Staff Directory 6134699

Emma Nelson

Editor | St. Paul
Phone: 612-673-4509

Emma Nelson is a reporter and editor at the Star Tribune.


Emma Nelson has been a Star Tribune journalist for the past decade, with coverage ranging from politics to women's reproductive health to the economy. As an editor she has led teams of local government reporters, including a group that covered the aftermath of Daunte Wright's killing by a Brooklyn Center police officer. Nelson has won Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists Page One awards for investigative and breaking news reporting, and was part of a team that won the organization's 2022 Story of the Year award for coverage of the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Recent content from Emma Nelson
Sommer McInerney dropped off her 3-year-old son at the St. Catherine University Early Childhood Center in St. Paul on Monday. News of the  child-care

Closures show uphill battle for Minnesota's employer-sponsored child-care centers

Though there's demand for workplace child-care centers, they face the same budget woes gutting the larger child-care economy.
The median woman working full time in Minnesota earns about 80 cents for every dollar a median man makes, and some earn far less.

Tell us: How has the gender wage gap impacted you?

The median woman working full time in Minnesota earns about 80 cents for every dollar a median man makes, and some earn far less.
In South St. Paul, Abigail Turner waited for a fresh insulin pump to begin administering the drug. Turner is juggling a variety of debts, but medical

Minnesotans are again living with debt after COVID pause

The state had nearly $63,000 in debt per capita at the end of 2023.
Holly Johnson makes and sells Taylor Swift-themed Chiefs sweatshirts and T-shirts in her home ahead of the Super Bowl on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024 in Shako

Minnesota Taylor Swift fans geared up, tuned in for Chiefs-49ers Super Bowl

Months into her relationship with the Kansas City Chiefs' Travis Kelce, the pop star has had an unprecedented effect on the NFL.
Teacher and co-founder Grace Larson helped children transition to outdoor time at Little Garden Montessori in Roseville on Monday.

Slower wage growth might be good for the economy, but not everyone is celebrating

Workers and advocates say there's a disconnect between policy and reality.
FILE - Taylor Swift wears a Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce jacket as she arrives before an NFL wild-card playoff football game between the

From the Eras Tour to the NFL, Taylor Swift will be key to teaching students economics

The superstar's relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has already changed consumer behavior.
Through his real estate development company Madison Equities, Jim Crockarell grew his portfolio to include at least 32 buildings in St. Paul.

Jim Crockarell, downtown St. Paul's most prolific property owner, dies at 79

A complicated figure at times embroiled in conflicts with the city, labor unions and more, Crockarell — through his real estate development company Madison Equities — owned some of the most recognizable facades in the state capital's skyline.
TikTok creator Josh Liljenquist passed out egg rolls while being filmed for TikTok by Esrom Negash, right, outside Dorothy Day Center in St. Paul on J

Minnesota TikToker films as he gives food to homeless people, and his 5M followers eat it up

Josh Liljenquist has built a following with videos of himself feeding unhoused people, but the more people watch, the more complicated it becomes.

Remote options brought moms back to work. Return-to-office could push them out again.

As companies call employees back to the office, many women will likely leave jobs, presenting long-term consequences for workers, employers and the economy.
Tom Lais will be at home Wednesday evening. He's concerned about how long he'll be able to stay in his house, due to rising property taxes and homeown

Minnesotans take big hits on non-negotiable bills like electricity, insurance

While commodities inflation has declined, services inflation has remained stubborn.
The average wedding guest spends $611 per wedding they attend, according to a 2023 Bankrate survey.

From borrowed attire to skipping showers: How to save money as a guest during wedding season

The average guest spends more than $600 for each wedding they attend.
Apprentice carpenter Breanna Dornsbach, second from right, who works for Knutson Construction, laughs while getting some good nature teasing from co-w

Minnesota's economy picked up speed in third quarter

The state still trails overall growth in the U.S.
Construction of the Southwest light rail tunnel in the Kenilworth Corridor in 2020.

Minnesota job growth outpaces U.S.

The state added 9,500 jobs between October and November, the fifth consecutive month of growth. But employers are still struggling with a worker shortage.
The Federal Reserve, which Chair Jerome Powell leads, seems likely to have reached the end of its rate-hiking cycle.

Are we out of the woods yet? What to expect from the U.S. economy in 2024

The Federal Reserve is projecting interest rate cuts next year as inflation continues to decline.
U.S. Bank’ s flag outside U.S. Bank Plaza Building in downtown Minneapolis.

U.S. Bank to pay $36M for blocking access to unemployment benefits during COVID

The Minneapolis-based bank froze tens of thousands of accounts as a fraud-prevention measure.

Are you a woman affected by return-to-office policies? Share your story.

If you are a woman who's working, has stopped working or is thinking about leaving the workforce because of return-to-office policies, we want to hear from you.
A plan to build a mega-size solar project by Xcel’s coal plants in Becker is being panned by the Minnesota Department of Commerce and Attorney Gener

Minnesota's economy is still growing, but lags U.S. as a whole

The state's real gross domestic product, or the total value of goods and services, rose 0.7% in the second quarter compared to 2.1% nationwide.

Tell us about the rising costs that you can't trim from your budget

While some parts of a household budget are trimmable, others — like utilities and health and car insurance — are not. And those prices keep going up. Share your experience to help inform an upcoming story.
Amelia Earhart in 1928.

Did Amelia Earhart play basketball at St. Paul Central High School?

The groundbreaking pilot lived in Minnesota as a teenager.
Aron Pilhofer has held news leadership roles at the Guardian, the New York Times and the Center for Public Integrity before coming to the Star Tribune

Star Tribune hires chief product officer with New York Times, the Guardian experience

Aron Pilhofer also co-founded news-related startups DocumentCloud.org, Hacks & Hackers and Tiny News Collective.
President Joe Biden talked with guests after giving a speech at Dutch Creek Farms in Northfield, Minn., on Nov. 1.

Politics colors our perception of the economy, a lightning-rod topic in the 2024 election

Americans view the economy differently based on political beliefs, and as the presidential election approaches, the Republican and Democratic parties are ramping up their messaging.
File view of crowds at Keg and Case Market in St. Paul.

St. Paul's Keg & Case food hall defaults on loans, is repossessed

St. Paul's Keg and Case Market is in foreclosure, five years after the ambitious W. 7th Street food hall opened its doors.
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport hosted a hiring event just weeks before the pandemic shut down the economy in 2020.

More than 3 million Minnesotans worked in October, the highest total ever recorded

Minnesota has continued to outpace national job growth.
Stephanie Ness, left, and Chris Iles are joining the Star Tribune’s business operations.

Star Tribune announces new chief financial officer, adds vice president of brand

Stephanie Ness will serve as CFO; Chris Iles as vice president of brand and communications.
Andrew Lynaugh prepped repaired panels of this Honda HRV for painting, he has been with LaTuff for 5 years Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023 St. Paul, Minn. Thou

U.S. inflation is cooling faster than expected, a sign interest rate hikes might be done

The consumer price index rose 3.2% year-over-year in October, down from 3.7% in September.
Gov. Tim Walz announced the Minnesota Expanding Opportunity Fund on Tuesday.

Minnesota unveils $10 million low-interest loan program for small businesses

The Minnesota Expanding Opportunity Fund will provide loans to nonprofits, which then will lend the money to small businesses.
Monica Birrenkott, in Shakopee on Tuesday with her son Logan, 4, is one of several entrepreneurs who got the courage to think of starting a business d

Fed interest rate hikes tame inflation but hit small, often diverse, business owners hardest

Women and people of color, who drove pandemic-era business growth, are especially vulnerable to rising costs.
First Avenue in Minneapolis, pictured March 23, 2020.

First Avenue says it will recognize employee union

Workers informed management Thursday of their intent to unionize.
Neel Kashkari, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.

Minneapolis Fed's Kashkari says that 'it's too soon to call' whether interest rates will rise again

The Federal Open Market Committee kept interest rates steady this week.
First Avenue in Minneapolis, pictured March 23, 2020.

First Avenue's 200 hospitality workers move to unionize

Employees at the company's seven Twin Cities venues cited low pay, inconsistent training and short-notice scheduling as top concerns.
Rosa Larson from Delta Dental shakes hands with Pae Say, a job seeker, during the third annual Veterans & Community Job Fair on Wednesday, September 2

Minnesota added 8,000 jobs in September, another surge in an already tight labor market

The state has added nearly 50,000 jobs in the past year.
Retired school teacher Alan Briesemeister shopped for groceries at Coborn’s in Delano. “I don’t like it obviously but I understand it,” Briese

Twin Cities inflation is still lower than U.S.: Here are 5 things to know

Prices rose 2.2% in the Minneapolis-St. Paul region over the past year as of September, compared to 3.7% nationally.
Lucillia Newton, human resources specialist with International Paper, sat at an information table in the lobby of Ramsey County Library in Roseville o

The U.S. labor market is still growing. What does that mean for Minnesota workers?

Unemployment is low and new jobs are plentiful, but there are signs of a coming slowdown.
Amirah Menawa speaks with Danette Scorza, a talent acquisition manager from Opportunity Partners, Friday, Oct. 28, 2022 during the Government & Nonpro

Strong job growth in U.S. will likely extend to Minnesota

Employers added 336,000 jobs in September, smashing economists' predictions.
Belinda Wilson shops at The Yarnery in St. Paul on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023. Elizabeth Flores • liz.flores@startribune.com

Minnesotans are still spending, but the post-pandemic boom is slowing

Nationwide, necessities like housing, utilities and health care drove consumer spending in 2022.
Cecilia Almazan plays with the kids as she picks up her son Marco, 4, left, from daycare at Listos Preschool and Childcare in Rochester.

'Struggling' Minnesota child care centers brace for the end of federal aid

After two years and $24 billion, the Child Care Stabilization Grant program is coming to an end, and that has many providers concerned.
Neel Kashkari, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.

Minneapolis Fed's Kashkari: Inflation target in sight, but one more rate hike still likely

The Minneapolis Fed president said in an essay Tuesday the odds are in favor of an economic "soft landing."

Former Minnesota Gov. Al Quie dies at age 99

The lifelong Republican, who represented southern Minnesota in Congress for 20 years, was known for working across the aisle.

Former Minnesota Gov. Al Quie dies at age 99

Around 25 people attend a rally outside the Minnesota State Capitol hosted by Students For Life of America to celebrate the Supreme Court overturning

Minn. abortion battle turns to November and the ballot box

Groups on both sides of the issue have been preparing to take their case to Minnesota voters. Abortion could now be a defining theme of the 2022 campaign.
Current and former Minnesotans remember life before Roe v. Wade.

Current and former Minnesotans remember life before Roe v. Wade

Less than 50 years ago, abortion was illegal in most states. Some Minnesotans remember it well.
Minnesota becomes island for legal abortion access in Upper Midwest

Minnesota becomes island for legal abortion access in Upper Midwest

Minnesota is flanked by states that immediately outlawed abortion when the Dobbs ruling came down, either through so-called "trigger bans" or by reverting to legislation pre-dating Roe.
With Roe overturned, Minnesota abortion opponents win a long-fought battle

With Roe overturned, Minnesota abortion opponents win a long-fought battle

Activism over decades elevated the issue to a fundamental tenet of the Republican Party.
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland arrived for a news conference with Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar on May 6 at Midway Peace Park in

Park and recreation projects in Minnesota cities get federal boost

Sites in Minneapolis, St. Paul and Rochester will split $8.7 million in grants.
The White House announced Thursday that it will send clinical personnel to Minnesota to staff existing state-run testing locations, transforming them

More COVID-19 'test-to-treat' sites coming to Minnesota

The White House will send clinical personnel to Minnesota to staff existing state-run testing locations, transforming them into "test-to-treat" sites where eligible patients can get a prescription for the antiviral drug Paxlovid.
Diego Esquivel and Linda Klaasson comforted each other Wednesday as they honored the victims killed in Tuesday’s shooting at Robb Elementary School

Minnesota leaders' response to Texas school shooting shows political divide over guns

It's unlikely that grief will translate into policy changes.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, seen here on Capitol Hill in Washington, visited the American Swedish Institute to highlight Minnesota’s ties to Sweden and Finl

Klobuchar highlights Minnesota ties to Finland, Sweden as they seek to join NATO

The two countries are seeking to join NATO in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison ran towards the stage after being endorsed during the DFL state convention.

Attorney General Keith Ellison easily wins DFL endorsement for second term

Delegates also endorsed Secretary of State Steve Simon, who is seeking a third term.
Gwen Walz, Governor Tim Walz, Hope Walz, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, Siobhan Hellendrung, 9, and Tom Weber, left to right, raise their arms to

Minnesota DFLers endorse Walz, Flanagan for second term

The first day of the party's state convention focused on incumbents' track records and the possibility that Roe v. Wade could be overturned.

Minnesota DFLers endorse Walz, Flanagan for second term

Tim Walz, then a candidate for governor, pumped his fist as he took the stage to speak at the DFL state convention four years ago.

Minnesota DFLers work to build momentum in tough election year

With a slate of incumbents on the ballot, party activists are aiming to ramp up enthusiasm at this weekend's convention.
Gov. Tim Walz said in a statement: “With an unprecedented surplus, we have the ability to make significant investments in the things that will impro

Minnesota's divided Capitol strikes end-of-session deal

Gov. Tim Walz said he and top legislative leaders have agreed to the "broad framework" of a deal to spend a historic budget surplus to cut taxes, spend money on classrooms and public safety.
A revenue department error meant the state didn’t collect enough taxes from some of its wealthiest residents for two straight years.

State error means wealthy Minnesotans owe more taxes

The state collected about $38M too little in 2019 and 2020 from some of its wealthiest taxpayers.
Rep. Zack Stephenson is a chief sponsor of the sports betting legislation.

Minnesota House votes to legalize sports betting, but obstacles remain

The measure is unlikely to move forward this session as key differences remain in proposals from the House and Senate.
Front-line workers who couldn't work from home during the pandemic will get bonus checks.

Who's getting Minnesota's new 'hero pay,' and how will it work?

What you need to know about the Minnesota Legislature's agreement on coronavirus pandemic hero pay bonus checks for front-line workers. Who qualifies?
Castle Danger Brewery growlers were on display chained up to illustrate their slogan, #FreeTheGrowler.

Dust off the growler: This could be the year Minnesota liquor laws change

Legislators say they're optimistic a measure allowing larger breweries to sell beer to-go could pass this session.
Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan speaks at The Future Is Now: Rally for Abortion Rights.

Leaked abortion opinion prompts outrage, hesitation

While procedure is constitutionally protected in Minnesota, the draft signaled that opponents may soon win a long-sought victory.

Supreme Court draft opinion on abortion prompts outrage, hesitation among Minnesotans

Mondale remembered: 'One of the finest men I've ever known'

Mondale remembered: 'One of the finest men I've ever known'

The late Minnesotan climbed to the pinnacle of U.S. politics as an influential senator and vice president.
Dr. Sarah Traxler travels from Minnesota to South Dakota one week a month to offer abortion services at the only Planned Parenthood in South Dakota.

Minnesota could become an island for legal abortions

If the U.S. Supreme Court overturns the landmark abortion case, states like Minnesota could become islands for women seeking the procedure.
Family, friends and officials honor Mondale at U memorial

Family, friends and officials honor Mondale at U memorial

The event Sunday at Northrop Auditorium includes speeches from President Joe Biden and U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar.
Minnesota Capitol

Gov. Walz signs pandemic pay, unemployment insurance deal

Bonus checks would amount to roughly $750 a person if all 667,000 eligible workers who qualified apply. Also, the House passed the Democrats' $200 million public safety and judiciary bill focused on addressing the root causes of crime.
Sen. Michelle Benson arrived early at a GOP convention for Senate District 57 at Lakeville North High School to mingle with party activists.

Michelle Benson bows out of Minnesota governor's race

The Ham Lake Republican will not seek re-election to the state Senate.
Sen. Warren Limmer, right, said Senate Republicans want to stop a “revolving door of criminal activity.”

GOP legislators pass 'tough on crime' public safety package

Senate DFLers pushed back on the Republican proposals, which focus on boosting law enforcement and strengthening criminal penalties.
Trucks depart the West Basin Container Terminal at the Port of Los Angeles on Oct. 29, 2021.

Rep. Fischbach pushes bill to ease supply-chain woes

The SHIP IT Act would lift some restrictions for truck drivers transporting goods to and from ports.
A community roundtable on a proposed Office for New Americans takes place Thursday at Mercado Central in Minneapolis.

Minnesota could expand support for immigrant workers, business owners

The proposed Office for New Americans would be housed in the state's employment and economic development department.
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, left, and Janet McGee, whose son Ted died in a furniture tip-over, hold a news conference at Children’s Minnesota Hospital

Sen. Amy Klobuchar pushes furniture safety standards

Federal legislation would require companies to test clothing storage products for safety and stability.
Gov. Tim Walz’s campaign has raised more than $1 million in the first three months of the year and has $4.1 million in the bank ahead of the midterm

Walz leads GOP challengers in fundraising heading into midterm election

Republican donors are split among more than a half-dozen candidates for the nomination.
Kindergarten teacher works with student

Minn. House Democrats pitch $1B boost in annual education spending; GOP offers far less

The Senate Republican proposal calls for about $30 million in spending on literacy.
The Minnesota state flag is seen displayed in the State Capitol building rotunda.

Some Minnesota legislators want to rethink state flag

But some lawmakers contend that redesign shouldn't be a priority.
Members of the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers and Education Support Professionals created picket signs ahead of a strike that lasted nearly three

After Mpls. teachers strike reveals divisions, 'all eyes are on the district'

Appointing new leadership, rebuilding trust are among the tasks the district faces.
The Home Front Energy Independence Act seeks to expand production and availability of E15, a blend of ethanol and gasoline.

Klobuchar, Craig among bipartisan group pushing for U.S. energy independence

The Home Front Energy Independence Act focuses on expanding availability of E15.
Union members and supporters created picket signs at the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers and Education Support Professionals offices in northeast M

Some Minneapolis educators of color say teachers' union sidelined them during negotiations

Others say they're proud of the tentative contract's wins.
Sen. Julia Coleman, R-Waconia, is sponsoring Senate Republicans’ paid family and medical leave bill.

GOP legislators propose paid family leave through private insurance

The measure is an answer to Democrats' proposal for up to 12 weeks of paid leave through a state-run program.
Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., said she hopes the CROWN Act has a path forward in the Senate.

U.S. House passes CROWN Act barring bias based on hair

Rep. Ilhan Omar co-led the legislation, which passed the House largely along party lines.