Recent content from Matt McKinney
E-bike sales grown in Minnesota; some are envious, others dubious
As electric bikes sales grow, their presence on local trails, paths and roads has made some bicyclists envious, others dubious.
Decision to stop maintaining fire-damaged BWCA trail worries hikers
As the wilderness regenerates following a fire, hikers seek reassurance that the Forest Service won't let the much-loved Powwow Trail fade away.
Owners of North Shore's stunning Naniboujou Lodge put it up for sale
Built for rich Duluth businessmen in 1928, it lists for $3.295 million.
Threat against Somali woman in Little Falls investigated as hate crime
A recent threat by two men to burn down the house of a Somali woman if she and her family didn't leave Little Falls, Minn.,…
Redoing Rochester: Where has investment for the DMC gone so far?
The Destination Medical Center project is near private fund goal, freeing it to use public money.
Rural Minnesota man who shot at helicopter now faces federal charges
Carstie Lee Clausen told authorities he pointed a rifle at the helicopter; said it's their job to determine if he fired
Clearbrook, Minn., man charged with shooting at drug agent's helicopter
Clearbrook man ran failed campaign for sheriff.
Deputy injured after helicopter fired on near Fosston, Minn.
A Clearbrook, Minn., man allegedly shot at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection helicopter Monday morning, shattering one of the helicopter’s windows and injuring a…
Prince's ex attends hearing over bid to unseal divorce file
Attorneys for Manuela Testolini argued in court Thursday that the details of her divorce from Prince should remain private.
Obituary: Pioneering advertising copywriter Irene Borden dies at 91
A writer who penned witty ads and lasting slogans, Irene D. Borden was a trailblazing copywriter who rose in the industry at a time when…
Rochester tries embracing Zumbro River as remake proceeds
Projects coming out of the Destination Medical Center effort are embracing the riverfront and raising hopes of river fans.
On Ely public access TV, anyone can be a star
A prize fish, prom dates and birthday parties all make the cut
Major Rochester investment hits roadblock, is stalled again
Broadway at Center was one of three major residential/retail projects proposed for the southeastern Minnesota city's downtown.
Fire-ravaged Madelia slowly rebuilding itself
All businesses have reopened, though the town is still fighting for property tax relief and other aid from the state.
Heartland of Minnesota farming hopes campaign boosts profile
Farming in south-central Minnesota draws little attention beyond farm country, but a local business group hopes to change that on Monday with a bit of marketing magic. At a two-hour "celebration event" in Mankato, it will reveal the region's new name, which is being kept secret until then, and a website for the area designed to raise its public profile.
Rochester finally OKs food trucks after months of council debate
After months of contentious debate, a law got final approval this week allowing food trucks.
Mayo Clinic unveils plans for expanded research space
The space in downtown Rochester will focus on cures, new partnerships.
Fergus Falls police say son fatally shot father with high-powered rifle
Dustin M. Defiel, who was being held in Otter Tail County jail on charges of second-degree murder, has had run-ins with the law.
One dead, one arrested in Fergus Falls homicide
A Fergus Falls man is dead and another is under arrest in what Fergus Falls police are calling a homicide. Authorities were notified of a…
Federal agency judge fines landlord $44,000 for refusing to rent to a disabled woman
He told tenant that owner didn't want "a bipolar in the house."
5 years after bullet nearly killed her, South teen joins graduates
Minneapolis South's Guadalupe Galeno-Hernandez, shot by a gangster, will be the first child in her family to finish high school.
Rochester kicks off its renovation of a beloved local theater
ROCHESTER – With a flourish that included a mayoral proclamation, city officials here officially launched their renovation of the city’s historic Chateau Theatre on…
Riverfront plans get first look from Rochester's Destination Medical Center board
Project includes a hotel/retail complex, restaurant and fountain on Zumbro.
Protests planned as anti-Muslim speaker Usama Dakdok tours state
Usama Dakdok to appear in four Minnesota towns this week.
Minn. steam engines that gave children rides sold to Mo. theme park
Engines will be restored, put into service next year in Branson.
Shuttered Red Lake County church torched after restoration efforts fail
A growing list of problems doomed the St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Red Lake County.
Federal authorities believe Melrose church fire was arson
Authorities are offering $7,500 reward for info.
Paul Hansmeier loses bankruptcy attorney Barbara May, who asks to withdraw
Barbara May didn't specify why she dropped Paul Hansmeier's case.
St. Peter man gets 5 months in jail for near-fatal Kolstad attack
Trevor Shelley of St. Peter, Minn., was sentenced to five months in jail Friday for his role in a nearly-fatal street attack two years ago on Isaac Kolstad, the Mankato husband and father who was left with a severe brain injury.
Duluth school board spurns charter school bid for vacant high school
Board president says competition, long-term benefit were concerns
Food trucks likely to be allowed on public property in downtown Rochester
Mobile vendors likely to be allowed on public property
Anti-Muslim speakers find an audience in rural Minnesota
From Mankato to Mountain Iron, speakers who paint an alarming image of Islam are drawing several hundred people per visit.
Old theater in downtown Rochester headed for renovations and a new life
Historic theater likely to get a new life as mixed-use events center.
Destination Medical Center project in Rochester reports strong private investment
Public funds are off-limits until private goals are met.
Batch of heroin suspected in 7 overdose deaths in Minnesota
Officials ask public to identify dealers, users as wave hits northern Minn.
Melrose residents stunned as fire destroys 118-year-old church
Townspeople watched with dismay Friday night as smoke billowed out of broken windows near the church's main wooden altar. The fire's cause hadn't been determined.
Obituary: Charles W. Siftar, owner of Tangletown Bike Shop
Ditching a high-stress corporate job, Charlie Siftar made a midlife change a few years ago to open a south Minneapolis bike shop, where he could…
St. Paul landlord wins case against serial ADA litigant
The Disability Support Alliance has filed dozens of such suits statewide.
Red Wing Stoneware settles lawsuit with collectors over trademarks
Nearly a year after it began, a lawsuit that pitted the Red Wing Stoneware factory against a group of stoneware collectors has been settled with…
Rochester couple renovate historic Conley-Maass building
The Downses began as Mayo Clinic patients. Now they're helping renovate downtown.
Anti-Muslim billboard posted near St. Cloud taken down
Person behind sign not revealed; sign removed due to inaccuracy
Fire took the buildings, but not Madelia's community spirit
La Plaza Fiesta co-owner thanks her lucky stars, makes plans to rebuild
'We're not going to walk away,' Dayton tells Madelia after fire
The governor toured the fire-damaged town Friday morning and pledged to support those who lost businesses in the early-morning blaze.
Overnight fire erupts, leaving stretch of downtown Madelia in ruins
Fire erupted and raced through adjoining businesses along a small south-central Minnesota town's Main Street, leaving a large stretch of the block in ruins, a witness and city official said.
Amish, non-Amish come together to help after deadly fire near Lanesboro
As Amish arrived for funeral, non-Amish neighbors offered food, bedding, machinery.
State: Anoka carnival operator took money but didn't show up for fairs
State attorney general acts to get money back for county fairs and festivals.
Destination Medical Center effort aims to jump-start state biotech sector
Rochester aims to retain the state's brightest talent by building a strong hub.
Slow start to winter slows snow-dependent sports, businesses
Cold-weather lovers feel jilted and winter sports sidelined as snow plays hard to get
Hotel project to rise in January in Detroit Lakes as city continues environmental rules debate with DNR
E-mails illustrate state frustration over hotel project set to break ground in January
Confusion mounts over plans to close Red Wing Stoneware store
Stoneware collectors, city deny owner's complaint of harassment.
Man to be charged with hiding Minn. teen's body after using meth
Laura Ann Schwendemann was found dead in October after a two-week search. An autopsy revealed she had been on meth.
Rania, Iraq, becomes Duluth's newest sister city
The two municipalities used Skype to seal their international deal, which grew from contacts made by a Duluth peace activist.
Red Wing pottery store to close, cites harassment from other businesses
Owner says his family is being harassed by community members.
Minnesota schools wrestle with history, Indian nicknames
Schools that keep the mascot can cite historical and cultural links.
Economic development chief is the force driving Rochester's $6B rebirth
Executive works overtime to keep massive redevelopment project moving forward.
Midwest Traveler: Marquette, Mich., is mountain bike city
The plan, basically, was to drive east and see what happened. Plenty could go wrong as we ventured into the Upper Peninsula of Michigan without a detailed itinerary.
Derailments, spills bring safety worries to the fore
Two weekend derailments in Wisconsin lead to renewed calls for action on oil trains.
Flood-ravaged three years ago, Duluth's Lake Superior Zoo likely to shrink
The remade zoo would shrink in half and include indoor and outdoor recreation space to boost offseason revenue
Slate of new leaders, including first woman mayor, chosen in Duluth
Mayor-elect Emily Larson and council newcomers are looking to build on the city's recent momentum.
Lanesboro weighs beliefs of Amish vendors, city rules
Told to buy liability insurance, they left the farmers market in the town's park.
Farmer recounts finding body of missing Minn. college student
Human remains found in a western Minnesota farm field are those of college student Laura Ann Schwendemann, who was missing for nearly two weeks.
Mayo plan to remake Rochester is slow to gather steam
The city has little to show for the hoopla that surrounded the Legislature's $585 million assist in Mayo's plan to remake Rochester into an international center for medicine, research and health care.
State housing office awards $92.4 million for affordable housing projects statewide
Funds are for new builds, rehabilitation projects.
Killer of Aitkin County sheriff's deputy terrorized wife week earlier
Danny L. Hammond terrorized his wife and threatened to kill her after she told him she wanted to leave their marriage of 12 years, authorities said.
Rochester's City Council explores arena proposal
The Rochester City Council asked for more information Monday after hearing a consultant’s report envisioning a $75 million, 6,200-seat sports and entertainment arena for downtown.…
Duluth Mayor Don Ness faces lifetime ban from local labor hall
Don Ness ate lunch at a local restaurant and, according to the union, crossed a picket line to get there.
Frac sand slowdown has some Wis., Minn., towns worried
The oil-industry boom aided towns in Wisconsin and Minnesota that are now waiting for a turnaround.
A weekend at Cuyuna park: It yurts so good
New housing option at the state park proves to be perfect base for a family of four.
Pine Island biotech park's legacy: foreclosures, unpaid taxes and interchange to nowhere
The fast-growing biotech companies and high-paying jobs never materialized near Rochester, leaving a story of what might have been.
Washington Post detractor gets tour of 'ugliest' Red Lake County
A marching band, a gaggle of beaming local officials and lots of civic pride were on display for reporter Christopher Ingraham's visit.
At Camp Ripley, National Guard trains for the worst
The disaster drills, which involved about 2,000 people and were two years in the making, put the Guard's emergency skills to the test.
Federal Reserve launches Center for Indian Country Development
New center will try to combat widespread poverty on reservations.
Husband says wife fatally shot by intruder in their SW Minn. home
The 40-year-old woman in Brewster, Minn., was shot to death in her own bed early Wednesday.
Ugly Minnesota? Residents take to Twitter to differ
A Washington Post reporter gets an earful after Minnesota ranks low on his list of the most desirable counties to live in, with Red Lake rated the worst.
More from Star Tribune
- Sights and scenes from Envision Minneapolis fashion show
- In new memoir, Springsteen recalls dancing with Courteney Cox in St. Paul
- As Clinton cheers, Donald Trump digs in after debate
- Isaac Kolstad sues 2 attackers, Mankato bars over injuries
- Watch Adrian Peterson wake up from knee surgery -- and sing!
- Berrios has solid start, but Royals beat Twins in 11 innings
