Recent content from John Reinan
Bitter fight between Moorhead GOP factions lands in court
The state GOP is suing what it calls a rogue party official.
What happened to Minneapolis' famous Weatherball?
The glowing orb was a fixture on the city's skyline for decades.
Minnesota workers brave cold, blizzard conditions
From mail carriers to liquor store clerks, Friday was just another day on the job.
Orono gave 'sweetheart' land deals to city officials, ex-mayors charge
Current city leaders say the transactions were needed to correct inaccurate, century-old property maps.
Rural Minnesotans head back to taverns as municipal liquor sales set a record
Profits more than doubled at muni-owned bars, largely in rural Minnesota.
Minnesota organization opposed to abortion sues Bemidji man over $842K donation
He says Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life took advantage of his ailing father before his father's death.
Deep staff cuts leave St. Cloud Times a 'ghost paper'
Serving a region of 200,000 residents, the paper now has a news staff of two.
Minnesota briefs: Luverne museum now has more nutcrackers than city has residents
Plus: Duluth direct flights to Florida paused in January; USDA looking to give out digital access grants; Bemidji moves to limit teardowns.
These Minnesota cities are winning the fight against light pollution
Much of the progress with "dark sky" initiatives has come from rethinking public buildings.
Wisconsin's famed 'Fantasy Suites' hotel answers questions you never asked
Some call it a "sex hotel," offering fantasy suites featuring an igloo and a hot air balloon.
Minnesota briefs: Memorial to honor slain officer Tom Decker, others on 10th anniversary
Plus: U.S. Supreme Court allows Red Wing garbage plans to proceed; northern cities get grants for water projects.
Small Minnesota town may become focus of abortion fight
Under a proposed ordinance, citizens of Prinsburg (pop. 500) could sue abortion providers.
Farm advocate 'Russ' Bjorhus dies at 93
Longtime Litchfield resident led federal agency during farm crisis of the 1980s.
Minnesota briefs: Winona homeowner told he can't live in his garage
And Brainerd businesses tell city not to end downtown snow removal.
![Quinlan McWilliams fills out his ballot Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis. ]](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/4KGMTAIDPSTRSKLBT7ADKWZXHU.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
More than ever, Minnesota's political parties failed to fill their candidate slates
Two dozen legislative seats were unopposed this year, an unusually high number.
Rural Minnesota victim advocate says cops are failing to protect battered women
Norman County sheriff defends his deputies and said he's the target of a critic who is politically motivated.
Rush City salon owners fight City Hall to keep mural of racial inclusion
City leaders may have OK'd the mural's message, they said, but not without prior consultation.
Powerball fever grows as jackpot hits an estimated $1.2B, second highest
"It's like buying a dream for a day," one Minnesota player said.
Mpls. protesters set up daylong homeless camp near Mayor Frey's home
Angry at what they called the "militarized" response to homelessness by the city of Minneapolis, protesters set up a sidewalk encampment Sunday.
Neighbors unhappy about crypto mining operation in Glencoe, Minn.
Crypto company says it's doing everything possible to reduce noise.
![Winona LaDuke of Honor the Earth was in attendance.]The Public Utilities Commission has made a decision to approve a new Enbridge Line 3 Pipeline. Ric](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/R32LBK3CP7HB45WFIQGKRCACSQ.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Judge rules Hubbard County can't blockade protest camp near Enbridge Line 3 pipeline
Hubbard County had barricaded a road and arrested protesters who drove on it.
Unfinished Rochester dream home gets reprieve from teardown
The 16,000-square-foot hilltop house has been vacant since 2018. Neighbors want it gone.
For many recent Minnesota college grads, debt plan is 'life-changing'
Most graduates with loans can have up to $10,000 forgiven.
Bitter disputes in Orono pit unhappy residents vs. officials
Mayor Dennis Walsh calls his critics "clowns" as they dispute the city's land deals.
Minnesota Court of Appeals sides with township in gravel road saga
Hillman Township has won the latest — and perhaps final — round in a bitter fight over a rural Minnesota gravel road, as the state Court of Appeals ruled that the township has no duty to maintain the road to a private residence outside Mora, Minn.
Austin celebration to rekindle fond memories of bygone teen club
The Tower was a hot spot for southern Minnesota teens in the '50s and '60s.
Huge liquor tab: Excessive drinking costs Minnesota $8 billion a year
Study by Health Department researchers tallied the costs of problem drinking in the state.
Soaring property values shock owners in Minn. lake country
Many owners saw the value of their properties double in just one year.
Jury finds for pharmacist who declined to fill birth control prescription
The Aitkin County jury awarded $25,000 for emotional harm to the woman who was denied a morning-after pill.
![The crux of the Aitkin case under the law, Judge David Hermerding wrote, “is whether [Badeaux] deliberately misled, obfuscated and blocked Ms. Ander](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/XEVWEX45K4PBUJZ4UFX7BUCRIM.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
'I was asking to be excused,' Minnesota pharmacist testifies in contraception trial
George Badeaux said he tried to walk the line between his religious beliefs and his medical duties.
Aitkin County woman testifies about roadblocks in getting emergency contraception
Questions at trial delve into the most personal aspects of her life.
Minnesota jury to decide rights case on morning-after pill denial
A mother of five from McGregor, Minn., sought a morning-after pill after a condom broke during sex. Her pharmacist, citing his beliefs, refused to fill the prescription.
A returning son creates an artful amenity for his Minnesota hometown
Art in Motion attracts Stearns County locals as well as cyclists on the Lake Wobegon Trail.
Trans rights protesters heat up the scene outside relocated Chappelle show
Comedian's appearance was moved from First Avenue to the Varsity Theater amid backlash over perceived transphobia in his act.
Minnesota loon family lights up social media with hopping journey to lake
Birds aren't made for navigating the lakeshore.
Donald James, mathematician and mushroom fanatic, dies at 88
A lover of music, he composed a new song every day to play for his wife.
Four wounded in St. Cloud shootout
Police investigating dispute that left two young men and two teenagers injured.
Minnesota appeals court upholds $1.5 million award for care of miniature ponies
A Sherburn, Minn., veterinarian cared for more than 70 ponies after authorities removed them from a breeder's farm.
Venting on Facebook costs angry Minnesota beekeeper $370,000
A judge ruled that his posts libeled a couple who sold him bees that later died.
Minnesota senior bakers are building a community 20,000 cookies at a time
In Eagle Bend, Minn., senior volunteers bake good cookies that do good.
Lake Minnetonka wakesurfing stirs up debate over calls for ban
Opponents call for banning wakesurfing within 700 feet of shore while advocates say more education is the answer.
Ulrich found guilty on all counts in Buffalo clinic attack
A Wright County jury deliberated for six hours after he admitted shooting five people at Buffalo Allina Health Clinic last year.
Buffalo clinic shooting victim: 'My God — are we going to die here?'
Victims of Buffalo, Minn., shooting attack testify as alleged killer hides his face.
Owner wants to give away his small-town Minnesota newspaper
He's off to Ukraine to fight against Russian invaders.
'I knew I was going to die': Clinic workers, patients recount attack in Buffalo, Minn.
Gregory Ulrich is charged in the 2021 attack that killed one and wounded four.
'I would send a lot of ambulances': Alleged Minnesota clinic attacker's 911 call played at trial
Five people were shot, leaving four injured and one dead, in the attack at a primary care clinic in Buffalo, Minn., in February 2021.
Testimony underway in trial for Buffalo Allina clinic attacker who killed 1, injured 4
Prosecutors say he planned the ambush; defense says he was a desperate man.
Jury selection in Buffalo clinic attack is painstaking, time-consuming and fascinating
Judge, attorneys are spending up to an hour quizzing each prospective juror, one at a time.
Federal report lays out historic effort to dismantle Indian families and culture
It's the first step in addressing 'intergenerational trauma' caused by placement of children in the Indian school system.
Teen accused of killing Wis. girl had a chaotic start in life
Custody battle, father's prison time colored the 14-year-old's experiences.
Rochester neighbors want woman to tear down her half-built dream home
A divorce halted construction on a couple's dream home. Neighbors call it a dangerous eyesore and want it torn down.
Juvenile suspect arrested in Wisconsin girl's killing
Police said they arrested a suspect who was "known to the victim" and that there is no further danger to the community.
Juvenile suspect arrested in Wisconsin girl's killing
Police said they arrested a suspect who was "known to the victim" and that there is no further danger to the community.
Duluth officer acquitted after shooting through door, wounding 1
A jury returned a quick verdict in favor of Tyler Leibfried, the first Duluth officer to be charged with a crime for a shooting on duty.
Suspected Duluth killer confessed to killing family in social media post
He posted a confession and apology before allegedly taking 5 lives, including his own.
5 found dead in Duluth home after police asked to make check
Police found the bodies after a welfare check call and said the victims were related. Duluth Police Chief Mike Tusken called the scene an "unimaginable tragedy."
Jury acquits northern Minnesota man who fled scene of friend's death
He said he left the scene of a fatal crash in the remote North Woods because it was the only way to find help.
Former township board chair in central Minnesota convicted on felony sex charge
Ryan Martens faces up to 15 years in prison.
Minnesota teacher returns home after imprisonment while fleeing Ukraine
Russian authorities suspected Tyler Jacob of spying, but Sen. Amy Klobuchar helped secure his release.
New $18 million Lake Minnetonka mansion escapes teardown — for now
A judge said neighbors missed a deadline for objecting to a zoning variance, but he left another avenue of appeal open.
![Horse breeder Candi Lemarr talked about life at her family farm, Thursday, January 13, 2021 in Sleepy Eye, MN. ] ELIZABETH FLORES • liz.flores@start](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/HCG6BMU4ANKGNNVYRIOMDQTOAY.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Sleepy Eye horse trainer acquitted of 20 counts of animal cruelty
After a five-day trial, jury took less than an hour to deliver verdict
Conservative Minnesota think tank says it's a victim of cancel culture
Rochester country club shut down Center of the American Experiment event after members objected.
Southeastern Minn. mayor says critic has 'vendetta' against him
Former Oronoco council member says Gold Rush Days planners are breaking state's open-meeting law.
![A rack of Nice Ride bikes at the corner of 2nd Ave. S. and 3rd St. S. in downtown Minneapolis Monday afternoon. ] JEFF WHEELER • Jeff.Wheeler@startr](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/GDBPKZRGCCHGLRGOKOEWAZ7GSU.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Rental scooters and bikes will be back on the streets soon
The number of scooters will be limited in downtown Minneapolis
![Council president Amy Brendmoen, center, spoke during a St. Paul City Council meeting at Como Lakeside Pavilion. ] LEILA NAVIDI • leila.navidi@start](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/YVZGACCA6FXWTPHY3RCWX2E2WI.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
St. Paul begins process to create framework for Reparations Commission
The city will hold four public meetings this month to offer information about the commission, which will make reparations to descendants of slavery.
![Samantha King votes as her son Luka Kind finds a spot to “hide” at Shakopee West Middle School in Shakopee, MN on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. ] Eliza](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/O5V5O4NQRNHH7DFUTVHN4THLYY.jpg?w=600&h=600&auto=format%2Ccompress&cs=tinysrgb)