Recent content from Laura Yuen
![DJ Jake Rudh Converse shoes. ] (KYNDELL HARKNESS/STAR TRIBUNE) kyndell.harkness@startribune.com At the home of Jake Rudh in Minneapolis, Min., Friday,](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/BY7TBWJ6QPZXYWPDO4N3XRKCYY.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Yuen: Is there more wiggle room in the 'shoes-off' debate?
Readers gave me an earful about why I should reconsider my argument that any respectful houseguest should offer to remove their shoes before entering the home. I'm listening.
![Steve Good, 74, returned a serve during a workshop at the YMCA's first-ever pickleball camp for grown-ups.
] AARON LAVINSKY • Aaron.lavinsky@](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/2E7ZOVTLT5B63BGBSPWPSBQRRY.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Yuen: At this new Twin Cities pickleball camp, grown-ups discover their inner child
Campers came for the pickleball and stayed for the s'mores (and beer) at the latest adult camp offered by YMCA of the North.
Yuen: How Minnesota's No. 1 apple changed the industry — and the taste of apples to come
A legendary U of M apple breeder shares how the Honeycrisp went from "a local little apple that Minnesotans knew about" to the juggernaut it is today.
Yuen: What is a 'DEI hire'? If you use that term, we know what you really mean.
Calling Kamala Harris, or any other nonwhite candidate, a "DEI hire," says more about the person saying it than the target of their attacks.
She spent 20 years as a Macalester College therapist. Take it from her — college is hard.
Mia Nosanow's new book offers mental health tips and strategies for today's college students and the families who love them.
Yuen: St. Paul lesbian couple win paternity case in Minnesota appeals court
Julianna and Catherine Sheridan prevailed when appellate judges agreed: A sperm donor is not a father.
Yuen: Sourdough with a sense of humor is art and therapy for this Minneapolis home baker
Ever heard of a sourdough cartoonist? Eric Almond mixes his fondness for art history and baking in a one-of-a-kind pastime.
Yuen: What was 'Mr. Walz' like as a teacher? Former students say he's same guy vying to be the next VP.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz was voted "most inspiring" teacher in the student yearbook. Alumni of Mankato West High School explain why.
Yuen: No, Walz isn't old. He's 60 (which is the new 40).
The Minnesota governor's appearance has invited questions about his age, which tell us more about our fears of getting "old."
Yuen: Parents, let's all get behind the new Minnesota car seat laws
Often described as "guidelines" for parents, the changes are part of a statute that will be enforced starting this week.
Yuen: What's in a boat name? I asked this Minnesotan viral TikToker for help.
Emily Kim is a professional baby-name consultant. This time she offered some nautical suggestions.
Yuen: Why it's not rude to ask your houseguests to take their shoes off
And if you're a respectful visitor, you should not be offended by this request.
Yuen: Seriously, what purpose do mosquitoes serve?
They're responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people a year. They annoy the hell out of the rest of us. Can't we eradicate them?
Yuen: St. Paul columnist Rubén Rosario told stories with conviction and empathy
The Pioneer Press writer's death is a gut punch also because of what he represented: a time when there wasn't anything a smaller local newspaper couldn't do.
Yuen: He spent years searching for VHS queen of country line dancing. He found her in Minneapolis.
A resurgence in line dancing has introduced instructor Diane Horner to a younger generation, including an unlikely protégé .
Yuen: A century-old dictionary on display at Magers & Quinn can answer questions you didn't know you had
You can still learn quite a lot from books, especially this elderly, 25-pound tome.
Yuen: 'Choking' is a disturbing trend in teen sex. As adults, we need to talk about it.
The practice is on the rise despite its inherent dangers. A Minneapolis sex health educator offers parents tips on how to address it with the young people in their lives.
Yuen: Memories of the Jim Crow South haunted a Minnesota man. Then the nightmares terrorized his son.
Twin Cities native Lee Hawkins Jr. connects the long legacy of slavery with the belt whippings he received as a child.
Yuen: Fighting stage 4 breast cancer, a Minnesota woman gets her wedding wish
A village of helpers manifested Maria Carmen Morra's late-in-life dream: to marry the love of her life, in the eyes of her God.
Yuen: It's time for regular Americans (liberals included) to reclaim the U.S. flag
The flag has been a symbol of conservative America, but it should stand for all.
Yuen: Divided by dementia, these Twin Cities couples find connection through song
A chorus that started 10 years ago in Minnesota for people with dementia has spread its model across the nation.
T-Wolves tips: How to ride the Minnesota sports roller coaster
This team has us going up and down and spinning around. How should we handle this week? Here are some tips.
Yuen: Pranking the yearbook is an annual rite for these Twin Cities teachers
Brothers Jarrett and Ryan Sommers, both suburban high school science teachers, use their staff portraits to surprise their students with some end-of-year hilarity.
Yuen: This herbal chicken soup has been nourishing Hmong moms for centuries
Fans of the traditional dish, including celebrated Minneapolis chef Diane Moua, say it's also good for hangovers or a pick-me-up.
Yuen: Before she became known as Joe Mauer's mom, Teresa Mauer was a standout athlete
She came of age during the infancy of girls' prep sports in Minnesota and later raised three baseball stars of her own, including this year's Baseball Hall of Fame inductee.
Yuen: This Minnesota-based preacher left the church and found God in the woods
The "nones," those who don't claim any religious affiliation, have grown significantly over the past several decades. Why are they disappearing from the pews?
Yuen: The bizarre and relatable case of Minnesota state Sen. Nicole Mitchell
If the grief and trauma over losing her father is what led her to allegedly burglarize her stepmom's home, the legislator should say so.
Yuen: Lynx No. 1 pick Pili finds 'blessing' fueling dreams of Samoan, Indigenous kids
We in Minnesota are about to witness the legions of fans from two under-represented communities who flock to see "Pili Power."
Yuen: Why do people forgive? It's messy, complex and 'the best form of self-interest'
Forgiving may seem syrupy or saintly, but it's much more complicated, says a journalist now touring the Midwest.
Your fridge is a place where fresh food goes to die. That doesn't have to happen.
Can't see the contents of your own fridge? It's not your fault (well, not entirely). Here are some quick hacks to reduce wasted food in your kitchen.
Yuen: Parents, let's make a pact to get our kids off their screens and back to real-life play
I wanted to give my kids a taste of my '80s free-range childhood. Here's how it went.
Yuen: He donated his sperm to friends. Now he wants to be dad to the 5-year-old.
A sperm donor's paternity case could have statewide ramifications for same-sex couples and other families who rely on assisted reproduction.
Yuen: This Minnesota man has written thousands of poems over more than a decade — all to his wife
The daily missives can be silly and flirty or painful and ponderous, reflecting on everything from the couple's dog to the intensity of their love.
Yuen: Spring came to Minnesota a while ago, but its official arrival won't be any less sweet
Got seasonal confusion? Talk to a gardener, a canary in the coalmine of climate change.
Yuen: Why two Asian American musicians had to announce they're not the same person
Mistaken for each other for years, Meghan Kreidler of Minneapolis' Kiss the Tiger and the Current radio host Diane Miller are tired of shaking it off.
![Nickelodeon Universe. ] GLEN STUBBE * gstubbe@startribune.com Thursday, June 2, 2016 Jess Nelson, MOA case manager, Oasis For Youth, walks through the](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/QJCOZT7T2GDRUXT5FLPZPJGYRA.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Not going anywhere for spring break? Try these fun Twin Cities area family activities
Get slimed, grab a joystick, brave a cold plunge.
Yuen: Tour the 'quietest place on Earth,' and see if it quiets your mind
In a new twist, Orfield Laboratories in Minneapolis is promoting group tours of its silent chamber, which is listed as a Guinness World Record.
Yuen: Seller, beware — if you're hoping to unload this Ikea dresser, it may be worth more than you think
Enterprising "flippers" are scouring online sites for used goods, snatching up items they know will resell for much higher.
Yuen: Leap Day twins reunite in Minneapolis for 'one moment in time'
Every four years, Nora Whalen throws herself a birthday bash. This time it was extra special.
Yuen: The Minneapolis City Council is showing us the dysfunction of disrespectful politics
It's no surprise that the name-calling and personal jabs we've seen in national politics has found its way to our own backyard.
Yuen: Yep! One punctuation mark speaks loads about gender, tone and whether I'm mad at you
Why do we rely on the exclamation point so often, even though we've been taught to eschew it? Our columnist defends its use — within limits.
Yuen: Summer camp literally changed the lives of these six Minnesotans
Former campers reflect on how a magical childhood summer away led to them finding their best friend, a career path, or everlasting love.
Yuen: Mark Rosen became a public face of grief and caregiving. This is how he found love again.
The Minnesota sportscaster showed his vulnerable side as he mourned the loss of his first wife, Denise. He's now sharing the joy that can exist on the other side of grief.
Yuen: This 'quiet little family' said yes to housing three international teens
Uprooting themselves and opening their doors have led to joy and laughter for a Twin Cities family that was up for the adventure.
Yuen: Can a Minneapolis startup solve the summer camp registration nightmare?
The perennial signups are one of the most frustrating chores of modern parenting. But rest easy, "the moms will figure it out," says one of the co-founders of the new site Camperoni.
Yuen: Schools shouldn't exclude kids with lice, but they do need to inform parents
A group of moms banded together to make lemons into lemonade — and help stop the spread of lice in their kids' school.
Yuen: The unironic mustache and other trends I'm hoping will die in 2024
Mayor Jacob Frey's facial hair experiment lasted just over a week. I'm hoping that the Stanley mug craze, spam texts and the diss "mid" will disappear just as quickly.
Yuen: What Minnesotans lose when a winter is this warm
We are choosing the convenience of dull weather over winter magic.
Yuen: A formerly homeless student sees the world; a couple navigate the heartbreak of dementia
A year's worth of columns show joy, heartache and change.
Yuen: The 'giving circle' movement shows that philanthropy isn't just for the rich
The trend of collective giving allows everyday people to maximize their impact.
Yuen: Tou Ger Xiong was an optimist, and that's why his brutal murder hurts the most
The killing of the Hmong American community leader is an affront to everything he stood for.
Yuen: Their sweet friendship was born on the same playing field
He's a football player for the University of Minnesota. She's a Special Olympics athlete. They met playing unified sports.
Yuen: After years of hustle and hardship, this undocumented Minnesotan finally earns a law degree
Juventino Meza will be the first to tell you that his path to success was paved with setbacks.
Yuen: 'Ricky Lake' swims every day — 'sun, winds, snow or rain, light or dark'
The guy known to the ice-dipping community as "Ricky Lake" says it's a blessing to live in the City of Lakes.
Yuen: Those Minnesota state flag finalists aren't as bad as you think
Despite the lack of a loon, these designs are growing on me. Let me explain why.
Yuen: Readers write about Taylor Swift, head lice and medical scares
Responses sound off on our columnist's take on whether a man should have been hired to cover a feminist icon.
Yuen: A Minnesota man's radical service reminds us about the 'giving' in Thanksgiving
A former CEO found his new path in homeless ministry.
Yuen: Thank you, Camryn and Lalaine Bynum, for personalizing a familiar story of love and separation
The Vikings safety and his wife got their storybook ending after a yearlong quest to be reunited.
Yuen: The Taylor Swift reporting gig went to a man. Here's why it stings.
Swift is a feminist icon, but it's a man who gets to make a living writing about her influence.
Yuen: There's still a stigma about head lice. So let me be the first to admit I had it.
Lice are an ancient problem, but myths and misinformation persist.
Yuen: How to keep the peace when a loved one roots for the wrong sports team
Deep-seated sports rivalries can can test familial bonds, but fans say it keeps things interesting.
Yuen: How ChatGPT helped plan my trip and cured my traveler's indecision
Artificial-intelligence software can provide detailed itineraries for your next vacation.
Yuen: 'The father of gynecology' experimented on her body. It's time we learn her story.
A former St. Thomas prof hopes to give voice to a young enslaved woman subjected to experiments.
Yuen: Let the youth protest — and let Amy Coney Barrett speak at the University of Minnesota
College campuses should still be a place to air — and hear — opposing views.
Yuen: In the age of 'sharenting,' can we balance the need for connection and our kids' privacy?
Posting photos of our children on social media without their consent can violate their trust. Just ask your kid.
Yuen: The return of the man perm — Gen Z males are seeking a softer, modern wave
A trend fueled by TikTok and Korean pop culture has officially migrated to Minnesota.
Yuen: New word game makes the case for more screen time
Puzzle from the New York Times is already the second-most-played game after Wordle, and it's easy to see why.
Yuen: The rise of the pickleball clique — is the game becoming too exclusive?
The fastest-growing sport in America has been known for its socially inclusive nature. But some say that's changing.
Yuen: Should homework for schoolkids be a thing of the past?
Research shows homework offers little to no academic benefit for elementary school students.
Yuen: How Minnesota native Gretchen Carlson faced down a giant and propelled the #MeToo movement
Seven years after taking down Fox News CEO Roger Ailes, the former anchor is celebrating a couple of big wins in Washington.
Yuen: Remembering Steve, a one-eyed cuddle-kitty who 'ran' her Minneapolis neighborhood
Her obit, stapled to telephone poles, was raw, vulnerable and slightly profane.
Yuen: To bring workers back, bosses need to do more than demand. They need to lead.
Companies are again trying to revive the office — sometimes by making threats.
