Minnesota History

Prairie Island community trying to reclaim noose used in 1862 mass execution of Dakota men
The Prairie Island Indian Community filed a claim through its Tribal Historic Preservation Office. The claim was made through the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.
Study finds Minnesota state bee in tough shape
The first DNA analysis of the rusty patched bumble bee reinforces the precarious state of the endangered species. The data will help bee conservationists determine the best options for protecting and rebuilding the population.
I-35W survivor recalls tragedy in wake of Baltimore bridge collapse
Lindsay Walz survived the fall into the Mississippi River nearly 17 years ago. One of the hardest parts for Walz is living with survivor’s guilt and the lasting trauma.
For Minnesotans, Baltimore bridge collapse brings back memories of I-35W disaster
For some Minnesotans, Tuesday’s collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore brought back memories of the tragic, deadly collapse of the Interstate 35W bridge in Minneapolis back in 2007.
FBI returns ‘Oz’ ruby slippers to owner in secret ceremony
In a secret ceremony in February, FBI agents returned a pair of ruby slippers stolen from the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids in 2005 to the Los Angeles collector who owns them. This latest twist in the tale of the sparkly shoes came to light after a federal grand jury indicted a second person in connection with the theft.
Second man indicted in ‘Oz’ ruby slipper theft
A federal grand jury has indicted a second person in connection with the theft nearly two decades ago of a pair of ruby slippers worn in the film, “The Wizard of Oz.” Jerry Hal Saliterman, 76, of Crystal, made his first court appearance Friday in St. Paul.
Josie Johnson, iconic Minnesota civil rights activist, on hope and her legacy
A new documentary “Hope in the Struggle” tells the story of civil rights activist Josie Johnson, chief lobbyist for Minnesota’s fair housing law and the first Black member of the University of Minnesota Board of Regents.