Recent content from Mark Boswell
What roles did Minnesota's Native American chiefs play? And who were some notable ones?
There are many misconceptions about these leaders, who sometimes had a fragile hold on power.
Record warmth, a dry fall and a heckuva lot of snow ends 2022
Long warm periods with four record highs, a November heat wave and unusually windy days were the trend in Twin Cities area weather in 2022.
How the Vikings' defense will change under new coordinator
The Vikings are throwing back to the 1980s — the last time Minnesota's defense featured three down linemen and four linebackers — under a new coordinator.
How to watch Olympic curling (and actually know what's going on)
We'll help you talk smart to your friends as the U.S. men's and women's teams look to medal.
Why the Olympic sprint course Jessie Diggins will face is such a challenge
On a course few cross-country skiers have ever seen, Jessie Diggins of Afton has her work cut out for her as she tries to bring home more gold for the United States.
Drought, haze, tornadoes: Take a deeper look at Minnesota's bewildering 2021 weather
Smoky air from wildfires, a severe June heat wave and unusual snowmelt made for some strange weather extremes in 2021.
Suni Lee's ultra-difficult Olympics bar routine is 'as cool as it gets'
The St. Paul's gold-medal winner had a lot riding on one big skill. Here's a step-by-step look at how her Olympic routine came together.
Climbing for gold: Shoreview's Condie one to watch in new Olympic sport
Sport climbing will be part of the Olympics for the first time this summer, joining five other new sports making their Summer Games debuts in Tokyo. Minnesota's Kyra Condie is a top challenger in the sport.
Climate change could mean more prairie, less forest in Minnesota
Scientists at the U say a warming climate and shifts in precipitation threaten Minnesota's forests by altering the ability of the state's ecosystems to support tree life. According to their forecasts, Minnesotans can expect more prairie and less forest in coming decades.
Step by step, here's how George Floyd's fatal encounter with police unfolded
According to a Star Tribune analysis of available video and news reports, here's a look at the incident that led to George Floyd's death on May 25.
What's it like inside the courtroom where Derek Chauvin is being tried?
The demands of the high-profile Chauvin court case combined with the limitations of large gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic have created an unusual courtroom setting.
Future house
Home sweet home? Experts speculate how Minnesota homes will adapt to our changing world.
What's the current status of Minneapolis beaches?
Minneapolis beaches and their current status after an outbreak of illness closed several beaches.
Chloride is building up in Minnesota rivers
Chloride from de-icers (road salt) and water softeners does not break down in the environment, nor can it be effectively treated, meaning the pollutant builds up in lakes and streams. Here's a look at the flow-adjusted growth in chloride concentrations in rivers near the Twin Cities since 1985.
Trichloroethylene emissions
Minnesota lawmakers have proposed a statewide ban on the industrial solvent trichloroethylene (TCE), which is still in use despite being classified as a carcinogen and developmental toxin. A ban would fall heaviest on the 80 or so entities reporting emissions to the state pollution regulators.
Durata risks
A new study says Durata heart defibrillator leads can have internal insulation breaches that can cause loss of therapy or unintended shocks. The cross sections below show leads with different designs.
Climate change could mean more prairie, less forest in Minnesota
Scientists at the U say a warming climate and shifts in precipitation threaten Minnesota's forests by altering the ability of the state's ecosystems to support tree life. According to their forecasts, Minnesotans can expect more prairie and less forest in coming decades.
2018 was fourth-hottest year on record
Temperatures around the globe are far hotter than they were years ago, with 2018 the fourth warmest on record.
Hospitalized flu cases in Minnesota
Hospitalized influenza cases are based on disease reports of laboratory-positive influenza and specimens from hospitalized patients with acute respiratory illness submitted to MDH-PHL by hospitals and laboratories.
3M Open at TPC Twin Cities: How the 16th hole gets tougher
Changes are coming to almost every hole at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine. Here's one example, the par-4 16th.
How much garbage is that?
The four Minnesota landfills that serve the Twin Cities accepted 1.09 million cubic yards of compacted municipal waste last year. If Great River Energy's garbage burner in Elk River shuts down, that number will rise.
How do you do the Minnesota State Fair? There are so many ways
Three die-hard families share their favorite attractions and some of the secrets behind their fair-day fun.
Sediment increasing in Lake Pepin
Sediment is filling in the upper portion of the lake, reducing depths to less than a foot in some spots in the middle of summer.
Southbound I-35 detour at Wyoming
A motorcycle accident has prompted a detour on southbound I-35W at Wyoming, here's the suggested route.
What is fracking?
The oil and gas industry has been revolutionized in the last decade by a technique known as hydraulic fracturing, or hydro-fracking, or simply "fracking.''
Looking at federal funding cuts
Children's residential treatment centers affected by the recent cut in Medicaid funding.
What school districts will see cuts
In a dreaded spring routine for some cash-strapped Twin Cities school districts, teachers and other staff are being laid off as part of the annual spree of budget cuts.
Toxic leak plume scenarios
A leak of highly toxic hydrogen fluoride at the refinery in St. Paul Park could endanger 1,400 to 1.7 million people, depending on the severity of the break or rupture.
I-35W summer road construction
I-35W roadwork will give Twin Cities drivers an extra dose of misery this summer when the approach to downtown from the south narrows and entrance ramps close for four months.
Chronology of measles exposure
Measles exposures were reported at public places in south- eastern Minnesota, and locations in Wisconsin and Iowa.
A look at Minneapolis' aging storm tunnel system
Tunnels running very deep beneath Minneapolis carry away storm and waste water. Here's a look at the aging system and how it works.
Inside law enforcement's high-tech toolbox
New technologies are giving law enforcement in Minnesota and across the country broad access to data on criminals and everyday citizens alike.
Does it cost more in taxes to own a home in Minneapolis or St. Paul?
The two cities are finalizing their 2017 budgets, but city taxes make up a small share of a homeowners' total obligation for services.
Assessing the candidates' overall truthfulness (updated)
With business executive Carly Fiorina re-entering the 2016 campaign fray last week as Sen. Ted Cruz's designated running mate, we thought it a suitable moment to update the leading candidates' (and running mates') Truth-O-Meter scorecards as of last week, using PolitiFact's system of rating the accuracy of statements they have made. (To learn about the methodology, go to http://tinyurl.com/hp6km47, and to access dynamic scorecards, which update automatically with new fact-checks, go to http://tinyurl.com/zzs9g5f) and click on each candidate's name.
Shifting river islands
Minneapolis has a long history of its Mississippi River islands appearing and disappearing. Shifting river levels from runoff or dam projects, construction, and dredging are some of the reasons. This map shows multiple islands that used to exist in the central part of the riverfront; others have appeared and disappeared in upriver and downriver portions of the river.
A new weapon for cancer therapy
Comparing traditional X-ray treatments with a new method of using controlled photon beams for battling brain cancer.
A bottleneck at Ranier
The Canadian National Railway route from the west coast of Canada to the Midwest runs directly through Ranier, Minn.
Bigger homes, smaller households
While homes have gotten larger in recent decades, the size of the average American household has declined. Here is a look at how an average new single-family home in 1973, when the U.S. Census Bureau began collecting this data, stacks up against an average new home in 2014.
Angle Inlet, Minn.
Locates Angle Inlet in the Northwest Angle.
Surge in Minnesota's Medicaid program coverage
Enrollment in Minnesota's Medicaid program, known as Medical Assistance, has soared in the last two years after federal and state changes made more people eligible and MNsure made it easier to apply.
Want to measure a big tree? Here's how
Trees in the Big Tree Registry of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources are measured by circumference (in inches), height and crown spread. Below are the DNR's guidelines for measurement.
A look at the options for the line
Here's a look at various cuts and deferments that have been suggested for the Southwest LRT line.
Growing an acre of corn
What does it cost to grow an acre of corn in Minnesota? Here's a breakdown of expenditures and returns facing thousands of corn growers.
Soon past the peak
All five suburban counties have hit, or are now hitting, peak youth numbers (ages 5-17), which are projected to decline in the coming years.
Cedar Rapids' speed trap
The vast majority of citations issued on the interstate in Cedar Rapids were issued by the two sets of speed cameras at J Avenue, just north of downtown. The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) has ruled that there is no safety rationale for the J Avenue cameras in the northbound lanes, and they should be removed. The DOT also has ruled that the J Avenue cameras in the southbound lanes should be moved back to give drivers more time to react to a lower speed limit.
Minnesota breaks from the fat pack
Minnesota has stemmed its rising adult obesity rate. Here's how we compare with other Midwestern states.
Natural buffers for agricultural lands
Buffer strips of grass, trees and other perennial plants along stream banks can catch chemicals and contaminated water before they run off in farmer's fields.
Superior hiking trail detour
Key section of the trail to close permanently. Here's a look at what will change.
Location of Nepal earthquake
Here's a look at Nepal and neighboring countries that have been involved in relief efforts in the quake devastated area.
Giants Ridge: A decade of losses
Read the story: State-subsidized Giants Ridge ski resort leaves trail of red ink.
Property that the county may buy
Hennepin County is moving to buy a Crystal property where two railroads want to build a track connection that would allow more oil-train traffic into Crystal, Robbinsdale and Minneapolis.
Supreme court decision may affect millions of Americans
If the U.S. Supreme Court outlaws tax credits that subsidize health insurance premiums in 34 states, coverage could become unaffordable for millions of working poor and middle class Americans.Here's a look.
Minnesota and Wisconsin comparisons
A look at the divergence of Minnesota and Wisconsin in terms of population and employment over decades.
Law school enrollment declining
Here's a look at the numbers of law school students by year at the Twin Cities four law schools.
Graphic: Do recruiting rankings translate into results?
The answer to that question — for the highest-ranked teams and for the most recent seasons at least — is yes. The schools with top recruiting classes in 2011, for the most part, are on a successful four-season run. Alabama finished No. 1 in the 2011 recruiting race, and followed that with two consecutive national titles. Florida State and Oregon were close behind in both the recruiting and actual rankings. Only a few teams from outside the top 2011 recruiting rankings managed to rise up and finish in the top 12 in the past four seasons — and no top-two finishes. Michigan State is one school that made a jump, along with Missouri, Baylor and Stanford. On the flip side to that, Texas — and, to a lesser degree, Florida and Clemson — did not see their prized 2011 class produce the expected results. The full look at how the top of the 2011 class performed over four seasons is below. The rankings are from Rivals.com. The final ranking for each of the seasons listed is from the Jeff Sagarin Ratings, which ranks every team for USA Today. Each of the No. 1 Sagarin teams won the national title. A school's 2011 class ranking is listed in parenthesis if not in top 12.
How the manhunt unfolded
Here's a look at the locations scattered across Hopkins, St. Louis Park and Edina where a shootout has precipitated an ongoing manhunt.
Oil and freight trains coming through Minneapolis
Canadian Pacific and BNSF plan to turn oil and freight trains which now follow a west-east route on a southeast route that will take them into Crystal and Minneapolis.
Archdiocese spins off assets
Catholic nonprofit organizations may protect some church assets from legal liability for clergy sex abuse lawsuits. Here's a timeline:
New route into downtown Minneapolis
In Minneapolis, S. 5th St. into downtown will close at 11th Av. S. Traffic will divert to S. 7th St. or Washington, and S. 6th St. will open both ways until Park Av.
