MinneCulture

Stillwater Prison started publishing its own newspaper in 1887. All of it written, edited —  even funded — by incarcerated people. It’s called The Prison Mirror. It was one of the country’s first prison papers. Today it’s one of the last. We’re taking you inside prison to hear writers past and present talk about what it’s like to cover the news behind bars. But first, you need the origin story.

This story was written, reported, and produced by Michelle Bruch. Erika Janik is the managing editor of MinneCulture. Support for MinneCulture on KFAI is provided by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Season 10 of the MinneCulture podcast is coming April 9th. This season we are exploring a decades-long Minnesota cold case, the two-year run of the movie Harold and Maude at a Minneapolis theater, the oldest prison newspaper, and many more stories from across the state. 

Support for MinneCulture on KFAI is provided by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. For more stories like this check out the MInneculture tab on KFAI.org

What happens when you add electric guitar, high energy vocals, and upbeat percussion to your ballet? For ballet companies, they hope it adds up to a lot more people in the audience. 

An outgrowth of rock operas, rock ballets are reimagining the art form for a modern age. KFAI’s Sheila Regan has the story. 

This story was written and produced by Sheila Regan. Erika Janik is the Managing Editor of MinneCulture. Support for MinneCulture on KFAI is provided by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. For more stories like this check out the MInneculture tab on KFAI.org

If you’ve ever driven on Snelling Avenue in St. Paul, down by Highland Park High School, you’ve probably seen the Highland Park Water Tower, even if you didn’t know it. Standing at 127 feet tall, it is a beautiful 1928 stone tower located on one of the highest points in St. Paul, making it the perfect place to store water, and see a unique view of the Twin Cities. Though it was decommissioned in 2017, the tower is open to the public twice a year – in July and October – so that everyone can experience the walk up to, and view from, the top of this historic building.

This story was written and reported by Hans Buetow. Erika Janik is the managing editor of MinneCulture. Support for MinneCulture on KFAI is provided by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. For more stories like this check out the MInneculture tab on KFAI.org

Each year, the federal government holds a unique art competition with a very specific goal: to choose the most compelling original painting to become the next Federal Duck Stamp.

Waterfowl hunters are required to purchase this stamp along with their hunting license. The revenue raised allows the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to buy and protect wetlands across the country. Over time, the contest has grown fiercely competitive. And this past year, Chaska artist Jim Hautman [rhymes with “caught-men”] claimed his seventh win.

Among outdoor enthusiasts and duck hunters, Jim Hautman is a well-known name. In fact, he’s so well known he even gets a mention in the movie Fargo. KFAI’s Alison Young has the story.

This story was written and produced by Alison Young. Erika Janik is MinneCulture's managing editor. Support for MinneCulture on KFAI is provided by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. For more stories like this check out the MInneculture tab on KFAI.org

In the 1990s for a brief four years, the radio station 93.7 The Edge popped up and imprinted itself onto the minds and hearts of many young Minnesotans who were aching for new music: The Cranberries, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and No Doubt. Radio back then wasn’t just a way to listen to music, but to discover music. The station also hosted EdgeFest, which forged even stronger memories. Every generation has a nostalgic love for the music of their youth and Edge fans are no different. KFAI’s Matthew Schneeman talked to these fans, now all grown up, about their love for The Edge and nineties alt-rock. 

This was story was reported and produced by Matthew Schneeman. Erika Janik is the managing editor of MinneCulture. Support for MinneCulture comes from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. For more stories like this check out the MInneculture tab on KFAI.org

We have something different to share with you today - though something squarely in the MinneCulture universe. One of our regular producers Alison Young received a Minnesota State Arts Board Creative Individuals Grant this year to produce a series of immersive pieces blending field recording and personal narrative set at four Minnesota State Parks.

It’s called “Art of the State (Parks) and we’re sharing them with you. Today, we're headed to Lake Maria State Park.

This story was written and produced by Alison Young. Erika Janik is the managing editor of MinneCulture.

Alison is a fiscal year 2025 recipient of a Creative Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature; and by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

There are many ways to cover a song—you can cover it in your own style or mix things up by playing it in a different genre. But there’s one way of doing that often gets overlooked: doing it exactly like the original. 

The 90s cover band You Oughta Know takes on that challenge of replicating 90s hits. And the effect is a time traveling lightning bolt of nostalgia. KFAI’s Matthew Schneeman met up with the band to see their tricks and techniques first hand.

This was story was reported and produced by Matthew Schneeman. Erika Janik is the managing editor of MinneCulture. Support for MinneCulture comes from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. For more stories like this check out the MInneculture tab on KFAI.org

We have something different to share with you today - though something squarely in the MinneCulture universe. One of our regular producers Alison Young received a Minnesota State Arts Board Creative Individuals Grant this year to produce a series of immersive pieces blending field recording and personal narrative set at four Minnesota State Parks.

It’s called “Art of the State (Parks) and we’re sharing them with you. Today, we're headed to Blue Mounds State Park.

This story was written and produced by Alison Young. Erika Janik is the managing editor of MinneCulture.

Alison is a fiscal year 2025 recipient of a Creative Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature; and by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Sound baths are a meditative practice that uses resonant instruments like singing bowls, gongs, and chimes to create experiences that offer a unique path to calm and connection. In recent years, sound baths have been popping up all over Minnesota. KFAI’s Sheila Regan went to check it out.

This story was written and produced by Sheila Regan. Erika Janik is MinneCulture's Managing Editor. Find more MinneCulture stories on our website.

Support for MinneCulture on KFAI is provided by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.