‘At least it’s something’: walleye cakes and weirdness at the Minnesota State Fair Food Parade
My streak of writing about the Minnesota State Fair for the last 40 years continues. Sort of.
Joe Kimball
Joe Kimball is a longtime journalist and author of the book, “Secrets of the Congdon Mansion: The Unofficial Guide to Glensheen and the Congdon Murders.”
35 years of ‘Almanac’: An oral history of how TPT’s iconic show got started, and survived
It was “a strange time for the news, nationally,” says Jim Russell, KTCA news director at the time of ‘Almanac’s debut. “‘Just the facts, ma’am,’ wasn’t cutting it. … So we ended up trying to cater to those people who cared about the news.”
Pay to sway: more Minnesota newspapers charging to publish political endorsement letters
Press Publications, which owns 18 newspapers in Minnesota and Wisconsin, is now charging $25 to publish letters that endorse or oppose a candidate or ballot measure — a policy that has become increasingly common.
Now it can be told: The State Fair’s former food czar reveals his favorites
Dennis Larson retired last year after 18 years in charge of fair food and beverages. Now he’s a free agent roaming the grounds in search of food, like the rest of us.
At the Minnesota State Fair, the buzz of presidential politics is more like a low hum
Sen. Bernie Sanders was at the fair Saturday, and Andrew Yang’s campaign will also have a presence. But only three of the Democrats running for president have separate booths on the fairgrounds.
State Fair sizzlers and fizzlers: What new food becomes a classic — and what doesn’t?
Deep-Fried Alligator came to the fair with some fanfare in 1997, and it’s still going strong. Blarney Beans, however, were introduced in 2012 and have disappeared.
As renovated Ye Old Mill readies for State Fair action, ex-owners look forward to just enjoying the fair
This year, the third generation of Old Millers — John and Marna Keenan, who are in their 70s — enjoyed their first truly relaxing summer ever, after the family sold the historic ride in January to the State Fair.
A brief history of the brief history of the new-State-Fair-food media frenzy
Starting around 2008, the fair media team realized that they were sitting on some valuable information. Hence the birth of the annual new food rollout.
Round and round it goes: St. Paul carousel keeps turning after firing, police investigation
The 104-year-old carousel continues to operate its normal summer hours, though many volunteers departed after Colleen Murphy Roth was recently ousted as director of the nonprofit that runs the attraction.
10 at 10: An oral history of the birth of MinnPost
MinnPost is marking its 10th anniversary with a series called 10 at 10, a look back at the stories that have stuck with us.
Minnesota State Fair governor candidate booths, ranked
While fair-goers will have to decide for themselves about the political utility of the booths, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to critique the important things: style, location and stuff.
A guide to Independence Day parades and fireworks across Minnesota
A rundown of events around the state celebrating the 4th of July.
Elisabeth Congdon’s other daughter, Jennifer Johnson, has died
Johnson was raised at Glensheen, the Congdon mansion in Duluth, and lived her adult life in Racine, Wisconsin. She believed her sister, Marjorie, was involved in the murder of their mother.
24 Midwestern leaders get prestigious Bush Fellowships for 2017
The Fellows will receive up to $100,000 to develop leadership skills that they can then use to develop their communities. This year’s group includes many immigrants and a selection from North Minneapolis.
Couple who saved the State Fair carousel steps down after 28 years at foundation
Twenty eight years ago, Peter Boehm and Nancy Peterson organized an effort to save the historic carousel. Now the couple is quietly stepping down.
Even at the State Fair, ‘no mushy middle’ when it comes to Trump and Clinton
Two long-time political volunteers discuss what they see from the DFL and GOP booths.
Trump wigs, free wifi and an orange buffalo: Political booths at the Minnesota State Fair, ranked
As a public service to Minnesota, we checked out every single political party booth at the fair — mostly so you don’t have to.
Home for a visit, Ambassador Heins talks about his first months in Norway
Heins, a successful Minneapolis attorney, was nominated for the Norway ambassador post in May, 2015, but wasn’t confirmed until February.
A guide to Memorial Day events around the Twin Cities
Services and events will be held at cemeteries and parks throughout the Twin Cities metro on Monday.
Q&A: R.T. Rybak on his new gig at the Minneapolis Foundation — and whether or not he’ll run for governor
The former Minneapolis mayor plans to continue his work on eliminating the education gap and lead the foundation in tackling issues of housing, poverty and race.
