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Jenna Ross

Reporter | Arts and Culture
Phone: 612-673-7168

Jenna Ross is an arts and culture reporter.


Jenna Ross is an arts and culture reporter with the Star Tribune. She specializes in newsy features and in-depth profiles, spotting emerging issues and intriguing characters. The national Society for Features Journalism honored her work with a first-place prize for "Specialty Writing Portfolio" in 2021. Before joining the paper's arts and entertainment team, she wrote about regional and breaking news as an enterprise reporter. Her favorite stories on that beat seemed to involve big lakes: She captured the winter surfing scene on Lake Superior and profiled the longtime teacher at the one-room schoolhouse on Lake of the Woods. A Duluth native, she published her first newspaper, "The Ross Report," when she was 11 years old.
Recent content from Jenna Ross
Duluth-based Instagram star and author Sharon McMahon mixed humor and history in her two-hour, sold-out talk at the State Theatre in Minneapolis on Sa

'Governerds' pack State Theatre in Minneapolis for author Sharon McMahon

A book tour gave devout fans a rare chance to see the Duluth-based Instagram star best known as "America's Government Teacher."
Some fans hope that Mark Anderson, a Vikings fan and Army veteran, will get another shot at love via the reality TV franchise.

'Golden Bachelorette' sends Minnesota-raised widower Mark Anderson home

Joan Vassos didn't see a future with Anderson, best known as "Kelsey's hot dad," handing roses to four other men. But fans are hoping for another run.
MPR News journalist Nina Moini will take over the station's noon show, "Minnesota Now."

Midday switch at MPR: Cathy Wurzer turns over 'Minnesota Now' to Nina Moini

After years of leading two Minnesota Public Radio programs, Wurzer will focus on 'Morning Edition.'
John Davis shows off the kitchen as he leads a tour of the new RiverPlace in Warroad.

He nurtured the arts in New York Mills and Lanesboro. Can he do it in Warroad?

In a city best known for hockey and manufacturing, John Davis is trying to make a new $20 million arts center "relevant in people's lives."
Educator, podcaster and Instagram star Sharon McMahon tells the stories of unsung Americans in her new book, "The Small and the Mighty," out this week

From a dirt road outside Duluth, Sharon McMahon expands her media empire with new book

The former government teacher's "The Small and the Mighty" celebrates the lesser-known people who "just decide to do things." She, too, had no grand plan.
With the help of research, prolific author Alice Hoffman imagined Anne Frank's life before the diary.

With new novel about Anne Frank, author Alice Hoffman honors her 12-year-old self

At Talking Volumes event, the prolific author will discuss "When We Flew Away: A Novel of Anne Frank Before the Diary," a lifetime in the making.
Minnesota-raised Mark Anderson met the first star of "The Golden Bachelorette," Joan Vassos, during the season's premiere Wednesday night.

Minnesota-raised Mark Anderson (aka Kelsey's hot dad) meets the first 'Golden Bachelorette'

A season preview at the first episode's end suggests Anderson, a widower, will go far.
SPCO

SPCO and musicians ratify a three-year contract

St. Paul Chamber Orchestra touted the deal, but musicians again emphasized their "grave concerns" with the nonprofit's leadership.
Fergus Falls-based fiber artist Torri Hanna smiles beside her work titled "Bubble Up Economics."

Pilot program giving Minnesota artists guaranteed income extended to five years

Springboard for the Arts is adding 25 new rural artists to its program, which gives $500 a month, no strings attached. Researchers are closely watching.
During a recent Family Day at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, Jessica Covey planted a kiss on her daughter Isabella, 3.

Minnesota museums and theaters target youngest audiences, giving new meaning to 'art crawl'

This fall, traditional arts venues look to infants and toddlers as part of a focus on audiences.
Kristin Van Loon and Ryan Fontaine, founders of Hair and Nails gallery, in their new New York City space earlier this month. Their first show there fe

Small Minneapolis art gallery expands to New York City and brings local artists along

For its first show, the new Chinatown space features 15 artists, many of them Minnesota-based: "We wanted to bring the whole crew."
In early August, artist Dyani White Hawk and her team tested the construction of her new sculpture, bound for New York City. To make the piece, her st

Famed artist Dyani White Hawk's new sculpture celebrates community and continuity

The 10-foot-tall work, inspired by sculptures by two other Native American artists, emerged from a Minneapolis studio with a radical mission: "There's a lot of healing happening here."
Brent Assink, previous president of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, will become the Minnesota Orchestra's interim CEO.

Minnesota Orchestra names interim CEO

Brent Assink led the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra in the '90s. He takes over for Michelle Miller Burns, who is leaving for the Dallas Symphony.
Gwen Walz, her husband Gov.-elect Tim Walz, and Lt. Gov.-elect Peggy Flanagan talked with reporters during a press conference at their transition offi

Who is Gwen Walz? A mom, a teacher and an adviser to her husband

Gov. Tim Walz's wife of 30 years has proven to be a key political partner, even as she's fought the "first lady" stereotype.
Mark Anderson, who now lives in Louisiana, grew up in Minnesota and North Dakota. He is among the men competing on the coming season of "The Golden Ba

Minnesota-raised Mark Anderson (aka Kelsey's hot dad) to compete on 'The Golden Bachelorette'

He is among 24 men who will date Joan Vassos on the coming season of the ABC-TV reality show.
Metro Transit Police Chief Ernest Morales III is on paid leave, a spokesperson confirmed Saturday.

Metro Transit Police Chief Ernest Morales III on paid leave

Morales has overseen public safety on the public transportation system since March 2023.
Lakes Area Music Festival founder Scott Lykins addressed the musicians at this year's first rehearsal in Brainerd, Minn., in late July. Lykins, who gr

Top musicians converge on Brainerd for a classical music festival (with a side of water skiing)

Lakes Area Music Festival started 16 years ago with a few music school friends. It now boasts 256 professional artists and a $1.2 million budget. But musicians still stay in local homes.
Mary Lou Westerberg lived until she was 100 and "still had all her smarts," said her daughter Julie. "She still was just a crackerjack."

With viral obit, local music matriarch Mary Lou Westerberg gets her due

The mother of Replacements rocker Paul Westerberg and DJ Mary Lucia lived for the Twins.
Luis Fitch laughs as some water based paint is spilled on June 26. Fitch screenprints ubiquitous posters, designs U.S.P.S. stamps and, last year, corr

You've seen Luis Fitch's art on stamps, at Target and on the street. Now, see it in a gallery.

The Mexican-Minnesotan artist, who has helped define the Twin Cities' visual language, has a solo show at Bloomington Center for the Arts.
Marcus E. Shoberg, who has family in Carlton, Minn., now lives in North Carolina. The Army veteran will compete on "The Bachelorette" this summer.

Man with Minnesota ties to compete on 'The Bachelorette'

The reality TV show is touting Marcus E. Shoberg as "a real-life superhero."
Michelle Miller Burns will become the second woman to lead Minnesota Orchestra as president and CEO.

Minnesota Orchestra CEO Michelle Miller Burns leaving for Dallas

After six years in Minnesota, Burns will return to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra in September.
Thomas Søndergård married his longtime love Andreas Landin in 2022, the same year he was named music director of the Minnesota Orchestra. The orches

Led by its new conductor, Minnesota Orchestra caps season with Pride performance

"Pride, for me, is not only to do with who we love but really who we are," said Thomas Søndergård, who was named music director the same summer he wed his longtime partner.
Michelle Young addressed the crowd during her foundation launch at Holman's Table in May. Young led the pilot of Homework and Hoops, that foundation's

Minnesota's 'Bachelorette' claims new title: Nonprofit founder

Woodbury High School grad and reality TV star Michelle Young uses her fame to start Homework and Hoops, an after-school program for underprivileged kids.
Emily Gunyou Halaas played Miss Trunchbull in the 2019 production of "Matilda The Musical" at the Children's Theatre Company. The show helped inspire

Children's Theatre gets an 'extraordinary' $1 million gift

The donation, from the John W. Kurtich Foundation, will boost the theater's endowment at a key moment.
Composer and performer Sarah Davachi made her debut on Northrop’s Aeolian-Skinner Opus 892 organ last month in Minneapolis, launching Liquid Music's

Liquid Music series finds new home in Northrop

Curator Kate Nordstrum will bring her music series to the University of Minnesota venue, drawing fresh audiences to its organ.
Joanne Von Blon in 2015 in front of one of the Joan Mitchell paintings she gave to the Walker Art Center.

Joanne Von Blon, who fueled Minnesota's arts scene, dies at 100

Married to Philip Von Blon, who helped found the Guthrie Theater, she had her own passions, writing book reviews and serving on literary boards.
Built in 1917, the historic Coliseum building on E. Lake Street is among the new venues at this year's Doors Open Minneapolis. The tour offers a first

Doors Open Minneapolis offers rare peek inside more than 100 buildings

This year's event, which runs Saturday and Sunday, includes 30 new venues.
Kyu-Young Kim courtesy of the SPCO

SPCO musicians vote no confidence in leadership: 'It feels like we're dying'

The nonprofit's board said in a statement that it "unequivocally supports" Jon Limbacher, the managing director musicians are criticizing.
Artist Sam Robertson in front of a bus-bench advertisement about his illustrated Old Testament, a seven-year artistic project that is now the subject

New podcast spins wild tale of Minneapolis artist selling his illustrated Bible door to door

With "Birth of a Salesman," visual artist Sam Robertson and sound designer Dan Dukich capture the pain and absurdity of introducing a labor of love to an indifferent world.
The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra artistic director Kyu-Young Kim helped lead a rehearsal in 2022. The chamber orchestra announced Friday that he would b

St. Paul Chamber Orchestra's Kyu-Young Kim stepping down as artistic director

The leader and violinist cited "shifts in priorities" in a statement explaining his decision.
For 40 years, Art in Bloom has drawn thousands of visitors to the Minneapolis Institute of Art to witness floral works inspired by the museum's perman

Art in Bloom blossoms at Minneapolis Institute of Art

We break down the annual floral fundraising bonanza, now in its 40th year, by the numbers.
THE GOLDEN WEDDING - After lifetimes of love and loss and a whirlwind journey on 'The Golden Bachelor,' Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist will walk down t

'Golden Bachelor' couple announce they're divorcing

After three months of marriage, Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist announced on "Good Morning America" that they're done.
After being on "The Bachelor," Daisy Kent, who grew up in Becker, Minn., turned down the role of "The Bachelorette."

Minnesotan Daisy Kent proud to bring 'small-town feels' to 'The Bachelor'

The reality show's runner-up talks about the tough decision to go on the show, her family's support and the importance of representation.
Why Minnesotans tend to go far on 'The Bachelor'

Why Minnesotans tend to go far on 'The Bachelor'

We crunched the highly scientific numbers to see if our suspicions were right.
During this season of "The Bachelor," winner Kelsey Anderson's father, Mark, captured fans' affections.

The widower fans want as next 'Golden Bachelor' grew up in Minnesota

Better known as "Kelsey's hot dad," Mark Anderson still cheers for the Vikings. In an interview, he talked about losing his wife to cancer and whether he'd consider finding love via reality TV.
At the March meeting of the Silent Book Club's Minneapolis chapter, two dozen people gathered at Cream & Amber in Hopkins to quietly read different bo

A novel idea: These Minnesota book clubs are silent

Silent Book Club meetings work differently, with folks quietly turning the pages of whatever books they happen to be reading: "I hated assigned reading in school."
Daisy Kent, who grew up in Becker, Minn., broke the unspoken rules of "The Bachelor," telling star Joey Graziadei, "You’re not going to choose me."

Minnesotan Daisy Kent ends 'Bachelor' alone — but on her own terms

The 25-year-old won't become "The Bachelorette," instead focusing on "the things I love and the people I love."
Daisy Kent received one of Joey Graziadei's final two roses on Monday's episode of "The Bachelor." While she wants to be with Graziadei, Kent said, sh

One of final two roses on 'The Bachelor' goes to Minnesotan Daisy Kent

After "fantasy suite" dates, the 25-year-old advances to the finale, which airs next week.
To play Minnesota-born bard Bob Dylan in an upcoming biopic, actor Timothee Chalamet trekked to Hibbing, Minn. New photos show him dressed as Dylan on

New photos show Timothée Chalamet on set as Bob Dylan

The Minnesota bard is an executive producer of the film, which is being shot in New York City.
"Bachelor" contestant Daisy Kent grew up on a Christmas tree farm in Becker, Minn. Her mother Julie Kent had been uncertain about naming her Daisy, bu

Before finale, get to know Daisy Kent, the bubbly Minnesotan on 'The Bachelor'

Her family in Becker, Minn., describes what it was like for her to lose, then gain, her health and her hearing: "It's not all sunshine and roses — and she knows that."
TOM WALLACE ï twallace@startribune.com Assign#00001622A Slug:clas0217 02/11/2008 Minneapolis, MN]Twin ities native, classical composer Libby Lars

Two Minnesotans are among the 19 new members of the American Academy of Arts and Letters

Composer Libby Larsen and author Charles Baxter have earned international reputations from their Minneapolis homes.
Minnesotan Daisy Kent introduced "The Bachelor" star Joey Graziadei to friends and family during hometown dates this week.

Daisy Kent brings 'The Bachelor' home to Minnesota for Hallmark movie-worthy date

The 25-year-old from Becker, Minn., received one of Joey Graziadei's three roses during Monday night's episode of the reality TV show.
Minneapolis boutique Cake Plus-Sized Retail is one of the rare Twin Cities spots that still require masks. Customer Leora Feinstein, right, said that'

The last masked places: Why these small businesses and nonprofits still require masks

A bakery. A bookstore. A bike shop. More than two years after the state dropped its mandate, these Twin Cities spaces ask patrons and employees to mask up.
Joey Graziadei and Minnesotan Daisy Kent walk together on a date earlier this season. Next, the pair will spend time with Kent's family in Minnesota.

'Bachelor' picks Daisy Kent for hometown dates: 'We're going to Minnesota!'

On a date in Canada, the 25-year-old nabbed one of the last four roses. Next week, the show will feature Becker, Minn., where she grew up.
Conductor Roberto Abbado led the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra recently at Trinity Lutheran Church in Stillwater, one stop in the orchestra's neighborhoo

St. Paul Chamber Orchestra to cut three suburban venues

To grapple with reduced audiences and philanthropy, the nonprofit will no longer play in Wayzata, Arden Hills and Stillwater. But it will still play at nine venues.
"The Bachelor," Joey Graziadei, and Minnesota-raised contestant Daisy Kent talk ahead of a rose ceremony during Monday night's episode.

Minnesotan Daisy Kent makes final six on 'The Bachelor'

The 25-year-old watched Monday night's episode with "the most important people in my life."
Director Patrick Coyle watched actor Adam Bartley work a scene in "Unholy Communion," a film rooted in St. Paul. Coyle wrote the script based off of l

Murder mystery movie 'Unholy Communion' filmed in St. Paul

A first-time author and a longtime director have teamed up to make a noir shot along the city's West 7th corridor, "like a sound stage in itself."
Fans are debating who might star in "The Golden Bachelorette," the long-rumored spinoff that ABC-TV confirmed this month. Favorites include Minnesota'

'The Golden Bachelorette' is a go. But will it star Minnesotan Leslie Fhima?

ABC-TV announced Saturday the show will air in the fall.
Maiya Papach, left, and Rebecca Albers, who hold principal viola chairs in their respective orchestras, walk with their two kids and two dogs to a par

Two orchestras, two violists: a Minnesota love story

How Rebecca Albers and Maiya Papach, principal violists for the Minnesota Orchestra and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, have made a musical home in Minnesota.
David Leventhal posed in 2002 in front of racks of challah at Cecil’s Delicatessen in St. Paul.

David Leventhal, who led Cecil's Deli in St. Paul for more than four decades, dies at 85

Leventhal and his wife, Sheila, owned and operated the Highland Park institution and ensured the family business would pass to his children and grandchildren.
Maggie Hennefeld, left, and Michelle Baroody are bringing their favorite rare and restored films from the big Italian film festival Il Cinema Ritrovat

Il Cinema Ritrovato on Tour brings rare films to the Twin Cities

The festival features new restorations of films from around the world at the Main Cinema and the Heights Theater.
Minnesotan Daisy Kent, right, had been nervous about sharing the story of her health and hearing loss with "Bachelor" star Joey Graziadei.

On first 'Bachelor' date, Minnesotan Daisy Kent talks Lyme disease, hearing loss

The contestant from Becker, Minn., impressed the show's lead: "I'm blown away."
Thomas Søndergård makes his debut as the new director of the Minnesota Orchestra, in Minneapolis, Minn., on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022. The first piece

Minnesota Orchestra pulls its budget into the black

Thanks to bigger audiences and PPP loan forgiveness, the nonprofit posted its first surplus since fiscal year 2018.
Minnesota's Daisy Kent, left, meets Joey Graziadei on the season premiere of "The Bachelor."

Minnesotan Daisy Kent introduces herself to 'The Bachelor,' the world

The 25-year-old grew up in Becker, Minn., on a Christmas tree farm. She already has a following on TikTok.
Partygoers gather in the chill for the Great Northern festival in 2023. This year's fest features plenty of big, buzzy events, as well as quieter offe

5 quiet must-do Great Northern festival events

The 2024 winter festival offers moments of reflection through art, music and movement.
Leonard Bernstein and Dimitri Mitropoulos photographed together in New York City on the day they signed a contract to be principal conductors for the

Did union rules prevent Leonard Bernstein from joining the Minnesota Orchestra?

The "West Side Story" composer's career might have unfolded very differently had he worked with his mentor in Minneapolis.
Theresa Nist and Gerry Turner’s journey to marriage on the TV reality show “The Golden Bachelor” has inspired some seniors to search for love ag

'Golden Bachelor' inspired older adults to seek romance, busted dating stereotypes

Minnesota singles in their 60s share how the reality TV show changed the conversation around love, dating and sex. For some, it moved them to date, again.
Leslie Fhima attended the wedding of Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist on Thursday night.

In attendance at the 'Golden Bachelor' wedding: Minnesotan Leslie Fhima

The runner-up on the hit reality TV show was among the many familiar faces who appeared during the televised nuptials of Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist.

'Golden Bachelor' runner-up Leslie Fhima spends 65th birthday in the hospital

The Minneapolitan had surgery after a bowel blockage that caused cramping.
Dyani White Hawk, left, and Kelsey Cook are Artist of the Year 2023 runners-up.

Artist of the Year 2023 runners-up: Dyani White Hawk and Kelsey Cook

Our Artist of the Year coverage wouldn't be complete without spotlighting these two artists, in very different fields, who drew national acclaim.
How the Minnesota book 'Braiding Sweetgrass' became a culture-shifting bestseller

How the Minnesota book 'Braiding Sweetgrass' became a culture-shifting bestseller

The story of how Robin Wall Kimmerer's essays on the natural world became "the book for our times" — a surprise that begins in Minnesota and the Minneapolis publisher, Milkweed Editions.
Minneapolis fitness instructor Leslie Fhima at the “Bachelor” mansion. “All my family have been really supportive. They just want me to be happy

Minnesota 'Golden Bachelor' finalist Leslie Fhima is looking for someone 'to be still with'

After a brutal breakup on the reality TV show, Fhima shares what she's learned and whether she's in talks to become "The Golden Bachelorette."

Minneapolis artist and advertising entrepreneur Miranda Moss dies at 81

Moss led the design firm Yamamoto Moss with charisma, grace and humor.

Despite challenges, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra balances budget in fiscal year 2023

Concert attendance improved, but is still down 30% compared with before the pandemic.
THE GOLDEN BACHELOR - 'Finale and After the Final Rose (108)' - After an incredible season of love stories, Jesse Palmer hosts as the emotional conclu

Minnesotan Leslie Fhima's 'Golden Bachelor' story reaches its end

After Thursday night's finale, many want to see more from the 64-year-old fitness instructor from Minneapolis.
'The Golden Bachelor' contestant Leslie Fhima spends time inside her home in Minneapolis, Minn., on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. ] SHARI L. GROSS • shar

Four things to know about Leslie Fhima ahead of the 'Golden Bachelor' finale

The Minnesotan could receive a proposal on the hit reality TV spinoff. If she doesn't, she could be in the running to become the first "Golden Bachelorette."
Flautist Julie Johnson played a 15 minute concert as part of the Bach Society of MinnesotaÕs Mobile Mini Concert Series at Van Cleve Park in Minneapo

St. Paul announces $1.3 million in grants for arts, cultural groups

The latest round of the grant program, funded by a half-cent sales tax, will go to 66 arts organizations and events.
Gerry Turner, the star of “The Golden Bachelor,” and Leslie Fhima, a Minneapolis fitness instructor, spent a camera-free night together in Costa R

Overnight dates leave 'Golden Bachelor' torn between Minnesota and New Jersey women

Hoosier Gerry Turner and Minnesotan Leslie Fhima discussed where they'd live: "Instead of bicoastal, we can be bi-Midwestern."
Sauna enthusiast Israel Lowell with his sauna hat emerges from the Superior Sauna & Steam, one of the hotter saunas in Minneapolis, Minn., on Thur

Great Northern Festival's 2024 lineup to feature more fire and ice

Highlights of the winter festival will include a 100-foot ice bar, three weeks of saunas and epic dinners.
THE GOLDEN BACHELOR - "106" - Only two roses remain as Gerry Turner heads to the hometowns of his final three women where, for the first time in "Bach

After trip to Minnesota, 'Golden Bachelor' star gives Leslie Fhima one of final two roses

Fhima's grandchildren bookended a cliffhanger episode with cuteness.
'The Golden Bachelor' contestant Leslie Fhima spends time with her grandchildren Jackson,10, and Sofia, 6, inside her home in Minneapolis, Minn., on S

Get to know Leslie Fhima as she brings 'Golden Bachelor' home to Minnesota

The fitness instructor and "glama" to three grandchildren has become a TV favorite at age 64. But according to her brother, "she's always been a star."
THE GOLDEN BACHELOR - "105" - Hometowns are on the horizon for the golden bachelor. With only three roses remaining, the final six women face the poss

'The Golden Bachelor' heads to Minnesota after Leslie Fhima makes final three

During Thursday's episode, the 64-year-old Minneapolitan told star Gerry Turner that she's falling in love with him.
Yasmin Yassin spent months capturing the Somali dance troupe that’s become a fixture of both festivals and TikTok.

Photographer's film 'Dhaanto' about Somali dance troupe is 'a love letter to my community'

Yasmin Yassin only started filming the short documentary after spending months with the group, based out of the Somali Museum of Minnesota.
THE GOLDEN BACHELOR - "104" - Gerry Turner's journey continues with an adventurous one-on-one and a group date that has the women flexing their pickle

After a steamy date, Minnesotan Leslie Fhima advances on 'Golden Bachelor'

The 64-year-old fitness instructor has charmed star Gerry Turner and the reality show's fans with her hearing aid jokes, dance moves and softer side.
"In Our Hands", a sweeping new exhibition of Indigenous photography opens this weekend at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. It features more than 150

Native photographers tell their own stories in major Minneapolis Institute of Art exhibition

A team of Indigenous artists picked the 150 photographs that make up "In Our Hands: Native Photography, 1890 to Now," which opens Sunday.