combat the pressure that Feb. 14 can put on romantic relationships, ladies around the world — single or not — are reserving Feb. 13 as a day to honor their besties.
Mike Bjerkesett, a pioneer of handicap accessible housing, dies at age 69
Speak to any of Mike Bjerkesett’s friends or family members and each one will come up with a different way to describe him: “Humble.” “Charming.”…
Botox is booming among millennials — some as young as 18
Selfie culture prompts preventive approach by a generation of younger users.
90,000-plus march in St. Paul with message for Trump
"We've come a long way, and we could lose it in a heartbeat," said one protester about the election of Donald Trump. Police say between 90,000 and 100,000 people attended the march.
Great Northern mega-festival embraces Minnesota as 'winter capital of America'
New event combines City of Lakes Loppet Ski Festival, the St. Paul Winter Carnival and the U.S. Pond Hockey Championships, plus outdoor movies, dining and a sauna.
Man scrapes ice off windshield in the most Minnesotan way possible
Got an icy windshield and no scraper? No problem. This video shows how a little ingenuity and a hockey skate can get the job done.
A look inside the Obamas' enormous post-White House home
The Obama family will rent a mansion located just two miles from the White House.
Meet the Minn. medium who teaches people to harness their psychic powers
Jodi Livon, who calls herself "The Happy Medium" and an intuitive coach, is a psychic medium who claims to have a special ability that she uses to help others gain insight and closure.
With this ring, I thee upgrade: More couples trading up wedding bands
A diamond may be forever, but for some people, that rule doesn't always apply to the wedding ring.
10,000 purple lights: Minnesota family honors Prince with holiday display
The ambitious light display blinks to the tune of "Purple Rain."
Obituary: 'Renaissance man' Mentor 'Duke' Addicks Jr. lives on through his stories
Mentor “Duke” Addicks, Jr. was always curious about the bit of Cherokee in his blood. As a child, he visited his grandmother’s farm in the…
Client speaks glowingly of day care provider accused of hanging child
She said provider accused of hanging child could be depressed. Police say the 16-month-old is doing fine.
5 Minnesota celebrities who use star power to give back
There's often more to your favorite celebrities than meets the eye. Here is a closer look at the generous aspirations of five local notables.
Who is the best sports mascot in Minnesota? We rank the major players
Minnesota has quite a few sports mascots roaming around this time of year, so obviously we ranked them.
How to carve a pumpkin like a pro
A master carver dishes on her tips and tricks, and even shows us how to make a Prince pumpkin.
Trump tape starts social media movement of women sharing sex assault stories
Women are using social media to shine a light on the pervasiveness of rape culture.
How exchanging home-cooked meals with strangers gave me my life back
The sharing economy moves into a new niche: dinner. Can this writer get over the quease factor of swapping food with strangers?
Viral video hoax prompts social media blowback for KDWB's Dave Ryan
KDWB's Dave Ryan was blasted on social media Tuesday after a video of him being rude to a restaurant server made the rounds on the internet.
Why is Minneapolis a top 10 place to live for millennials? Two words: Office snacks
An abundance of office snacks and good salaries make it a great time to be a millennial worker in Minneapolis.
5 trends in the new era of high school senior portraits
Hair and makeup Pimples, be gone! More seniors are hiring professional makeup artists to airbrush them to look as if they’ve stepped off the set…
Map shows weirdest town names by state — see which in Minnesota made the list
Little Canadians reject list of America's most unusual town names.
Extreme senior portraits: Bemidji teen suits up as Spider-Man for epic photos
Jaxon Anderson weaved a web of awesomeness for his senior photo shoot.
Minnesota families share A+ rituals to ring in the new school year
For families across the state, the annual back-to-school ritual is much more than a set of new pencils and a shiny new lunchbox: It's a change in routine, a chance for a fresh start. "It's a much anticipated time of the year in this household," said Alissa Loren, a mother of three who lives in Ramsey. "I love the back-to-school feeling, and being able to go through it with my own kids brings me right back to my childhood." Whether your children are excitedly entering kindergarten or are seasoned school vets with a few years under their backpacks, celebrate the first day of school by adding one of these A-plus traditions, shared by local families, to your routines.
Obituary: Anne Patrick, Catholic feminist theologian, supported ordination of women
The Catholic Church says women cannot be ordained as priests, but Anne Patrick was never one to take “no” for an answer. Throughout her career…
Upscale Mpls. hotel offering $12,000 Vikings tailgating package
A luxury hotel package has all the tailgating essentials for Vikings games: a concierge, champagne and a limo.
Richfield man plays bridge with billionaire buddies Bill Gates and Warren Buffett
What's it like to play bridge with Bill Gates and Warren Buffett? A local man found out last week.
Is Ragnar's Harley ad on Craigslist a hoax? Nope, and owner says it's sold
Seller of the Ragnar-themed motorcycle says he originally bought it 18 years ago.
Would you buy an outfit along with milk, eggs? Hy-Vee is betting on it
The grocery store giant opened its second store with a clothing boutique just last week.
Baby on board! Video shows very pregnant Lino Lakes woman wakesurfing
An active Minnesota mom coaxed her baby's arrival with a wakesurf session that has been viewed more than 14,000 times on Instagram.
Memo to New York Times: We forgive you
Never mind those slights concerning grape salads (2014), honeycrisp apples (2015) and that dating debacle earlier (2013). Your "36 Hours in Minneapolis" is certainly helping us forget.
What hookup culture? Millennials are having less sex than their parents
Generation sexless: Millennials are having less sex than any generation in 60 years.
Maplewood's 'Jack the bike guy' helps kids with special needs
Maplewood bicycle repairman believes all children, no matter their abilities, should be able to ride a bike.
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