Recent content from Karen Tolkkinen
Tolkkinen: Crow Wing County restaurant owner says Trump sign cost him half his business
Even as the internet piles on with ridicule, Big Al's Bar & Grill owner says he won't take the sign down.
Tolkkinen: MAGA? DFL? No matter, this group just wants women to lead
There's a shortage of people able and willing to serve in local office, and in Minnesota's rural areas, women are an untapped group.
Tolkkinen: Good luck finding a handyman in greater Minnesota these days
Residents unable to find help with home maintenance and repair say it feels like nobody wants to tackle small projects.
Tolkkinen: Into the Boundary Waters with self-made gear made from natural materials
Ozzie Reif of Ely wanted to plunge into the wilderness on non-commercial terms.
Tolkkinen: Growing food for fuel isn't working. It's time to rethink ethanol.
Does society really need to spend $8.9B to capture ethanol carbon emissions?
Tolkkinen: Minnesota has become a state with two flags
The new flag has made inroads into rural Minnesota. However, many cities and counties continue to fly the old.
Urban and rural Minnesota might feel divided, but they need each other
The University of Minnesota is launching a podcast about all the ways we are interconnected. Some of it is surprising.
Tolkkinen: Western Minnesota votes against Christian nationalism
Steve Boyd's loss in deeply conservative district is another sign of weakness for the Christian right.
Tolkkinen: African pastors bring a different perspective to Farmfest
The group watched Minnesota's annual agrarian convention with intrigue and astonishment.
Tolkkinen: One man's perseverance put Darwin, Minnesota on the map
What could I do with left-over baler twine? Hmmm.
Tolkkinen: Walz might not be the rural charm Democrats hope for
At Farmfest there was little excitement for Walz as the vice presidential pick.
Tolkkinen: This is the sliver of common ground between both sides in the abortion debate
Both sides want compassion for women who have had abortions.
Tolkkinen: Can we talk about climate change, please?
A muggy Duluth night is "nothing like what's coming."
Tolkkinen: Small square hay bales are a thing of the past, but they're my happy place
Those once ubiquitous square bales have been replaced by "big rounds."
Tolkkinen: America is ready for a woman president, but Kamala Harris still needs to win over rural Democrats
Plus, some issues I'd like to hear Harris address.
Tolkkinen: Quit hugging our state, South Dakota
Minnesota's Rock County now in a statistical relationship with Sioux Falls.
Tolkkinen: Wind turbines become divisive issue in Traverse County, Minn.
Farmers are deciding whether to put turbines on their land, despite the anger that might come with it.
Tolkkinen: Renting a place up north for a week? A primer on being a good guest in lake country
Some counties are cracking down on VRBO renters. With good reason.
Tolkkinen: Finally Rep. Michelle Fischbach is asking for my opinion — kind of
The GOP congresswoman from western Minnesota is facing a primary challenge.
Tolkkinen: Chest-high floodwaters didn't stop this Minnesota dentist from seeing patients
Waterville dentist Bill Struve brought patients and employees in by canoe.
Tolkkinen: Families in rural Minnesota want your house, Grandma
"The inability of seniors to move out has inhibited the ability for our new labor to move in."
Tolkkinen: A CNN reporter mispronounces Mankato and Minnesota laughs
Minnesota is full of names that weed out the locals from the out-of-towners.
Tolkkinen: The world's problems in 17 rooms in western Minnesota
"We need to be caught up in what unifies us."
Tolkkinen: A Pipestone father and his Army son share a Father's Day call
A Pipestone father and his Army son share an early Father's Day video call.
Tolkkinen: Living in rural Minnesota, I've made my yard my grocery store
Foraging and raising chickens took some getting used to for our grocery store-raised country transplant.
Tolkkinen: Summer brings together urban and rural. Let's make use of it.
Don't be like that guy who made a Battle Lake hostess cry.
Tolkkinen: Alexandria tackles hate and fear after police Facebook post draws racist response
This west-central resort town has seen the kind of racism that can follow a criminal incident, but the small crowd that turned out for a public meeting in response give reason for hope.
How wild Minnesota worked its magic for our new greater Minnesota columnist
Karen Tolkkinen debuts her new column with a story - and a request
