Recent content from Aaron Lavinsky
St. Paul Mosque damaged by suspected arson
A St. Paul mosque heavily damaged by fire is a suspected arson, the sixth attack on a Minnesota mosque so far in 2023 amid calls for accountability and increased security for the houses of worship.
COVID survivor Rick Ulrich reunites with North Memorial nurses
Ulrich returned to North Memorial with his wife Deb and two daughters to bring lunch and thank the healthcare workers he credits for saving his life during his nearly month-long stay in the ICU in late 2020.
St. Croix flood waters looms in Stillwater
Riverfront businesses have had to make due while the St. Croix River hits major flood stage on Wednesday, April 26, 2023.
Native Nations Fashion Night
"Northern Lights: A Native Nations Fashion Night" was held on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at The Machine Shop in Minneapolis. The event showcased the life ways of the Yup'ik of Alaska and the Great Lakes Woodlands Anishinaabeg.
Photos: St. Croix rises in Stillwater
Residents and business owners in Stillwater continue to watch the rising St. Croix River on Monday, April 17, 2023.
Galleria's Floral Experience flower show brings 'World of Wonder' to Edina
Set up by Bachman's landscape crew, a dazzling floral display brightens the halls of the Galleria mall in Edina.
Sacred Heart vs. New Life Academy
Sacred Heart played New Life Academy on March 22, 2023 during a Class 1A boys' basketball state tournament quarterfinal game at Williams Arena in Minneapolis.
Minnetonka defeats Andover 4-1 in boys hockey semifinals
Minnetonka played against Andover in the boys hockey state tournament's Class 2A semifinal game Friday, March 10, 2023 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.
Edina defeats Cretin-Derham Hall 4-1 in boys hockey semifinals
Edina played against Cretin-Derham Hall in the Class 2A semifinal boys hockey game Friday, March 10, 2023 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul
Gallery: Andover bests Edina 2-1 in semifinal
Andover played Edina in the Class 2A girls' hockey state tournament semifinal game Friday, Feb. 24, 2023 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn.
Photos: Hockey Without Limits Camp
Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba hosted his Hockey Without Limits Camp at the John Rose Oval skating rink in Roseville, Minn. The camp seeks to bolster diversity and inclusion in the sport and included more than 300 players.
Wild fall to Panthers in overtime
The Minnesota Wild lost to the Florida Panthers in overtime on Monday, February 13, 2023.
Gophers men's basketball routed by Maryland 81-46
The Gophers men's basketball team hosted the Maryland Terrapins on Saturday at Williams Arena.
Photos: Meet one of Minnesota's best basketball players
Cherry High School's Isaac Asuma is a rising star and holds multiple Division I scholarship offers. "He's just a phenomenal human," Cherry coach Jordan Christianson said.
Maj. Katie Lunning presented with Distinguished Flying Cross
Maj. Katie Lunning of the Minnesota National Guard's 133rd Airlift Wing was presented with the Distinguished Flying Cross by Lt. General Michael Loh on Saturday.
Timberwolves fall to Pistons 116-104 on New Years Eve
The Minnesota Timberwolves faced off against the Detroit Pistons on the last day of 2022, Saturday, Dec. 31.
Julmarknad Handcraft Market & Festival
The Julmarknad Handcraft Market & Festival was held on Sunday, December 4, 2022 at the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis.
Red Lake Nation football team hasn't won a game in years, but its coach keeps kids undefeated
They often play against opponents with twice as many players. Sometimes, coach Nolan Desjarlait wonders how he keeps doing it. The answer always comes: "I refuse to give up on them."
Gopher women's basketball takes on Wake Forest in ACC/Big Ten challenge
The Gophers hosted the Wake Forest Demon Deacons for an ACC/Big Ten challenge game at Williams Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 30 in Minneapolis.
Shoppers flock to retailers around Twin Cities for Black Friday
Black Friday shopping kicked off at malls and retailers around the Twin Cities on Friday, Nov. 25.
Gopher football hosts Iowa Hawkeyes in last home game of season
The Minnesota Gopher football team faced off against the Iowa Hawkeyes on Saturday, Nov. 19 at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
Minnesota Twins reveal new jerseys, logo
At a reveal ceremony on Friday, the Minnesota Twins revealed new uniforms and a new team logo at the Mall of America. Fans crowded around as players modeled the new jerseys.
Maple Grove beats Lakeville South to advance to 6A football championship
Lakeville South and Maple Grove met in a 6A football semifinal game on Thursday, Nov. 17 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Maple Grove won 14-7 over Lakeville South to advance to the championship.
Simley football bests Rocori in 4A semifinal playoff game
Rocori and Simley faced off in a 4A semifinal playoff game at US Bank Stadium on Thursday, Nov. 17 in Minneapolis. Simley defeated Rocori 17-16 to advance to the 4A championship.
Holocaust hero's son speaks in Minneapolis as Kristallnacht remembered
Nick Winton's father, Sir Nicholas George Winton, is credited with helping 669 mostly Jewish children escape Czechoslovakia before World War II.
Photos: 2A Girls Soccer Championship
Holy Angels played Mahtomedi in the Girls Class 2A soccer state championship game at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Friday, November 4, 2022.
Gopher men's basketball bests St. Olaf in exhibition game
The Minnesota Gopher men's basketball team took on St. Olaf in an exhibition game at Williams Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 2. The Gophers won 71-55.
Gopher football shuts out Rutgers 31-0
The Minnesota football team hosted Rutgers on Saturday, Oct. 29. Following the win, the Gophers advance to 5-3.
Class 6A football playoffs: Lakeville North vs. Minnetonka
In a first-round game in the Class 6A football playoffs, Lakeville North played at Minnetonka High School on Friday, October 28, 2022.
Wild fall to Los Angeles Kings 7-6
In their second home game of the season, the Wild lost 7-6 to the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday.
Pumpkins dazzle at Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular at Minnesota Zoo
The Minnesota Zoo hosted its annual Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, themed "A Night at the Library." The display runs from Oct. 1 through Nov. 5.
The story in full view: Minneapolis North honors the memory of Deshaun Hill Jr.
The high school's football team plays on in the aftermath of the murder of a teammate, their quarterback, in February.
St. Paul approves rent control changes
The council voted 5-2 to exempt new construction and affordable housing from the 3% cap on annual rent increases. They also amended the law so that a landlord can raise rents up to 8% plus inflation after a tenant moves out or is evicted for just cause.
Michael Buble performs at Xcel Energy Center
Singer Michael Buble performed at Xcel Energy Center on Wednesday, September 7, 2022 in St. Paul.
A fresh perspective of Minnesota State Fair finds beauty in the details
That familiar skyline, those hulking old Art Deco buildings, the garish Midway are the big views. Now try zooming in.
Strike a pose: Meet the U football team
Some members of the Gophers posed for portraits at their practice facility with their season starting Thursday night.
Photos: Crayfish Eating Contest
A preliminary heat was held in the Crayfish Eating Contest Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at Indeed Brewing in Minneapolis. The championship is August 6. Crayfish, an invasive species of freshwater crustaceans in Minnesota, are destroying lakes by eating fish eggs and underwater cabbages that produce oxygen.
Gallery: Star Tribune All-Metro Sports Awards
The Star Tribune All-Metro Sports Awards gala was held Wednesday night at Allianz Field.
Photos: Cedar Lake and Lake of the Isles
Park Board's proposed Cedar-Isles master plan takes a 'lighter touch'
Kentucky Derby fashion show at Canterbury
Fashionistas wore their Kentucky Derby best while attending the Derby Fashion Show at Canterbury Park on Saturday, May 7, 2022 in Shakopee, Minn.
Photos: Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell
An introductory news conference was held for Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell at TCO Performance Center Thursday, February 17, 2022 in Eagan, Minn.
Gophers men's basketball game vs. Purdue
The Gophers men's basketball hosted Purdue at Williams Arena on February 2, 2022, in Minneapolis, Minn.
Minnesotans gather at precinct caucuses for midterm elections
Election season unofficially kicked off at precinct caucuses in community gathering spots and individual homes across Minnesota on Tuesday, February 1, 2022.
Community remembers Mel Reeves this week
Friends and family held a memorial on Tuesday and a funeral Thursday for longtime civil rights activist and journalist Mel Reeves who died last week from complications of COVID-19.
Friends, family cautiously resume in-person Thanksgiving holiday meals
Last year, Av Gordon's family huddled 6 feet apart on his driveway in Plymouth, wearing masks as they swapped to-go containers for Thanksgiving before meeting up over Zoom as they dined alone at home. This year, like many Americans, they are cautiously resuming gathering in person for the holiday — though it's far from the pre-pandemic normal dinner.
COVID at the State Fair: It's been a year like no other
Tens of thousands of fairgoers attended the Minnesota State Fair as the COVID-19 Delta variant surged in 2021. With no mask mandate or attendance limitations, the Great Minnesota Get Together went forward as Minnesotans sought a sense of normalcy.
Solid motion: Before 2021 football season, Gophers pause to pose
At the University of Minnesota in August, Gophers were photographed by the Star Tribune's Aaron Lavinsky, showing their unmovable frames and quick-twitch movements.
Paddling, riding, enjoying: Scenes from Cuyuna Country
Photography from the state recreation area and the Cuyuna Lakes region.
For Minnesota nurse on front lines, COVID-19 fight is personal
A COVID death in the family brings home patients' suffering, with the pain of that loss deepening her commitment to her difficult work.
When COVID arrived, Mpls. neighbors stepped outside to sing — 300 nights later, they're still singing
Every night at 6 p.m., they tackle Prince and Elvis, "Baby Shark" and "Let It Snow," "God Bless, America" and "This Land is Your Land."
North Memorial medical staff marks one-year anniversary of COVID
As new COVID-19 infections decline in Minnesota, North Memorial Health Hospital shut down entire units, including the South 6 Intensive Care Unit and the West Seven Med-Surg unit. As of Wednesday afternoon, March 17, the hospital had only four COVID-positive patients, with none in its ICUs.
Late start, early end: How the high school football season played out
The 2020 high school football season didn't go as anyone had hoped. In the end, despite all that went wrong, players and coaches appreciated the chance to take the field as often as they could.
At Twin Cities malls, it's Zoom Santa and wish lists shared through glass
Thanks to COVID, kids can't sit on the jolly old elf's lap, but they can still get face time.
Minnesota families linked by police violence say it's time for change
Since the police killing of George Floyd, this group, known in activist circles as "the families," has emerged as an influential voice in the movement to remake policing in Minnesota.
Protesters, police face off in downtown Minneapolis; no arrests
Despite heated moments, there were no arrests.
True colors: A changed Austin unites around its school's red-and-white
The schools have more minority students enrolled than white students, with 48 languages spoken in its classrooms. Through the changes, two colors have united the town: The red and white of the Austin Packers.
Goodbye from Minnesota: 12 hours with 'Live From Here' before show moves to NYC
A behind-the-scenes look at "Live From Here," the Minnesota-rooted radio show formerly known as "A Prairie Home Companion."
John LaDue works to build a life where he had planned massacre
He seemed to lead an ordinary southern Minnesota life in Waseca, until he was discovered planning a mass killing. Now he wants his life back — but unsettling questions about his case may never be answered.
Special report: Mighty Mississippi faces mounting environmental threats
The Star Tribune examines the health of Minnesota's rivers and whether we can save one of our greatest natural resources, the Mississippi, before it's too late.
A Saint-sational opener
CHS Field, home of he St. Paul Saints, is a diamond gem in the heart of Lowertown.
NE Minneapolis lumberyard fire is extinguished overnight
The flames were visible from Interstate 35W and drew 35 firefighters to the scene. No injuries were reported as of early Sunday from the fire in a one-story warehouse at Shaw Stewart Lumber.
