Staff Directory 6370559

Jeff Wheeler

Photographer | Newsroom
Phone: 612-673-4638

Jeff Wheeler has been a staff photographer for the Star Tribune since 1987. He's covered a broad range of assignments ranging from the Twins and Vikings playoff runs to Far North canoe adventures in the subarctic. 


Wheeler has also covered the full spectrum of the local music scene, having toured with the Minnesota Orchestra and Trampled By Turtles. A St. Paul native, he attended the University of Minnesota and worked for student newspaper, the Minnesota Daily while there. On weekends while in college he worked for the Star and Tribune as a lab technician in the newspaper's darkroom. After four and a half years as a staff photographer and picture editor at the Hartford (CT) Courant, Wheeler returned to his home state and settled in Minneapolis. He has two teenage children.
Recent content from Jeff Wheeler

Timberwolves lose to Heat 95-94

Minnesota fell 95-94 to Miami on Sunday night at Target Center.

Lynx fall to Liberty 80-66 in Game 2 of WNBA Finals

New York evened the series 1-1 with a victory over Minnesota at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. The series heads to Minneapolis with Game 3 on Wednesday at Target Center.

Minnesota Lynx come back to win in Game 1 of WNBA Finals vs. New York Liberty

Game one of the WNBA Finals

Connecticut rally, defeat Lynx 92-82 in Game 4

The Sun forced a Game 5 in the WNBA semifinals, brining the series back to Target Center on Tuesday night.

Jeff Lynne's ELO plays farewell concert at the X

Lead singer Jeff Lynne performs early in Monday night's concert at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. The show, with opening act Rooney, was part of the farewell tour for Jeff Lynne's ELO.

Lynx fall to Sun 73-70 in Game 1 of WNBA semifinals

Minnesota couldn't hold off Connecticut, which won Game 1 of the second round of the WNBA postseason on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024.

Twins on the brink of elimination after ugly 8-6 loss to Miami Marlins

The Twins rallied to send the game to extra innings, but couldn't produce many runs despite players on the basepaths.

Minnesota Lynx advance in WNBA playoffs after beating Phoenix Mercury

Napheesa Collier had a single-game playoff scoring record to lead Minnesota past the Mercury. The Lynx will play Connecticut on Sunday.

Cigarettes After Sex

The dream-pop band Cigarettes After Sex from El Paso, Texas, performed mellow and ethereal songs Tuesday at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul

Semisonic Close Out State Fair with Supersonic Performance

Local heroes Semisonic closed out the fair with a free show at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell Monday night, September 2, 2024

Blake Shelton performs at the Minnesota State Fair grandstand

Blake Shelton and his band performed at the State Fair grandstand Sunday night.

Mankato turns out for Tim Walz DNC Watch Party

Former students of Gov. Tim Walz as well as state DFL officials gather Wednesday night at his old high school, Mankato West, for the party.

Journey and Def Leppard take center stage

A look inside Journey and Def Leppard's rocking showcase at Target Center.

Foo Fighters perform a sold-out show at Target Field

The Foo Fighters brought their Everything or Nothing at All Tour to Target Field Sunday night. 80's punk rockers L7 and Pretenders were the opening acts.

Photos: Phillies 3, Twins 0

After the Minnesota Twins left the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth inning, the Philadelphia Phillies scored three runs in the ninth to win 3-0 at Target Field in Minneapolis on Tuesday, July 23, 2024.

Gallery: Tigers 9, Twins 2

2022 first-round draft pick Brooks Lee made his major league debut in place of Royce Lewis who will spend most, if not all, of July on the injured list.

Keith Urban in a pop up show at the Fine Line

The country star Keith Urban snuck into town for a surprise gig at the Fine Line in Minneapolis Sunday night in between festival shows in Wisconsin and Chicago.
Law enforcement members accompany the casket of officer Jamal Mitchell at Maple Grove High School on Tuesday.

Photos: Minneapolis police officer Jamal Mitchell honored at funeral services

Mourners gathered for a public service at Maple Grove High School for the officer, who was killed in the line of duty on May 30

Photos: Minneapolis police officer Jamal Mitchell honored at funeral services

Funeral services and a processional honored the life of slain officer Jamal Mitchell on Tuesday. Mitchell was killed on May 30 while responding to a shooting call. The service was held at Maple Grove High School, followed by a processional to Minneapolis-St. Paul International airport.

Lynx hold off Dallas Wings 87-76

The Lynx are having their best start since 2020 after an 87-76 win over the Dallas Wings Sunday night at Target Center.

Gallery: Vikings' hold annual NFL draft party

The Minnesota Vikings hosted their annual NFL draft party Thursday night at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

Twins win 6-3 over Chicago White Sox

The Twins won their third game out of four against the White Sox with the help of Willi Castro's three-run home run.

The Twins beat the Chicago White Sox 7-0

The Twins shut out the White Sox for their eighth win of the season.

Top-seed Boston College breezes into Frozen Four championship with 4-0 victory over Michigan

The Eagles earned a showdown with Denver on Saturday at Xcel Energy Center for the title.

Denver upends Boston University in overtime to reach Frozen Four championship game

Former Gophers forward Tristan Broz scored about midway through the overtime session to put the Pioneers into Saturday's final.

Anthony Edwards scores career-high 51 points as Timberwolves stop Wizards 130-121

Reserve guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 23 points, stepping up after center Naz Reid was ejected in the first half.

Dodgers 4-2 over Twins

Ohtani goes deep for 3rd time in 5 games and hits pair of doubles for Dodgers in 4-2 win over Twins
Twins relief pitcher Kody Funderburk (55) throws out a pitch in the sixth inning of the Twins home opener.

Gallery: Twins Opening Day

Crowds gathered to watch the Twins play the Cleveland Guardians for the first home game of the season.

Timberwolves defeat Raptors 133-85

Anthony Edwards made five three-pointers to help the Wolves to victory despite a three game three-pointer drought.

Gallery: Wild 4, Arizona 1

The Minnesota Wild NHL hockey team defeated the Arizona Coyotes 4-1 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul on Tuesday March 12, 2024.

Gallery: Gophers women's basketball 77, Rutgers 69

The Gophers defeated Rutgers 77-69 in the first round of the Big Ten women's basketball tournament Wednesday night at Target Center.

Gallery: PWHL Minnesota 4, Ottawa 3

The Minnesota Professional Women's Hockey League defeated Ottawa in a shootout 4-3 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul on Tuesday, March 5, 2024.

Photos: Jon Batiste makes Minneapolis debut at First Avenue

Jon Batiste brought his Uneasy Tour to First Avenue for a sold-out show Thursday, February 22, 2024, in Minneapolis.

Photos: Gophers lose 80-64 to Penn State

Minnesota suffered their third loss in a row with high-scoring Mara Braun out with a right foot injury.

Photos: President Joe Biden speaks in Superior, Wisc. to promote infrastructure package

The Blatnik Bridge is one of 37 similar projects benefiting from the federal funding.

Photos: President Joe Biden speaks in Superior, Wisc. to promote infrastructure package

The Blatnik Bridge is one of 37 similar projects benefiting from the federal funding.

Wolves hold on to sink Clippers

The Timberwolves defeated the LA Clippers 109-105

River Rats perform in Minneapolis

The 100-plus member Twin Cities Water Ski Show Team performed their summer show "Super Mario World" on Thursday night, June 16, 2022 on the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. The show is every Thursday night this summer and is free.

Minneapolis man has gone freshwater swimming for 1,000 straight days

The guy known to the ice-dipping community as "Ricky Lake" says it's a blessing to live in the City of Lakes.

Gallery: Gophers win 97-73 against Macalester

The Gophers competed without top players Pharrel Payne and Cam Christie for the exhibition match.

Photos: President Joe Biden visits Minnesota

For the fourth time during his presidency, President Biden came to Minnesota as part of a 'barnstorming' tour of rural America with stop at a Northfield farm. In the evening, demonstrators marched in support of Palestinians in Gaza and in protest of US aid to Israel.

Celebrating Dia de Los Muertos on Lake Street with altars and art

A Day of the Dead celebration was held Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, on Lake Street at Chicago Avenue S. in Minneapolis.

Ceremony completes St. Anthony firefighter's COVID comeback

Firefighter Michael Culhane is being sworn in after recovering from severe COVID and completing training despite the physical and mental challenges he endured.

Edina beats STMA 4-2 in Class 3A girls soccer state quarterfinal

Edina ran its record to 20-0, boosted by Ms. Soccer Izzy Engle's second-half hat trick.

Benilde-St. Margaret's beats Mankato East in girls Class 2A state semis

The Red Knights, with three draws but no losses, defeated Mankato East 3-0

Gallery: Simley beats South Saint Paul 28-6 in Class 4A, Section 3 football semifinals

Simley QB Christian Urbina replaced injured Tim Pietsch and threw four TD passes.

Hundreds protest in support of Palestine

The protest comes as President Joe Biden visited Israel to show solidarity with its war against Hamas, the Palestinian militant organization that governs the Gaza Strip.

Wild win season opener 2-0 over Panthers

Twins Season Ends With 3-2 Loss

Twins work out at Target Field ahead of ALDS Game 3

The Twins are tied with the Astros 1-1 heading into Tuesday night's game three.

Gallery: Twins practice before wildcard series at Target Field

The Twins will play a best-of-three series against the Toronto Blue Jays starting Tuesday afternoon in Minneapolis.

Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band at Mystic Lake

Ringto Starr and his All Starr Band performed in the Mystic Showroom at Mystic Lake Casino in Prior Lake Sunday night.

Wild face Avalanche in preseason

Wild face Avalanche in preseason

Twins take on the A's

Twins take on the A's

Gallery: Twins take on Athletics

The Twins defeated Oakland 11-3 on Tuesday night, taking the first game of their final regular-season series at Target Field.

Yom Kippur Celebration

Yom Kippur Celebration

Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre visits Minnesota

The prime minister addressed the Somali diaspora. This was the first time a sitting prime minister had visited the state. Minnesota is home to the largest Somali community outside of Somalia.

Somali prime minister inspires hope during historic visit to Minnesota, urges fight against Al-Shabab

Hamza Abdi Barre's visit marks the first time a sitting prime minister from Somalia has visited Minnesota, home to the largest Somali population in the U.S.

Photos: Eric Clapton performs at Xcel Energy Center

Eric Clapton took the stage in St. Paul on Thursday, with Jimmie Vaughn opening.

Lynx clinch playoff spot with 86-73 win over Phoenix

Kayla McBride scored 23 and Napheesa Collier added 22 to give Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve her 300th win.

Duran Duran at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand

With Opening Act Nile Rodgers & Chic

Loons roll past Colorado

Brandi Carlile at the State Fair

Wynonna Judd Opens Show

Gay Softball World Series brings thousands to Minneapolis to compete

The 2023 North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance Gay Softball World Series got off to a festive beginning with an opening ceremony event at The Commons in downtown Minneapolis Monday nigh. More than 4500 participants on 225 teams will compete on fields competing at five softball complexes across the Twin Cities.

Boyz II Men and Chaka Khan at the State Fair Grandstand

R & B legends entertained Sunday night with a little help from Woodbury's own Nunnabove.

The Black Keys

A juggling act on display in Hastings

Lynx fall to Seattle Storm 88-74

Lynx fail to complete season sweep of Storm with decisive loss at home

Sunflowers take center stage in Lakeville

Irish Fair of Minnesota

Irish Fair of Minnesota concluded with music, dancing, and cultural activities on Harriet Island Regional Park in St. Paul Sunday. The fair is held annually the second weekend in August.

Pink's Summer Carnival Tour

At Target Field

Loons vs. Toluca

Loons advance to next round