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More connection and beauty: a neighbor’s perspective on transportation in Minneapolis
Across Minneapolis, people are juggling work, errands, school drop-offs, and fullschedules. Transportation plays a big role in how each day unfolds. As the City andregional partners improve sidewalks, bike routes, and transit service, more people arechoosing options that help the...
U of M gender identity speech policy challenged in lawsuit
A lawsuit representing a student at the University of Minnesota is aiming to change the university's policy regarding students using other students' preferred pronouns and expressing views against transgender ideology....
Minnesota high school sports moments we’re still thinking about
Strib Varsity reporters reflect on the moments from the school year that had a lasting impression.
Former Rock Ridge principal charged with sexually assaulting a student
A school administrator, charged last year for allegedly soliciting a minor, is now facing charges for an alleged sexual assault against a former student. Charging documents in St. Louis County show Christopher John Chad, 52, is facing three felony criminal sexual conduct char...
Physical education standards review and revision
https://education.mn.gov/MDE/dse/stds/phyed/phyedstand The post Physical education standards review and revision first appeared on KSTP.com 5 Eyewitness News....
Normandale Japanese Garden
Nestled on the serene campus of Normandale Community College in Bloomington is a hidden gem called the Normandale Japanese Garden. Reporter Kristin Haubrich paid a visit to this tranquil and beautiful escape to share a closer look at what makes it so special. The post Normand...
Ramstad: Republicans love school choice. So why did Trump target this charter school?
Many people say assimilation, yet choose segregation through charter schools. Trump’s latest attack on Somali children shows this hypocrisy in the culture war....
Workforce Pell Grants launch in Minnesota, but only 2 schools are offering them
An expanded federal grant program is opening doors for Minnesotans seeking fast-track training for in-demand careers, but options are limited for now.
Shopping for school supplies? Now is the time to buy them.
As the new school year approaches, parents have to start thinking about buying school supplies. We wanted to know when the best time is to buy school supplies and how much you should expect to pay. Parents of elementary and high school students should expect to spend betwee...
Trump social media post involving Minnesota children called ‘anti-Muslim bigotry’
President Donald Trump posted a short video clip showing Muslim students graduating from kindergarten. Muslim groups in the Twin Cities have denounced the posting....
Play-Doh, trivia, and a teen on a mission to fix science scores
Wayzata senior Megan Helm is testing her student-written science program aimed at getting younger students more interested in science. 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS sat in on a summer school session in Plymouth where Helm is volunteering, using the science book and curriculum she created ...
Meet 12 Minnesota high school girls basketball prospects having standout AAU seasons
These are the state’s most impressive uncommitted girls basketball players in the 2027 and 2028 classes heading into the July recruiting period.
Walz blasts Trump post of Minnesota kindergarteners wearing hijabs
Gov. Tim Walz is responding after President Trump posted a video on Truth Social Monday morning of a Minnesota kindergarten graduation showing students wearing hijabs....
Who is the 'redhead named Abigail,' Taylor Swift's high school BFF?
Abigail Anderson Berard, Swift's longtime close friend, was spotted leaving the Ritz-Carlton in New York City, likely heading to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding....
Alex Warren sings ‘Fletcher’s song’ to the delight of Annunciation community
In his St. Paul concert, the pop star gave shout-outs to the slain student who loved “Ordinary.”
So Minnesota: ‘Sammie Backers’ brought pieces of home to troops in WWI
This story was originally published on March 5, 2026. One group of high school students came together to support our troops during World War I. As the war began, students at Anoka High School wanted to do their part to help those from Anoka fighting for our country. “It ...
Teacher charged with harassment after sending 16-year-old images on Snapchat
A teacher in northern Minnesota has been charged with allegedly sending sexual images to a 16-year-old student on Snapchat.
As Minnesota schools get new tools to crack down on enrollment fraud, ghost student victims ask for help
“A little scared that I don’t know how anyone would have gotten that much information about me,” said Kara Downer. She’s been fighting to get her identity back from scammers for six months now. It’s something she says could happen to anyone. The only reason she knew someone ha...
Meet 12 Minnesota high school boys basketball prospects having standout AAU seasons
These are the state’s dozen most impressive uncommitted boys basketball players in the 2027 and 2028 classes heading into the July recruiting period.
Federal student loan changes take effect: Borrowers face higher payments, fewer repayment options
Sweeping changes to federal student loans are now in effect, bringing new borrowing caps and fewer repayment choices for students and families.
Minnesota’s cannabis syllabus: What schools must teach next year
Minnesota school districts are heading into summer with a new assignment: building cannabis education lessons that will be required in every middle and high school classroom beginning in the 2026 to 2027 school year. The cannabis education requirement was first created in 202...
Minnesota's anonymous school threat reporting system law begins July 1
Minnesota schools are now required to begin setting up anonymous threat reporting systems, aiming to make it easier for students and staff to share safety concerns....
Minnesota laws taking effect July 1: What you need to know
The Minnesota Legislature passed many new laws this year and with the state’s fiscal year kicking off on July 1, here is a closer look at some of the laws going into effect on Wednesday, including over $1 billion for critical infrastructure projects and some new school safety req...
Best Buy campus value cut in half: What it means for Richfield property taxes in 2027
Richfield is bracing for a major shift in its commercial tax base after a big assessment change for Best Buy’s corporate campus.
A new way to speak up could help keep Minnesota schools safer
“I think I heard tidbits about it.” Ruby Babst’s grandkids attend one of the elementary schools in the Elk River district. She’s also a former teacher who knows just how important safety in the classroom is. “You can never do too much to be on the safe side,” she said. S...
Supreme Court upholds state laws banning transgender girls and women from school athletic teams
The Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld state laws barring transgender girls and women from playing on school athletic teams, in another setback for transgender people....
2026 Patriot Games: Dates revealed, applications opened for national high school competition
The Patriot Games are coming Washington, D.C. in the first weeks of August.
Charges: Northland Community School teacher slapped student in classroom
A Northland Community School teacher is facing charges for allegedly slapping a student in a classroom in May. Kristen Anne Panchyshyn, 52, of Cohasset, was charged last week in Cass County with one count of fifth-degree assault, according to court records. A May 26 video f...
More choices, more time for what matters: improving transportation in Minneapolis
Across Minneapolis, people are juggling work, errands, school drop-offs, and full schedules. Transportation plays a big role in how each day unfolds. As the City and regional partners improve sidewalks, bike routes, and transit service, more people are choosing options that help ...
Northland Community School teacher charged with assault, accused of slapping student
A Northland Community School teacher faces a misdemeanor assault charge after a reported classroom incident involving a student. The teacher is accused of slapping a student, and it was captured on camera....
St. Francis school leaders warn tough decisions are just beginning
The St. Francis Public Schools are facing a budget crunch this year. “Our general fund balance will go down $3 to $4 million in the adopted budget,” said Superintendent Karsten Anderson. The district isn’t alone in facing a financial shortfall. In this case, the superintend...
Massachusetts House passes bill protecting libraries from book bans
Lawmakers in Massachusetts are hoping to put into law a bill to give librarians more authority to protect against book bans in schools and libraries.
Summer Dakota camp gives students a window into a language and a worldview
After the smudging ceremony that began the day, and before breaking into small groups to practice Dakota language skills, Neil McKay gave his campers a pep talk. “I did not start becoming conversational till I was 25,” he told the participants of Dakota Language Camp in Bloomi...
Minnesota families plan earlier for back‑to‑school shopping as prices rise and demand grows
Back‑to‑school shopping is still weeks away for most Minnesota families, but many are already planning for it as prices for basic supplies continue to rise. New national data shows families expect to spend more this year, and experts said the pressure is hitting households earlie...
Minneapolis charter school facing another sexual abuse lawsuit
A former student is suing Best Academy alongside a youth development program known as Hospitality House after he was sexually assaulted and videotaped by a former teacher, according to a lawsuit filed this week....
Final bell in Milroy. Now everything must go
The tiny rural school district is consolidating with nearby Tracy after years of declining enrollment. At a recent rummage sale, people bought everything from desks to beloved books....
As new standards arrive, debate over Minnesota Social Studies continues
Social Studies classes will look a little different for most K-12 students this fall when Minnesota’s new standards hit classrooms in all districts for the first time. The New Standards State educational standards get updated every ten years. These have been in the works si...
Parent sues St. Paul Academy over son’s expulsion
The lawsuit claims school leaders retaliated against a family after the father raised concerns about leadership.
Sinkholes at St. Francis football stadium will cost six figures to repair
The St. Francis school district said a failed stormwater management system caused the problem, and it’s unclear if it’ll be fixed in time for the Sept. 3 football opener....
Facing $14.3M budget deficit, St. Paul Public Schools approves preliminary cuts
St. Paul Public Schools leaders have approved a preliminary budget that includes cuts to address a multimillion-dollar budget imbalance next school year....
Minnesota native Kate Smith-Stroh to play KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club
The five-time state high school champion from Detroit Lakes will get chance to compete this week with No. 1 Nelly Korda.
Redevelopment plans for former Wells Fargo campus in south Minneapolis include housing
Minneapolis-based Novarum Development Partners’ also plans retail, health care and educational pieces for the 25-acre site in a plan that could cost $500 million....
At 40, she went back to college. What she found surprised her.
After nearly two decades away from the classroom, Jacquelynne Sutton came to Normandale Community College and discovered a path forward in community health, and herself. At 40, Jacquelynne wasn’t planning to go back to school. “I woke up one day and thought, I have to do somet...
Claims of retaliation, suppression and secrecy fuel turmoil at St. Paul Academy
Parents revolted after the private school added a contract provision that would dismiss students if they or their families criticize the school. It later expelled a student after his father organized a petition against the school’s leader....
Trump administration to cut student loan interest rates
With millions of student loan borrowers in default, the Trump administration announced a plan for a slight reduction in student loan interest rates to provide some relief for borrowers paying back their loans....































