Recent content from Shannon Prather
Metro briefs: Record number of guns detected at MSP Airport
BloomingtonRecord number of guns detected at MSP airportTransportation Security Administration (TSA) officers discovered a record 58 handguns at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport checkpoints last year.…
Metro briefs: Maplewood police to use drones
Plus: Dentistry program expands at Hennepin Tech in Brooklyn Park; Farmington Library pilot offers self-service hours; sidewalks coming to more Morningside streets in Edina.
Guilty verdicts in doubt as Ramsey County reviews cases linked to ex-medical examiner
Prosecutors will take another look at 71 cases in which Dr. Michael McGee provided key testimony.
How a Twin Cities ammunition factory dominated by women helped U.S. win WWII
The plant in Arden Hills produced billions of bullets in the 1940s. Now it is one of the region's prime development sites.
Arden Hills officials act to spur Ammunition Plant development
The new City Council majority took away the mayor's power to recommend committee appointments and instead appointed themselves to key seats.
Metro briefs: Look elected Anoka County Board chair
Plus: Former Rosemount mayor joins Dakota County Board; Shoreview City joins Just Deeds Coalition; see stars at Lake Elmo Park Reserve.
Ramsey County again seeks developers' ideas for shuttered golf course
The future of the Ponds at Battle Creek site has sparked intense debate, with some lobbying to keep it green space while others see it as a prime location for more housing.
Boutique gyms offer 'sense of community' in Twin Cities suburbs
Franchises are opening at a brisk pace as remote workers look for connection outside of the office.
St. Paul mayor's plan to raise sales tax by 1% is no slam dunk
The city must persuade state lawmakers, then voters, that it's the best way to fund roads and parks.
Pricey accessory dwelling units slow to take off in Twin Cities
Cost, local restrictions have tempered interest.
A decade after $243 million renovation, St. Paul's Union Depot struggles to gain traction
The historic train station has become an events hub as transit connections gradually materialize.
Ramsey County to commit $26M to RiversEdge development in downtown St. Paul
The county is hoping to spur matching state funds by investing in a proposed park along the Mississippi River.
Twin Cities property taxes jump, cutting deep into family budgets
St. Paul is raising its property tax levy nearly 15% in 2023.
Metro briefs: Blaine's National Sports Center hosts free pickleball
Plus: St. Paul winter warming spaces open; Woodbury lodging tax to raise funds for city's promotion; Wayzata to get high-speed internet.
At age 80, Shoreview's first female mayor retires after 26 years in top job
Sandy Martin waded into municipal politics in the 1960s when she was a stay-at-home mom.
Metro briefs: Maple Grove police aim to curb holiday shoplifting
Plus: Stillwater area Catholic youth camp discussion continues; Maplewood library renovation begins.
Ramsey County aims to simplify recycling with new facility
The Roseville center will be a one-stop shop for dropping off hazardous waste, attending a fix-it clinic or picking up building supplies.
Minn. wildlife hospital, one of world's busiest, plans expansion
The Wildlife Rehabilitation Center has purchased 22 acres in Grant, Minn., for a new $14 million campus.
Social workers to partner with St. Paul firefighters
Ramsey County is deploying 10 social workers across public safety agencies.
Metro briefs: Minnetonka allows solar energy systems citywide
Plus: Rosemount City Council could have two open seats; St. Paul Union Depot celebrated.
Metro briefs: Schroeder house in Shakopee recommended for historic designation
Plus: Plans for Brooklyn Park performing art center dropped; Roseville's Oval now open after a renovation.
State preservation panel OKs Hamline-Midway library for historic designation
Preservationists are seeking the historical status to keep St. Paul fror replacing the library with a new structure.
Suburban voters sour on officials fighting growth and development
Pro-development candidates ousted incumbents in Arden Hills and North Oaks.
Metro briefs: Brooklyn Park declares Juneteenth a city holiday
Brooklyn Park is the latest metro city to adopt Juneteenth as an official holiday, and on June 19 it will close City Hall give most…
New Ramsey County commissioners highlight personal struggles, professional experience
Interim Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena made her position permanent, defeating Matt Little.
Visit St. Paul and the RiverCentre Authority CEO to leave in 2023
Terry Mattson led the convention and visitors bureau for nearly a decade.
Metro briefs: Ice castles will return to Long Lake Regional Park
Ice Castles will return to Ramsey County's Long Lake Regional Park in January.The Utah-based company responsible for the attraction leases park space in New…
Toni Carter, Jim McDonough retirements mark the end of an era for Ramsey County Board
The two former board chairs have led efforts on homelessness, juvenile justice and racial equity.
PAC ad compares conservative Anoka County candidates to war criminals
A grassroots political action committee called a handful of conservative Anoka County politicians "Hazzard County's Most Wanted," a reference to a 1980s TV comedy.
Minnesota State Chancellor Devinder Malhotra will retire in August
He has led the college and university system for six years.
Plans for Purple Line route through Maplewood are not final, Met Council says
The regional planning agency said 'nothing has been finalized or decided' after city leaders took steps to pull their support for the bus rapid transit project.
Maplewood could withdraw support for bus rapid transit line
Mayor says she learned of plans to buy and demolish some or all of a local shopping center to make way for the Purple Line.
Slate of Arden Hills candidates promises to finish TCAAP
Council and mayoral challengers are pledging to spur development at the former Superfund site.
Snow-making upgrades should keep Ramsey County cross-country ski trail open all winter
Additions expected to transform a corner of the park's St. Paul section into a dependable regional winter sports destination.
Metro briefs: Inver Grove Heights delays vote restricting short-term rentals
Inver Grove Heights has postponed voting on an ordinance that would prohibit homeowners from offering their homes as short-term rentals through websites such as Airbnb…
North Oaks build-out to continue after settlement with Hill descendants
The North Oaks Co., owned by Hill's great-granddaughter and her husband, now has the city's approval to build out the final phases of the private community.
Former Ramsey County Commissioner Tony Bennett, who made moonshot attempt at landing Vikings, dies at 82
When the Metrodome in Minneapolis started showing its age, Bennett led an unsuccessful campaign to build a stadium in Arden Hills.
Roseville neighbors fight zoning change allowing twin homes on single-family lots
A development in the pipeline would turn two single-family homes into seven units.
Metro briefs: Ramsey County plans new Roseville recycling center
Ramsey County is planning a new environmental service center in Roseville to make it easier for residents to reduce, reuse, recycle and compost.The center…
Plans afoot to raze Maplewood's Myth nightclub, build apartments
The club has had a tumultuous relationship with the city.
Roseville's housing strategy: asking residents to sell to Habitat for Humanity
The city and the nonprofit partnered on a new land trust that will keep single-family homes affordable.
Amazon warehouse transforms rural swath of Woodbury
Woodbury leaders say it's the crucial bookend to a 400-acre light-industrial, warehouse, showroom and office district they hope will help the suburb of 75,000 shake any remnants of its bedroom community reputation.
Metro briefs: Rockford Road Library redo takes shape
Hennepin County has finished the first phase of parking lot improvements at the Rockford Road Library and is now preparing for extensive renovations to be…
St. Paul should play a bigger role in trash collection, citizen group says
Mayor Melvin Carter appointed the advisory committee in response to resident complaints.
Metro briefs: Carp harvest aims to clean up Robbinsdale's Crystal Lake
Robbinsdale and the Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission this summer removed more than 3,700 common carp from Crystal Lake as part of a project to…
St. Paul neighbors sue city over homeless day center
Business owners and residents say the city didn't seek public input on the proposed Listening House site downtown.
Minnesota State Fair attendance rebounds in 2022, but no records
Two incidents of gun violence marred the event's final weekend.
St. Paul groups plant hundreds of trees to help neighborhoods thrive
Community organizations have taken it upon themselves to improve the urban canopy.
Metro briefs: Shakopee social services center will relocate to transit station
Scott CountyFamily Resource Center will move to transit centerScott County will move its Shakopee Family Resource Center, which is currently set up at the library,…
Scientists try to get a handle on invasive carp at St. Paul's Como Lake
The bottom-feeding fish proved elusive as crews attempted to capture them Friday.
Foundation adds fan favorites and creature comforts to Minnesota State Fair
The State Fair Foundation keeps the Great Minnesota Get-Together ticking, from major building renovations to caring for fairground trees.
Metro briefs: Brooklyn Park hires new police chief
Mark Bruley is the new top cop in Brooklyn Park. Bruley had been serving as interim police chief since June, when Craig Enevoldsen retired. On…
Minnesota State Fair Space Tower a 40-year legacy for one family
The ride gently sweeps up to a height of 300 feet and slowly spins, giving panoramic views of the fairgrounds and the Twin Cities.
For Minnesota State Fair goers, it feels like old times again
Traffic was backed up for miles even before vendors and attractions had opened.
Mood — and prices — are higher as Minnesota State Fair opens
Inflation has hit the Great Minnesota Get-Together. But after two years of COVID-19, officials are optimistic about attendance.
St. Paul maps out next decade for city parks
City leaders say they want parks and trails to meet changing community needs.
Metro briefs: Federal grant will help Plymouth improve safety, accessibility on Hwy. 55
The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded Plymouth $15 million to make transit, mobility and safety improvements in the area of Hwy. 55 and County…
New Woodbury police leaders have local roots: 'We are in the service industry'
The east metro suburb looked to its own when choosing a public safety director and police chief.
Matt Little, Kathy Keena lead Dakota County Attorney race
Outgoing state Rep. Rena Moran took a commanding lead in her primary for Ramsey County Commissioner.
Metro briefs: Robbinsdale seeks new vendors for yard waste pickup
RobbinsdaleCity seeks new vendors for yard waste pickupThe Robbinsdale City Council voted unanimously last week to direct city staff to find vendors to pick up…
Ramsey County library director resigns after less than 6 months
Jake Grussing plans to return to his previous role in Scott County.
Jean Illsley Clarke, parent educator and author, dies at 96
The longtime author and educator encouraged lifelong affirmation and self-esteem for children and families.
St. Paul's Como Lake is looking — and smelling — better
Years of environmental remedies are paying off.
Metro briefs: Dakota County seeks input on plan to reduce water contamination
Dakota County officials are asking the public to weigh in on a new plan that aims to encourage voluntary measures to reduce nitrate pollution in…
State Fair seeks 1,200 more workers for Great Minnesota Get-Together
The fair fell short of its 2,700-worker goal last year.
Rice Street gardeners trying to buy land, make greenspace permanent
Advocates are working to balance their garden's future with housing plans.
Landlord snapping up Lauderdale's single-family homes
A local business owner says he's investing in the community. Other residents aren't so sure.
Ramsey County may ban all smoking in its buildings, parks; some say it's too much
Public health advocates say e-cigarettes are pushing youth tobacco use up in Minnesota.
Metro briefs: Animal Humane Society gets $6M gift
Golden ValleyHumane society gets $6M giftThe Animal Humane Society recently received a $6 million gift from the estate of longtime volunteers Steve Nordberg and Betsy…
After two years of COVID cancellations, Minnesotans eager to resume 'normal' July 4th fun this weekend
Most of the usual holiday festivities are back on this year.
Metro briefs: Students send blankets to Ukraine
Any day now, Ania Nolan hopes to hear good news from Ukraine. The Hudson, Wis., resident sent three boxes of blankets to the war-torn country…
Walz proposes $6M for Ramsey County homeless shelters
County leaders have warned of an imminent "funding cliff" that will reduce shelter beds and could force hundreds of homeless individuals and families back to unsafe outdoor encampments in St. Paul and its surrounding suburbs.
More Twin Cities communities, schools celebrate Juneteenth
The 2020 murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police and its aftermath nationwide highlighted the need for a sharper focus on equity, and elected leaders say recognizing Juneteenth is a step toward achieving that.
Northern Ramsey County drivers demand answers after 2-hour backup
Construction on suburban Lexington Avenue has reduced a business corridor to one lane in one direction.
Ramsey County commissioners propose 1.5% raise for themselves
The pay increase matches the raises given rank-and-file employees.
