Staff Directory 6134696

Katy Read

Reporter | Carver and western Hennepin Counties
Phone: 612-673-4583

Katy Read writes for the Star Tribune's Inspired section. She previously covered Carver County and western Hennepin County as well as aging, workplace issues and other topics since she began at the paper in 2011. Prior to that, she was a reporter at the Times-Picayune in New Orleans, La., and the Duluth News-Tribune and spent 15 years as a freelance writer for national and regional magazines.


Read has also written for Salon, Real Simple, Working Mother, Minnesota Monthly, the Chicago Sun-Times, The Toronto Globe and Mail and other publications. Her essays have been published in several anthologies including "Fearless Confessions: A Writer's Guide to Memoir." She has won a Minnesota State Arts Board grant and multiple literary awards, as well as four fellowships for journalists on aging. She is a Minnetonka native and a University of Minnesota graduate. Her most exciting hobbies include working (very slowly) on a memoir, cruising the internet and walking her dog.
Recent content from Katy Read
Dariia Misko, a Ukrainian student, and Ian Foertsch, a Golden Valley volunteer, have been meeting for online conversations since January.

Virtual pen pals: ENGin pairs Ukrainians and Americans for online English conversations

ENGin participants in Minnesota and Ukraine find the exchanges extremely valuable.
Students from High View Middle School in New Brighton explore “Girlhood (It's complicated)" at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul.

Minnesota History Center's 'Girlhood' exhibit examines roles, restrictions and rebellions

The St. Paul museum's show explores issues affecting girls in education, health, work, sports and fashion.
The Rev. Jerad Morey, leader of the Minnesota Council of Churches' Respectful Conversations Project speaks to a group at a convention in Minneapolis M

Can Americans discuss political disagreements respectfully? Yes, says this Minnesota pastor.

The Rev. Jerad Morey of the Minnesota Council of Churches specializes helping people politely navigate discussions of divisive issues.
At Armstrong High School, Lucia Mikelson, playing Scorpius Malfoy and Evan Miller, playing Albus Potter, rehearse a scene in "Harry Potter and the Cur

'Harry Potter' Broadway play makes its Minnesota debut at a Plymouth high school

Armstrong students find ways to create magic onstage with "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child."
Leah Cooper, co-director and writer of "Thank You for Holding: The Caregiver Play," said that nothing in the production is 100% fiction.

In St. Paul theater play 'Thank You for Holding,' caregivers perform as caregivers

Wonderlust Productions' play connects stories of the joy and grief that come with caregiving.
Chloé Barnes, holding a doll.

This Minnesota council helps people with diseases you've probably never heard of

The Minnesota Rare Disease Advisory Council works to help those with rare diseases get screened, diagnosed and treated.
Sharon Tarble of Maplewood rides the Cafesjian’s Carousel during a night tour outside the Como Park in St. Paul. Carousel volunteers hold occasional

Giddy-up! Cafesjian's Carousel's original horses at Como Park are still galloping after 110 years.

After a fire and several moves in Minnesota, the vintage merry-go-around retains its original paint and charm.
Bethany Maetzold, 14, shakes her head as she plays a drum during a music therapy session with Yue Wu.

MacPhail therapists use music to treat a wide range of health issues

Minneapolis program focuses on music's power to affect brain function, mood and behavior.
Dr. David Frenz is an addiction specialist based in Minneapolis.

Why isn't medication that eliminates opioid cravings more widely used?

Despite government approval, the drug still scares some people.
William Cope Moyers has written a new memoir, “Broken Open: What Painkillers Taught Me About Life and Recovery.”

He was the face of addiction recovery. Then he got hooked on opioids.

In a new book, William Cope Moyers, a vice president at Minnesota's Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, tells about how, after years of sobriety, he became addicted to painkillers — and how he got off them.
Tremaine Brown, left, waits as Jennifer Kubitschek shops for items on the Mobile Market bus outside the Iowa High Rise in St. Paul on Tuesday. Mobile

Mobile Market delivers food to Twin Cities communities in need

Converted school bus is a grocery store on wheels.
Parkinson's activist Jackie Christensen, 60, is working on a documentary about communication and other issues related to the disease she's had since s

Minneapolis woman, losing speech to Parkinson's disease, works to communicate via a documentary

Jackie Hunt Christensen speaks slowly and faintly, but her determination is strong.
Musicians and singers Mark and Lisa Floras entertain residents of senior housing with songs by Elvis, Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, and other

Minneapolis musicians play oldies that senior-home audiences remember from their younger days

When the Floras perform, audiences can sing along to songs by Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley and other hits from their youth.
Grant Fogt, avian education specialist at the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, Minn., feeds Was’aka the Eagle, who is missing an eye.

The eagle isn't actually the national bird. An effort launched in Wabasha may change that.

The National Eagle Center is spearheading an effort championed by Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Reps. Angie Craig and Brad Finstad.
Sheila Sweeney holds a copy of her book, "Unapologetically Healing; A Guided Journal for Reflection and Generational Transformation."

New book by St. Paul therapist guides self-examination through journaling

"Unapologetically Healing: A Guided Journal for Reflection and Generational Transformation" is designed for use during, after or instead of therapy.
Viva Froeming, left, touched the face of friend Virginia Goering as her twin sister Vera Sims looks on. The three ladies, all 101 years old, have been

Three 101-year-old friends recall fond memories in 1940s Alexandria

Virginia Goering, Vera Sims and Viva Froemming have stayed friends for 80 years.
Maya Mor poses for a portrait at Minnetonka High School on Wednesday.

Minnetonka teenager singlehandedly organizes nonprofit and travels to Tanzania to coach girls in running

Maya Mor decided to use her "gap year" constructively.
Jenny and Kyle Mekemson and their children Graham and Clara find some of their favorite rocks in their Kindness Rock Garden.

This rocks! Minnesotans are painting stones with kind messages to spread cheer.

Brightly decorated rocks in yards across the state are part of a "kindness rock" trend.
Annie Lees, a chaplain at Catholic Eldercare, leads a rosary and Bible study for residents at Catholic Eldercare in Minneapolis.

For Minneapolis assisted-living chaplain, residents' stories are 'a gift'

Annie Lees went from Los Angeles actress to chaplain at Catholic Eldercare so she could spend time talking to people.
Vigilance Safety team members Jake Hoversten, Rushil Khadilkar, Anuj Kakkad and Neev Zeroni show off their system in 2023 at Wayzata's J. J. Hill Days

Could a system developed by Minnesota high school students reduce school shootings?

Vigilance Safety, a system designed by Wayzata High School students to detect guns, has receive praise from police, educators and even a gun dealer.
Elizabeth Orme developed Creatively Focused to support special-education teachers.

Minnesota company helps special-ed teachers around the country

Creatively Focused helps educators organize paperwork and connect with other teachers.
Executive Director Zachary Robinson ambitiously calls Spark-Y's Minneapolis base its 'World Headquarters.'

Minneapolis program sparks youth careers through community projects

Spark-Y offers hands-on classroom learning, internships and apprenticeships to help kids achieve their "destiny."
Pat Leseman and Rosemary Fagrelius sit side-by-side hugging their sons, Mike and John.

St. Paul club offers 'a lot of fun stuff' for people with developmental disabilities

The Highland Friendship Club was organized by the moms of two members.
Macalester student Vyen Hayag sits with patient Michael Casalenda at Our Lady of Peace Hospice in St. Paul.



Students from Macalester who are taking

Volunteering in hospice helps Macalester students contemplate death's mysteries up close

"Just being there" can be a comfort to people in their final days.
Nicholas Gaudette from Edina High School warms up backstage with other music educators before Saturday's concert.

Minnesota music teachers play alongside Minnesota Orchestra members in special concerts

Each of 54 educators sat beside an orchestra member playing the same instrument for a performance of Gustav Holst's "Jupiter" during season sampler concerts.

Two die in Wyoming, Minn., crash

Two others were injured when a vehicle crossed the center line.
Mike Waldron hugs a man in a stars and stripes outfit while standing on a stage.

Minnesota veteran makes 1,000-mile 'gratitude walk' for program that helps vets

Daniel Crawford hiked in honor of 23rd Veteran, a Duluth program that turns trauma triggers into positive vibes.
A retiree watches his golf shot at a Chaska driving range in 2013.

What are the financial pros and cons of retiring in Minnesota?

The state has higher taxes. But it is also important to look at the "whole picture."
Barbara Swartwoudt sits in a chair donating blood while Cindy Anderson accompanies her.

At 90, Northfield woman looks back on 57 years of blood drives

Cindy Anderson helped recruit volunteers and set up the spaces.
Lambeau, a mobility assistance dog from Can Do Canines, lays next to Nora Guerin’s walker as she chats with Sahra Ahmed, 18, at Edison High School i

Service dog helps Minneapolis high-school counselor cope with MS

Fortunately, Lambeau's name was no problem for Nora Guerin, an avid Green Bay Packers fan.
Bill Crane, 60, talks with his guardian Christy Marchand in front of his untitled artwork as part of an "I AM” show on display in the lobby of the U

Twin Cities exhibit traces 'Unfinished Journey' for people with developmental disabilities

From lifelong confinement to voting rights: Some of the milestones providing more opportunities and independence are disturbingly recent.
Photographer Kathleen Sheffer takes a photo of herself in a mirror with her shirt unbuttoned, showing a line of scars from a heart and lung transplant

Artists offer ideas for improving the health care system

What sounds like a monumental task is doable if lots of people get involved, they say.
Dogs gathered in one of the two play areas where dogs are separated by size at Adventure is Barking in Hopkins on March 7. The business has opened a �

Owner of Hopkins doggie day care shares tips for helping pups learn good manners

Every dog has its day at Adventures in Barking.
Ella Alexander, 3, hugs her dad Jonathan and mother Allison at Jack's Basket's 10-year anniversary open house.

Twin Cities program helps parents celebrate their babies with Down syndrome

Jack's Basket counters "insensitive" delivery of the news with baskets of baby gifts and family resources.
Picture of Katy Burke, executive director of TeamWomen, speaking at a podium.

Women in Twin Cities group help each other develop their careers

TeamWomen's members, representing a variety of career levels and industries, get together to share experiences and strategies.
Piero Soria, a data analyst for global services operations, stands at his desk as he works at Groupon in Chicago on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018. The stor

University of Minnesota researcher studies health effects of sit-stand desks

A University of Minnesota professor partnered with a colleague from Arizona State University to study how sit-stand desks affect workers' health.
Portrait of Dick and Polly Bramer in which Dick is wearing glasses with a small device on the right lens.

Little-known devices restore vision to people who can't be helped by regular glasses

Bioptic telescopic glasses can help people read, walk and see loved one's faces, but hardly anyone has heard of them.
Photo of Jessalyn Akerman-Frank giving two thumbs up.

St. Paul woman advocates on behalf of access and equity for other deaf people

Jessalyn Akerman-Frank has won awards for creating innovative programs for the deaf community.
Jim Henderson in his AI portrait studio.

Eden Prairie photographer creates portraits of dogs using AI

Is artificial intelligence a threat to artists or a useful tool? Maybe both, Jim Henderson says.
Kristen Helton, Herself Health’s CEO, explained the clinics and their services at a recent open house.

Twin Cities area clinics offer holistic care to women over 65

Herself Health focuses on women's health and wellness from a perspective that's different from the one used for men.
St. Paul consultant helps 'solo seniors' deal with dilemmas of aging

St. Paul consultant helps 'solo seniors' deal with dilemmas of aging

Linda J. Camp is working for systemic change to help those without close relatives or friends to deal with health care, financial challenges and more.
Toni Kay Mangskau visited the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul on her way to watch Gov. Tim Walz sign the law launching paid family and medical lea

Rochester woman turns stories of her own struggles into advocacy for others in need

Caregiving challenges, homelessness, chronic disease, drug addiction and lack of medical insurance are among the problems Toni Kay Mangskau's family encountered.
Brian McNeill, president of Dignity Twin Cities, spoke in support of Pope Francis’s statement approving blessings of same-sex couples.

Local leaders welcome pope's statement on LGBTQ couples

Archbishop Hebda says it's a reminder "that all of us are loved by God." Dignity Twin Cities calls it a "landmark decision."
Members of the writers’ group at the Waters in Edina include (from left) Anne Franco, volunteer leader Kathleen Novak, Sally Stein, Mary Ann Hansen

Residents of Edina senior housing meet monthly to write, read, remember

A writing group at the Waters has published four books that share their stories.
Mike Day and his wife, Laura, hiking the lava field of the Fagradalsfjall volcano in Iceland, which erupted in 2021, one of the adventures recounted i

An Imax producer shares his travel secrets

"The World Has a Big Backyard," by former Science Museum executive VP Mike Day, is part travel memoir, part advice book.
Maddy Loch displays a couple of the free items available at Twin Cities Pride’s Rainbow Closet.

Minnesota LGBTQ organizations offer support to newcomers seeking trans refuge

With a new Minnesota law making the state a refuge for people seeking gender-affirming care, local organizations are offering support to transgender and nonbinary arrivals.
Brothers Brian (left) and Byron Hendrickson examined an item at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, where their own art hangs in a different gallery.

Formerly homeless Minneapolis brothers develop passion for drawing in Mia class

Through the Vitality Arts projects, they explored their range of interests, from mythology to World War II to Taylor Swift.
Chaz Sandifer founded Stories Behind the Menu to start conversations across cultures.

Dinners by top Minnesota chefs serve up 'courageous conversation'

Stories Behind the Menu founder Chaz Sandifer wants people to form connections across cultures by breaking bread together.
Bethel University’s 2021 graduates include students with disabilities in the school’s inclusive Build program.

Exhibit shows progress in lives of Minnesotans with developmental disabilities

Once labeled "feeble-minded" and institutionalized, people with disabilities now have more control over their lives and choices.
Carole Johnson, a resident of the Pillars of Prospect Park, tries out virtual reality tennis with personal trainer Ian Williams of FitVive.

Minnesota therapists use virtual reality to help patients conquer fears

Whether it makes you feel like you're playing an enjoyable game or confronting your worst fears, VR is gaining interest as effective therapy.
Hamze Jama, a former member of a Futsal Society team, served customers at Fawkes Alley Coffee, where he works and receives mentoring.

9 Minnesota coffee shops that pour profits back into the community

These coffee shops have missions that extend beyond their brews.
High school senior Taara Verma said teens can use the Feel Now app to log and track their emotions.

Edina teens create free app that lets kids track their emotions

Users of Taara Verma's Feel Now get a reminder each day to log their moods.

Minneapolis woman's introspective memoir examines the emotions of caregiving

Savita Harjani's "Postcards From Within" isn't a how-to book as much as a personal journal about what it meant.
Some of the 2022 Minnesota State Fair scholarship recipients, and State Fair Board members.

New $2,000 Minnesota State Fair scholarship aids study of skilled trades

Lex Lewison of Owatonna will use his scholarship to learn increasingly complex automotive service technology.
Catherine Squires leads a “Cozy Yoga” class at Reviving Roots, a mental health therapy and wellness center for Black people.

Minneapolis wellness center offers Black people a space where others 'get it'

Reviving Roots offers an all-Black staff and therapy designed for the Black community.
“She’s hitting times that would be impressive on a traditional [nondisabled] high school swim team,” said coach Adam Warden.

Minnesota teen swimmer has broken more than 100 bones, but her spirit is unbreakable

After winning gold in a national tournament, Sophia Nohre wants to compete in the 2028 Paralympics — among other things.
Jennifer Trebisovsky, aka Jennifer Universe, published “Make it a Good Day” in 2018 and published its sequel, “Make it a Good Night,” this yea

Minneapolis author tells kids how they can make their days and nights 'good'

"Make it a Good Day" and "Make it a Good Night" offer young readers tips for making things go well.
James Page spoke to a support group at Grace Temple Church in Minneapolis.

St. Paul man wins national recognition for helping others through recovery

Writer, speaker and mentor James Page Jr. developed a set of inspirational cards he named "Spiritual Apples."
Everett Forbes (right) had a stroke while having brain surgery when he was 3, leaving his right side weaker than his left. Nevertheless, climbing was

Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota gets $5 million donation for Camp Oz

The gift is by far the largest the organization has ever received.
Tom Fugleberg (far left) and Brian Kroening (holding guitar) got together with collaborators at Drum Farm Studio in rural Menomonie, Wis.

Minnesota dads harness 'power of music' to help kids with mental health struggles

The Twin Cities duo wants to raise money to help children struggling with anxiety and depression.

Minnesota father and son develop app to monitor loved ones with dementia

Scott and Paul Carpenter created BoundaryCare after finding little available to protect family members — including their own.
Tony Drews founded Nashke Games — including MiiGwech, a card game — as a fun way to learn about Ojibwe language and culture.

Minnesota man develops games to help kids learn Ojibwe culture and language

Cards and puzzles give Native American youngsters a chance to speak Ojibwe.

To help his riders, Twin Cities Uber and Lyft driver goes the extra mile

Mark Daigle of Minnetonka pays for people's rides, gets them to safety if needed — and more.
Jean Cerisier, known as Ms. Jean, greets students during a school carnival.

Retiring Minneapolis teacher 'Ms. Jean' has offered a living lesson in caring

School to salute "Ms. Jean" Cerisier, who is "respected and revered" by her peers and students alike.
Michael Hewitt (third from right, orange shirt) hangs out with Effective Altruism practitioners at a local Meetup event.

How do you decide how to give? These Minnesotans practice Effective Altruism

The practice aims to save lives using logic — but why is it so controversial?
At a Vikings alumni weekend, Maya Washington took a selfie with her father Gene, left, along with Clinton Jones, a college and NFL teammate.

Former Vikings star's daughter wants to help other families tell their stories

Filmmaker and author Maya Washington has designed a program on making a creative project.
Donna Traefald, center, surrounded by kids and grandchildren.

Lakeville mom has more than 100 kids: 'If there's room in the heart, there's room in the home'

Donna Traefald raised nine adopted children and fostered more than 100, much of that time as a single mother working full time.
In Open Studio sessions, participants are invited to help themselves to assorted art materials and make whatever they like.

Curiosity Studio in Minneapolis offers open-ended approach to art therapy

Programs include Open Studio, in which participants can create whatever they want while interacting with others.
Names of people lost to suicide are listed on a memorial wall inside the SAVE (Suicide Awareness Voices of Education) offices in Bloomington.

Why has Minnesota's suicide rate been steadily rising?

This heartbreaking public health trend has mirrored a similar increase across the country.

These Minnesotans channeled their grief into 'a force for good'

For some people, a project offers a way to cope with grief and honor the memory of a loved one.

Blaine mom helps school understand son, other kids with Down syndrome

Sana Soussi hopes the program she organized will lead to more acceptance and inclusion of kids with special needs.

Blaine mom helps school understand son, other kids with Down syndrome

Registered nurse Chris Niederer with SoleCare for Souls gives a hug to Brian Campbell after working on his feet Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at the Cathol

16 Minnesota volunteers discuss the rewards of giving time

During March, the Star Tribune explored volunteering, from how to find opportunities to how helping others can make your life better. Each week, four volunteers explained how they give back and why they volunteer.
These Minnesotans volunteered to help others. They ended up helping themselves.

These Minnesotans volunteered to help others. They ended up helping themselves.

Folks who participated in the Star Tribune's Volunteer Challenge talk about the joys of helping others.
Emily Meister gives medicine to a three-legged sheep at Farmaste in Lindstrom, Minn.

Minnesota volunteers discuss rewards of sanctuary farming and other roles