Recent content from John Reinan
Minnesota cities trying to take back the dark
Growing "dark sky" movement aims to reclaim starry skies
Wisconsin's famed 'Fantasy Suites' hotel answers questions you never asked
Some call it a "sex hotel," offering fantasy suites featuring an igloo and a hot air balloon.
Minnesota briefs: Memorial to honor slain officer Tom Decker, others on 10th anniversary
Plus: U.S. Supreme Court allows Red Wing garbage plans to proceed; northern cities get grants for water projects.
Small Minnesota town may become focus of abortion fight
Under a proposed ordinance, citizens of Prinsburg (pop. 500) could sue abortion providers.
Farm advocate 'Russ' Bjorhus dies at 93
Longtime Litchfield resident led federal agency during farm crisis of the 1980s.
Minnesota briefs: Winona homeowner told he can't live in his garage
And Brainerd businesses tell city not to end downtown snow removal.
More than ever, Minnesota's political parties failed to fill their candidate slates
Two dozen legislative seats were unopposed this year, an unusually high number.
Rural Minnesota victim advocate says cops are failing to protect battered women
Norman County sheriff defends his deputies and said he's the target of a critic who is politically motivated.
Rush City salon owners fight City Hall to keep mural of racial inclusion
City leaders may have OK'd the mural's message, they said, but not without prior consultation.
Powerball fever grows as jackpot hits an estimated $1.2B, second highest
"It's like buying a dream for a day," one Minnesota player said.
Mpls. protesters set up daylong homeless camp near Mayor Frey's home
Angry at what they called the "militarized" response to homelessness by the city of Minneapolis, protesters set up a sidewalk encampment Sunday.
Neighbors unhappy about crypto mining operation in Glencoe, Minn.
Crypto company says it's doing everything possible to reduce noise.
Judge rules Hubbard County can't blockade protest camp near Enbridge Line 3 pipeline
Hubbard County had barricaded a road and arrested protesters who drove on it.
Minnesota briefs: Groundbreaking for major city park held in Duluth
The city of Duluth celebrated the start of Lincoln Park's reconstruction Friday in the neighborhood of the same name.A plan for the park was adopted…
Unfinished Rochester dream home gets reprieve from teardown
The 16,000-square-foot hilltop house has been vacant since 2018. Neighbors want it gone.
For many recent Minnesota college grads, debt plan is 'life-changing'
Most graduates with loans can have up to $10,000 forgiven.
'We might not have to struggle': Minnesota graduates react to Biden's loan debt plan
Name: Leah Payne, 27City: DuluthCurrent job: Looking for work in music therapy fieldCollege: Colorado State University, graduate degreeStudent loan debt: $40,000Monthly loan bill: About $300/monthHow…
Bitter disputes in Orono pit unhappy residents vs. officials
Mayor Dennis Walsh calls his critics "clowns" as they dispute the city's land deals.
Minnesota Court of Appeals sides with township in gravel road saga
Hillman Township has won the latest — and perhaps final — round in a bitter fight over a rural Minnesota gravel road, as the state Court of Appeals ruled that the township has no duty to maintain the road to a private residence outside Mora, Minn.
Austin celebration to rekindle fond memories of bygone teen club
The Tower was a hot spot for southern Minnesota teens in the '50s and '60s.
Huge liquor tab: Excessive drinking costs Minnesota $8 billion a year
Study by Health Department researchers tallied the costs of problem drinking in the state.
How property assessment works in Minnesota
Minnesota's property tax system is among the most complex in the nation. But in simple terms, here's how it works.— County assessors gather all property…
Soaring property values shock owners in Minn. lake country
Many owners saw the value of their properties double in just one year.
Jury finds for pharmacist who declined to fill birth control prescription
The Aitkin County jury awarded $25,000 for emotional harm to the woman who was denied a morning-after pill.
![The crux of the Aitkin case under the law, Judge David Hermerding wrote, “is whether [Badeaux] deliberately misled, obfuscated and blocked Ms. Ander](https://chorus.stimg.co/23921622/thrifty_white_crop.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
'I was asking to be excused,' Minnesota pharmacist testifies in contraception trial
George Badeaux said he tried to walk the line between his religious beliefs and his medical duties.
Aitkin County woman testifies about roadblocks in getting emergency contraception
Questions at trial delve into the most personal aspects of her life.
Minnesota jury to decide rights case on morning-after pill denial
A mother of five from McGregor, Minn., sought a morning-after pill after a condom broke during sex. Her pharmacist, citing his beliefs, refused to fill the prescription.
A returning son creates an artful amenity for his Minnesota hometown
Art in Motion attracts Stearns County locals as well as cyclists on the Lake Wobegon Trail.
Trans rights protesters heat up the scene outside relocated Chappelle show
Comedian's appearance was moved from First Avenue to the Varsity Theater amid backlash over perceived transphobia in his act.
Minnesota loon family lights up social media with hopping journey to lake
Birds aren't made for navigating the lakeshore.
Donald James, mathematician and mushroom fanatic, dies at 88
A lover of music, he composed a new song every day to play for his wife.
Four wounded in St. Cloud shootout
Police investigating dispute that left two young men and two teenagers injured.
Minnesota appeals court upholds $1.5 million award for care of miniature ponies
A Sherburn, Minn., veterinarian cared for more than 70 ponies after authorities removed them from a breeder's farm.
Venting on Facebook costs angry Minnesota beekeeper $370,000
A judge ruled that his posts libeled a couple who sold him bees that later died.
Minnesota senior bakers are building a community 20,000 cookies at a time
In Eagle Bend, Minn., senior volunteers bake good cookies that do good.
Lake Minnetonka wakesurfing stirs up debate over calls for ban
Opponents call for banning wakesurfing within 700 feet of shore while advocates say more education is the answer.
Ulrich found guilty on all counts in Buffalo clinic attack
A Wright County jury deliberated for six hours after he admitted shooting five people at Buffalo Allina Health Clinic last year.
Buffalo clinic shooting victim: 'My God — are we going to die here?'
Victims of Buffalo, Minn., shooting attack testify as alleged killer hides his face.
Owner wants to give away his small-town Minnesota newspaper
He's off to Ukraine to fight against Russian invaders.
'I knew I was going to die': Clinic workers, patients recount attack in Buffalo, Minn.
Gregory Ulrich is charged in the 2021 attack that killed one and wounded four.
'I would send a lot of ambulances': Alleged Minnesota clinic attacker's 911 call played at trial
Five people were shot, leaving four injured and one dead, in the attack at a primary care clinic in Buffalo, Minn., in February 2021.
Testimony underway in trial for Buffalo Allina clinic attacker who killed 1, injured 4
Prosecutors say he planned the ambush; defense says he was a desperate man.
Jury selection in Buffalo clinic attack is painstaking, time-consuming and fascinating
Judge, attorneys are spending up to an hour quizzing each prospective juror, one at a time.
Minnesota briefs: Benson rejects city manager candidates
The city of Benson has reopened its search for a new city manager after rejecting two candidates.At a meeting earlier this month, the City Council…
Federal report lays out historic effort to dismantle Indian families and culture
It's the first step in addressing 'intergenerational trauma' caused by placement of children in the Indian school system.
Teen accused of killing Wis. girl had a chaotic start in life
Custody battle, father's prison time colored the 14-year-old's experiences.
Rochester neighbors want woman to tear down her half-built dream home
A divorce halted construction on a couple's dream home. Neighbors call it a dangerous eyesore and want it torn down.
Juvenile suspect arrested in Wisconsin girl's killing
Police said they arrested a suspect who was "known to the victim" and that there is no further danger to the community.
Duluth officer acquitted after shooting through door, wounding 1
A jury returned a quick verdict in favor of Tyler Leibfried, the first Duluth officer to be charged with a crime for a shooting on duty.
Suspected Duluth killer confessed to killing family in social media post
He posted a confession and apology before allegedly taking 5 lives, including his own.
5 found dead in Duluth home after police asked to make check
Police found the bodies after a welfare check call and said the victims were related. Duluth Police Chief Mike Tusken called the scene an "unimaginable tragedy."
Jury acquits northern Minnesota man who fled scene of friend's death
He said he left the scene of a fatal crash in the remote North Woods because it was the only way to find help.
Former township board chair in central Minnesota convicted on felony sex charge
Ryan Martens faces up to 15 years in prison.
Minnesota teacher returns home after imprisonment while fleeing Ukraine
Russian authorities suspected Tyler Jacob of spying, but Sen. Amy Klobuchar helped secure his release.
New $18 million Lake Minnetonka mansion escapes teardown — for now
A judge said neighbors missed a deadline for objecting to a zoning variance, but he left another avenue of appeal open.
Minnesota briefs: Three tribal nations get $4.2 million from feds
Three Minnesota tribal nations will split $4.2 million in federal funding for projects ranging from support of public safety to small businesses.The Fond du Lac…
Sleepy Eye horse trainer acquitted of 20 counts of animal cruelty
After a five-day trial, jury took less than an hour to deliver verdict
Conservative Minnesota think tank says it's a victim of cancel culture
Rochester country club shut down Center of the American Experiment event after members objected.
Southeastern Minn. mayor says critic has 'vendetta' against him
Former Oronoco council member says Gold Rush Days planners are breaking state's open-meeting law.
Rental scooters and bikes will be back on the streets soon
The number of scooters will be limited in downtown Minneapolis
Man dies in Hugo house fire
A house fire in Hugo claimed the life of a 38-year-old man Sunday. According to a spokesman for the Washington County Sheriff's Office, emergency responders…
St. Paul begins process to create framework for Reparations Commission
The city will hold four public meetings this month to offer information about the commission, which will make reparations to descendants of slavery.
Pandemic gave a jump-start to Rochester outdoor dining
Health emergency became "the pressure that creates the diamond."
Bloomington man struck by vehicle, dies
According to police, witnesses said the victim was pulling a trailer and got out of his vehicle to retrieve some items that had fallen before he was hit.
It's cabins vs. campground as Aitkin County weighs RV park
Campground builder says Minnesotans who can't afford cabins deserve to enjoy the lakes.
Greg 'the Wedge' Benson, master car builder and racer, dies at 78
Greg Benson's legendary status in the racing world was sealed by his nickname. Benson, a longtime Prior Lake resident who later moved to Pequot Lakes,…
Minnesota native killed in Ukraine was getting food for hospital patients
Jimmy Hill, a psychologist and lecturer originally from Mahtomedi, was killed in an attack.
Minnesota mother is distraught about fate of her 'amazing son,' taken prisoner in Ukraine
Tyler Jacob, an English teacher from Winona, was detained by Russian troops.
Tears, anger at latest township meeting over Kanabec County road
Hillman Township board says it will not drop its appeal despite passing a resolution to do so.
Russians in Minnesota find the Ukraine war both simple and complex
Many are horrified by "Putin's war," but they realize those back home may not see it the same way.
New Prague students flash 'white power' hand signal at state hockey tourney
School officials said students didn't realize the gesture could signify white supremacy.
Fight over family's gravel road in Mora takes yet another ugly turn
Hillman Township voters passed a resolution to resume maintenance of the road leading to the Crisman family's property, but the township board chairman called it illegal and nonbinding.
Hope sparked by Gorbachev's 1990 visit to Minnesota has faded during Putin's rule
The Soviet leader's surprising trip heralded a new era in U.S.-Russian relations. But that was a long time ago.
Hopkins expected to pass resolution supporting its Ukrainian sister city
Hopkins and Boryspil, Ukraine, have been sister cities since 2011.
