Recent content from MaryJo Webster
Minnesota's public school enrollment drops 2% as parents explore pandemic options
Enrollment is down by 2% statewide, with bigger drops in kindergarten and the other early grades.
COVID-19 fuels highest annual Minnesota death count
Increases in all causes of mortality in Minnesota in 2020 refute claims that pandemic only killed people who already were going to die.
Inequities persist in St. Paul and Ramsey County COVID relief
Despite efforts to be fair, some historically underserved areas of the capital city still came out behind as $12.7 million in emergency funds were given out.
What were the hottest housing markets in the Twin Cities metro area?
With mortgage rates falling to record lows and a pandemic upending how and where people want to live, sales exceeded new listings throughout much of the metro. Find out how your community fared in our searchable Hot Housing Index for 2020.
Every police-involved death in Minnesota since 2000
The Star Tribune collected the names and stories of everyone who died after a physical confrontation with law enforcement in Minnesota since January 2000, and continues to update this database as new incidents occur.
How popular is your first name (or any other) in Minnesota?
Track the popularity of any first name in Minnesota over the past century.
Young and social North Loop sees rapid rise in COVID cases
The Minneapolis neighborhood has the city's third highest growth rate in new coronavirus cases, which tracks with the large number of young adults who live there and were more likely to socialize and dine out.
Minneapolis police overtime in 2 weeks after Floyd death: $3.3M
Costs associated with the summer unrest doubled the Minneapolis Police Department's allotted overtime budget for 2020.
New look shows violent crime's spread across Mpls. this summer
The surge in violent crime this summer included more prosperous neighborhoods that typically experience few such incidents while continuing to exact the heaviest toll in the city's poor areas, according to a Star Tribune analysis of police statistics.
How COVID-19 case rates will affect each Minn. school district's reopening plan
The state's Safe Learning Plan relies on many variables.
People of color hit harder by COVID-19 in Twin Cities, data confirm
Black and Hispanic Minnesotans are far more likely to be infected than white Minnesotans, state data show.
Minnesota's online schools attract interest amid pandemic
State concerned about online charter schools' math scores.
Pandemic leads to 20% increase in overall deaths in Minnesota
In just seven weeks, the additional fatalities have cut into generations and communities, especially the elderly and people of color.
Minnesota parents tell us what they really think of online learning
We asked parents to fill out a survey about how K-12 online learning is going as a result of the pandemic. Comments ranged from intense enthusiasm and gratitude for what teachers have done to immense frustration.
Minnesota parents, educators stress need to maintain personal connection with students
A Star Tribune survey of parents shows that the more frequent the live video sessions between staff and students, the greater their satisfaction with their children's learning.
Minnesota schools will have to detail how they spend aid for struggling students
Legislative Auditor's Office says more disclosure is needed for aid intended to shrink achievement gap.
Minnesota, how is remote learning going for your family?
Do you have children between kindergarten and 12th grade participating in online learning through their Minnesota school during this stay-at-home order period? We’d like to…
COVID-related reforms bring cautious optimism from Twin Cities activists
The novel coronavirus has already seriously disrupted police and court systems in the Twin Cities, as elsewhere.
On Census Day, about 44% of Minn. households have said: We're here
Officials hope more Minnesotans will complete the form online.
Minnesota eviction numbers see dramatic decline in past decade
The number statewide has dropped 33% since the foreclosure crisis.
Downtown East leads Mpls. neighborhoods in crime increase
The area, also known as East Town, was part of the nearly two-thirds of the city's 81 neighborhoods that saw an increase in overall crime in 2019, from the previous four-year average.
Once-obscure suburbs are the new hot housing markets
First-time buyers and baby boomers are getting priced out of newer, more expensive suburbs and popular urban neighborhoods.
How Minneapolis might reshape its school district
Minneapolis has released five proposals to shift schools and students around the district.
Violent crime dropped in St. Paul last year, despite record gun deaths
A Star Tribune analysis of newly released police data shows that while homicides soared in 2019, reports of aggravated assaults, rapes and robberies decreased, contributing to a reduction in overall violent crime.
Minnesotans' income grew faster than inflation last year, while inequality expanded slightly
Latest Census survey shows more effects from retiring baby boomers.
More Minnesota students opt out of state tests, create a dilemma
Around the state, the rate of students choosing to bypass the state's largest standardized exams has risen steadily for more than a decade.
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How did Minnesota become one of the most racially inequitable states?
By almost any measurement, Minnesota is plagued by racial disparities — in unemployment, in poverty, in homeownership. Readers want to know what's behind the inequities.
Which Minnesota schools are scoring better than expected?
A Star Tribune analysis of standardized math and reading test scores can determine whether schools are doing better than their demographics would suggest. Look up whether your school made the cut.
2019: $600M a year to fight Minnesota's achievement gap, yet it persists
It's tricky to track where the aid to schools is going – and whether it's working.
Minnesota graduation rate hits all-time high; racial gap narrows
More than 83 percent of students graduated on time, with some progress in narrowing the achievement gap.
As rents rise in the Twin Cities, suburbs embrace affordable housing efforts
With rents rising across the metro, cities find stable options to help, and keep, tenants.
Look up vaccination rates at more than 2,900 Minnesota schools and day cares
Hundreds of Minnesota schools and child care centers face an increased risk of measles outbreaks because not enough of their students have been vaccinated.
With fewer kids vaccinated, more Minn. schools vulnerable
"Herd immunity" is lost in one-third of state schools, several of which have had chickenpox outbreaks since 2017. That's the same year unvaccinated children helped drive a measles outbreak.
Police undertrained and overwhelmed by rape cases in Minnesota
Inadequate training for police who investigate sexual assaults, along with poor staffing and high turnover, plagues many police departments across the state – resulting in fewer charges against suspected offenders.
How alcohol foils rape investigations
Police are less likely to interview witnesses, assign cases to a detective or forward them to a prosecutor if the victim was drinking, according to a Star Tribune analysis. When cases involving alcohol do reach prosecutors, suspects are much less likely to be charged with a crime or convicted.
When rape is reported in Minnesota and nothing happens
A Star Tribune examination of more than 1,000 recent sexual assault cases shows pervasive failings by law enforcement — neglecting to interview witnesses, collect crucial evidence, or conduct criminal background checks on suspects. Many cases were never even assigned to an investigator.
When rape is reported and something happens
As dozens more women have stepped forward to tell their stories, reforms are underway in Minnesota. Victim advocates and rape survivors say they are heartened by the pledges of reform by police leaders, prosecutors and lawmakers.
A better way to investigate rape
Utah's shift is a promising sign of how a state can do more to help rape victims get the justice that so often eludes them — if everyone involved is working with the same priorities.
Convicted for rape in Minnesota, free from prison time
Felons spend less time in prison in Minnesota, and the state says that's by design.
Schools struggle with widening student and teacher racial gap
Minnesota's student body is rapidly becoming more diverse, while the teaching force remains mostly white.
Special Report: A victim heard, justice served
Many sexual assault reports in Minnesota are poorly investigated.
Most don't result in charges or convictions. This one was different.
Minnesota rape cases: Rejected by the prosecution
In Minnesota, half of sex assault cases police send to prosecutors never result in charges. Prosecutors reject cases that include DNA evidence, witnesses, and sometimes even confessions, records show.
Insurers target seniors with shifting Medicare options
New plans in mix as more than 300,000 Minnesota seniors seek new coverage.
Minnesota has new benchmarks for schools, IDs 485 for help
New accountability system is designed to give better picture of overall performances.
Twin Cities STEM teachers are facing pay challenges
A Star Tribune analysis reveals that Twin Cities STEM teachers make less than many other kinds of teachers.
Minnesota police board promises steps to improve sex assault investigations
POST Board will prepare officer training standards and a model policy for sex assault investigations.
Frey pledges 'care and compassion' for sex assault victims
Minneapolis mayor was responding to a report showing chronic failings in sex assault investigations in Minnesota.
No houses available to buy in Twin Cities? Blame rentals
More owners of affordable homes rent them out rather than offer them for sale.
2017's most popular baby names: How popular is yours?
Whether you favor perennial favorites or trendier names, see how popular they've been in 2017 -- and in all the years going back to 1910.
Pawlenty laps GOP field with $1M in 3 weeks of fundraising
Tim Pawlenty has the money and name recognition to skip an unpredictable GOP endorsement convention and head straight to the primary.
Minn. cities, counties paid $60.8M in police misconduct claims in decade
From 2007 to 2017, Minnesota jurisdictions made at least 933 payouts for alleged misconduct. And they're on the rise.
Open-enrollment winner Mahtomedi struggling to grow out of funding crunch
While interest in the east metro district is high, there are limits to how much it can grow.
High school graduation rates hit record high in Minnesota
In Minneapolis, the overall graduation rate dipped by one percentage point; St. Paul graduation rates inched up one point. A wide gap between white students and students of color persists.
Find the hottest Twin Cities housing markets of 2017
For the second year, the Star Tribune compared home sale data in the Twin Cities to determine which cities had the hottest markets in 2017. How did your city fare?
Hottest Twin Cities housing market still is Richfield
In-demand communities have affordable homes along commuter routes. Low-key Little Canada and Brooklyn Center posted the biggest gains in the index compiled by the Star Tribune.
Black drivers twice as likely as whites to be stopped by St. Paul police
Black motorists also were almost three times as likely to be frisked or searched.
In the money chase, DFL candidates for governor beating Republicans
Large imbalance in money raised last year has some in the GOP worried.
Open enrollment keeps students, resources flowing into Minnetonka
Minnetonka school officials criticized on two fronts: Race and numbers.
Are the Vikings the NFL's most tragic playoff team?
A Star Tribune analysis shows the Vikings do unexpectedly lose a significant number of postseason games, but aren't necessarily the worst.
Tax plan would have dramatic effect in Minnesota
The state's businesses stand to get large tax cuts, while limits on deductions for state and local taxes could pinch individuals and families who itemize.
Three things the latest census data tells us about the Upper Midwest
U.S. Census Bureau data released last week sheds light on demographics and economics of counties and other small areas.
PART 3: How Minn. officers accused of serious crimes plea bargain to keep jobs
Officers with convictions – which might have cost them their careers in other states – can exploit weaknesses in Minnesota's licensing rules to keep their jobs.
What Minnesota can learn from Oregon on police oversight
In Oregon, police officers can be disciplined for infractions that wouldn't even trigger a state review here. The northwestern state has become a national model for rigorous licensing, with lessons for Minnesota in police accountability and improving public confidence.
Minnesota police officers convicted of serious crimes still on the job
Over the past two decades, hundreds of Minnesota law enforcement officers have been convicted of criminal offenses. Most were never disciplined by the state. More than 140 are still on the job.
PART 2: A blind spot for officers involved in domestic violence in state
The state rarely sanctions police officers in domestic violence cases, a glaring weakness that police chiefs and victim advocates say needs to change.
School choice splits Twin Cities suburbs into haves, have-nots
Parents are going the distance to enroll their children in schools that offer the programs and services they want, effectively redrawing the map of district boundaries in the process.
Minneapolis' black families lead way in fleeing to other schools
Reasons for leaving the district range from safety concerns to a belief that academics elsewhere are better than in Minneapolis, which has struggled for years to close the achievement gap between white and black students.
Minorities make modest economic gains in Minnesota, new census data shows
Black, Hispanic and American Indian households in Minnesota made modest economic gains last year, but remain far behind whites and Asians, according to new census data.
Rising exodus of students puts more pressure on Minnesota schools
In Minneapolis and St. Paul, a third of the students are now leaving for other districts. The student flight is magnifying budget pressures and transforming the racial diversity of metro-area schools.
Minnesota teen driving deaths plummet: Better drivers or fewer teens?
The trend seems to reflect more restrictive licensing laws and changes in teen interests and behavior.
Minnesota math scores down a bit; reading results are flat
"It's frustrating to see test scores slowly increasing over time, but there's more to providing a student with a well-rounded education than can be seen in a test," Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius said in a statement.
Find your Minnesota school's math and reading test scores
Use the database to track your school's proficiency in math and reading.
History of gas line accidents in Minnesota since 1998
Before Wednesday’s explosion at Minnehaha Academy, gas distribution lines have experienced at least 41 major accidents in Minnesota since 2004, federal data show. The most…
Minnesota's riskiest bridges repaired after I-35W collapse
State leaders set aside $2.5 billion for the program over the past decade, allowing the state to more aggressively tackle a backlog of bridge repairs. It also has left the state with one of the lowest percentage of structurally deficient bridges in the nation.
