First day of work at the The Minnesota Star Tribune. Wild to have a childhood dream come true. I’m covering southwest Minnesota, so contact me for political, business and slice of life stories. DMs are open.

What a treat to meet the VHS queen who taught millions how to country line dance from their living rooms the 1990s. Diane Horner is now 78 and is still stomping, still teaching, and inspiring a younger generation. strib.gift/3fdksctl4

Want to learn more about Kamala Harris' vice presidential choice, Gov. Tim Walz? Here's some of our reporting leading up to the decision that covers his record in office, his life and even his hot dish recipe: startribune.com/what-you-shoul…

If the Harris-Walz ticket is elected in November, here's what would happen in Minnesota: Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan would become Minnesota’s first female and Native American governor. Senate President Bobby Joe Champion would be state’s first Black Lt. Gov. startribune.com/heres-what-wou…

New era as the Strib expands coverage across MN, the state "we love to love."

“In our objective opinion, nothing represents Minnesota better than the State Fair. Fried food, joy, a righteous sense of superiority over Iowa. It’s all just so Minnesota.” Essential State Fair newsletter, out now: t.e2ma.net/webview/zq1te4…

Going to the Minnesota State Fair Friday? Stop by the The Minnesota Star Tribune stage at 2 p.m. I'll be interviewing two people from Change The Outcome, a Minnesota organization combatting opioid and fentanyl abuse among youth. Powerful stories, useful for parents.

Heading to Minnesota State Fair for opening day - I'll be talking politics with Briana Bierschbach and Sydney Kashiwagi at the The Minnesota Star Tribune booth at 10:30. Stop by with your election Qs!

The Tim Walz related crop art at the Minnesota State Fair

How did the Minnesota Star Tribune get its start? #CuriousMN answers this great reader question. startribune.com/minnesota-star…

The rarely seen Lake Superior cloud snake.

My journo friends will probably enjoy this one... How did the Minnesota Star Tribune get its start? startribune.com/minnesota-star…

Lovely interview of Edwidge Danticat by Erica Pearson in advance of the essayist's Talking Volumes appearance: startribune.com/edwidge-dantic…

It's always a joy to interview one of my favorite authors - and Edwidge Danticat is as warm and funny as she is brilliant. She'll be in St. Paul tonight for Talking Volumes! Here's a gift link to the interview: startribune.com/edwidge-dantic…

Her family fled Laos carrying seeds and plants. A new Hmong garden at the arboretum features these healing herbs. startribune.com/her-family-fle…

How did pulltabs become so popular in Minnesota? #CuriousMN answers this great reader question. startribune.com/minnesota-spen…

I really thought everyone knew about pull-tabs. Erica Pearson gets curious on the bar time past time @stribgoingout startribune.com/minnesota-spen…

My first episode as host for our Curious Minnesota podcast - and its about (regionally iconic) potato chips! Take a listen! It's been fun to learn something new. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how…

In our new podcast “Ghost of a Chance,” reporter Eric Roper traces the lives of a Black couple who owned his house in 1917, revealing a history of race in Minneapolis. Episodes 1 and 2 are available Jan. 13. Learn more at startribune.com/ghostofachance

Episodes 1 and 2 of the @startribune.com's first narrative podcast are out today and I'd be recommending it to you even if it weren't created by my amazing colleagues - check it out!