Staff Directory 6370429

Allie Shah

Deputy editor | Local
Phone: 612-673-4488

Allie Shah is deputy local editor. She previously supervised coverage of K-12 and higher education issues in Minnesota. In her more than 20 year journalism career at the Star Tribune, Shah has reported on topics ranging from education to immigration and health.


Shah has also written for the Chicago Tribune and the Philadelphia Inquirer. Her work has been recognized by Columbia University's School of Journalism, the South Asian Journalists Association, and the Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists. A native of Iowa, she graduated cum laude from the University of Minnesota's School of Journalism and Mass Communications.
Recent content from Allie Shah
Ceallaigh Anderson Smart's photos are cherished gifts to those she meets, many of whom don't have a single photograph of themselves.

Robbinsdale woman travels to the world's poorest countries, bearing one simple gift

Ceallaigh Anderson Smart runs a charity with an unusual focus: traveling to impoverished countries to make photo portraits of people who don't have any pictures of their own.
They call themselves the "sol sisters," and they're here to brighten your dreary winter day with a dose of light therapy aboard their mobile rescue un

Duluth sisters want to help you fight the winter blues – on a bus

The Sol Sisters treat sun-starved Minnesotans to a dose of warm light.
The sound of Bob Ross' baritone voice and his paintbrush made him an accidental pioneer of ASMR.

Scientists have found out why voices like Bob Ross' is so soothing

Read this story in a hushed tone to see if it evokes the brain-tingling sensation known as ASMR.
Maya Peterson, 15, young investor and author

Look out, Warren Buffett — Minnesota teen writes book on investing

Henry ìHankî Garwick, 94, social activist and key founder of Steeple People Surplus Store.

Henry Garwick, co-founder of Steeple People store, dies at 94

Retired Honeywell engineer and member of Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church combined his curiosity, technical skills and passion for social justice.
Eleanor Donley stands in front of the "giving tree" used in the donation drive she led to help the homeless.

'Giving jar' wasn't enough: Girl leads Blaine church drive to help homeless

Her efforts to help the homeless netted hundreds of donations when she thought her "giving jar" wasn't enough.
Students at Paideia Academy love it when the snow falls. For recess, they get to bundle up in their snowpants, boots and mittens and leap off of, or r

Ice cream made out of snow turns a cold shoulder to safety concerns

Do snowflakes pack a hidden punch from toxic pollutants?
Dr. Kate Shafto and students Gretchen Klefstad, McKenna Campbell-Potter and Leo Howard prepared greens in a Food Matters for Health Professionals clas

At the U, future doctors and nurses learning to treat patients with food

Taught by a doctor and a chef, U class focuses on better health through healthier eating.
Ruth Fingerson demonstrated a time-travel concept with a piece of paper during discussion of "A Wrinkle in Time" at Summit Place in Eden Prairie.

Twin Cities book clubs are having a 'senior' moment

Reading and socializing may help reduce the health risks of social isolation, making book clubs a hit with Minnesotans in senior homes.
Onya Archambault as Luna Lovegood posed for a portrait in the hallway.

Full-scale Hogwarts comes to life for Harry Potter fans in Minnetonka

You can tour the ultimate Harry Potter experience created by a Minnetonka business owner for her daughter's college graduation.
Cold hands, warm heart?

Women's hands really are colder than men's, scientists confirm

Using thermal images, University of Utah researchers compared the hands of men and women, and found that women's hands typically run 2.8 degrees Fahrenheit colder than men's.
Emma Kopp gave her friend, Madie Ley, a stick-and-poke tattoo with the words GRLPWR. Kopp gave herself a matching one.

Despite major risks, Minnesota teens embracing DIY tattoos

Hand-poked body art is going mainstream, worrying health experts.
Mary Chismar Sweeney

Robbinsdale nurse heads to beloved Puerto Rico to help after hurricane

"My heart was getting pulled," said the former Broadway dancer, who has traveled often to the island. "I thought, 'I've got to do something.' "
300 dpi 4 col x 9.4 in / 196x239 mm / 667x812 pixels Rick Nease color illustration of magnified eye spying from within a home computer. Detroit Free P

For parents, monitoring their kids online raises all sorts of conflicting feelings

Most parents monitor teens' digital lives, but where does it become an invasion of privacy?

Guide to good digital parenting

Hunter, 16, found shot to death in northern Minnesota deer stand

A 16-year-old deer hunter was found dead in his deer stand Saturday — the victim of a gunshot wound, the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office said.

3 hurt, 2 of them seriously, in multivehicle crash on I-35W in Bloomington

Two people were seriously injured in a multiple-vehicle car crash Friday night in Bloomington, the Minnesota State Patrol said.
From left, a homemade Twix-like candy bar, a coconut chocolate bar, a peppermint patty owl, and a peanut butter cup on the bottom. Use cookie cutters

Minnesota dentists will donate your Halloween candy to U.S. troops, give you voucher for veggies

HealthPartners' annual candy exchange aims to set record.
Alex Farchmin celebrated with his sons, Eian, 13, left, and Owen, 11, after he graduated from the Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge treatment program i

In opioid epidemic, children are becoming the unseen victims

Many kids of addicted parents have been orphaned or sent to live in foster homes or with relatives. Those who stay at home must fend for themselves.
Photos provided by Sharon Day
Sharon Day has led people on more than a dozen ìwater walksî to raise awareness about water pollution. This is

Minnesota 'water walker' hopes to save waterways from contamination

Every step is a prayer for an Ojibwe woman who leads "water walks" to call attention to pollution in rivers, lakes and oceans.
Sasha Houston Brown, center, battled for the ball during an evening of the Creator's game, which closely resembles lacrosse, in a Minneapolis park.

Minnesota's Native American health advocates use old games as new cures for obesity

Two local Native Americans are leaders in a grass-roots movement to improve Native health by reviving the active ways of their ancestors.
Vennum, Thomas 82

Thomas Vennum Jr., who helped document Ojibwe music, dies at 82

A bottle with a hydrocodone (the generic name for drug sold under other names by various pharmaceutical companies) label and hydrocodone tablets spill

Five signs of prescription drug abuse

Two Minnesota doctors on the front lines of the opioid epidemic describe the telltale warning signs of addiction to prescription painkillers.
Ladibugs manager Christina Doran treated a client with an AirAllé device which uses air hot enough to kill lice but not burn the patient. The cli

Heads up: The hottest way to treat lice catches on in Minnesota

One way to get rid of a louse-y problem is to heat the critters until they dry out. Concerns about chemical-resistant "super lice" are increasing demand for this method.
Parental angst over HPV vaccine leads to fewer Minnesotans getting the shot

Parental angst over HPV vaccine leads to fewer Minnesotans getting the shot

Despite exhortations about reducing cancer, many parents remain hesitant about HPV vaccine.
Halima Aden has her makeup done for the Miss Minnesota USA pageant. ] (Leila Navidi/Star Tribune) leila.navidi@startribune.com BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Minnesota's pioneering Muslim model featured in new Nike ad campaign

The 19-year-old who has challenged attitudes about the wearing of hijabs has broken yet another barrier — this time appearing in a new Nike ad campaign for a sneaker.
FILE - In this, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, file photo illustration, a person types on a laptop, in Miami. A new Pew Research Center study says a whopping

Minneapolis father-daughter team tackle teens and tech use

A father-daughter research team offers guidance for parenting teens in the digital age.
Staff Photo by Glen Stubbe

A day later, eclipse watchers ask: Did I hurt my eyes?

Symptoms of eye damage from the sun include blurriness and spotty vision.
Artist Annie Young has her first solo exhibit at the Ames Center in Burnsville.

Blind Minnesota painter's art created from her 'mind's eye'

Sounds, smells and memories inspire a Burnsville artist's vivid paintings, now on display.
A bottle of hydrogen peroxide. (iStock)

Trend of drinking hydrogen peroxide can be deadly, Minnesota doctors warn

It's meant to boost your health, but Minnesota doctors caution that this alternative health remedy can send you or a loved one to the emergency room — six so far this year at Hennepin County Medical Center.
Blowing out candles causes a spike in bacteria on cake.

Icky truth: Blowing out birthday candles causes huge spike in bacteria on cake

Blowing out birthday candles causes an astronomical increase in bacteria covering the cake, a new study says.
one couple man woman exercising workout aerobic fitness posture full length silhouette on studio isolated on white background

What to look for in a personal trainer

Tips on how to find a trainer that fits your needs.
Lily Collins stars in "To The Bone."

Brave or dangerous? Graphic anorexia images in Netflix's 'To the Bone' spark debate

"To the Bone" fuels debate over whether graphic portrayal of eating disorders is safe for young viewers.
Caitlin Singh, a first-time mom from Minneapolis, with her baby, Ganeev.

New U of M project to limit C-sections is showing success

New project at the University of Minnesota aims to reduce the rate of C-section births among first-time moms.
Almost 3% of state teens identify as transgender or gender nonconforming

Almost 3% of state teens identify as transgender or gender nonconforming

"It is much higher than what I was expecting," said the study's lead researcher at the University of Minnesota Medical School.
Soft ice cream with sprinkles

Why we get brain freeze when eating ice cream — and tips for avoiding it

We all scream for ice cream, but sometimes snarfing down a cold treat in a hurry makes us scream — in agony.
Fresh Approach: Jocelyn Steinke, who has ditched dieting and believes weight is not the only measure of good health, climbed stairs for exercise at Mi

Overweight Minnesotans are among those who are ditching the diet

Fewer people are trying to lose weight amid a backlash against dieting and growing acceptance of being fat.
March 4, 1981 Carl Kroening John Croft, Minneapolis Star Tribune

Carl Kroening, staunch supporter of Minneapolis schools and parks, dies at 89

The longtime Minneapolis educator and legislator died June 29 at the University of Minnesota Medical Center following a stroke, said his daughter.
A deer tick.

Tick alarmism is overstated in Minnesota, experts reassure

Warnings about an explosion in tick populations didn't pan out here.
The art of deep relaxation is growing, popping up in yoga studios and some hospitals. At left, Matt and Paige Wildenauer at Healing Elements in St. Pa

Deep relaxation is the hot remedy for preventing and curing symptoms of stress

Deep relaxation is hot as a remedy for pain, anxiety and other symptoms of modern life stress.
Rooms at Children's Minnesota Hospital are equipped with a variety of amenities to make patients and their families feel more at home, including perso

7 ways Minnesota hospitals are becoming more homelike

Minnesota hospital leaders who recognize that a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere can support a speedy recovery are rethinking the way patient rooms look and feel.
Sisters Cristina McNamara and Leila Rodriguez.

Sisters offer fitness classes in Spanish at new Twin Cities studio

Language and cultural issues, as well as cost, created a barrier to fitness the two sisters wanted to break.
Before visiting your doctor, it’s best to prepare an inquisitive set of questions.

10 things you should ask your doctor on your next visit

On average, doctors spend a mere 13 to 16 minutes per patient. Here's how to set the agenda for which health issues to cover during your appointment.
A biting mosquito is one of the five bugs to watch out for this summer.

5 nasty Minnesota bugs to watch out for this summer

As Minnesotans, we pine for summer all winter, but we're not the only ones emerging from hibernation. To help you survive the season of bugs, here are five nasty ones to watch out for this summer.
Dan Dailey, 68, one of founders of Cedar Lake Park. Photo provided by family.

Dan Dailey, who helped establish Cedar Lake Park and trail, dies at 68

His efforts to establish Cedar Lake Park contributed to the creation in 1995 of the pioneering Cedar Lake Trail.
Provided
Greg Preslicka, an artist from Savage, donates his time and talent to paint murals for children whose days could use a little brightening. Hi

Minnesota mural artist pictures a bright future for kids in crisis

Savage artist aims to cheer up children with vibrant murals.
Anthony and Amy Ongaro with their dog, Rocky, in their south Minneapolis home. .

No couch, one car: How these Minnesotans are living with less

The minimalist revolution has led some Minnesotans to shed possessions and embrace a no-frills life.
Laila Ali has a wellness website and podcast.

Ex-boxer Laila Ali fights for a new cause: Healthy living

The daughter of the late boxing legend pulls no punches with her latest venture — a podcast on health.
Does the essential-oil trend pass the smell test with Minnesota hospitals?

Does the essential-oil trend pass the smell test with Minnesota hospitals?

Essential oils are a hot item in today's holistic healing world — touted as a natural way to improve your mood, ward off sickness and treat ailments such as arthritis, dry skin and allergies.
Photo illustration for essential oils ] Star Tribune Photo by Tom Wallace ï tom.wallace@startribune.com EXTRA INFO:

I tried essential oils, and here's what happened

Provided Pediatric cardiologist Dr. Allison Cabalka and her husband, Jeff Cabalka, visited former patient Rodrigo and his parents, Guillermo and Nelid

Mayo doctor performs 'life-changing' work on kids all over the world

Seeing lives transformed by surgery is the reward for doctor who volunteers for the Children's Heart Project.
Minn. Somali model walks runways in Milan — and cleans rooms in St. Cloud

Minn. Somali model walks runways in Milan — and cleans rooms in St. Cloud

No matter how incongruous the notion of a model moonlighting as a housekeeper may seem, to Minnesota's Halima Aden, 19, there's nothing at all unusual about it. Both are part of who she is.
Niels Billund, an RN and case manager for Fairview Home Care and Hospice, laughed with patient Roy Cato during a visit to Cato's Minneapolis home. He

When is dying a laughing matter? Hospice humor gains a following

Humor is a vital part of life — even for people who are dying.

Inside 'Little Mogadishu,' the Somali capital of America

The Cedar-Riverside area has long been a magnet for new arrivals. Today, it's mainly East Africans breathing new life into it.
Dr. Deb Thorp poses for a photo at the Women's Center at Methodist Hospital.

Minnesota medical professionals work to close health gaps for LGBT patients

Minnesota medical professionals are working to overcome "transphobia."
Cover your mouth: These images of a sneeze, captured on video by MIT researchers, show the evolution of a turbulent puff cloud that suspends droplets

Achoo! The distance germs can travel is nothing to sneeze at

Stand back – way back. Super slo-mo of a sneeze reveals that the germs travel a lot farther than had been thought.
Daisy Duarte holds her mother Soniaís hand. Sonia has a genetic form of early-onset Alzheimerís and Daisy carries the same gene. Photo by PB

Aging boomers, lack of funding for Alzheimer's may lead to 'major social and economic crisis'

TPT documentary aims national spotlight on looming Alzheimer's "epidemic" and its financial and emotional toll on families.
Richard and Mason McDeid took a selfie before the Helmet concert. After the show, the band’s guitarist gave Mason a set list and pick, adding t

500 bands in 365 days: Minn. father, son bond on heavy metal mission

A 21-year-old Maple Grove man with cerebral palsy wanted to see 500 rock bands in 365 days. His dad made it happen.
To stay fit during cold weather, embrace winter sports such as cross-country skiing. Lake Superior provided a nice backdrop for this couple.

5 tips to get off the couch and start moving in winter

Here's how to resist the urge to hibernate and binge-watch until spring.
Here are the family photos of the Rev. William Rhodes Brice for the obit I’m writing for Wednesday, slugged BRICE122816.

Obituary: The Rev. William Brice, veteran and civil rights activist, dies at 91

The infared sauna at Awaken wellness spa.

Blue about the cold? St. Paul spa offers way to get warm with infrared saunas

Trendy spa treatment creates light rays that produce heat.
Tom O'Toole of Minneapolis during the discussion of a poem by Anna Akhmatova at the Lifelines meeting last Thursday.

An ode to good health: Poetry classes becoming part of Minnesota wellness programs

Doctors and patients are exploring the healing power of poetry and short stories.
Randy Adamsick put a plea on Facebook that he needed a kidney.

Kidney donation gives old friends from Minn. film industry 'amazing bond'

These two men hadn't spoken in 20 years, but when one of them needed a kidney, the other gave his friend the gift of life.
Mingo players confirmed with each other at at five of hearts was called while they played Saturday afternoon at Thompson Hall. ] (AARON LAVINSKY/STAR

At 100-year-old St. Paul club for the deaf, 'your friends are all here'

St. Paul's 100-year-old Deaf Club still draws a crowd but fights to attract younger folks.
Cheryl Forberg, the nutritionist for the controversial TV show “The Biggest Loser.” A Minnesota native, she has written a book offering

'Biggest Loser' nutritionist, a St. Paul native, says not to skip meals

Don't try to imitate contestants' dramatic results, Cheryl Forberg says.
Dawn Swanson at home with her dog CJ, who also has seizures, in Plymouth.

Minn. doctor pushing for cannabis for canines to treat seizures

Dogs have higher rates of epilepsy than humans do, and Leppik believes a cannabis pill could do for canines what it's done for humans.
Many of the foods once thought to be healthy have now fallen out of favor with nutritionists, and foods once vilified are now being embraced as health

Think you know which foods are healthy? This quiz will surprise you

The foods in this quiz have at one time or another been branded "healthy" or "unhealthy." Do you know which is which?
Many of the foods once thought to be healthy have now fallen out of favor with nutritionists, and foods once vilified are now being embraced as health

Definition of 'healthy' food gets a makeover

It's no shock that some of these foods are considered healthful and others are not. Can you figure out which are which? Be ready to be surprised.
How much screen time is healthy for kids? The American Academy of Pediatrics just updated its recommendations - including for the first time OKing scr

Hold the phone: Doctors OK screen time for kids under 2 (with limits)

TV watching linked to higher levels of belly fat, a University of Minnesota study shows.

Belly up to the TV: Binge watching could lead to more stomach fat

Binge watchers, you may want to hit the pause button for this: watching TV has been linked to more belly fat — even for people who exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight.
Herbal supplements at a Target in New York, Jan. 28, 2015.

We still love our dietary supplements even though they might not help

Use of supplements — including vitamins, minerals and herbs — has become a $32 billion industry.
Can playing Pokemon go make you live longer? A Stanford University study found the game added144 billion steps to Americans' physical activity, increa

Can playing 'Pokemon Go' make you live longer?

"Pokémon Go" fanatics, rejoice! Your collection addiction may pay off in the long run, in the form of a longer life.
Remember this: brain game claims can't be proven, study says

Remember this: brain game claims can't be proven, study says

An exhaustive review of published studies on brain-training products incuding Lumosity, CogniFit and BrainHQ tests whether brain games can make you smarter.
The Resident Council of the Cedars building met to hear arguments on both sides of debate over whether to allow a controversial HBO show to film on th

Mpls. housing complex residents block filming of 'Mogadishu, Minnesota'

Instead of Cedar-Riverside filming, the HBO production team is looking at a housing complex on W. 31st Street.
That euphoric feeling many people get from running, aka "runner's high," may be triggered not by endorphins but by marijuana-like chemicals in the bra

What causes runner's high? Scientists are still chasing after the answer

For many of the runners in this weekend's Twin Cities Marathon, the reward for pushing themselves during the race will extend beyond the finish line in the form of a hidden perk: runner's high.