Curious Minnesota

Star Tribune
  • 4.8 (237)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

What do you wonder about the people, places and culture of Minnesota? Listen to our community-driven reporting project, which invites listeners to ask questions that our newsroom researches and answers.

  1. 1D AGO

    How did Minnesota become home to the world's first shopping mall?

    Southdale in Edina became the first fully enclosed shopping mall in the world when it opened in 1956.  Its architect had a vision to thwart the cold and create an indoor town square where it was always 75 degrees. Southdale spawned thousands of suburban shopping malls across the country, shaping an era of American life. Host Erica Pearson makes a visit.

    16 min

  2. DEC 9

    How did Mayor Hubert Humphrey change Minneapolis?

    Hubert Humphrey was Minneapolis' mayor before he headed to the U.S. Senate and White House. Reporter Eleanor Hildebrandt talks with host Erica Pearson about how his time as mayor shaped the city.

    21 min

  3. NOV 25

    Why do so many spam calls come from Norwood Young America, MN?

    Your phone rings. It’s a number you don’t recognize, but it’s a Minnesota area code. The caller ID location reads Norwood Young America. If you’ve gotten these spam calls, you’re not alone. Casey Darnell shares the likely story behind the calls with host Erica Pearson. Plus: Is Norwood Young America really home to Minnesota's oldest summer festival?

    13 min

  4. NOV 10

    Lake Superior’s most famous shipwrecks have dramatic tales to tell

    The Edmund Fitzgerald went down 50 years ago on Nov. 10, 1977. The ore carrier simply vanished from the surface of Lake Superior. It was an ominous ending — mysterious and tragic, too. Hundreds of other vessels have sunk in the big lake, and shipwreck hunters still work to find their watery resting places. Guest Christa Lawler shares some of Lake Superior's striking shipwreck stories with host Erica Pearson. Still curious? Read more at the Minnesota Star Tribune. To support Curious Minnesota and the important work of the Minnesota Star Tribune, subscribe today by visiting Startribune.com/WorthItToSubscribe. Stay up to date with the Star Tribune at @startribune on TikTok, Bluesky, X, Facebook, and Instagram.

    19 min

  5. OCT 28

    What happened to Minnesota's original Zombie Pub Crawl?

    At its peak, an estimated 35,000 rotting Minnesotans participated in the annual Zombie Pub Crawl, founded 20 years ago. The event grew large enough to set a world record for the largest amount of people dressed as zombies. Then the festival seemed to have its own apocalypse. Our guest is columnist Laura Yuen. Still curious? Read more at the Minnesota Star Tribune. To support Curious Minnesota and the important work of the Minnesota Star Tribune, subscribe today by visiting Startribune.com/WorthItToSubscribe. Stay up to date with the Star Tribune at @startribune on TikTok, Bluesky, X, Facebook, and Instagram.

    17 min

  6. OCT 14

    What's the oldest bar in Minnesota?

    Curious Minnesota goes on a bit of a bar crawl through history. We look into which of the state’s historic watering holes is really Minnesota’s oldest. The question is trickier than you might think.

    15 min

  7. SEP 30

    What’s the story of Pipestone National Monument?

    For thousands of years, Native Americans have quarried a sacred, soft red rock from a patch of Minnesota prairie. The site is now Pipestone National Monument. Reporter Jp Lawrence joins host Erica Pearson to share the story of this special place.

    19 min

  8. AUG 18

    Why do anglers need a special stamp to fish for trout in Minnesota?

    Minnesota’s trout stamp, a special add-on to fishing licenses, brings in more than $1 million each year. The program funds fish hatcheries, restocking efforts and more. Reporter Anna Sago joins host Erica Pearson to share the history of the program and give a glimpse into what a day's work is like at a trout hatchery.

    15 min
See All (126)

4.8
out of 5
237 Ratings

About

What do you wonder about the people, places and culture of Minnesota? Listen to our community-driven reporting project, which invites listeners to ask questions that our newsroom researches and answers.

Information

  • Creator
    Star Tribune
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2025
  • Episodes
    126
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    ℗ & © 2020 Star Tribune 386829
  • Show Website
    Curious Minnesota

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