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Zoë Jackson

Reporter | Race and Immigration

Zoë Jackson is a general assignment reporter for the Star Tribune. She previously covered race and equity, St. Paul neighborhoods and young voters on the politics team.

Recent content from Zoë Jackson
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Netflix puts out casting call for next Laura Ingalls

The new "Little House" series is due to start filming in Winnipeg this summer.
Students walk out of St. Francis High School in protest of a book ban in St. Francis on Monday. The students then sat and read banned books in front o

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.
The number of people who expect unemployment to rise in the next 12 months has risen to 66% — the highest percentage in the past 10 years, according

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.
Several copies of "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini have been removed the shelves of libraries in the St. Francis Area Schools district.

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.
The University of Minnesota is one of dozens of schools under investigation by the Trump administration.

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.
Hot Hands Pie & Biscuit's creamy dreamy chocolate mousse pie with salted caramel and pretzel crunch

Where to find pie and pizza deals this Pi Day

Feast on these deals around the Twin Cities this March 14.
A total lunar eclipse is seen over Santa Monica Beach in Santa Monica, Calif., Wednesday, May 26, 2021. The first total lunar eclipse in more than two

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.
Loring Park in Minneapolis.

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 Target store in Minneapolis.

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.
Bartender Jody Novak pours the first beers out of brand-new taps at the 19 Bar, which was filled with neighborhood revelers during its grand reopening

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.
Jamie Tan, left, and Erika Storvick have been friends since high school and signed up together for a pottery class through Minneapolis Community Educa

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.
photo of author Ali Smith

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.
Ian Ringgenberg and a friend take swings at a stump in Minneapolis on Jan. 31.

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 has raised more than $50,000 in less than 24 hours to fill a gap in fundraising after booting Target from the list of festival spons

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.
Demonstrators shown outside the Hennepin County Jail to protest against the Trump administration's immigration policies in 2018.

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.
"Onyx Storm" by Rebecca Yarros.

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.
Nate Rylander next to his giant ice sculpture he affectionately dubbed “the Longfellow Stalagmite” in Minneapolis.

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.
Actor Tom Holland arrives at the premiere of "Spider-Man: No Way Home" at the Regency Village Theater on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021, in Los Angeles.

'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.
The biggest stories of 2024 in Minnesota.

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.
Fog hangs over downtown Minneapolis on Friday, Dec. 27.

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.
Library bookshelf

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.
Marvin Haynes, wearing a sweatshirt he had made that reads “exonerated,” visits the Stillwater prison, where he spent 20 years as an innocent man.

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.
Winter solstice at the American Swedish Institute in 2017.

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.
High winds and low temperatures were not enough to discourage Mike Walsh, St. Louis Park, from skating on the smooth ice at Lake of the Isles on Satur

Minneapolis outdoor skating rinks to open this weekend

Despite weather fluctuations, the Park Board expects rinks to open Saturday.
A made-in-Minnesota gift guide.

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.
Black Garnet Books founder Dionne Sims and new owner Terresa Moses at the bookstore's grand reopening last month.

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.
This undated photo released by the New York Police Department shows a suspect in the fatal shooting Wednesday of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

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.
Cynthia Erivo, left, as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda in “Wicked.”

'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.
Sara Van Norman works on her laptop at Queermunity MN in Uptown on Thursday.

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.
Skaters enjoy the climate control, dry conditions on the main concourse of U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis in January 2023.

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.
Hundreds braved the cold to get in line for an early chance to win prizes Friday morning for Black Friday at the Mall of America in Bloomington.

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 Mayor Jacob Frey along with several city leaders gather in an Uptown intersection Monday to celebrate the reopening of a part of Hennepin

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.
Trainer Stacy Sheldon-Wilkinson works with a dog in training, Tucker, on retrieving dropped items and other skills needed to be a mobility assist dog

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.
Volunteers packed produce boxes during the “Pack to the Max” event at the Food Group in New Hope, Minn., on last year's annual Give to the Max Day

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.
A supermoon with a partial lunar eclipse rises over Lake Michigan in September.

Look up tonight to see the final supermoon of the year

There won't be another supermoon until fall 2025.
A brave pedestrian walks down the hill along John Ireland boulevard in St. Paul, with an umbrella to shield the wind and snow.

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.
More than 2,000 calls for service in neighbor-to-neighbor or tenant disputes have been made this year, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said at

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.
Mike Norton poses for a portrait with his bike at Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis on Oct. 29.

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.
Minnesota Star Tribune newsroom leaders meet Monday to talk Election Day plans.

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 President Cynthia Wilson spoke Friday about the shooting last week of Davis Moturi in the front yard of his home. At left was activi

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.
Participants try to woo each other without seeing each other in "Love Is Blind."

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.
A male cougar spotted Oct. 25 in Voyageurs National Park. Photo by Voyageurs Wolf Project.

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.
María Isa Pérez-Vega, DFL, 65B, St. Paul spoke in support of the Health and Human Services finance bill on the floor of the house Monday evening. Th

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.
Suni the shark. Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Zoo.

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.
Alexander "Xander" Steven Mick, who died earlier this month after he was run over by a wagon pulled by a tractor at a "haunted hayride" attraction in

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

Funeral set for 13-year-old who died at haunted hayride

His mother called him an exceptionally unique child who loved Jesus.
A rowing crew skims across a placid Lake Nokomis with fall colors and the Minneapolis skyline.

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.
Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) lost control of the ball when she ran into the defense of New York Liberty forward Betnijah Laney-Hamilto

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.
Leah Holmes, of Hastings, wears a temporary kiss tattoo, from Sabrina Carpenter’s “Short n' Sweet” album cover, on her cheek while waiting in li

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.
This photo shows Comet C/2023 A3 (ATLAS-Tsuchinshan) as seen from Eure-et-Loir, France, on June 6, 2024.

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.
The northern lights.

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.
Left to right, Kyle Larson, Jake Hannes and Trenton Waters hand-paint a logo on the grass beneath the batter's eye as the Twins grounds crew prepares

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.
A sign outside of a forthcoming Le Labo store in the North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis.

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 and Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Sarah Strommen show off their hunting licenses Monday.

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.
An hour north of the Twin Cities at around 1:30 a.m. on May 11, 2024.

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.
FILE - In this March 4, 2018, file photo, then-MacKenzie Bezos arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills, Calif. Galvanized by the racia

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.
Landlords must “supply or furnish heat at a minimum temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit” between Oct. 1 and April 30 for units where the renter d

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.
Gov. Tim Walz takes the stage at a rally on the Erie waterfront in front of around 2000 supporters Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024  Erie, Pa.

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 and Michael Polansky pose for photographers upon arrival at the premiere for the film "Joker: Folie a Deux" on Sept. 25, 2024, in London.

Lady Gaga partied in Minnesota with new fiancé Michael Polansky

The pop star also made time for a visit to Culver's.
Commuters climbed out of busses and into the snow at the Apple Valley Transit station Monday afternoon. A winter storm was late in coming but hit the

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.
Democratic vice presidential nominee Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks during a vice presidential debate hosted by CBS News, with Republican vice preside

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.
A student rides a Gopher Bike at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis on Friday.

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.
Workers remove debris in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, in Cedar Key, Fla., Friday, Sept. 27, 2024.

How you can help those affected by Hurricane Helene

Minnesotans are volunteering their time to help hurricane victims.
Singer-songwriter Taylor Swift performs onstage on the first night of her Eras Tour at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on March 31, 2023.

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.
The 19 Bar, seen in 2012, is closed after an accident outside sparked a fire.

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.
Xcel Energy crews worked to restore power in the Twin Cities.

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.
Mika the Golden Doodle waits patiently in her seat on the Hola Arepa dog-friendly patio in Minneapolis May 9, 2015. (Courtney Perry)

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.
Reporters Louis Krauss, Eder Campuzano, Zoë Jackson and Jennifer Brooks outside the Minnesota Star Tribune office before racing via various forms of

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.
Democrats turn their roll call into a dance party at the DNC

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.
Chris Arneson laughs as he enjoys the patio at Tii Cup while construction vehicles sit in the middle of Hennepin Ave. in Uptown Minneapolis, MN., on F

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
Police looked in a tent to see if there were any occupants before demolishing it and trashing it at the east side homeless encampment at Powderhorn Pa

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.
Twin Cities Skaters Studio is a boutique roller skating rink that opened this summer in Uptown.

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.
Playschool Child Care teacher Emily Lawson, center, plays with toddlers and preschoolers in her care, April 4, 2023, in Maplewood.

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

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.
Gov. Tim Walz signs a bill on ride-hail drivers into law in May.

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.