Karen Tolkkinen
Columnist
Greater MinnesotaKaren Tolkkinen is the Star Tribune's greater Minnesota columnist. She has more than three decades of experience in local journalism, most recently serving as a reporter, copy editor, and columnist at the Echo Press in Alexandria, Minn. She lives with her husband and son in Otter Tail County, in a farmhouse built by her husband's great-great grandparents in the early 1920s.
Latest from Karen Tolkkinen
Greater Minnesota
Tolkkinen: Christians need to fight Christian nationalism
Jerry Gale, founder of the Minnesota chapter of Christians Against Christian Nationalism, traveled to Fergus Falls in an attempt to encourage people around the state to stand up to a movement that wants conservative Christians to rule America.
October 13, 2024
Greater Minnesota
Tolkkinen: At 87, still chopping firewood and telling stories
Arlys Kakac witnessed the decline of small dairy farms in rural Minnesota.
October 11, 2024
Greater Minnesota
Tolkkinen: A ladybug look-alike is ruining fall in greater Minnesota
The biting, stinking Asian beetle heads out of the soybean fields on the nicest fall days, heading to nearby homes and businesses to overwinter.
October 3, 2024
Rochester
Tolkkinen: Southeast Minnesota, it’s past time to purify your well water
Starting in October, the state is giving out a limited number of free reverse osmosis treatment systems.
September 30, 2024
Greater Minnesota
Tolkkinen: Greater Minnesota really is mostly rocks and cows
Republicans got mad at Gov. Tim Walz after the 2016 elections for saying greater Minnesota is "mostly rocks and cows." Well, we've got a lot of rocks and a lot of cows and they're something to be proud of.
September 27, 2024
News & Politics
Tolkkinen: Should a school board member have to say the Pledge of Allegiance?
Fergus Falls school board member could pay for his stance in the upcoming election.
September 24, 2024
Greater Minnesota
Tolkkinen: Let’s stop canceling each other for voicing our opinions
Can we disagree better? Students from the College of St. Benedict, St. John's University and the University of St. Thomas tried this week.
September 21, 2024
Greater Minnesota
Tolkkinen: Crow Wing County restaurant owner says Trump sign cost him half his business
Even as the internet piles on with ridicule, Big Al's Bar & Grill owner says he won't take the sign down.
September 19, 2024
Greater Minnesota
Tolkkinen: Greater Minnesota really is mostly rocks and cows
Republicans got mad at Gov. Tim Walz after the 2016 elections for saying greater Minnesota is "mostly rocks and cows." Well, we've got a lot of rocks and a lot of cows and they're something to be proud of.
September 27, 2024
News & Politics
Tolkkinen: Should a school board member have to say the Pledge of Allegiance?
Fergus Falls school board member could pay for his stance in the upcoming election.
September 24, 2024
Greater Minnesota
Tolkkinen: Let’s stop canceling each other for voicing our opinions
Can we disagree better? Students from the College of St. Benedict, St. John's University and the University of St. Thomas tried this week.
September 21, 2024
Greater Minnesota
Tolkkinen: Crow Wing County restaurant owner says Trump sign cost him half his business
Even as the internet piles on with ridicule, Big Al's Bar & Grill owner says he won't take the sign down.
September 19, 2024