# Curious Minnesota What do you wonder about the people, places and culture of Minnesota? Listen to our community-driven reporting project, which invites listeners to ask questions that our newsroom researches and answers. Page: Feed: --- ## The incredible story of a 40-ton grain elevator that crossed a Minnesota river _2026-08-18_ In 1949, about 2,000 people gathered near the Rapidan Dam to watch something extraordinary: a 40-ton, six-story grain elevator creep across a narrow bridge over the Blue Earth River. Decades later, one witness still remembered the spectacle — and asked Curious Minnesota: How did they possibly pull it off? Host Erica Pearson talks with reporter Jp Lawrence about the remarkable logistics behind the… [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB6855145675.mp3) ## Why do loons sometimes charge swimmers? _2026-08-04_ Minnesotans love loons for their haunting calls, striking beauty and adorable chicks that ride on their parents’ backs. But what happens when one of these iconic birds suddenly charges a swimmer? After a young Curious Minnesota listener accidentally swam between a fierce loon and its chicks, he wanted to know: Do loons attack people, and how often does it happen? Reporter Eva Herscowitz spoke with… [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB2708763443.mp3) ## The forgotten quarry history behind Sandstone, MN's bluffs and climbing cliffs _2026-07-21_ Sandstone, Minn., is known today for rock climbing, ice climbing and whitewater rafting. But before it became an outdoor recreation destination, it was one of the Midwest's most important sandstone-producing communities. When a Curious Minnesota listener asked about the area's towering quarry walls, Minnesota Star Tribune reporter Christa Lawler set out to uncover their history. What she found was… [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB2336917943.mp3) ## How did meat raffles become a Minnesota tradition? _2026-07-07_ Meat raffles are a beloved Minnesota bar tradition: Buy a ticket, watch the wheel spin, and maybe go home with steaks, brats or ground beef for dinner. But where did this unusual game of chance come from? In this episode of Curious Minnesota, host Erica Pearson talks with reporter Eleanor Hildebrandt about the surprisingly rich history of meat raffles, from their earliest roots in Wisconsin to… [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB6940643265.mp3) ## Why Wisconsin (wrongly) claims to have more lakes than Minnesota _2026-06-23_ Minnesota’s license plates proudly proclaim the state as the land of “10,000 lakes.” But some Wisconsinites insist their state has even more. So who’s right? In this Curious Minnesota episode, Erica Pearson dives into lake science, state pride and a surprisingly fierce border rivalry to explain why Minnesota and Wisconsin count their lakes differently — and what actually makes a lake a lake. [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB9286751281.mp3) ## This mysterious tiny building in Minneapolis has a heartwarming backstory _2026-06-09_ A small white shack near the entrance to Interstate 94 has puzzled Minneapolis commuters for years. It's boarded up, rarely noticed, and easy to dismiss as an abandoned shed. But behind it lies a heartwarming city story. After a Curious Minnesota listener asked about the structure, reporter Alicia Eller discovered it was once a thriving newsstand run by Arne Paulson, a legally blind newspaper… [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB8711430147.mp3) ## Can you eat the weeds in Minnesota lakes? _2026-05-26_ What happens when a fishing trip turns into a foraging question? Recording live at the Minnesota Star Tribune’s Strib Unbound Festival, Curious Minnesota investigates whether the weeds growing in Minnesota lakes are actually edible. Inspired by a listener who wondered if the plants tangled on fishing hooks could be eaten like seaweed snacks, host Erica Pearson sits down with food reporter Sharyn… [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB9181147993.mp3) ## Will MN ever get a new state park? _2026-05-12_ In this episode, Curious Minnesota goes live, recording from the Strib Unbound festival at Theodore Wirth Park. Reporter Bob Timmons joins host Erica Pearson to explain why the number of Minnesota’s state parks dropped from 66 to 64 in recent years - and what it will take to get a new one. [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB6557356203.mp3) ## Solving the mystery of downtown Minneapolis’ mummies _2026-04-28_ A pair of Ancient Egyptian mummies once were a main reason for visits to Minneapolis' Central Library. They were on display there from the 1880s to the 1980s. But where did they go when the library got out of the museum business? And why were they in Minnesota in the first place? Eleanor Hildebrandt shares their tale with host Erica Pearson. [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB6948611661.mp3?updated=1777333725) ## Who were the Minnesotans on board the Titanic? _2026-04-14_ When the Titanic went down 114 years ago this month, there were 35 Minnesotans on board. Sixteen of them survived, including newlyweds on their way back from a European honeymoon and a young Duluth woman traveling on her own. Reporter Christa Lawler shares their stories with host Erica Pearson. [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB5799021480.mp3) ## [Collect Open Source Legends (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/tjdFHKM3zmpI) _2026-04-14 · **Sponsored**_ Open-licensed art, limited foil trading packs, and optional on-chain mints. ## What’s the science behind ice thickness and when is it safe to drive on a lake? _2026-03-31_ Back in the 1970s, a Canadian ice researcher developed a formula to determine how thick lake ice needed to be for logging trucks to drive across. It helps inform the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' ice safety guidelines today. Reporter Kim Hyatt talks with host Erica Pearson about the history and science of ice roads. [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB9212701069.mp3) ## The story behind Basshenge, one musician’s monumental ode to his instrument _2026-03-17_ You’ve heard of Stonehenge in England ― but what about Minnesota’s own Basshenge? Reporter Alicia Eler shares its story with host Erica Pearson. The 2001 piece of public art celebrates an instrument — the double bass. Located off Hwy. 11 west of International Falls in the northernmost part of Minnesota, it was created by a musician who spent his later years in the area. [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB4592246275.mp3) ## What’s the history of the Fort Snelling Unorganized Territory and the Whipple Building? _2026-03-03_ The Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, the federal government headquarters for U.S. Immigration Court and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, isn’t part of Historic Fort Snelling, but it sits on a small, unincorporated swath of land known as the Fort Snelling Unorganized Territory. Reporter Chris Vondracek talks with host Erica Pearson about the troubled history of that land, including the… [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB7533156472.mp3) ## Introducing Essential Minnesota _2026-02-17_ A special treat for Curious Listeners: Check out the latest episode of the Minnesota Star Tribune's newest podcast, Essential Minnesota. Even with the announcement that Operation Metro Surge is coming to an end, many Minnesotans are still in hiding. Our reporters visit with one family who has been wondering when it will be safe to come out again. [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB1560320356.mp3) ## What's the history of the abandoned Cold War station in Finland, MN? _2026-02-03_ An abandoned Air Force station on Lookout Mountain above Lake Superior has become a ghost town. But during the Cold War, it was seen as a crucial spot to watch the skies in case of a Russian attack. Reporter Christa Lawler talks with host Erica Pearson about the station and Minnesota's once-secret Cold War history. [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB2868467441.mp3?updated=1770071056) ## How 'Bachelormania' once swept the town of Herman, Minnesota _2026-01-20_ “Wanted: A Few Good Women.” That’s how a 1994 Associated Press story about the west-central Minnesota town of Herman began. The tale of the town with 78 bachelors and fewer than a dozen unmarried women became an international media sensation. Jenny Berg caught up with some of those erstwhile eligible bachelor farmers and shares their stories with host Erica Pearson. [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB8574137557.mp3?updated=1768877929) ## The coldest day in Minnesota history _2026-01-06_ The coldest day ever recorded in Minnesota was Feb. 2, 1996. Casey Darnell joins host Erica Pearson to talk about what happened when temperatures plunged to a record low of minus 60 in Tower, about 90 miles north of Duluth. [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB1925492983.mp3?updated=1767630828) ## How did Minnesota become home to the world's first shopping mall? _2025-12-23_ Southdale in Edina became the first fully enclosed shopping mall in the world when it opened in 1956. Its architect had a vision to thwart the cold and create an indoor town square where it was always 75 degrees. Southdale spawned thousands of suburban shopping malls across the country, shaping an era of American life. Host Erica Pearson makes a visit. [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB9080475551.mp3?updated=1766169917) ## How did Mayor Hubert Humphrey change Minneapolis? _2025-12-09_ Hubert Humphrey was Minneapolis' mayor before he headed to the U.S. Senate and White House. Reporter Eleanor Hildebrandt talks with host Erica Pearson about how his time as mayor shaped the city. [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB2135502755.mp3?updated=1765214907) ## Why do so many spam calls come from Norwood Young America, MN? _2025-11-25_ Your phone rings. It’s a number you don’t recognize, but it’s a Minnesota area code. The caller ID location reads Norwood Young America. If you’ve gotten these spam calls, you’re not alone. Casey Darnell shares the likely story behind the calls with host Erica Pearson. Plus: Is Norwood Young America really home to Minnesota's oldest summer festival? [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB5407733541.mp3?updated=1764000371) ## [Daily plans, scheduled by AI (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/diQQZ4CXdHSY) _2025-11-25 · **Sponsored**_ AI-made daily plans that schedule tasks and protect focus time. ## Lake Superior’s most famous shipwrecks have dramatic tales to tell _2025-11-10_ The Edmund Fitzgerald went down 50 years ago on Nov. 10, 1977. The ore carrier simply vanished from the surface of Lake Superior. It was an ominous ending — mysterious and tragic, too. Hundreds of other vessels have sunk in the big lake, and shipwreck hunters still work to find their watery resting places. Guest Christa Lawler shares some of Lake Superior's striking shipwreck stories with host… [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB7282084912.mp3?updated=1762547688) ## What happened to Minnesota's original Zombie Pub Crawl? _2025-10-28_ At its peak, an estimated 35,000 rotting Minnesotans participated in the annual Zombie Pub Crawl, founded 20 years ago. The event grew large enough to set a world record for the largest amount of people dressed as zombies. Then the festival seemed to have its own apocalypse. Our guest is columnist Laura Yuen. Still curious? Read more at the Minnesota Star Tribune. To support Curious Minnesota and… [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB1254959021.mp3?updated=1761325807) ## What's the oldest bar in Minnesota? _2025-10-14_ Curious Minnesota goes on a bit of a bar crawl through history. We look into which of the state’s historic watering holes is really Minnesota’s oldest. The question is trickier than you might think. [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB1412439266.mp3?updated=1760554495) ## What’s the story of Pipestone National Monument? _2025-09-30_ For thousands of years, Native Americans have quarried a sacred, soft red rock from a patch of Minnesota prairie. The site is now Pipestone National Monument. Reporter Jp Lawrence joins host Erica Pearson to share the story of this special place. [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB4122299305.mp3?updated=1759198248) ## Why do anglers need a special stamp to fish for trout in Minnesota? _2025-08-18_ Minnesota’s trout stamp, a special add-on to fishing licenses, brings in more than $1 million each year. The program funds fish hatcheries, restocking efforts and more. Reporter Anna Sago joins host Erica Pearson to share the history of the program and give a glimpse into what a day's work is like at a trout hatchery. [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB9633307722.mp3?updated=1754683834) ## How a 13-ton piece of public art no one wanted found a Minnesota home _2025-08-04_ A scuplture called “The Scroll” once had a prominent spot in downtown Minneapolis. It stood in front of the old central library for more than 4 decades. Alicia Eler, the Minnesota Star Tribune's visual art reporter and critic, joins host Erica Pearson to tell the story of how the sculpture narrowly missed ending up in a scrap heap when the library building was demolished to make way for a new one. [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB5389893290.mp3?updated=1754319683) ## How did hundreds of ‘Old Order’ Amish wind up in Minnesota’s Driftless Area? _2025-07-21_ Harmony, Minnesota is home to the largest Amish settlement in the state. The "Old Order" community is also one of the most conservative of its kind in the country. Reporter Sean Baker joins host Erica Pearson to explain why and when the Amish selected this sliver of southeast Minnesota to call home. [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB4175370871.mp3?updated=1753106139) ## What happened after a Minnesota man found ancient bison bones? _2025-07-07_ Nearly 8,000 years ago, in the wild expanse of what is now southwestern Minnesota, a primal drama of survival unfolded. Early Plains Archaic hunters ambushed a herd of massive, now-extinct bison. Then, in 1988 a Granite Falls man found bones while digging in his pasture. Reporter Jp Lawrence joins host Erica Pearson to share what happened next and explain why archeologists left some of the site… [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB2075485309.mp3?updated=1751898558) ## How a small Minnesota town ‘seceded’ from the U.S. _2025-06-23_ In the summer of 1977, the leaders of a small Iron Range town made a rather bold announcement: Kinney, Minn., had seceded from the United States. The statement was tongue-in-cheek, but the town’s situation wasn’t funny. The story of the Republic of Kinney is one of dismissed town needs, a wacky, bar-born plan and the power of media attention. Reporter Christa Lawler joined host Erica Pearson to… [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB7198557689.mp3?updated=1750689638) ## What happened after Herman, Minnesota's bachelormania? _2025-06-09_ The Minnesota town of Herman gained notoriety in the 1990s for having nearly 80 bachelors and fewer than a dozen unmarried women. During Herman’s time as “Bachelortown, U.S.A.”, its eligible bachelor farmers were seemingly everywhere — including on “The Oprah Winfrey Show." Reporter Jenny Berg joined host Erica Pearson to share what happened in the decades since. LINKS: What happened after… [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB2638453727.mp3?updated=1749482177) ## [Zero-Persistence E2EE (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/Zbse3rhxnbE8) _2025-06-09 · **Sponsored**_ End-to-end encryption with client-side WebCrypto and volatile memory. ## Why are there two seafood plants in the small Minnesota town of Motley? _2025-05-22_ The small Minnesota town of Motley, despite being so far from the ocean, is home to seafood plants that process millions of pounds of imitation crab. More than 500 people work in the seafood business there. It all began with a business called Morey's Seafood. Reporter Brooks Johnson joined host Erica Pearson to share Morey's fascinating origin story and the current state of the industry in Motley… [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB5728441293.mp3?updated=1747947861) ## Introducing: Worth It _2025-05-17_ We’re excited to introduce Worth It, a new show from The Minnesota Star Tribune and Lemonada Media. Each week, editor Nicole Norfleet and columnist Aaron Brown are joined by people who know Minnesota inside and out – reaching into the spaces you might not know to share the stories worth your attention, the places worth a look, and the events worth your time – and money. In this episode, whether… [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB3679134605.mp3?updated=1747404245) ## How an unexpected gift launched Minnesota’s oldest zoo _2025-05-05_ Como Zoo in St. Paul is more than 120 years old, and was the metro area's primary zoo for many decades. Erica Pearson joins host Eric Roper to discuss the origins of the zoo, and how it has changed over the years. LINKS: How an unexpected gift launched Minnesota’s oldest zoo [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB9545167382.mp3?updated=1746478505) ## What’s the smallest town in Minnesota with a mayor? _2025-04-18_ Just under 6,000 people in Minnesota live in a town with a population under 100, according to the state demographer. The dynamics of Minnesota's smallest cities are an interesting facet of rural life in the state. Reporters Kim Hyatt and JP Lawrence joined host Eric Roper to discuss their visits to Funkley and Kinbrae. LINKS: What’s the smallest town in Minnesota with a mayor? Frisbee license… [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB3645553468.mp3?updated=1745003535) ## Who decides what’s allowed on a vanity plate in Minnesota? _2025-03-28_ Vanity license plates let Minnesotans go beyond the standard "Land of 10,000 Lakes" motto to share their professions and passions. But who is in charge of approving applications for these plates and what criteria do they use? Tim Harlow joins host Erica Pearson to give a glimpse into the Driver and Vehicle Service’s Special Plates Unit. LINKS: Who decides what’s allowed on a vanity plate in… [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB2149523992.mp3?updated=1743179464) ## Why is the loon Minnesota’s state bird? It almost didn’t happen. _2025-03-14_ Minnesota's love of loons is everywhere these days, from license plates to our pro soccer team's nickname. But it took decades for lawmakers to make the loon our state bird. The goldfinch and scarlet tanager are among the others that nearly took the title instead. Kevin Duchschere joins host Erica Pearson to discuss the surprising history of how the loon landed its role. LINKS: Why is the loon… [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB3844206052.mp3?updated=1741978233) ## Why did the Excelsior Amusement Park on Lake Minnetonka close? _2025-02-28_ Many Minnesotans have memories of visiting Excelsior Amusement Park on the shores of Lake Minnetonka. The popular theme park operated from the 1920s to the 1970s. Today, it is the site of condominiums and Maynard's restaurant. Erica Pearson joins host Eric Roper to discuss this once-prominent local attraction. LINKS: Why did the Excelsior Amusement Park on Lake Minnetonka close? [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB2163997304.mp3?updated=1740771352) ## How did Minnesota become the birthplace of ski jumping in America? _2025-02-13_ Ski jumping originated in Norway, but its American story begins in Minnesota in the late 1800s. It has since become an enduring part of the winter Olympics. Erica Pearson joins host Eric Roper to discuss the long history of ski jumping in Minnesota. LINKS: How did Minnesota become the birthplace of ski jumping in America? [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB1071193241.mp3?updated=1739465216) ## What’s the coldest Minnesota has ever been? _2025-01-24_ On the coldest day recorded in Minnesota history, two towns hoped that their official thermometer would give the lowest reading. It was Feb 2, 1996, and news reporters from around the state gathered in Tower and Embarrass. When one town prevailed, a man hammered nails with a frozen banana to celebrate. Casey Darnell joins host Erica Pearson to talk about that record-breaking day. LINKS: What’s the… [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB6621637828.mp3?updated=1737745175) ## Introducing "Ghost of a Chance" - Episode 1 _2025-01-17_ We are excited to give Curious Minnesota listeners a preview of the Minnesota Star Tribune's first narrative podcast, "Ghost of a Chance." The six-episode series is reported by Eric Roper and produced by Melissa Townsend, with new episodes appearing every Monday. At its core, the show is about following your curiosity into Minnesota history. You can find "Ghost of a Chance" wherever you access… [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB6377946516.mp3?updated=1737147062) ## What happened to Camp Snoopy at the Mall of America? _2025-01-10_ Many Minnesotans are still nostalgic for the Mall of America's original theme park: Camp Snoopy. They remember details like the giant red dog bowl where groups met up, the Snoopy bounce house and the whimsical fountain. Greta Kaul joins host Erica Pearson to explain why Peanuts left the mall in 2006 and how the park eventually became Nickelodeon Universe. LINKS: What happened to Camp Snoopy at the… [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB3939713573.mp3?updated=1736524969) ## Minnesota’s ghost towns are a relic of grand visions gone awry _2024-12-06_ Minnesota is home to a number of abandoned towns that flourished earlier in their history. These ghost towns began with grand visions and enjoyed growing prosperity – until something changed. Anna Boone joins host Erica Pearson to explore the stories behind some of the state's most intriguing ghost towns. LINKS: Minnesota’s ghost towns are a relic of grand visions gone awry [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB5930974123.mp3?updated=1733500397) ## Why are Minnesota’s roadside rest areas so nice? _2024-11-14_ Rest areas are a common site on roadways across Minnesota. While they are easy to overlook, rest areas also serve an important purpose for driver safety. And it turns out that Minnesota has some of the nation's most exceptional rest areas. Reporter Erica Pearson joined host Eric Roper to discuss the history, function and design of these facilities. LINKS: Why are Minnesota’s roadside rest areas so… [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB8599101998.mp3?updated=1731619664) ## What’s behind the stereotype that Minnesotans don’t like spicy food? _2024-10-31_ After Gov. Tim Walz joked about the state's low spice tolerance in a campaign video, a reader asked Curious Minnesota about the origins of the idea that Minnesotans don't like spicy food. The cultural stereotype is so pervasive in the state that many restaurants include menu warnings or simply offer versions of dishes with extremely minimal seasoning. Reporter Susan Du joins host Erica Pearson to… [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB8383874946.mp3?updated=1730412287) ## How did Old Dutch potato chips get started in St. Paul? _2024-10-10_ The Old Dutch potato chip company is a regional icon in the Midwest, known for its twin pack box. They have been frying potatoes for 90 years. And it all began in a kitchen in St. Paul. Reporter Brooks Johnson joins host Erica Pearson to talk about the company's history and what it was like when he toured their Roseville plant. LINKS: How did Old Dutch potato chips get started in St. Paul? [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB1718393673.mp3?updated=1728583548) ## How Quonset huts helped solve the post-WWII housing crisis in the Twin Cities _2024-09-26_ A surplus of military Quonset huts after World War II provided a unique solution to a housing shortage in Minnesota and across the country. Steph Quinn joins host Eric Roper to discuss these temporary neighborhoods. LINKS: How Quonset huts helped solve the post-WWII housing crisis in the Twin Cities [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB2960038893.mp3?updated=1727388727) ## How did the Minnesota Star Tribune get its start? _2024-08-29_ This special episode of Curious Minnesota was recorded at the State Fair on August 28th. Erica Pearson and Eric Roper discussed the origins of the Minnesota Star Tribune, which dates back to Minneapolis' incorporation as a city in 1867. The Strib is a descendant of three very different papers. The conversation also delved into what life was like on Minneapolis' Newspaper Row. LINKS: How did the… [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB1842153340.mp3?updated=1724967713) ## Fairgoers tell us their questions about Minnesota _2024-08-28_ We had a blast chatting with fairgoers on Curious Minnesota Day at the Minnesota Star Tribune's State Fair building. Today's episode is a roundup of the questions we recorded. LINKS: Why Wisconsin claims — incorrectly — to have more lakes than the Land of 10,000 Lakes Why is Minnesota's Democratic Party called the DFL? How Mayo Clinic became one of the world's most famous medical centers [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB2456810030.mp3?updated=1724876461) ## Why Wisconsin claims — incorrectly — to have more lakes than the Land of 10,000 Lakes _2024-08-22_ Minnesota takes great pride in its lakes. "10,000 Lakes" is even emblazoned on the state's license plates. But at least some people in Wisconsin think their state has more lakes than Minnesota. It's because there's not one standard for what defines a lake. A reader wanted to know more about why the states are measuring their lakes differently. Erica Pearson, who wrote a story on this topic for… [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB9017673315.mp3?updated=1724346005) ## Curious Minnesota at the State Fair! 8/24 (Saturday) and 8/28 (Wednesday) _2024-08-19_ Curious Minnesota will be hosting events at the Minnesota Star Tribune's State Fair building on Saturday, August 24th and Wednesday, August 28th. [Listen](https://chrt.fm/track/6GD543/traffic.megaphone.fm/STB4796208168.mp3?updated=1724095489)