Recent content from Jenna Ross
St. Paul Chamber Orchestra taps rainy day fund to balance budget
The nonprofit's leaders cited rising costs among the many challenges during the 2024 fiscal year.
Businesses helped make Minnesota's arts scene. Will shrinking support break it?
For years, Twin Cities' biggest arts organizations enjoyed "extraordinary" giving from homegrown corporations. Now, they're grappling with steep declines: "We had more to lose."
Minneapolis Fox 9 hires new evening anchor Symone Woolridge
The move brings Woolridge and her partner, a fellow journalist, to the same city for the first time in their careers.
St. Paul Chamber Orchestra's top administrator to retire
President Jon Limbacher, who led the nonprofit through the pandemic, will retire when his contract's up in a year. He recently faced criticism from the musicians' union.
'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."
'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.
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.'
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."
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 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 (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 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.
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.
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.
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."
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."
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.
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.
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 on paid leave
Morales has overseen public safety on the public transportation system since March 2023.
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.
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.
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.
Man with Minnesota ties to compete on 'The Bachelorette'
The reality TV show is touting Marcus E. Shoberg as "a real-life superhero."
Minnesota Orchestra CEO Michelle Miller Burns leaving for Dallas
After six years in Minnesota, Burns will return to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra in September.
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.
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.
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.
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, 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.
Doors Open Minneapolis offers rare peek inside more than 100 buildings
This year's event, which runs Saturday and Sunday, includes 30 new venues.
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.
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.
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.
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.
'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.
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'
We crunched the highly scientific numbers to see if our suspicions were right.
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.
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."
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."
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.
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.
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."
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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.
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.
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.
'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.
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.
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."
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."
'The Golden Bachelorette' is a go. But will it star Minnesotan Leslie Fhima?
ABC-TV announced Saturday the show will air in the fall.
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, 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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
5 quiet must-do Great Northern festival events
The 2024 winter festival offers moments of reflection through art, music and movement.
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.
'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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/C5NRTBWDOKOSI6DXWLGMUOWPQU.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
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."
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.
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."
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.
After trip to Minnesota, 'Golden Bachelor' star gives Leslie Fhima one of final two roses
Fhima's grandchildren bookended a cliffhanger episode with cuteness.
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."
