Recent content from Zoë Jackson

Netflix puts out casting call for next Laura Ingalls
The new "Little House" series is due to start filming in Winnipeg this summer.

St. Francis schools sued over controversial book ban policy as students stage walkout
Two lawsuits, one filed by parents and another by the American Civil Liberties Union, seek to end a ban on books that the suits say were based on the viewpoints or stories they conveyed.

Anxious about a potential recession? How to prepare and stay calm.
Tariffs, federal layoffs and recession indicators are on Americans' minds. Here's how to prep for what you can control.

Author of 'The Kite Runner' speaks out against controversial book ban policy in St. Francis schools
Khaled Hosseini's novel and other books have been removed due to ratings from an anonymous review website, the status of which will be discussed Monday in a school board meeting.
Federal government investigating University of Minnesota for alleged racial bias against white and Asian students
The U says it will cooperate with the probe and is committed to a discrimination-free environment.

Where to find pie and pizza deals this Pi Day
Feast on these deals around the Twin Cities this March 14.

What to know about seeing tonight's total lunar eclipse in Minnesota
The March lunar eclipse, often called the "blood moon," is Earth's first full lunar eclipse since 2022.

Historic Woman's Club of Minneapolis in Loring Park could close in May
Without donors, the board president of the 100-year-old club says it may have to close this spring.

A 40-day Target boycott began this week: What to know about the Target Fast
Faith leaders are calling on shoppers to divert their spending from Target to Black-owned businesses during Lent.

Historic Minneapolis gay bar in Loring Park reopens after fire
The 19 Bar, an early LGBTQ bar in Minneapolis, reopened Thursday after being closed 11 months for remodeling.

In search of 'third spaces,' young Minnesotans flock to community education classes
Classes like pottery and pickleball are in high demand among young people looking to make friends and widen their social circles.
In Ali Smith's 'Gliff,' siblings try to survive in a dystopian near-future
Fiction: A dark fairy tale is the latest from four-time Booker Prize nominee Ali Smith.

Swing an ax and make a new friend at Minneapolis 'stump party'
A Minneapolis man wanted to find a reason to gather on cold, gray winter days. Enter stump party, a do-it-yourself holiday that just celebrated its fourth year.

Twin Cities Pride raises more than $70,000 to fill gap after dropping Target sponsorship
Pride uninvited Target from participating this year after the retailer said it would curtail its diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
New Justice Department directive a warning for Minnesota's sanctuary cities
A directive for federal prosecutors to investigate local officials who stand in the way of immigration law enforcement could impact Minneapolis, St. Paul and county jails.

What is 'Onyx Storm,' the new book flying off shelves?
Fans braved subzero temps to score copies of the latest "romantasy" book by author Rebecca Yarros. A special edition available only at Target seemed to cause issues for the retailer's website overnight, and it was sold out there by Tuesday morning.
Minneapolis artist constructs 17-foot ice tower in his front yard
The Longfellow creative is known for constructing whimsical holiday displays for the neighborhood. This time he took on ice.
'Spider-Man' actor Tom Holland's new nonalcoholic BERO debuts at Target
BERO is one of more than 2,000 new wellness items Target is launching in 2025.

2024′s biggest stories and most memorable Minnesota moments
Readers were drawn to stories about sports, personalities and the fallout in Minnesota of the UnitedHealthcare shooting.
What causes fog? A meteorologist explains stretch of gloomy Minnesota weather
The dense fog advisory is expected to lift at noon Monday, the National Weather Service said.

Here's what Hennepin County library cardholders read the most in 2024
These were the most-borrowed books in 2024, for adults and young readers.

Good reads from the Minnesota Star Tribune in 2024 that you might have missed
Cozy up with our best long reads before 2024 comes to a close.

The winter solstice is coming. Here's how to celebrate the shortest day of the year in the Twin Cities.
The winter solstice is seen as a time of renewal in cultures around the world.

Minneapolis outdoor skating rinks to open this weekend
Despite weather fluctuations, the Park Board expects rinks to open Saturday.

The made-in-Minnesota 2024 gift guide
Still shopping for loved ones? Here are 10 made-in-MN gifts beloved by Minnesota Star Tribune staffers.

Meet the new owner of St. Paul's Black Garnet Books
The bookstore, inspired by the local reckoning over race following the murder of George Floyd, sold this fall as founder Dionne Sims looks toward other dreams. The store will remain Black-owned.

Who is Luigi Mangione, person of interest arrested in UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson's killing?
The suspect was carrying a manifesto that criticized health care companies for putting profits above care, police said.

'Wicked' singalong? This Minneapolis cinema says save the vocals for Mondays
The Main Cinema announced the singalong screenings shortly after a "Wicked" star encouraged fans to sing while watching.

New LGBTQ community center opens its doors in Uptown
The founders of Queermunity, open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week, are investing in south Minneapolis. The space has capacity for events and co-working, and a coffee shop.
Indoor skating, running return to U.S. Bank Stadium this winter
The Winter Warm-Up begins Tuesday. A dozen Tuesday and Thursday night indoor exercise opportunities will be offered through the months of December and January at the downtown Minneapolis stadium.

Black Friday might not have the power of the past, but Minnesotans still show up
Exclusive Taylor Swift deals draw shoppers to Target, but more flocked to Mall of America.

Minneapolis leaders celebrate reopening of Hennepin Avenue in Uptown after reconstruction
A portion of Hennepin Avenue will reopen Tuesday. Metro Transit buses will return to their routes Wednesday.

Minnesotans set record with $37 million in donations on Give to the Max Day
It's a record number of donations in the 16 years of the statewide giving event.
Minnesota nonprofits are looking for donations this Give to the Max day. Here's how to help
State nonprofit organizations have put on the "Give to the Max" day every November for 16 years. This year, they say, election concerns, cost-of-living struggles could be factors in giving decisions.
Look up tonight to see the final supermoon of the year
There won't be another supermoon until fall 2025.

Winter arrives in Minnesota next week with rain and potential snow
Minnesota, winter is coming. Now is a good time to get prepared, the National Weather Service said.

Minneapolis police looks at new response to neighbor conflicts, as activists keep up call for chief's resignation
A mediation program in the planning stages, in collaboration with the NAACP, would aim address neighborhood disputes.

Lovely day: Minneapolis man looks to change narrative around Minneapolis with cheerful tweets, photos
Mike Norton, one of social media's most prolific defenders of Minneapolis, says it's up to the people who live here to push back at negative portrayals of the city.

Inside the 2024 election at the Minnesota Star Tribune
The newsroom's election planning began months ago and involves dozens of journalists. Here's a look at what goes into our coverage of the democratic process.

Minneapolis NAACP calls for accountability for the way police handled neighbor shooting
President Cynthia Wilson said city officials failed to protect a resident from months of harassment by a neighbor before he was shot.

It's official: Minneapolis version of 'Love Is Blind' is coming this Valentine's Day
Three of the incoming Minneapolis singles were introduced for the first time in a reunion episode.

Rare big cat caught on camera in Voyageurs National Park
There have been few sightings of cougars in Voyageurs, which are probably just passing through.

Minnesota Democratic lawmaker with ties to Puerto Rico slams Trump rally comedian's remarks
The state's only representative of Puerto Rican descent said the comments should serve as "a wake-up call" for Puerto Ricans, Latinos and all marginalized communities.

Minnesota Zoo reveals the Olympian-inspired name of new baby shark
The baby zebra shark was born days after the end of the summer Olympics in Paris.

Little oversight in Minnesota for haunted hayrides, other Halloween crowd-pleasers
Halloween or autumn-themed activities on farms, like the hayride in St. Augusta, Minn., where a 13-year-old boy was injured and died earlier this month, are subject to little oversight.

Funeral set for 13-year-old who died at haunted hayride
His mother called him an exceptionally unique child who loved Jesus.

JD Vance portrayed Minneapolis as a city in decline. Minnesotans — again — clapped back online.
Unsurprisingly, some residents of Minneapolis weren't happy with that characterization from the Republican candidate for vice president.

WNBA Finals fan guide: What to eat, where to go when not at Target Center for Lynx vs. Liberty
Loyal New York Liberty fans, WNBA boosters and backers of all types are descending on Minneapolis for games 3 and 4 of the Finals between the Lynx and Liberty. Here are suggestions for visitors on what to do between games.

Sabrina Carpenter fans bring ribbons and sparkle to Minneapolis show
Before the concert at Target Center on Monday, fans lined up in their sweetest fits for photos and merch.
Rare comet likely to be visible to the human eye in Minnesota. Here's how to see it.
This weekend is the first that the comet emerges from behind the sun in the evening sky.

See stunning photos of the northern lights across Minnesota
For those who missed out, you may have a second chance to see the show on Friday night.

Minnesotans react to impending Twins sale
Fans flooded social media to bid the Pohlad family farewell following the announcement of their intent to sell the team.

An upscale fragrance store is set to open in Minneapolis' North Loop
Le Labo is known for its customizable, luxury perfumery experience and the cult-favorite scent Santal 33.

Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan is a first-time gun owner
Flanagan purchased a 20-gauge Benelli shotgun ahead of the annual Governor's Pheasant Hunting Opener.

The northern lights may be visible in Minnesota on Thursday and Friday night. Here's how to chase them.
Here are tips for getting a glimpse of the elusive aurora borealis during the next solar storm, with sky-watchers saying celestial conditions are ripe for an unusually active season.

Billionaire MacKenzie Scott gives $1.5M to Minnesota Native wealth-building nonprofit
The gift came as a surprise to the Minnesota nonprofit that provides assistance to aspiring Native homebuyers and entrepreneurs.
Feeling chilly? Minnesota law requiring landlords to heat apartments now in effect
The new law standardizes heat minimums already in place in many Minnesota cities, requiring heating starting Oct. 1.

Tim Walz's media blitz continues with late-night debut on Jimmy Kimmel's show
The Democratic ticket is turning up the heat with several TV and podcast appearances this week.
Lady Gaga partied in Minnesota with new fiancé Michael Polansky
The pop star also made time for a visit to Culver's.

The National Weather Service is changing its cold weather alerts. Here's what you need to know.
Windchill watches, warnings and advisories are no more. The goal is simplifying the process by which the public is advised of dangerous cold.
The 5 biggest moments from the Vance-Walz vice presidential debate
The midwestern men made their case to America just weeks ahead of Election Day.

Bikes fly off the racks at new University of Minnesota lending program
A new bicycle library program at the University of Minnesota is taking old Nice Ride bikes and turning them into free rentals for students on a daily or term basis.
How you can help those affected by Hurricane Helene
Minnesotans are volunteering their time to help hurricane victims.
Voter registration spikes in Minnesota following Taylor Swift's endorsement
Swift's post encouraging her fans to vote was liked 11 millon times. Her fans believe it could make a difference in November.
19 Bar sues trash company over fire that closed storied gay bar
The owner was set to sell the LGBTQ-friendly Minneapolis establishment before the fire, according to the lawsuit.

How Xcel Energy ends power outages in the Twin Cities
About 3.800 customers in the Twin Cities were still without power as of Thursday morning.

Celebrate National Dog Day on these Twin Cities patios
Give your pup some extra attention at these Minneapolis-St. Paul restaurants, breweries and coffee shops.

What's the fastest way to the Minnesota State Fair? We tried four methods.
By bus, by car, by park-and-ride and by bike: four reporters race from downtown Minneapolis to the Minnesota State Fairgrounds to test a range of transportation options.
The DNC roll call featured a song for each state. Here's what Minnesota chose.
States chose songs to represent them as Democrats pledged their support for VP Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz.

These Uptown business owners are hoping for a comeback
Years after riots, the once-vibrant Minneapolis destination is still losing businesses amid safety fears and construction headaches. But supporters say Uptown is the "comeback queen" of neighborhoods, and some businesses aren't going anywhere

Agate Housing to close Minneapolis homeless shelter, low-income lodging and food shelf
At least 80 people will be affected by the shelter's closure. More than 20 employees will be laid off.

We spent eight hours in Uptown: Is there anything to do?
Many say Uptown is dead. We hit the construction-clogged streets of this one-time hot spot hoping to find the truth.
Why the alphabet song might have changed in some classrooms
Are your kids headed back to school? They may come home singing a new alphabet song.
![A French Fries stand employee loaded up a cup a fries Thursday, August 25, 2022, at The Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights, Minn. ] CARLOS GONZAL](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/S3RNYVOCO5CVJTU72HRTJNWS5E.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Chef Reactions and other content creators are getting ready to descend on the Minnesota State Fair
Social media is driving foodie experiences at the fair, from must-try lists to vendors hoping their offerings go viral.

Where Kamala Harris VP pick Gov. Tim Walz stands on key issues
The Minnesota governor has pushed for free school lunch, expanded background checks on gun purchases and sanctuary for those seeking abortions.