We’re talking about some of the best ways to kick off a great summer. It’s the unofficial Prince Week in Minnesota, but the celebrations are legit. We’ll be your guide to the purple festivities. The state health department has cracked down on unlicensed pools and hot tubs, so what does that mean for your pool party plans? Plus, why a thousand people visit a 20-ft pencil every June and the winning Minnesota women’s sports teams to watch this summer. 

Read more about unofficial Prince Week, unlicensed rental pools, Lake of the Isles giant pencil, and Minneapolis’ women’s sports plans. 

This week our guests are features reporter Rachel Hutton, deputy sports editor Naila-Jean Meyers, visual art critic and reporter Alicia Eler, and music critic Jon Bream. 

You can follow Aaron Brown on X, Bluesky and Facebook at @minnesotabrown.   

To support “Worth It” and the important work of the Minnesota Star Tribune, subscribe today by visiting Startribune.com/WorthItToSubscribe.

Stay up to date with the Star Tribune at @startribune on TikTok, Bluesky, X, Facebook, and Instagram. Lemonada Media is on X, Facebook and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. 

Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors

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If you’re a fan of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” or just a tasty drink enjoyer, we’ll give you the deets on where to find a dirty soda. Tensions between the US and Canada spill over into a bike race in Grand Marais, and a couple of local $10 cereal brands are flying off the shelves. Plus, an amphitheater near St. Cloud worth checking out for summertime jams. 

Read more about dirty sodas, cereal upstarts, a dip in Canadian tourism and the Ledge Amphitheater.

This week our guests are taste editor Nicole Hvidsten, business reporter Brooks Johnson, Duluth reporter Christa Lawler and music critic Jon Bream.  

You can follow Aaron Brown on X, Bluesky and Facebook at @minnesotabrown.   

To support “Worth It” and the important work of the Minnesota Star Tribune, subscribe today by visiting Startribune.com/WorthItToSubscribe.

Stay up to date with the Star Tribune at @startribune on TikTok, Bluesky, X, Facebook, and Instagram. Lemonada Media is on X, Facebook and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. 

Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors

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In the mood for a drive? Before you head out on your next road trip - we find a couple places worth stopping for. We’ve got the essential guide for casual Timberwolves fans and we find out what’s stinking up some northern lakeshores. Plus five years later, the facts of George Floyd’s murder remain the same, but some are changing the story. We’ll find out more.

Read more about the Timberwolves bandwagon, piles of carp, best tourist traps, and revisionist history.

This week our guests are sports editor Ryan Kostecka, features reporter Rachel Hutton, outdoor reporter Alex Chhith, Minneapolis crime and policing reporter Andy Mannix and breaking news, crime and corrections reporter Liz Sawyer.  

You can follow Aaron Brown on X, Bluesky and Facebook at @minnesotabrown.   

To support “Worth It” and the important work of the Minnesota Star Tribune, subscribe today by visiting Startribune.com/WorthItToSubscribe.

Stay up to date with the Star Tribune at @startribune on TikTok, Bluesky, X, Facebook, and Instagram. Lemonada Media is on X, Facebook and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. 

Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whether you kayak, canoe or paddleboard - or you want to - we’ll hear the best paddling routes to try in the Twin Cities metro. There’s a new show about a real-life Minnesota woman-cowboy-detective from the 1800s. Plus, why you should think “salvage” for home remodeling and the cost to raise a kid here.

Read more about “Whoa, Nellie!,” our ultimate paddling guide, salvaging for your home and how much it costs to raise a kid in Minnesota. 

This week our guests are built environment reporter Greta Kaul, theater critic Rohan Preston, Hennepin County reporter Christopher Magan and editor Emma Nelson.

You can follow Aaron Brown on X, Bluesky and Facebook at @minnesotabrown.   

To support “Worth It” and the important work of the Minnesota Star Tribune, subscribe today by visiting Startribune.com/WorthItToSubscribe.

Stay up to date with the Star Tribune at @startribune on TikTok, Bluesky, X, Facebook, and Instagram. Lemonada Media is on X, Facebook and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. 

Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spring weather is here and we’re ready for it. Our expert foodie shares her tips for enjoying restaurant patio season, including how to do it on a budget. We’ve got a handful of reasons why Detroit Lakes is worth a look this summer. Plus, fishing drama and the pros/cons of being a human guinea pig, for science.

Read more about the best restaurant patios in the Twin Cities, where to eat in Duluth, fishing tech controversy, a tech-free fishing spot and joining research trials.

This week our guests are Features Reporter Richard Chin, Food and Drink Reporter Joy Summers, Outdoors Reporter Tony Kennedy and Travel Editor Simon Peter Groebner.

You can follow Aaron Brown on X, Bluesky and Facebook at @minnesotabrown.   

To support “Worth It” and the important work of the Minnesota Star Tribune, subscribe today by visiting Startribune.com/WorthItToSubscribe.

Stay up to date with the Star Tribune at @startribune on TikTok, Bluesky, X, Facebook, and Instagram. Lemonada Media is on X, Facebook and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. 

Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve got ways to win the cutthroat home buying game in MN. Plus we’re taking you inside the best places in the Twin Cities for Vietnamese food and the old-school fabric warehouse that’s an extravaganza of sewing supplies for DIY fashionistas. Our expert on going out also brings you a couple of fun, only-in-Minnesota things you can do exclusively this weekend – find out what they are before it’s too late. 

Read more about the fabric store Minnesotans are flocking to, trends in housing and the local Vietnamese food we talked about in this episode.

This week our guests are Features Reporter Rachel Hutton, Real Estate Reporter Jim Buchta, Assistant Food Editor Nancy Ngo and Food and Culture Digital Producer Abby Sliva.

You can follow Aaron Brown on X, Bluesky and Facebook at @minnesotabrown.   

To support “Worth It” and the important work of the Minnesota Star Tribune, subscribe today by visiting Startribune.com/WorthItToSubscribe.

Stay up to date with the Star Tribune at @startribune on TikTok, Bluesky, X, Facebook, and Instagram. Lemonada Media is on X, Facebook and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. 

Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your time is limited. Your money is, too. So how do you know what’s worth it? The Minnesota Star Tribune’s Nicole Norfleet and Aaron Brown curate a weekly guide to the Minnesota stories and happenings worth your time, attention – and money. The cool suburban stop for gourmet cotton candy, the new spot to farm camp, the best place to see a concert – and the venues to avoid – it’s all here on Worth It. The show launches May 2nd, wherever you get your podcasts. Follow the show now so you never miss an episode!

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