Curious Minnesota

Was Minnesota home to nuclear missiles during the Cold War?

Fears of a Soviet attack during the 1950s spurred the federal government to install four missile sites around the Twin Cities. The "Nike-Hercules" nuclear warheads stored in those bunkers stood ready to take down Soviet bombers headed for the Twin Cities. Curious Minnesota host Eric Roper discusses the topic with reporter Michelle Griffith, a former Star Tribune intern who now works at the Fargo Forum newspaper. LINKS: Was Minnesota home to nuclear missiles during the Cold War? (April 2020 Curio...

Does the Mississippi River really start at Lake Itasca?

The source of the Mississippi was a consequential mystery after the Revolutionary War. It remains hotly debated in some circles today. Connie Cox, the lead interpretive naturalist at Itasca State Park, discusses the history and science behind this issue with host Eric Roper. LINKS: Is Minnesota’s tiny Lake Itasca the true source of the Mississippi River? Could the Mississippi River actually begin in South Dakota? Minnesota History: Controversy at the Mississippi's headwaters

Why did Minneapolis tear down its biggest train station?

The Great Northern Depot on Hennepin Avenue was a de facto welcome mat for Minneapolis for many years. Along with the Milwaukee Road Depot, it was the primary place people arrived in the city. So why was Great Northern torn down in 1978, while the Milwaukee Road Depot survived? Rail historian Aaron Isaacs joins host Eric Roper to discuss the history of the Depot and the decline of passenger rail travel in the 20th Century. Story and photo gallery

How Ford made millions of windows from the sand beneath St. Paul

For part of the 20th Century, Ford Motor Company relied heavily on sand beneath its plant in St. Paul to make windows for its cars. Host Eric Roper discusses that operation with reporter John Reinan. LINKS: John's Curious Minnesota story about the Ford Plant sand mining A timeline of St. Paul's Ford Plant operations Made in St. Paul: Stories from the Ford Plant (Twin Cities PBS / Producer: Peter Myers)

How do cities make Mississippi River water safe to drink?

Both Minneapolis and St. Paul draw their drinking water from the Mississippi River. Curious Minnesota host Eric Roper paid a visit to Minneapolis’ water treatment campus in Fridley to understand the complex process that makes river water safe to drink. LINKS: Photo gallery Article (published in October 2020)

Will Minnesota join push toward a national popular vote?

A number of states have joined an effort that would effectively bypass the Electoral College in determining America's president. Those states have signed on to the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, which would commit their electoral votes to whoever wins the national popular vote. Will Minnesota participate? Reporter Torey Van Oot joins host Eric Roper to discuss the proposal. Read her story here. The reader question was inspired by a discussion on the New York Times' "The Daily" podcast...

Why do so many Twin Cities malls end in ‘dale’?

Malls ending in the suffix "Dale" are peppered across the Twin Cities. But why "Dale"? Reporter John Ewoldt joins us to discuss the history of the Dales, starting with the landmark mall that started it all — Southdale. Host Eric Roper and Ewoldt discuss how the vision of the Dayton Corporation reshaped retail in the region. Read John's story here.

Why hasn't Minnesota passed the Equal Rights Amendment?

What's the latest we know about COVID-19's treatment, transmission?

When you flush a toilet in the Twin Cities, where does everything go?

Do the things we recycle all actually get recycled in Minnesota?

How did Minnesota become one of the most racially inequitable states?

In wake of George Floyd's death, what does 'reforming' Minneapolis Police mean?

Why do so many Fortune 500 companies call Minnesota home?

How did Minnesota become the Gopher State?

Listener lightning round: 3 answers on history, geography, traditions of Minnesota

Why is Uptown south of downtown in Minneapolis?

What you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic

How to see the northern lights

How did Minnesota settlers make it through the cold, dark winters?

Where did the idea for Minneapolis' skyways come from?

Why are Honeycrisp apples still so expensive?

Why does the Stone Arch Bridge cross the river at such an odd angle?

How did the Twin Cities become a hub for Somali immigrants?

Where does 'Minnesota Nice' come from, and what does it even mean?