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Mary Lynn Smith

Mary Lynn Smith

Reporter | Metro
Phone: 612-673-4788

Mary Lynn Smith is a general assignment reporter for the Star Tribune. She previously covered St. Paul City Hall and Ramsey County. Before that, she worked in Duluth where she covered local and state government and business. She frequently has written about the outdoors.


After graduating with a master's degree in public affairs reporting, the Chicago native moved to Minnesota and fell in love with the outdoors despite being a Girl Scout dropout. Smith became an avid long-distance runner and cross-country skier, keeping her fit so she could backpack in the mountains and paddle the BWCA and Quetico wilderness areas with her husband and three children. Now that her daughters are adults, she gives them the heavier packs.
Recent content from Mary Lynn Smith
Darryl Knappen, pastor at Cornerstone Church in Alexandria, Minn.

Minnesota pastor says on video to be ready to 'arm up' as a citizen militia force

Alexandria's Darryl Knappen is drawing praise and condemnation.
Article by Mary Lynn Smith, Mary Lynn Smith
Updated January 18, 2021 — 1:17pm
Amid a pandemic that has kept people at a distance, Dave Cary finally was able to hug his mother, Carolyn Miller, who lives in a St. Louis Park assist

'Nothing like a real hug.' Minnesota mom, son reunited after months apart in quarantine

A captured hug between a mother and her son resonates with all those who can't.
Article by Mary Lynn Smith
Updated January 18, 2021 — 9:52am
An angler fished inside a portable ice fishing shelter on Cedar Lake in Minneapolis. ] JEFF WHEELER • jeff.wheeler@startribune.com

Ice fishing contests melting away because of Minnesota's pandemic restrictions

Some events have been canceled and others have gone virtual, where participants can fish numerous lakes. Still others are hoping to host modified events that meet social distancing guidelines
Article by Mary Lynn Smith
Updated January 13, 2021 — 10:09pm
Mel and Sue Awes of Edina died of COVID-19 on Dec. 10 after 60 years of marriage. Mel was known to call every friend and relative on their birthdays

Together in life and death: Couples battle coronavirus

As COVID-19 has ravaged the elderly, couples who have spent nearly a lifetime together are dying together — days, sometimes hours apart. For some families, the losses are even more painful because a vaccine was almost within reach.
Article by Mary Lynn Smith, Rachel Hutton
Updated December 28, 2020 — 11:41am
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