Things to do in Minnesota this weekend

FICTION: A teen searches for his mother and prepares for his father's death in a clever but sentimental novel that covers large swaths of 20th-century European history.

Celebrities

February 2, 2016

Jana Shortal, left, and Rena Sarigianopoulos.

C.J.: "Breaking the News" may need repairs to attract a larger audience

A tweet last week from Jana Shortal, co-anchor of KARE 11's nascent "Breaking the News," sure sounded like a plea.

Local

February 1, 2016

Gallery: Will the groundhog see his shadow?

The odds aren't good. Neither is our mood. Shades of gray: the area in front of, behind, and on either side of any curious groundhog. Shadows require sun. The lore around Groundhog Day is that if such rodent peeks from its burrow and sees no shadow, spring will come early. If it's sunny enough to make a shadow, winter will stick around for six more weeks.

Variety

February 1, 2016

Dan Hagen of Berlin, Conn., smells the University of Connecticut's rare "corpse flower", the bud of the exotic Sumatran plant, the Titan Arum, in Stor

U of M's famously stinky 'corpse flower' will bloom soon

For the first time in seven years, the University of Minnesota's "corpse flower" — known, for better or worse, for its off-putting aroma — is about to make its malodorous presence known at the College of Biological Sciences Conservatory.

Local

February 1, 2016

An exterior photo of the Austin Power Plant taken Wednesday January 27, 2016 in Austin, MN.

Gallery: To save or raze? Austin debates future of power plant

The Austin Municipal Power Plant is being lauded as the future of this southern Minnesota city by two groups with very different plans: One wants to see the building saved, perhaps redeveloped into hip housing. The other wants to tear much of it down, making way for a new, community recreation center.

Stage & Arts

February 1, 2016

The Kenzo Tange-designed addition along 3rd Avenue S. was completed in 1974. It connects to the original museum at right in the photo.

When Kenzo Tange brought the Mpls. Institute of Art into modern age

The Minneapolis Institute of Art's 1974 addition is one of just two Kenzo Tange designs completed in the United States.

TV & Media

February 1, 2016

Valerie Bertinelli in "One Day at a Time."

Surprising musical moments from classic TV episodes

Having TV characters turn the small screen into a cabaret may be a hot trend, but it's not necessarily new.

TV & Media

February 1, 2016

In this June 21, 1995 file photo, O.J. Simpson holds up his hands before the jury after putting on a pair of gloves similar to the infamous bloody glo

John Travolta, all-star cast revisit Trial of the Century in 'The People v. O.J. Simpson'

The Cast of This Century takes on the Trial of Last Century, when O.J. Simpson was accused of murder.

Variety

February 1, 2016

Listen to and rate the 16 'Are You Local' semifinalists

The top four bands will advance to 7th Street Entry on Feb. 20, and the grand prize winner will go on to the First Avenue Mainroom (March 11) and South by Southwest (March 18).

Books

February 1, 2016