Staff Directory 6370448

Patrick Condon

Night Team Leader | Metro
Phone: 202-662-7452

Patrick Condon is a Night Team Leader at the Star Tribune. He has worked at the Star Tribune since 2014 after more than a decade as a reporter for the Associated Press.


Condon grew up in Watertown, Minn., and graduated from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul with degrees in journalism and English. He lives in Minneapolis.
Recent content from Patrick Condon
Aaron Williams

Man in prison for one murder now charged with second killing in Minneapolis from 2017

The fatal shooting occurred on a North Side street corner.
April Pease

Reward posted in hopes of finding remains of woman allegedly killed in '09 by man on Texas death row

Despite the lack of a body, two people have been charged with murder.
The 11 biggest Minnesota moments and stories of 2023

The 11 biggest Minnesota moments and stories of 2023

Readers were drawn to stories about pot, pop stars and our shared Minnesota identity.
Eskor David Johnson

An immigrant learns to 'Pay as You Go' in beguiling debut novel

FICTION: Eskor David Johnson's novel is "strange, clever and mysterious."
Former Gov. Al Quie spoke at the Norwegian National Center in America in 2017. The organization named its education center after Quie.

Minnesota political leaders past, present react to death of Gov. Al Quie

Al Quie, who represented southern Minnesota in Congress for two decades before returning home to serve a single term as governor, has died at age 99.

Review: In Richard Ford's 'Be Mine,' a boomer reckons with his past and present

FICTION: Ford's everyman Frank Bascombe is back for one more brush with existence.
The Anti-Monopoly board game, photographed in 1974.

Why thousands of board games are buried beneath Mankato

The Anti-Monopoly alternative to America's most successful board game took off in the 1970s. But a gaming giant with Minnesota ties sought its destruction.
Anna Moschovakis

Review: 'Participation,' by Anna Moschovakis

FICTION: Poet Anna Moschovakis experiments with language and form in her novel about a woman who belongs to two reading clubs during a time of climate disaster.
Percival Everett

Review: 'Dr. No,' by Percival Everett

FICTION: A witty, possibly insane billionaire is out for revenge in the latest satire from this Pulitzer finalist.
In this Star Tribune file photo, visitors to Voyageurs National Park ride in a 26-foot replica of a voyageurs canoe on Rainy Lake. Costumed interprete

The voyageurs helped power Minnesota's historic fur trade. Who were they?

French-Canadian laborers were key to the Great Lakes fur trade, and were among the first Europeans to blend with Native tribes.
Aaron Foley

Review: 'Boys Come First,' by Aaron Foley

FICTION: This frank, funny debut novel follows three thirtysomething pals as they ride the ups and downs of relationships and careers over a few months in Detroit.
Nell Zink

Review: 'Avalon,' by Nell Zink

FICTION: Nell Zink's sixth novel in seven years is about a woman's rise from dire beginnings.
Stewart O’Nan

Review: 'Ocean State,' by Stewart O'Nan

Told through multiple voices, "Ocean State" examines the murder of a young girl.

Winter storm forecast for large swath of Minnesota today, Tuesday

Snow will come in two waves, with the second on Tuesday currently expected to dump more than the first.
Whitney Place, the new executive director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency in Minnesota.

Key USDA agency has new Minnesota leader

Former state ag official Whitney Place now leads Farm Service Agency, which doles out federal dollars to farmers.
Zach Johnson, a 37-year-old western Minnesota farmer, has become a YouTube star with frequent videos about farm work and life that he posts under the

Minnesota's 'Millennial Farmer' is YouTube star

Western Minnesota farmer Zach Johnson has amassed big YouTube following with his down-on-the-farm videos.
Auctioneers with Fladeboe Land took bids in December on a 409-acre farm that was donated to Willmar’s Calvary Lutheran Church. The church made $4.5

Land donated by a bachelor farmer creates windfall for Willmar church

Escalating farmland values pushed up bids at auction to $4.5 million, shocking leaders at Calvary Lutheran Church in Willmar.
CHS HQ in Inver Grove Heights, Minn. CHS Inc. is is the country’s top-grossing agriculture co-op.

CHS sees large profit gains as global trade and demand for energy soar

The Inver Grove Heights-based agribusiness giant posted strong first quarter results in the new fiscal year.
Andrew Hanson-Pierre opens the door of his outdoor greenhouse where he grows various salad greens that he and wife Margaret Hanson-Pierre sell at farm

On Minnesota farms, winter doesn't always mean less work

For many farmers, the workflow may slow in winter, but the demands of running a small business seldom ease.

On Minnesota farms, winter doesn't always mean less work

Sarah Vogel photo by Lea Black

Review: 'The Farmer's Lawyer,' by Sarah Vogel

Part memoir, part history by a lawyer who fought foreclosures on family farms in the 1980s.
Engineering transfer student Dagmawe Mamo works on his senior design team's hydroponic system in the Facilities and Design Center on September 29, 202

St. Thomas students plot indoor vegetable-growing kits for home use

Engineering students worked with nonprofit Seeds Feeds on project to grow produce year-round.
3M corporate headquarters in Maplewood.

3M wins earplug case days after big loss

Following a big judgement against 3M in military earplugs case, the manufacturing giant bounced back with a win in bellwether trials.
A $22.5 million jury verdict against 3M is the largest penalty yet in a series of trials over allegedly defective earplugs manufactured by the Maplewo

3M loses latest in series of military earplug cases

A $22.5 million ruling over military earplugs is largest judgment against the Maplewood manufacturer in bellwether trials.
Cargill Inc., with headquarters in Minnetonka, l plans to eliminate trans fats from its edible oils over the next two years.

Cargill eliminating trans fats from global edible oil supply

Minnesota agribusiness company says it's first global supplier of edible oil to sign onto World Health Organization goal
Workers processed a cow carcass in a “mobile slaughter unit” designed by the Washington-based company Friesla.

Two Minnesota community colleges will bring meat-cutting back to classroom

Schools in Brainerd and Willmar hope meat-cutting courses will help break bottlenecks in livestock processing.
Cargill Inc. headquarters in Minnetonka.

Minnesota's Cargill is largest U.S. private company, again

The Minnetonka-based agribusiness is once again atop Forbes' list of largest private companies in U.S.
Wild Ginger Boutique owner Roxanne Bartsh, left, talked with loyal customers Mandy Boardman, Mary Laven and Beth Kraft in the downtown Zumbrota shop.

Zumbrota's small businesses team up to defy odds: 'Last year was brutal'

Store owners in Minnesota's small towns are yearning for a surge of holiday spending to finish up 2021.
Farmland filled with a corn crop, in Dawson, Minn., in July.

Wright County farmer to lead Minnesota Farm Bureau

Dan Glessing wins contested race to take leadership at one of state's leading farm organizations.
University of Minnesota professor Paul Dauenhauer, the co-founder of a startup company that aims to convert corn products into acrylic acid, a common

Minnesota startup aims to make sustainable acrylics using corn instead of petroleum

Lakril Technologies uses U of M-pioneered technology to make acrylics, an ingredient in paints, coatings and adhesives, from corn rather than petroleum.
CHS HQ in Inver Grove Heights, Minn. CHS Inc. is is the country’s top-grossing agriculture co-op.

CHS creates new capital fund to bolster ag tech startups

The Minnesota ag giant is partnering with Illinois's Growmark on a $50M venture capital fund to advance breakthrough technologies in agriculture.
Michelle Keller, head grower at Living Greens Farm in Faribault, showed a growing room with butter lettuce.

Minnesota's Living Greens Farm has ambitious indoor produce plans

Vegetables grown indoors still a small fraction of produce market, but Faribault company sees a lot of possibility.
Outgoing Minnesota Farm Bureau President Kevin Paap with son Andy Paap and grandson Lennox Paap at their Blue Earth County farm.

Minnesota Farm Bureau leader steps down after 16 years

Kevin Paap, who's led one of state's top ag interest groups, is wrappig up his tenure this month.
Jason Chavez, newly elected council member representing the Ninth Ward, celebrated hearing the results with Aurin Chowdhury, his campaign manager at t

Polls closed: Minneapolis voters weigh in for historic election year

Views on the Minneapolis mayoral race also seemed to be heavily influenced by the city's public safety debate. Voters in St. Paul and cities around the state also went to the polls with big issues at stake.
Angela Dawson and Harold Robinson stood in their hemp greenhouse. Together they run Forty Acre Co-op, a Black-owned farmers collective that aims to gi

Nearly all Minn. farmers white, and change doesn't come easy

Two farms in Pine County illustrate how America's evolving discussion on opportunity and race is threading into one of its most lopsided industries: agriculture.
In this August photo, workers unloaded a food truck at a World Food Programme (WFP) distribution site in Zelazle in the Tigray region of northern Ethi

World Food Day brings focus on global conflict, food security

Global Minnesota is holding a virtual symposium on food scarcity challenges Friday.
Hormel headquarters in Austin, Minn. The company, one of the largest sellers of meat in the nation, is taking another step in the meat alternative bus

Hormel takes another big step in plant-based meat alternatives

Minnesota-based food giant Hormel is partnering with Better Meat, a specialist in proteins from potato fermentation.
In this file photo, a Glenwood, Minn., farmer uses a tractor to bail hay on a field used for rotational grazing.

Minnesota farmers lack access to federal conservation dollars

Two Minnesota nonprofit organizations say farmers are trying to set aside more land for conservation, but federal help isn't coming as planned.
Dave Marquart surveyed a corn field he hopes to harvest in the coming days that has been affected by the drought on his family farm in Waverly. ] LEIL

After dry summer, Minnesota's harvest is underway and yields already differ

The dividing line appears to be right through the middle of the state, with the northern half enduring lower yields because of the lack of rain in the heart of summer.
Tom Pyfferoen has around 200 head of cattle on his Pine Island, Minn., farm.

Beef prices are surging, but processors are benefiting more than farmers

Four companies control processing and distribution of 80% of U.S. beef, a choke point that is drawing scrutiny from Washington.
A 250,000-square-foot Conagra vegetable processing plant is under construction in Waseca, Minn.

Birds Eye building huge vegetable processing plant in Waseca

It's the largest investment that food giant Conagra Brands has ever made in a production facility.
A pivot irrigation system sprayed water onto a soybean crop just south of Park Rapids in 2016.

Why don't farms water their crops at night?

Keeping fields properly watered is a complex challenge for Minnesota farmers — especially during this year's drought.
Out of Wisconsin, Utecht Home Grown Pork and sweet corn is a regular vendor at the Minneapolis Farmers Market. Chris Utecht stresses the corn his fami

Tough summer for Minnesota sweet corn, but there will be plenty at the fair

Most of the sweet corn Minnesotans eat is from other states. Most of the sweet corn grown in Minnesota is processed for later consumption.
In this 2019 photo, a billboard promoting the Minnesota State Fair stood near the animal barns.

Returning Minnesota State Fair has full slate of ag programming

After a year off for the pandemic, the Minnesota State Fair is back with plenty of agricultural offerings.
Over the past decade, the retail landscape of small towns has been transformed by the expansion of Dollar General, like this one in Isanti, Minn. But

Some small Minnesota towns push back against Dollar General

Residents, elected officials in two Redwood County towns successfully opposed construction of Dollar General stores this year.
Allison O’Toole, the CEO of Second Harvest Heartland, far right, gave Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack a tour of the Second Harvest Heartland facil

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack, local leaders discuss food security in Brooklyn Park

Food bank officials, school nutritionists from Twin Cities told the agriculture secretary that pandemic-era food assistance must continue.
Blake Spencer of Showtime Power Washing, cleaned some of the heavy farm equipment for their largest client Ziegler Ag Equipment, at Farmfest 2021.

Minnesota farmers reconnect as Farmfest returns

The three-day ag show in southern Minnesota drew good crowds but fewer vendors after taking last year off due to the pandemic.

Minnesota farmers reconnect as Farmfest returns

Melissa Sanders Carroll, executive director of Ideag, the organization that puts on Farmfest.

Minnesota's Farmfest back after a year off

The yearly farm show in southwestern Minnesota starts Tuesday after a year off
Land O’Lakes CEO Beth Ford will usher in the company’s 100th anniversary along with rising profits.

No one thought farmers could work together — then came Land O'Lakes

CEO Beth Ford continues to chart new paths for the 100-year old cooperative, which took its name from a stick of butter.
Bailey Tangen, a University of Minnesota graduate student in water resources, led a session on soil health at the University of Minnesota Extension’

To know what's happening in a field, ag advisers learn to 'just start digging'

University of Minnesota Extension's "Field Days" aims to give ag professionals a farmer's-eye view.
As drought concerns grow, so do Minnesota farmers' worries

As drought concerns grow, so do Minnesota farmers' worries

While dry weather can push up commodity prices, grain farmers increasingly worried about lower yields this year.

Minnesota farmers are 'in a really tenuous position' as drought concerns grow

After a court struck down year-round sales of ethanol enacted by the Trump administration, some members of Congress, including Democrats, want the rul

Minn. lawmakers push to restore year-round sales of ethanol blend

Democrats join Republicans in the push to save year-round E15 sales that were first enacted by the Trump Administration.
Farmland for sale in Silver Lake, MN., along Highway 7.

In rural Minnesota, 'nothing but upside' as farmland values near record highs

With the peak sales season coming in September, per-acre prices are already reaching $9,000 threshold in parts of rural Minnesota.
Kernza, a perennial wheat said to have environmental benefits, is shown here. A group of organic farmers is forming what they say is the first Kernza

New Minnesota co-op wants to profit from getting Kernza wheat in marketplace

Group of organic farmers join together to promote the perennial wheat that's proven itself in the field but not yet the marketplace.
Minnesota State Capitol. With just days before the end of session, lawmakers were locked in budget negotiations and unable to move ahead with major le

Where big issues stand at the Minnesota Legislature

In special session, the divided Legislature must finish a two-year state budget and agree on other key policy issues.
Alternative realities persist after the presidential election

Alternative realities persist after the presidential election

National polls show large numbers of Republicans continue to believe Trump was the election's real winner.

Alternative realities persist after the presidential election

573509241

Minnesota's governors form a small club with little small talk

Men who held state's top office mostly keep opinions to themselves.
573508983

Biden picks Duluth native for ambassadorship

If confirmed by the Senate, Thomas Nides will serve as ambassador to Israel.
State GOP Chairwoman Jennifer Carnahan announced that the state Republican convention will be held May 13-14, 2022, in Rochester.

Minnesota Republican Party sets 2022 convention for Rochester

The main event will be endorsing a Republican gubernatorial candidate.
Anna Min, credit Jason Bucklin

Minnesota's top LGBTQ rights group gets new leader

Anna Min, a photographer and activist, will take over OutFront Minnesota on an interim basis
573507911

Despite slow progress at Capitol, legal marijuana supporters see momentum in Minnesota

Even some legislators who aren't on board admit to seeing the writing on the wall.
Patrick Duffy Murphy Chief Clerk of the House prepared a few hours ahead of the cannabis debate. He has been in the House Chamber in person keeping ev

Session hobbled by pandemic winds down with a whimper

By Saturday, with only a few dozen hours left until the adjournment deadline of Monday at midnight, legislative leaders and Gov. Tim Walz still had not cut a deal on the two-year state budget that kicks in on July 1, or agreed on new policing laws sought by Democrats.
Mike Marti describes himself on his campaign website as a “political outsider.”

Kasson business owner joins GOP field for Minnesota governor

The list of Republicans running for governor of Minnesota is slowly growing.
573507004

GOP leaders at Capitol pan Gov. Tim Walz's reopening plans

The DFL governor's lifting of COVID restrictions by May 28 come as he, lawmakers try to wrap session.
573506872

OutFront Minnesota became LGBTQ rights powerhouse under departing leader

Monica Meyer is stepping down after more than a decade leading state's premier LGBTQ equality group.
573506375

Minnesota won't lose eighth congressional seat, Census Bureau rules

The state kept its eight U.S. House seats by the narrowest of margins.
573506306

Minnesota Republican politician has unusual link to Walter Mondale

"He grew up in the house that I'm sitting in right now," state Rep. Bjorn Olson said.
573506238

Public memorials for Walter Mondale in September, family says

Family of former VP, who died Monday, says they'll memorialize him in Minnesota, D.C. later this year.
573506029

Advocates fear Minnesota, federal police reform efforts could lose momentum

Minn. Senate GOP still noncommittal and bill named for George Floyd stalled in U.S. Senate.
Mondale family portrait in 1964.

After life of history-making service, Walter Mondale dies

He served as vice president under Jimmy Carter, and then chose the first woman to run for vice president on a major-party ticket. It followed a series of landmarks in a public career that spanned seven decades in Minnesota and Washington.
573505932

Walter Mondale remembered for decency, sweep of accomplishments

Political leaders from across the political spectrum praised the former vice president, who died Monday.
In Brooklyn Center on April 12, 2021, protesters clashed with police over the shooting death of Daunte Wright at a rally at the Brooklyn Center Police

Protesters, police clash at Brooklyn Center police station; 40 arrested

Protesters had been on hand throughout the day outside the Brooklyn Center Police Department, but the scene escalated after the start of a 7 p.m. curfew across four Twin Cities metro counties.