Curious Minnesota

Why do loons sometimes charge swimmers?

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 biologists, wildlife rescuers and devoted loon watchers to find out. In this episode, host Erica Pearson and Herscowitz explore the warning signs loons use when they feel threatened, the rare encounters that have left people injured and why humans pose a much greater danger to loons than loons do to us. Plus, Erica’s dad shares the unforgettable story of his own face-to-face encounter with an angry loon in northern Minnesota.

The forgotten quarry history behind Sandstone, MN's bluffs and climbing cliffs

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 a story of railroad tycoons, booming industry, dangerous labor, remarkable engineering—and an entire town that was moved to accommodate the railroad. In this episode, host Erica Pearson and Lawler visit the abandoned quarry sites, hear firsthand accounts from former quarry workers preserved in local archives, and explore how Sandstone transformed from an industrial powerhouse into one of Minnesota's hidden gems for outdoor adventure. If you've ever driven through Sandstone on the way to Duluth, this episode might convince you it's worth making the stop.

How did meat raffles become a Minnesota tradition?

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 their role in Minnesota’s charitable gambling scene today. Along the way, they uncover tales of banned raffles, “fallen off a truck” beef, packed small-town bars and why this quirky game has become such a social ritual across the Upper Midwest. Plus: how recent law changes could make meat raffles more valuable for nonprofits — and more tempting for players.

Why Wisconsin (wrongly) claims to have more lakes than Minnesota

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.

This mysterious tiny building in Minneapolis has a heartwarming backstory

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 vendor whose determination inspired an entire community. Café owners, waitresses, and neighborhood regulars raised money and built the stand for him in 1963, helping him launch a business that served Minneapolis for more than a decade and a half. Host Erica Pearson and reporter Alicia Eler explore Arne's life, his impact on the neighborhood, and why this modest little building remains standing today as a quiet reminder of a different era.