James Lileks

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James Lileks

Columnist | Metro

Phone: 612-673-7858

James Lileks writes a metro column and is an anchor/producer for NewsBreak, the webcast on startribune.com. He also blogs under The Blog O'Things.
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Stuck in the Stratosphere

Twenty-four fairgoers were stranded more than 100 feet in the air Thursday when a ride malfunctioned and a safety system...

Updated: August 24, 2012, - 10:36 AM

Lileks: New plan wanted for State Fair

Here's your Fair Checklist. Well, a Fair Checklist; can't presume it's yours. But maybe it should be.

Updated: August 23, 2012, - 07:15 PM

Lileks: What's not to hate about the State Fair?

You have no time for it and you wish it didn't seem as if all Minnesotans must love it. What's wrong with you?

Updated: August 17, 2012, - 07:52 PM

Lileks: Baggers can't be choosers: Pack 'em as you see 'em - mind the olives

"You going to compete in the bagging contest this weekend?" I asked a clerk at a grocery store. He looked confused. "It's the regionals," I added.

Updated: August 16, 2012, - 07:52 PM

Lileks: Too dumb to be true? Don't click it

KSTP news made news when KSTP news said: Uh, about those e-mails from us that promised you a thousand dollars? Never mind.

Updated: August 11, 2012, - 09:39 PM

Lileks: Wolf hunting - first it's off, now it's on again. But is it right? Go figure.

Sometimes you're unaware of an issue until an enormous billboard commands your attention.

Updated: August 09, 2012, - 07:58 PM

Lileks: Otter chaos gets our full attention

Not to minimize the plight of people who've been chewed by otters, but it's one of those things that makes you stop and think: It's unexpected. It's like hearing that people are getting getting atomic wedgies from chipmunks. Another attack happened last weekend up in Aitkin, and that's three attacks so far in Minnesota. Not enough to replace "Shark Week" with "Otter Summer" on TV, but still bizarre. What's the reason?

Updated: August 04, 2012, - 04:56 PM

Lileks: Today's Capitol idea: Making laws is so easy, it oughta be illegal

Hoorah! The new laws are in force. Aug. 1 was the day a slew of rules was slathered on the state. You may ask:

Updated: August 02, 2012, - 08:56 PM

Lileks: Is it Fringe or is it real? Hard to say

The Fringe Festival starts this week -- 42,062 plays, more or less. Sometimes the description of the play is less than helpful. "The Bronze Dustpan Theater presents 'Less Than Helpful,' an irreverent romp through psycho-sexual contemporary metaphors about vampires and chicken salad!" Sometimes the work is so conceptual you don't know if it's real life, or some actors. Oh, is there really a difference, you ask. Well, yes; real life pays a salary.

Updated: July 28, 2012, - 05:54 PM