Greater Minnesota

Meet the Minnesota lawyer prepping people for death through humor and a little Taylor Swift
Probate and estate planning lawyer Jen Gumbel provides words to live by — and die by. “You're either going to create a mess or clean up a mess.” Gumbel has been helping people plan for their deaths for more than a decade. But more recently, she's moved her tips about planning for the inevitable to social media.
Rochester's newly shuttered Diversity Council used money for other nonprofits to secure loan
In the months leading up to its demise, the Diversity Council in Rochester used all of its assets — including money held for smaller nonprofits — as collateral against a loan in hopes of fixing its financial woes. Now those assets are frozen after the Diversity Council closed and is unable to pay back the loan. 
Lives of Hastings’ first Black residents source of inspiration for descendants
The first Black families who settled, worked and started businesses in Hastings, Minn., are an example of the city’s rich Black history. Many were barbers, farmers and mill workers. This history also exemplifies the triumph — not just the trauma — residents experienced.
Symbolic gun rights vote by Itasca County draws mixed feelings from rural Minnesota
As the DFL-controlled legislature debates various gun safety bills, some rural Minnesota counties have declared themselves 2nd Amendment “dedicated” counties. In Itasca County there's concern about how the resolution was passed.
Emerging from pandemic, Rochester seeks to jump-start its downtown
Like most cities, Rochester’s downtown life took a hit during the pandemic. What’s different is that Rochester is in the midst of a massive and expensive 20-year transformation, with its downtown a big part of making the city more vibrant. City leaders have created a new task force to figure out what to do next, and are asking the community for help.
Rural Minnesota child care shortage leaves parents with few choices
Despite years of campaigning for better child care, parents outside the Twin Cities metro area say they are left with few options. Businesses say they are feeling the impact too, as job applicants make choices based on care possibilities for their kids.
'Deja vu all over': Two Harbors fights again over Lighthouse Point development
It’s been twenty years since residents of the small North Shore town waged a battle over a plan to build homes next to its historic lighthouse along the shore of Lake Superior. Some are again raising concerns about a new proposed development.