Recent content from Kelly Smith
8 great places to sauna and cold plunge in Minnesota this winter
Minnesota is the epicenter of the growing sauna trend. And the Land of 10,000 Lakes has something extra special: natural cold plunges galore.
More Minnesota nonprofits are facing financial crisis than any year since 2020
Nearly 80% of nonprofits in a new survey said they have less than a year before they face financial distress largely because of declining donations and increasing costs.
Woman who dropped off attempted bribe for Feeding Our Future juror pleads guilty
In new details, Ladan Ali admitted to stealing $80,000 in cash meant to go to the juror. She could face nearly five to six years in prison.
Brooklyn Park man accused of tax evasion over vape shops and deceptive practices at décor business
Hennepin County charges and an attorney general lawsuit accuse William Shocinski Jr. of Brooklyn Park of not providing metal décor products, making fake charity claims and evading tobacco vaping taxes.
State alleges motorcycle ride fundraiser pocketed money meant to support Minnesota veterans charity
A 2022 motorcycle ride fundraiser, Ride to The Chip, promised riders 100% of the money would go to charity. Instead, state investigators allege organizers pocketed the money.
St. Paul & Minnesota Foundation honors four Minnesotans for anti-racism efforts
The winners will be honored Sept. 26 and each will receive a $7,500 grant to give to a nonprofit of their choice.
Jennifer Bjorhus, longtime journalist and Star Tribune reporter, dies of brain cancer
Bjorhus, who had an award-winning journalism career in the Twin Cities and West Coast, was 59.
Cargill billionaire's secretive foundation quietly closes after giving out unprecedented $500 million
Former Cargill CEO Whitney MacMillan's WEM Foundation dissolved last December and closed its Minnetonka office. For more than three decades, the foundation kept a low-profile despite being one of Minnesota's largest private foundations.
Safety concerns prompt Catholic Charities to install temporary fencing in downtown St. Paul
Catholic Charities Twin Cities has installed temporary chain-link fencing on its St. Paul campus to control access and reduce safety issues, and is working to design permanent fencing for 2025.
Minneapolis police investigating stabbing off Hennepin Avenue in Uptown
The male victim, who wasn't identified, was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries.
Separate SWAT standoffs in Edina and Burnsville end peacefully
The suspects in two separate standoffs were arrested by police after hours-long negotiations.
Foundations invest $6 million in new fund to support local journalism in Minnesota
The money will help local groups over the next five years. Organizers also hope to drum up more philanthropic support.
For the first time in more than a century, Minneapolis park workers go on strike
After seven months of contract negotiations, union members went on strike after the Park and Recreation Board presented its final offer Monday.
Minnesota says tobacco firms owe $58M in underpayments from landmark settlement
Attorney General Keith Ellison's office allege Philip Morris and R.J. Reynolds owe the state nearly $10 million a year since 2019.
Deficit spurs Minnesota Historical Society to 'rightsize' by shedding workers
The Minnesota Historical Society has been trying to rebuild revenue and staffing since massive 2020 layoffs and financial losses. But a budget deficit this year has prompted more layoffs.
Flurry of new affordable housing projects are breaking ground across the Twin Cities
Several new affordable apartment buildings are opening this year and next along with more emergency shelters for Minnesotans experiencing homelessness.
Feeding Our Future attempted bribery case could affect other trials in Minnesota
Legal experts say the attempted bribe of a juror could deter other Minnesotans from serving on a jury, fearing for their safety or privacy.
Feds charge five in plot to bribe Feeding Our Future trial juror with $120K in cash
Five people, including three who were on trial, are now being charged.
Judge denies Burnsville defendant's request to be released from jail in Feeding Our Future case
Mukhtar Shariff was convicted by a jury earlier this month in the fraud case, and has been in custody since June 3.
'We can always do better,' Gov. Walz says of Education Department after report criticizes Feeding Our Future oversight
Walz said the Legislative Auditor's report was a "fair critique" of the department, though he said no state employees are accused of wrongdoing.
'Inadequate oversight' of Feeding Our Future opened door to fraud, report says
A much-anticipated special review of the Minnesota Department of Education's oversight of Feeding Our Future found that the state agency "failed to act on warning signs."
19 Minnesotans win prestigious Bush Foundation fellowship
The 19 Minnesotans, two North Dakotans and three South Dakotans are this year's winners of the Bush fellowship, which gives $100,000 to advance community leaders' education and training.
FBI agents search more Feeding Our Future defendants' homes
Agents acted Wednesday as they investigate how jurors' names were leaked.
Jury finds five of seven defendants guilty in Feeding Our Future trial
Two defendants were found not guilty on any of the charges against them; five were found guilty on multiple counts.
Judge denies Feeding Our Future leader's request to sanction Minn. Department of Education
In a civil case filed in Ramsey County, Aimee Bock alleged the department destroyed evidence. The case is separate from federal criminal fraud charges tied to Feeding Our Future employees and associates.
As Feeding Our Future jury deliberates, FBI raids defendant's home
It wasn't clear why or if other defendants' homes or any other sites were searched.
After 2nd juror excused, Feeding Our Future jury set to continue Wednesday
A 25-year-old woman from Savage said she heard about the bribery incident from a family member. An alternate — a 30-year-old Andover man — replaced her as the jury weighs 41 charges.
Feeding Our Future trial juror dismissed after woman offers $120,000 in cash to acquit defendants
A woman showed up at the juror's house Sunday and left the money, saying more would be coming if she would vote for acquittal, prosecutors said.
Attorneys begin giving closing arguments in Feeding Our Future trial
After six weeks of the high-profile trial, attorneys will wrap up closing arguments Monday before the jury deliberates the massive fraud case.
Defendant in Feeding Our Future trial testifies he distributed 'tons' of food
Mukhtar Shariff was the only one of seven defendants to testify in the Feeding Our Future trial. He said he wasn't responsible for financial paperwork, and just distributed food to Bloomington sites.
Defendant in Feeding Our Future trial testifies in his defense
Mukhtar Shariff is the only one of seven defendants on trial in the Feeding Our Future case who is testifying or calling witnesses.
Almost all defendants in Feeding Our Future fraud trial will rest their case without calling any witnesses
Six of the seven defendants said they won't call any witnesses, nor will they take the stand in their defense. The prosecution has called more than 30 witnesses the past four weeks.
Feeding Our Future trial: What you should know as prosecutors prepare to rest their case
Prosecutors will rest their case this week and defense attorneys for the seven defendants on trial will start calling their own witnesses to make their case they fed children across Minnesota.
FBI expert: Defendants used money for kids' meals to supply restaurant
An FBI forensic accountant testified in the Feeding Our Future trial that little of defendants' millionsin federal reimbursements for feeding kids was spent on food, and some of the food they did buy supplied their own restaurant.
IRS agent testifies about 'peculiar' names in food distribution sites in Feeding Our Future trial
Prosecutors have called more than 30 witnesses in the meal fraud trial, which entered its fourth week of witness testimonies on Monday.
Cash, gold jewelry, luxury cars: FBI agent details evidence seized in Feeding Our Future case
An FBI agent testified Friday in the Feeding Our Future trial about the luxury purchases defendants bought during the alleged fraud scheme.
Defense attorneys seek to discredit key witness in Feeding Our Future meal fraud scheme
Hadith Ahmed, a former Feeding Our Future employee, testified Thursday that he hopes for a reduced prison sentence for cooperating with the FBI.
Feeding Our Future employee testifies he took kickbacks, didn't check meal sites
Hadith Ahmed was the first Feeding Our Future employee to testify in the trial, revealing how a massive fraud scheme unfolded and admitting he got kickbacks from defendants.
Witnesses testify about 'outlandish' numbers of meals they never saw served in Feeding Our Future trial
Six witnesses from across Minnesota testified on Tuesday in the Feeding Our Future trial that they didn't see thousands of meals distributed to apartments, parks or a music venue.
Witnesses in Feeding Our Future trial testify they saw no meals served
Five witnesses testified Monday in the Feeding Our Future trial that they either saw no meals served or "few people" at meal distribution sites run by defendants.
Crowds in closed park and FBI tipsters: Trial unveils details in alleged meal fraud scheme
In the first week of the Feeding Our Future trial, prosecutors revealed their evidence defendants stole millions of dollars while defense attorneys moved to cast doubt in the FBI's investigation.
FBI agent reveals how the agency's massive fraud investigation began in Feeding Our Future trial
An FBI agent was the second person to testify this week in the trial for seven defendants with ties to Feeding Our Future.
Minnesota Education Department official testifies in Feeding Our Future trial about fraud concerns
Emily Honer, a supervisor at the Minnesota Department of Education, was the first witness called in the trial. She said she had concerns about the number of meal sites tied to Feeding Our Future in 2020.
Defense attorneys in first Feeding Our Future trial say defendants served 'real food'
Prosecutors and defense attorneys gave opening statements Monday in the first Feeding Our Future trial, painting different versions of how meal programs were run.
Jury selected for Feeding Our Future trial after unusually long process due to publicity of massive fraud case
More than 70 Minnesotans were questioned in an unusually long four-day process to select a jury for the first Feeding Our Future trial due to the high publicity in the massive case.
First trial in Feeding Our Future case underway as jury selection begins
More than a dozen potential jurors were interviewed Monday from a pool of 1,000 people summoned.
First trial in Feeding Our Future federal fraud case starts Monday
It's the first Feeding Our Future case to go to trial since the more than $250 million fraud scheme was publicly revealed in January 2022. The seven defendants' lawyers have argued they didn't knowingly commit a crime.
Why do so many Minnesota homeowners get free roofs after a hailstorm?
Stormy weather has been beating up local roofs lately. But insurance companies are also scaling back coverage, arguing that "something's got to change."
Buy Nothing meets GoFundMe: How a new Eden Prairie website aims to 'revolutionize' philanthropy
RedLadder is a new online marketplace where people trade free household items, resulting in donations to Twin Cities nonprofits.
Some of Minnesota's largest companies have quietly closed their foundations
3M, General Mills and Thrivent have closed their foundations in recent years, changing how they give back to the community.
An 18th defendant pleads guilty in Feeding Our Future fraud case
Hoda Abdi, 53, of Burnsville pleaded guilty Wednesday to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
Minnesotans traveling to see Monday's solar eclipse hope to catch 'cosmic dance'
Many Minnesotans are embarking on road trips across the country to witness three or four minutes of a total solar eclipse on Monday.
Minneapolis media arts nonprofit Pollen Midwest shuts down after nearly 15 years
The small nonprofit was well-known in the nonprofit sector for its events, storytelling and jobs board.
Bloomington nonprofit leader tied to Feeding Our Future agrees to step down
In a settlement agreement, Ayan Abukar agreed to step down from the nonprofit she continued to be involved with despite federal criminal fraud charges.
YWCA Minneapolis sells Uptown fitness facility to nonprofit creating workforce development hub
Tending the Soil, a coalition of nonprofits and unions, plan to close on the sale in June.
Homelessness in Minnesota declined slightly in 2023, according to new study
For the first time in five years, Wilder Research has released a count of homelessness in Minnesota.
Minneapolis nonprofit Project Success expands to Mankato schools after $3M donation
Its largest donation ever will allow Project Success, which provides free classes to Minneapolis students, to expand its programs to Minnesota students outside the Twin Cities.
MacKenzie Scott gives $20 million to 10 Twin Cities nonprofits
The donations, announced Tuesday, from the Seattle billionaire will help Minnesota nonprofits expand their work.
YWCA Minneapolis sells downtown fitness facility to St. David's Center in Minnetonka
St. David's Center hopes to close on the purchase of YWCA's building on Nicollet Mall this summer, allowing it to expand its child mental health and autism programs.
Minnesota launches new outdoor recreation office in a bid to be 'top 10' state for recreation
In the last decade, 20 states across the country have set up outdoor recreation offices. Minnesota has now launched its own, aiming to boost the economy.
Explore Minnesota unveils new marketing campaign to sell the state to tourists, new residents
Travel industry experts got a first look at a new national ad campaign touting Minnesota to tourists and potential new residents.
From Lake Minnetonka to downtown Minneapolis, Twin Cities sauna culture heats up
Minnesota has become the epicenter of the sauna revival in the U.S., with new sauna experiences popping up in the Twin Cities.
V3 Sports opens new north Minneapolis aquatics center this spring
The first phase of the $97 million aquatics and sports center is opening this spring, and with a June grand opening.
Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community wraps up campaign to change Minnesota schools' perspectives on Native Americans
The Understand Native Minnesota campaign, which launched in 2019, has funded grants, research, new curriculum and training for teachers.
What's the story behind the Minnesota communities in Arizona and Florida?
Even far away from their home state, Minnesotans often find each other.
Feeding Our Future leader alleges a Minnesota Department of Education cover-up
Aimee Bock, who is criminally charged in the Feeding Our Future case, alleges that Education Department employees used burner phones and misspelled messages to hide information from a civil lawsuit the nonprofit filed over stopped payments.
How to get free tax help and receive Minnesota's new $1,750 child tax credit
The new child tax credit is the highest in the country, helping an estimated 300,000 families in the state.
Burnsville grocery store owner charged in Feeding Our Future case
Hoda Abdi was charged Thursday with wire fraud, the 61st person to be charged or indicted.
Thousands of Minnesota women, infants could lose access to federal program due to stagnant funding
On Thursday, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visited Minnesota to urge Congress to fully fund the Women, Infants and Children supplemental nutrition program, or it will face funding cuts for the first time in 25 years.
Hot dish 2/1/24
Plus: Most of Minnesota's House delegation joined a bipartisan effort to approve a tax cut package.
Target, Cargill pledge $10 million each to Second Harvest Heartland's new plan to cut hunger in Minnesota
Second Harvest's new "Make Hunger History" plan could cost more than $150 million over the next six years in new staffing and programs.
Minnesota funnels 'historic' $25 million to boost marketing the state to tourists, new residents
The Legislature approved the first funding increase to Explore Minnesota in more than a decade. The funding will support new campaigns to market Minnesota to travelers and prospective residents.
Second Harvest Heartland grows to push ambitious plan to reduce hunger in Minnesota
The Twin Cities food bank is adding new data, policy and outreach staff in a broad new plan to cut hunger in half by 2030.
New Minnesota state flag becomes partisan issue in 2024
Republicans plan to introduce legislation to put the final Minnesota state flag design to a public vote.
Minnesota hits a new record for food shelf visits
More Minnesotans visited food shelves in 2023 than any year in recent history. More residents are also relying on food stamps than any year since 2016 as stagnant wages and rising costs bust budgets.
