Recent content from Matt McKinney
Tired of endless winter? Twin Cities skiers can't get enough
Deep snow, fresh tracks, freezing temps: Winter's staying power delights some.
Minnesota flood risk low despite historic April snowstorm
A slow warmup over the next few days means there is only a low risk of flooding throughout Minnesota, with the potential for some minor…
Historic blizzard slams into Minnesota; record snowfall possible
Travel is discouraged as snow falling at 1 to 2 inches per hour and 50-mph wind gusts created whiteout conditions. With 10-plus inches at the airport, flights were grounded until late Saturday. More snow is to come, so Sunday events are getting called off.
Unsolved murder case of Cold Spring officer is closed
Focus of investigation committed suicide in 2013.
Mayo Clinic, union to meet with judge over lockout of Albert Lea health care workers
The National Labor Relations Board will hear a complaint filed by hospital workers' union.
DMC private investors spend another $131 million remaking Rochester
That's slightly less than what was invested the year before, a drop that officials attributed to the timing of projects rather than a slowdown.
'Home run' development on horizon for Rochester's riverfront
But some city planners and residents worry that the scope of the $257 million riverfront project is too much, too fast.
New ramp coming for Red Wing bridge
It's a step closer to the bridge's eventual replacement next year.
Fight over Melrose church hit by arson has divided local Catholics
A 2016 fire gutted the Church of St. Mary, scarred the Melrose community
St. Paul publisher and philanthropist John Nasseff dies at 93
Nasseff died Feb. 21, the day he turned 94, at his St. Paul home.
Rochester considers designs for new city flag
Medical symbols, stars and bars, crosses ... and lots of geese.
Family friend pleads guilty to murder, rape of 5-year-old Minn. girl
Zachary Anderson of Monticello immediately sentenced to life in prison in death of 5-year-old Alayna Ertl.
Snowmobiler faces murder, drunken driving charges in death of boy, 8
Snowmobiler's blood alcohol level was allegedly twice the legal limit three hours after the incident.
A dogged volunteer uncovers the mystery of the bell of St. Peter
It's a story that includes history, tragedy, family lore, town gossip, a thrilling discovery - and a second, enduring mystery.
Grants kick-start energy efficiency projects around Minnesota
A Department of Commerce program to kick-start energy efficiency around the state named 39 projects, from LED lighting in La Crescent to solar panel systems analysis for dairy farmers in west-central Minnesota, in its latest round of grant awards.
Rochester mayoral candidate victim of crude anti-Muslim comment
Threat was left on Regina Mustafa's webpage.
Family calls 8-year-old killed on Chisago Lake a budding outdoorsman and eager helper
Alan Geisenkoetter Jr. died five days after he and his family were hit by a snowmobiler on Chisago Lake.
Rochester restaurant's rooftop dining domes to be taken down
Fans of Rochester igloos are upset, but an official called them hazardous.
Rochester murder case may hinge on the phrase 'duty to retreat'
Rochester man's claim of self-defense in shooting likely to be tested at trial.
Rochester man charged in killing of teen who dared him to shoot
A 25-year-old Rochester man was charged with second-degree murder after a minor fender bender led to a confrontation, which led to a dare and a fatal shot.
Family that fled Iraq is left reeling by teen's shooting death after Rochester crash
The teenager shot to death was part of a tight-knit Iraqi family who fled homeland six years ago for a safer life in the U.S.
Rochester's popular rooftop 'igloo' dining may not survive
Rochester officials say the popular rooftop domes could be hazardous
Smokestacks coming down for new Austin rec center
The recreation center, with an anticipated completion date of fall 2019, will anchor further redevelopment plans.
Rochester Mayor Ardell Brede won't seek re-election
Ardell Brede, a bubbly presence for 16 years, has overseen city growth.
Election dates, license plates, eye drops: New state laws take effect
A new license plate that honors police officers killed in the line of duty will be coming, thanks to a law now in effect.
Lt. Gov. Tina Smith resigns as chairwoman of Rochester's DMC board
Smith is leaving the DMC board to take over the U.S. Senate seat now held by Al Franken.
Rochester coalition to fight city's affordable housing crisis
Coalition hopes to steer millions toward solutions.
Mayo Clinic locks out most striking hospital workers in Albert Lea
Union claims it's the first-ever health care lockout in the state.
Mayo hospital workers in Albert Lea call one-day strike to protest stalled talks
Picketers cite stalled labor talks; officials call it grandstanding.
Seven-story building for Mankato wins key approval
Proposed office building adds to string of new construction
Mankato's Bud Lawrence, champion of Dakota causes, dies at 86
A chance meeting with a Dakota Indian leader forever changed the course of Louis George “Bud” Lawrence’s life, leading him to march in support of…
Report says Albert Lea can support hospital, but it would be costly
A newly published consultant's report that says the city of Albert Lea could support a full-service hospital has emboldened citizens there who are fighting a Mayo Clinic decision to reduce services.
Ex-Minn. cafeteria worker says staff told to toss lunches for students unable to pay
Many had the hot entree portion of their meal removed from their tray, the angry former worker said.
Stewartville schools to give hot lunches to all students, paid up or not
However, parents who owe more than $75 may face debt collection.
Judge's ruling on Winona County ban of frac sand mining stirs interest
Efforts to enact similar bans have so far foundered in neighboring counties.
Rochester's bold growth plans threatened by housing crisis
This economically vibrant city already was considered one of the hottest real estate markets in the state before the Mayo Clinic's $5.6 billion expansion took off in earnest last year with multiple construction projects worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
Worthington man files brutality suit over 2016 arrest caught on video
Man's arrest, incident caught on tape last year.
Rochester mayor, council improperly spent taxpayer money on meals, auditor rules
City Council's monthly outing cost taxpayers $10K, auditor finds.
Lanesboro, Minn., learning center acquires prized piece of forest
Nearly a mile of Root River shoreline to be used for wildlife study.
Minn. lawmaker wants to tighten arts grant rules after video game labeled as 'ecoterrorism'
He said winning video game of bird zapping pipelines "has zero benefit."
Eau Claire City Council votes to ban children from dais after breastfeeding debate
Sometimes testy debate centered on woman's right to nurse her child in public.
Mining the magic: Cuyuna Range reinvented by influx of silent sports
Thousands of tourists come for award-winning bike trails, trout-stocked lakes, deep waters for scuba diving and quiet bays for paddleboarders and kayakers.
Scenic highway through Jay Cooke reopens five years after flood
Repairs restore washed-out passage through Jay Cooke State Park
New Trump travel ban fuels anxiety in Minnesota
The new order may draw legal challenges, but it's too soon to tell what will eventually happen, said a Somali attorney in Minneapolis.
Obituary: Volunteer chess coach and role model Jack Mangan dies at 67
A fundraiser, elementary school teacher and founder of several Minneapolis chess clubs that continue today, Mangan died Sept. 1, four months after a terminal cancer diagnosis. He was 67.
Hunter rescued after nearly 3 days in forest north of Twin Cities
Robert Kniefel, 61, of Lakeville, built a fire to warm himself and endured heavy rains in the Nemadji Forest.
Missing Minnesota 4-year-old found safe in a field after lengthy search
Authorities believe the girl followed a cat into a cornfield near her home northwest of Kenyon when she disappeared Tuesday night.
Minnesotans living and working in Irma's path face rebuilding task
Minnesotans in Irma's path come to terms with what has been lost and count their blessings.
State Supreme Court ruling reverses disorderly conduct conviction of Little Falls woman
"I feel like justice was finally served," said Robin Hensel, whose removal at a City Council meeting was at the heart of the court's decision.
Minnesotans with homes or businesses in Florida brace for Irma
Anxiety mounts as residents scramble for food, water, gas and other supplies.
Faribault's Johnston Hall once again eyed for demolition
Johnston Hall is all that remains of an 1888 divinity school.
Albert Lea rises up against Mayo's plan to trim hospital services
As Mayo defends planned cuts, Albert Lea fights back.
Minnesota charity officials warn of online scams in Houston flooding
Online pleas may not funnel aid to victims of Houston flooding.
Nazi resurgence alarms Minn. WWII vets, Holocaust survivors
In the aftermath of last weekend's deadly violence in Virginia, no one may be feeling more anger and fear than those who battled the Nazis and those nearly killed by them.
First public dollars go to Rochester's Destination Medical Center project
The money will go to Rochester for infrastructure work related to the project.
Residents fight for old Rochester
Preservationists fear Mayo Clinic development could erase city's history.
Minn. arts group faces upheaval after sex harassment allegations against ex-director
Gregory Stavrou, accused of sexual harassment, had resigned in April after arts group called for his firing.
Failure to turn on body cameras flouted policy
The officer who shot and killed 40-year-old Justine Damond late Saturday apparently violated his department’s rules on the use of body cameras when he…
Chance of reopening Fort Ridgely golf course 'not promising,' supporter says
A surprise 'No' vote from the Fairfax City Council left the Friends of Fort Ridgely without a government entity and fiscal agent to pursue their plan.
Somali-American family from Eagan sues feds after being detained at border
The family was released after authorities determined that the father, who was on a watch list, wasn't a threat.
WWI patriotism, repression swept Goodhue County
Author documents Goodhue County's passions and prejudice.
North Shore's Lutsen Resort goes up for sale
The listing includes 50 acres and some Lake Superior shoreline, but does not include the popular ski hill of the same name.
Virginia, Minn., launches plans to refurbish historic fountain
The Olcott Park Fountain needs $900,000 in repairs for the structure, built in 1937.
Duluth's record-setting rains led to harrowing tale
Five years later, a son's close call still gives a mother chills.
Rally at Capitol scheduled for day Yanez verdict is delivered
Supporters and friends of Philando Castile plan to hold a 7 p.m. rally at the Capitol the day a verdict is delivered in the trial…
In Melrose, plans to raze church wound many
A year after arson, parish is divided over the fate of St. Mary's.
Wetterlings sue, stopping release of files in Jacob's investigation
A district judge on Friday stopped the scheduled public release next week of some investigative documents related to Jacob Wetterling's 1989 abduction and murder.
Rochester Int'l Airport says it's poised to take off with new routes, more Mayo biz
An airline analyst said new routes are a sure sign of a growth market.
After audit, Rochester Art Center moves to shore up finances
ROCHESTER – The Rochester Art Center outsourced its bookkeeping to a local accountant after an audit released in January raised serious questions about its…
Longtime sheriff adds fourth Minnesota county to his list
Don Gudmundson has been sheriff in four Minnesota counties
St. Paul-to-Canada route added to U.S. biking network
An existing set of roadways and bike paths between St. Paul and Grand Portage State Park has been designated U.S. Bike Route 41.
Duluth woman carries aid into ruined Syrian city
Duluth woman delivered cash raised in Minnesota to rebuild Kobani's demolished library.
Lighthouse, northern trails feel the power of volunteers
Crews work to restore historic beacon and clear overgrown trails
Financial troubles, staff turnover put Rochester Art Center's future in doubt
The local arts community is alarmed and calling into question the management of the publicly supported organization.
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