Recent content from Leila Navidi
Gallery: Champlin beautiful garden winner
The backyard garden of Yee Lee and Bryan Johnsen photographed on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023 in Champlin, Minnesota.
Travelers encounter long lines on the eve of Thanksgiving
Terminal 1 at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport was crowded as passengers began their journeys.
Election Day 2023: Voters turn out to cast their ballots
Voters went to their polling places on Tuesday to cast ballots for a variety of races, including city council and mayoral races in multiple cities around the metro.
Photos: Timberwolves beat Utah Jazz 123-95
The Minnesota Timberwolves played against the Utah Jazz at Target Center in Minneapolis on Saturday, November 4, 2023.
Photos: President Joe Biden visits Minnesota
For the fourth time during his presidency, President Biden came to Minnesota as part of a 'barnstorming' tour of rural America with stop at a Northfield farm. In the evening, demonstrators marched in support of Palestinians in Gaza and in protest of US aid to Israel.
First snowfall of the season blankets the Twin Cities
The overnight precipitation resulted in snowy slick roads for morning commuters.
FFA students participate in the United South Central FFA corn drive
This year is the 70th year of the corn drive. The money from selling the donated corn then goes to charity.
Indigenous homelands are recognized at a water ceremony
Participants made offerings of tobacco, blueberries, smoked fish and wild rice during a water ceremony on Indigenous Peoples' Day at Ȟaȟa Wakpadaŋ/Bassett Creek.
Loons ties 1-1 with the San Jose Earthquakes
The Minnesota United played the San Jose Earthquakes at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minn. on Saturday, September 30, 2023.
Early voting for the Minneapolis, St. Paul City Council begins
Elections will be held November 7.
Ballerinas tryout for "The Nutcracker"
The performance of "The Nutcracker" will be on Dec. 15-17 at the Eden Prairie Performing Arts Center.
Ellingson Motorcars on display
Scott Ellingson has just over 100 cars valued from $30,000 to $350,000.
Golden Thyme owners at work ahead of retirement
Mychael and Stephanie Wright founded the coffee shop 24 years ago. Since then, Golden Thyme has played a large role in the growth of Black-owned businesses on Selby Avenue in St. Paul.
Balloon release for Aniya Allen
Family and loved ones of Aniya Allen released balloons at her grave site in Minneapolis on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023 to mark what would have been her ninth birthday. Allen was killed by a stray bullet when she was six years old while inside a car near the intersection of North 36th Street and Penn Avenue in May of 2021. Her killer has not been found.
Back to school across the Twin Cities
Students at East African Elementary Magnet School got settled in their classrooms while ninth grade students at Edison High School learned their class schedules. At South High School, kids caught up with friends over lunch.
Campers canoe and learn about ecosystems and natural resources
The kids in the four-day camp enjoyed outdoor activities including canoeing, fishing, archery, and arts and crafts. They paddled on the Mississippi River from Hidden Falls Regional Park to Crosby Farm Regional Park.
Marquisha Wiley's killer, Terry Brown, is sentenced
Brown was sentenced to almost 37 years for his role in the 2021 Truck Park mass shooting. A bullet fired by Brown killed Wiley, a 27-year-old vet technician.
Ex-Minneapolis police officer Tou Thao is sentenced
Thao was sentenced to 57 months for aiding and abetting manslaughter by Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill.
Gallery: Memorial ride for Vanessa Jensen
Vanessa Jensen, 19, was shot and killed by a stray bullet while watching street racing in Minneapolis in June of 2021. The second annual memorial ride in her honor was hosted by Vanessa's parents Rachel and Travis Jensen, and organized by Charlie Evans with the Minnesota Bagger Life motorcycle club. The ride left from Friar's in Forest Lake, winding through 90 miles of rural roads in Wisconsin before ending at Ole's Crossroad Bar and Grill in Lindstrom on Saturday, July 29, 2023. The ride raised another $730 for the reward fund for Jensen's unsolved case, putting the reward at $17,730.
Shamar Lark is sentenced after pleading guilty to opening fire at the Mall of America in 2022
Lark was charged with second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon after firing a gun outside the Mall of America Nike store, causing a lockdown.
Smoke from Canadian wildfires blankets the Great Lakes Region
The Twin Cities, Milwaukee and Chicago suffered from low air quality due to wildfires in Canada.
Construction workers watch the Twins from new heights
During their lunch break, fire alarm installers viewed a baseball game from the North Loop Green project.
Stone Arch Bridge Festival brings crowds out to Minneapolis on a sunny Saturday
Artists of all backgrounds and practices gathered with crowds at the Stone Arch Bridge Festival on Saturday afternoon. People perused artwork, jewelry, food and watched dancing.
Color Dash celebrates end of school year at Victoria Elementary
Students ran around to 5 different color stations to get a splash of color powder at Victoria Elementary. The end of year celebration included a DJ and free shaved ice following the run.
Clinical trial using epidural spinal cord stimulation.
Crystal LaBo, has been in a wheelchair for 23 years. In March, she received an epidural spinal cord stimulation implant at Hennepin Healthcare as part of a clinical trial to investigate using epidural spinal cord stimulation to restore volitional movement in patients who have suffered paralysis after a spinal cord injury.
Stamped sidewalks in St. Paul
88 poems have been stamped into the wet cement of sidewalks by St. Paul Public Works as they moved around town, repairing cracked sidewalks throughout St. Paul.
"The horse comes first," how vets protect Canterbury thoroughbreds
As deadly horse racing injuries mount elsewhere, the Shakopee track still sets a standard thanks to a hands-on approach from state veterinarians.
U.S. DOE Secretary Granholm visits Cummins plant in Fridley for ribbon cutting
Gov. Walz and U.S. DOE Secretary Jennifer Granholm gathered at Cummins for a ribbon cutting as it opens a new plant making hydrogen electrolyzers for hydrogen to power fuel cells, Friday, May 19, 2023 in Fridley, Minn.
American Cheese Society Judging and Competition
Some 1,400 cheeses competed at the American Cheese Society show in Minneapolis on Thursday May, 19, 2023, at Huntington Bank Stadium.
A cheesy competition: Judges take part in cheese competition in Minneapolis
Cheeses in various categories were evaluated during the American Cheese Society Judging and Competition at Huntington Bank Stadium on Thursday.
Photos: Sudanese Minnesotans demonstrate against armed conflict in Sudan
The local Sudanese Minnesotan community and their allies rallied against the armed conflict that has led to a rapidly unfolding humanitarian crisis in Sudan at Gold Medal Park on Saturday.
Oral arguments in Cruz-Guzman v. State of Minnesota
The Minnesota Supreme Court Justices gathered for a Q&A with students after oral arguments in the case Cruz-Guzman v. State of Minnesota at Richfield High School on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 in Richfield, Minn.
Photos: Tots and Tires event at New Brighton Community Center
The New Brighton Community Center hosted a Tots and Tires event, bringing out New Brighton community vehicles. Participants also could look at vehicles and machinery from the Army National Guard.
Photos: Eid al-Fitr brings Twin Cities Nigerian Muslims together for celebrations
Twin Cities Nigerian Muslims gathered to celebrate Eid al-Fitr with prayer and community meals at New Brighton Community Center on Friday.
Minnesota 3A track and field finals
The Minnesota Class 3A track and field state finals at St. Michael-Albertville High School in St. Michael, Minn. on Saturday, June 11, 2022.
Forest Lake defeats Brainerd 6-0 to win 4A softball championship
Forest Lake High School defeats Brainerd High School 6-0 in the 2022 State Class AAAA championship game at Caswell Park in North Mankato, Minnesota Friday, June 10, 2022.
For generations, this funeral home has been the shepherd of Black grief in Minneapolis
Funeral director Tracy Wesley has buried Jamar Clark, George Floyd and Daunte Wright. It's the names you don't know that now trouble him.
Community reacts after charges filed in deadly shooting
Two men are facing numerous charges in connection with a shooting at a St. Paul bar early Sunday that left one person dead and a dozen injured.
Shoppers stock up at farmer's market on University Avenue in St. Paul
The market in the parking lot of Sun Foods runs through October on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.
A little fun with the seven fair day-vices
Our photographer framed the panorama of humanity that is the State Fair, keeping an eye out for pride, envy, gluttony, lust, wrath, greed and sloth — and keeping tongue firmly in cheek. Can you guess who's portraying what? A weary fairgoer who woke at 4:30 a.m. took a catnap on Dan Patch Avenue; a young wrangler with her Dorset ewe lamb glanced back at the competition; a toddler had had it with the Kidway; a family dug into a cookie bucket; a mom cried with joy after her daughter won a 4-H championship; two tweens staggered under their midway prizes.
Camp True Colors in Minnesota gives LGBTQ+ teens a place to be themselves
At Camp True Colors, LGBTQ+ teens can express their true selves, make connections and find understanding.
Photos: Vikings Training Camp
The Minnesota Vikings held training camp on Monday, August 9, 2021.
The Trillium Woods 2021 Summer Games
The Trillium Woods 2021 Summer Games at the senior living community in Plymouth on Tuesday, July 27, 2021.
Great River Shakespeare Festival takes place outdoors in Winona
This year's Great River Shakespeare Festival takes the show to a great riverside park.
Twins lose 4-1 to Cleveland
The Twins lost 4-1 to the Cleveland Indians at Target Field on Thursday.
Photos: Final day of the U.S. Paralympic Team trials in the Twin Cities
On a sun-drenched Saturday, 51 cyclists competed in the U.S. Paralympic Team Trials, traversing courses along West River Parkway. They competed on bicycles, tricycles, handcycles and tandem bikes, which paired visually impaired athletes with sighted cyclers, to gain spots on the U.S. team for the Tokyo Paralympics, which will be held Aug. 24-Sept. 5.
Photos: U.S. Paralympic Team trials continue in the Twin Cities
The U.S. Paralympic Team Trials continued for track and field and swimming in Minneapolis on Friday. The Paralympic teams will be announced Sunday. Here are photos from the second day of the competition.
Photos: U.S. Paralympic Team trials begin in the Twin Cities
The U.S. Paralympic Team Trials began for track and field and swimming in Minneapolis on Thursday. The Paralympic teams will be announced Sunday. Here are photos from the first day of the competition.
Orchestra Hall welcomes audiences once again
The Minnesota Orchestra's first live, indoor audience in 15 months numbered just 400 — spread out among 2,000 seats — but when the musicians stepped onstage last weekend, they filled Orchestra Hall with applause.
Twins host Yankees
The Minnesota Twins hosted the New York Yankees on Tuesday, June 8, 2021.
Master musicians launch sold-out Schubert Club concerts
Pianist Wu Han and cellist David Finckel launched an al fresco mini-festival of five Schubert Club concerts, featuring music by the organization's namesake, Franz Schubert.
Shoreview skatepark
The city of Shoreview, which has put itself on the map with its family-friendly amusements including an indoor waterpark that's become a regional attraction, a five-story indoor playground and a new skate park, will now break ground a $3.5 million destination outdoor playground.
Lynx fall to Seattle
The Minnesota Lynx lost 90-78 to the Seattle Storm
Twins host White Sox
The Minnesota Twins hosted the Chicago White Sox on Monday, May 17, 2021.
Lynx lose to Mercury in season opener
Minnesota Lynx hosted the Phoenix Mercury in their season opener at Target Center.
St. Paul Saints home opener
The St. Paul Saints host Iowa Cubs during their first opener as a Triple-A affiliate.
Members of Somali-American community rally in support of Mohamed Noor
Nearly 200 people gathered outside the Hennepin County Government Center Thursday evening to rally in support of former Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor. Many were from Noor's Somali-American immigrant community.The event, held just hours before his sentencing for the killing of Justine Ruszczyk Damond, decried what community members called a racial double standard in the criminal justice system.
Mohamed Noor sentenced to prison
Judge Kathryn Quaintance handed Noor the sentence after a two-hour hearing. He must serve two-thirds before he is eligible for parole.
Wild rallies to edge Golden Knights
Jonas Brodin's goal with 1:06 remaining lifted the Wild over Vegas at Xcel Energy Center on Monday.
Twins beat Pirates 2-0
J.A. Happ takes no-hitter into the eighth inning during the Minnesota Twins 2-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates at Target Field in Minneapolis on April 23, 2021.
Eden Prairie beats Maple Grove 6-5 in overtime
Eden Prairie played Maple Grove in a Class 2A boys' semifinal hockey game at Xcel Energy Center on Friday. Eden Prairie won 6-5 in overtime.
Lakeville South rallied to beat Wayzata 5-3 in a Class 2A semifinal game
Lakeville South played against Wayzata in a Class 2A boys' semifinal hockey game at Xcel Energy Center on Friday. Lakeville South won the game 5-3.
