Sports & Leisure from Minnesota Public Radio

Q&A: The Heavy Table tries to kickstart a regional food book

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:29:32 -0500

The HeavyTable.com is using crowdfunding site Kickstarter to try to fund a new book focused on Upper Midwestern food.

Appetites: Inside the newly expanded Cossetta's

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:17:21 -0500

Cossetta's has long been one of the biggest names in Italian food in the Twin Cities, and it has just gotten a lot bigger. The new pastry shop is the new crown jewel of the expansion, says the Heavy Table's James Norton.

Photos: Cossetta's new Pasticceria, or pastry shop

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:10:32 -0500

Cossetta's has long been one of the biggest names in Italian food in the Twin Cities, and it has just gotten a lot bigger. They've undergone a major expansion and renovation.

Paddlers honor legendary Minn. kayaker

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:18:28 -0500

Jim Rada died 10 years ago of a heart attack while paddling the Presque Isle River, seen above. Ever since, his friends have held a race on the river in his honor.

$590M-plus Powerball: 1 winning ticket sold in Fla

Sun, 19 May 2013 09:07:33 -0500

It's all about the odds, and one lone ticket in Florida has beaten them all by matching each of the numbers drawn for the highest Powerball jackpot in history at an estimated $590.5 million, lottery officials said Sunday.

Minn. cycling race gives athletes a rough ride

Fri, 17 May 2013 16:54:00 -0500

Cyclists often hunt for smooth, rural roads to ride on. Emphasis here on 'smooth.' This weekend, more than 1,000 cyclists from around the country and Europe will pound the winding, backcountry roads just south of Rochester in a 100-mile race called Almanzo. The event has become one of the nation's premier gravel road events and the route will take riders on some of the region's most rugged and unforgiving roads.

Joe Coleman to transfer from Minnesota

Wed, 15 May 2013 20:52:50 -0500

Joe Coleman is the first player to transfer after the coaching change at Minnesota.

Twins lose to White Sox 9-4

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:51:23 -0500

Adam Dunn homered twice, doubled and drove in five runs, powering the Chicago White Sox past the Minnesota Twins 9-4 on Wednesday afternoon at Target Field.

New Vikings stadium design in 12 photos

Tue, 14 May 2013 07:18:42 -0500

Here's a look at the imagery that HKS Architects offered for the new Vikings stadium envisioned for downtown Minneapolis on the site of the Metrodome.

Report: Boogaard family sues NHL for son's death

Sun, 12 May 2013 19:30:05 -0500

In the lawsuit, the family says the NHL is responsible for the brain damage that Boogaard sustained during six seasons as an enforcer in the league, and for his addiction to prescription painkillers.

Icy lakes greet anglers on Minnesota's opener

Sat, 11 May 2013 13:26:42 -0500

Anglers who flocked to northern Minnesota were greeted by icy lakes on Saturday, making for an unusual fishing opener that matched the unusually cold spring.

What Mother's Day means to me: A second chance, unconditional love and a life-saving hug

Fri, 10 May 2013 15:13:10 -0500

It turns out that just one hug doesn't save a life. It takes a village to hug. A village of unconditional love and second chances.

Big Twin Cities road closures this weekend

Fri, 10 May 2013 14:55:25 -0500

Some major interstate routes through the Twin Cities will be closed for roadwork this weekend.

Weather slows sales of fishing licenses

Thu, 09 May 2013 15:24:05 -0500

Saturday is opening day across the state for walleye fishing, and fishing license sales are down by about a third.

Photos: North Shore thaw brings world-class kayaking

Thu, 09 May 2013 07:29:23 -0500

Along the North Shore of Lake Superior, streams like the Lester River in Duluth are roaring, full of chocolate-brown, frothy, churning spring runoff. It's that time of year when hikers are warned to stay away from the creeks -- and when kayakers like Chris Baer flock to them.

With spring comes world-class kayaking at North Shore

Thu, 09 May 2013 04:00:00 -0500

Lake ice complicates Minn. Governor's Fishing Opener

Wed, 08 May 2013 15:30:39 -0500

Lake ice will play a role in the Governor's Fishing Opener for the first time in recent memory.

Coach cleared of charges no longer at MSU, Mankato

Wed, 08 May 2013 12:44:16 -0500

A former head football coach for Minnesota State University, Mankato, who was cleared of child pornography charges last year but reassigned to an administrative position, is no longer employed at the university, the school said Wednesday.

Minneapolis locks reopening to rec boats

Tue, 07 May 2013 20:32:10 -0500

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is reopening its three Minneapolis locks to recreational boats.

Chris Kluwe says equal rights are more important than football

Tue, 07 May 2013 11:13:00 -0500

Released punter Chris Kluwe says he doesn't know what role his politics may have played in his departure, but he has no regrets.

Deborah Tannen on the ways human beings communicate

Mon, 06 May 2013 14:45:44 -0500

The best-selling author of "You Just Don't Understand" and "Can We Talk?" and Georgetown linguistics professor Deborah Tannen talks about gender, age and cultural differences in the ways people communicate and suggests ways we can make ourselves better understood.

Kluwe: 'So long Minnesota, and thanks for all the fish!'

Mon, 06 May 2013 10:50:19 -0500

Long-time Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe has apparently been released by the team. The 8-year veteran of the team said "So long, Minnesota, and thanks for all the fish!," via his Twitter account Monday.

Wild's 3-2 win over Blackhawks keep playoff hopes alive

Sun, 05 May 2013 17:36:52 -0500

Jason Zucker scored at 2:15 of overtime to give Minnesota a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday, pulling the Wild within 2-1 in the Western Conference quarterfinal series.

Game 2: Wild 2, Blackhawks 5

Fri, 03 May 2013 22:30:00 -0500

Patrick Sharp and Michael Frolik had two goals apiece, and the Chicago Blackhawks beat the Minnesota Wild 5-2 on Friday night in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.

Flip Saunders returning to Timberwolves

Fri, 03 May 2013 14:16:39 -0500

The Minnesota Timberwolves hired Flip Saunders as the team's new president of basketball operations on Friday, bringing him back eight years after he was fired as the head coach.

Kahn out as Wolves president, Flip in, sources say

Thu, 02 May 2013 14:57:06 -0500

David Kahn is out as president of basketball operations for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Flip Saunders is coming in. Three people with knowledge of the situation tell The Associated Press that team owner Glen Taylor has decided not to pick up the option for next season on Kahn's contract.

Appetites: Twin Cities home to numerous vibrant farmers markets

Wed, 01 May 2013 15:30:00 -0500

It's time to talk farmers markets with Beth Dooley here on Appetites. She is the author of "Minnesota's Bounty: The Farmers' Market Cookbook."

Ten morsels from Michael Pollan

Wed, 01 May 2013 15:00:00 -0500

Don't let yourself be intimidated by raw vegetables.

Fans already want Metrodome souvenirs

Wed, 01 May 2013 06:34:21 -0500

The Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority, which operates the Metrodome, says it's received more than 50 requests for seats, signs, turf and other mementoes. Authority chairwoman Michele Kelm-Helgen says the requests vary.

Blackhawks beat Wild 2-1 in Game 1

Wed, 01 May 2013 06:13:52 -0500

Bryan Bickell scored in overtime on a two-on-one rush, and the Chicago Blackhawks started the playoffs on a winning note after dominating the regular season, beating the Minnesota Wild 2-1 Tuesday night.

A master gardener offers spring tips

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:00:00 -0500

As the weather finally starts to warm up, gardeners in Minnesota may be eager to get their hands in the dirt.

Minn. Zoo hosts Amer. Sign Language Day

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:54:18 -0500

Hundreds of students are expected to participate Today in the Minnesota Zoo's second annual American Sign Language Day.

Anglers spent $2.4 billion in Minn.

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 07:50:40 -0500

Anglers who enjoy Minnesota's sky blue waters are still a powerful engine for the state's economy, according to new data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

New Vikings stadium might take cue from Beijing Olympics

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 07:28:10 -0500

The Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority has posted a draft Environmental Impact Statement for a new Vikings stadium up on its website, and it refers to the potential usage of ETFE, a polymer made famous as the translucent exterior of the aquatics center built in Beijing for the Olympics.

Blackhawks wary of Wild ahead of playoff series

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 06:00:00 -0500

For all their accomplishments so far -- the record-breaking start, the Presidents' Trophy, the individual honors -- the Chicago Blackhawks know this is the time of year that will define their season. They said the same thing all along.

Bicycling advocates look to further improve safety in Minneapolis

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 04:00:00 -0500

Minneapolis is often held up as an example of a bicycle-friendly city that is taking steps to improve safety. Advocates for the community met with government representatives to identify innovative ideas for further improving safety.

Duluth mountain bike trail network expanding

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 11:40:46 -0500

Duluth is forging ahead this summer with its plan to become a premier mountain biking city.

NBA veteran Jason Collins comes out as gay

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 11:00:42 -0500

The 34-year-old Collins has played for six NBA teams in 12 seasons. He finished this past season with the Washington Wizards and is now a free agent. He says he wants to continue playing.

Bicycle safety: Minnesota's efforts held up as model for US

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 06:48:08 -0500

When U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood picked Minnesota to host one of two bicycle safety summits, he held the state up as a model of how a place can increase the number of bikes on the road without increasing deaths.

Photos: First warm spring day brings people outdoors

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 16:19:59 -0500

It was a long wait, but Minnesotans were rewarded today with a sunny, warm day that actually felt like spring. And many took advantage of the chance to get outside and enjoy the weather. Our photographers captured some of those scenes.

Friday Festival: Cheese shop raises money for cheesemonger scholarship

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 13:56:33 -0500

Local cheesemonger Benjamin Roberts is raising money for a cheesemonger education fund this weekend at the two cheese shops he runs -- France 44 in Minneapolis and St. Paul Cheese Shop in St. Paul. A portion of the proceeds will go for a cheese scholarship in honor of the woman he describes as his "cheese mentor." Benjamin Roberts spoke with MPR's Tom Crann.

Report: T-wolves close to hiring Saunders

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 13:51:50 -0500

The Minnesota Timberwolves are reportedly close to firing its president and bringing back Flip Saunders.

'Valhalla Club' in new Vikings stadium?

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 11:34:05 -0500

The new Vikings stadium may feature four themed club seating areas named the Valhalla, Fire, Ice and Vikings clubs.

Vikings select Shariff Floyd, Xavier Rhodes

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 07:00:24 -0500

Rick Spielman stepped to the podium with a big smile on his face, elated that his Minnesota Vikings were able to land Florida defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd and Florida State cornerback Xavier Rhodes in the first round of the NFL draft on Thursday night.

Vikings poised for tonight's NFL draft

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 06:43:16 -0500

General manager Rick Spielman said the Vikings have been inundated by trade talk for the 23rd and 25th overall selections they'll have on Thursday night. "Whether you believe me or not, I'm telling you it's been the most active it's been in a while because of where we're picking," Spielman said.

First look at new design for St. Paul's Lowertown ballpark

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 14:31:29 -0500

The City of St. Paul has an update to its Lowertown Ballpark project and has released an image showing a new design for the park. The rendering shown here shows the downtown St. Paul skyline in the background. It's the latest in a series of developments on the $54 million ballpark project, which will be the new home of the St. Paul Saints baseball team.

Fargo moves cleanup week as flood looms

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 08:29:41 -0500

The annual event allows residents to put most items -- large and small -- on the curb for pickup by city garbage crews. It had been scheduled for early May.

Gardeners make plans with no certainty in forecast

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 15:00:25 -0500

April is a planning month for gardeners throughout the middle of the country, and many are trying to figure out what to do amid rapidly shifting weather conditions.

Drug czar speaks at National Press Club

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 10:50:00 -0500

The director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, Gil Kerlikowski, speaks live at the National Press Club about Obama administration drug policies, and is likely to address the legalization of marijuana.

Twin Cities Marathon organizers eye Boston

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 10:20:25 -0500

The people who run Minnesota's largest marathon say they're watching events unfold in Boston with an eye on what it might mean for their race, scheduled for this fall.

Video: Chris Kluwe's view from a wheelchair

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 08:35:38 -0500

Minnesota Viking Chris Kluwe spent a day in a wheelchair to support efforts at the Legislature for a $4 million appropriation for research to discover a cure for paralysis.

Lawmaker ready to throw out electronic gambling rules

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 08:22:03 -0500

The chair of Minnesota's House Commerce Committee said he will initiate discussions about changing electronic gambling rules Tuesday, aiming to improve revenues that are falling far short of the amount needed to fund the state's share of the $1 billion Vikings stadium.

Surly Brewing to build new facility in Minneapolis' Prospect Park area

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 15:48:46 -0500

Surly Brewing Co. has purchased a site in the Prospect Park area of Minneapolis to build a new brewery and taproom.

Duluth's Goucher 6th in Boston Marathon

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 11:49:51 -0500

Distance runner Kara Goucher, who grew up in Duluth, finished in sixth place in the Boston Marathon Monday morning.

Video: SCSU hockey players donate long hair

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 07:18:12 -0500

The St. Cloud Times reports that the teammates' flowing tresses were destined for Locks of Love.

Nice Ride rentals set to return after storm

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 13:13:33 -0500

The fourth season for the Nice Ride bike rental program should be back on track this weekend after a snowstorm last week temporarily shut it down.

Checking in with 30 Days of Biking -- almost halfway there

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 21:51:53 -0500

It's almost half-way through April, and checking with MPR News is Patrick Stephenson, one of the founders of 30DaysofBiking.com.

A passion for falconry: Minnesota Sounds and Voices

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 15:58:08 -0500

A White Bear Lake man has a passion for an activity -- falconry -- that dates back thousands of years. Falconry is the practice of capturing and training raptors to hunt. It's a way of life for Frank Taylor, the man we meet in this installment of our series Minnesota Sounds and Voices.

Photos: A falconer in Minnesota

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 15:46:56 -0500

Master falconer Frank Taylor, in his backyard with his red-tailed hawk Mim. Taylor and Mim and have been training and hunting together for the past eight years. Taylor is passionate about falconry, an activity that's been around for thousands of years.

Twins plan to play weekend home series despite snow

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 13:24:03 -0500

The grounds crew at Target Field is busy preparing the snow-covered ballpark for a weekend series between the Twins and the New York Mets, which begins Friday night.

Breast milk jewelry? It's the new milestone memento

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 10:22:51 -0500

Strands from baby's first haircut. The first tooth. Tiny footprints sunk into clay. Some parents even tuck away the dried stump of the umbilical cord or the stick pregnancy test as a touching memento marking the milestones of their kids. The latest? Breast milk jewelry.

UConn women rout Louisville for title

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 22:14:44 -0500

Geno Auriemma and Connecticut are back on top. With freshman Breanna Stewart leading the way, it might be a while before they relinquish that spot. Stewart scored 18 of her 23 points in a dazzling first half and Connecticut won its eighth national championship with a 93-60 rout of Louisville on Tuesday night. It was the most lopsided victory in a title game.

Pitino impact might be more substance than style

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 04:00:00 -0500

Richard Pitino is less than half of Tubby Smith's age. That alone has brought a seismic shift for the Minnesota basketball program, with last week's takeover by the 30-year-old Pitino. The energy of youth can always bring positive change, but the impact of Pitino's arrival could prove to run deeper than that.

Sports memorabilia tax is stadium 'Plan C'

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 21:39:28 -0500

What's old is new again in the stadium debate at the Minnesota State Capitol. A proposal to tax sports memorabilia might be headed back towards a stadium deal.

Everyone's a critic: Yelp reviews hold great power

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 15:00:00 -0500

Next time you write a restaurant review on Yelp, you could be deciding the fate of the establishment. A one-star increase in a restaurant's Yelp rating translates to a 5- to 9-percent increase in revenue, according to a 2011 Harvard Business School study.

Vikings stadium: More troubling gambling revenue numbers

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 07:31:22 -0500

The March numbers are in for the state's electronic pulltab industry and a turnaround is nowhere in sight. An MPR analysis shows that games did take in a record $2.4 million in bets. But for the second month, the rate of installation of new sites per day fell. And, as in the other months since the rollout, the daily average of bets on those machines fell to a new record low.

Jay Cooke's swinging bridge due back by fall

Sat, 06 Apr 2013 09:38:36 -0500

A replacement for the historic swinging bridge at Jay Cooke State Park should be in place just in time for the fall color season.

Why is safety for cyclists so threatening?

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 15:00:00 -0500

Curiously this week, the conversation has -- for the most part -- only been about the cyclist, and nothing about what can be done to make the environment in which they ride safer, which is too bad because the answer to that question is: a lot.

What new UMN basketball coach Richard Pitino told reporters today

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:13:44 -0500

Newly chosen University of Minnesota basketball coach Richard Pitino made a confident debut Friday, telling reporters the U already has the resources it needs to have a successful basketball program.

Rutgers AD out after basketball coach fired

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 10:33:47 -0500

Tim Pernetti is out as Rutgers athletic director, two days after the basketball coach was fired following a video that went public of Mike Rice shoving, grabbing and throwing balls at players in practice and using anti-gay slurs.

Vikings stadium funding needs could mean big changes for state lottery

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 07:33:08 -0500

And at the Capitol, and out at the Minnesota State Lottery headquarters in Roseville, state officials are already weighing their options for funding the new Vikings stadium - and possibly big changes to the lottery.

Rick Pitino says son is ready for Minnesota job

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 04:00:00 -0500

A day after his son Richard Pitino agreed to become the next head coach at Minnesota, Rick Pitino proclaimed the 30-year-old up-and-comer "more than ready" for the challenge.

Vikings play Houston in first preseason game

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 16:52:38 -0500

The Minnesota Vikings will play the Houston Texans at Mall of America Field in the first game of the preseason.

'Ask the President:' MPR President Jon McTaggart answers listener questions

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 10:04:34 -0500

A "Member Appreciation Week" edition of "Ask the President." MPR President Jon McTaggart joins host Gary Eichten in the Minnesota Public Radio studios to answer listener questions about the inner workings of MPR and about MPR's presentation of news and music.

Gophers hire FIU's Richard Pitino

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 15:02:37 -0500

The University of Minnesota has picked Richard Pitino, the son of Louisville coach Rick Pitino, to take over as men's basketball coach for Tubby Smith. A person with knowledge of the discussions says Pitino reached a verbal agreement with Minnesota on Wednesday.

Rutgers fires coach after video release

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 13:50:43 -0500

Fueled by outrage even from the governor when the video went public, Rutgers fired basketball coach Mike Rice on Wednesday after deciding it didn't go far enough by suspending and fining him for shoving, kicking and throwing balls at players along with spewing gay slurs.

World Trade Center touts planned observation deck

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 14:43:36 -0500

Visitors to the observation deck at One World Trade Center will learn about the building's history while they're waiting in line downstairs and watch a video on the tower's 102nd floor before the actual panoramic view is revealed, officials developing the attraction said Tuesday.

Sellout crowd braves chill at Twins' opening day

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 04:00:00 -0500

A sellout crowd braved near-freezing temperatures at Target Field on Monday to watch the Minnesota Twins open the 2013 season against the Detroit Tigers. The Twins lost 4-2 in the earliest outdoor season home opener in team history. The cold may have slowed the Twins batters, but many fans didn't seem to mind the chilly weather.

NCAA battles former players' lawsuit over revenues

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 21:18:08 -0500

Four years ago, Ed O'Bannon filed a lawsuit against the NCAA and the video game maker EA Sports seeking compensation after recognizing an avatar in the company's March Madness game that he says was created in his image. Since then, the lawsuit has blossomed into one of the biggest legal threats the NCAA has ever faced over the issue of paying student athletes who attract billions of dollars in revenue annually, and the latest court filing from the NCAA weeks ago highlights how much is at stake.

Yankees set record payroll at $230M; Astros $27M

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 17:37:44 -0500

The New York Yankees set a record for baseball's highest opening-day payroll at $230.4 million, almost 10 times what the Houston Astros are paying their players. In Minnesota, the payroll for the Twins was $76 million.

AP: Tubby Smith lands new coaching job at Texas Tech

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 14:23:07 -0500

Tubby Smith, who was fired from his basketball coaching job at Minnesota last week, has been hired by Texas Tech to turn around its struggling program, the Associated Press reports. The University of Minnesota has not yet filled its open coaching position.

Home opener for Twins: Earliest ever, and chilly

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 14:15:22 -0500

The Minnesota Twins played the earliest outdoor home opener in team history on Monday afternoon at Target Field against the Detroit Tigers. Temperatures were expected to be in the 30s.

Photos: Twins fall in chilly home opener

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 06:37:22 -0500

A sellout crowd of more than 38,000 fans braved near-freezing temperatures at Target Field on Monday to watch the Minnesota Twins open the 2013 season against the Detroit Tigers.

Wanted: Starting pitchers for Twins

Sat, 30 Mar 2013 15:15:42 -0500

The pitchers who could save the Minnesota Twins aren't ready yet, and they may not be until 2014. Alex Meyer and Trevor May arrived in separate trades over the winter, bringing with them the kind of power arms and strikeout mentalities that have been sorely lacking in the organization's pitching stock for years. Both have yet to throw a pitch in Triple-A, and the Twins appear content to let them get some needed seasoning in the minors this year.

Hunters can apply for bear licenses Monday

Sat, 30 Mar 2013 11:38:06 -0500

Applications for Minnesota bear hunting licenses will be available starting Monday. The 3,750 licenses are available in 11 permit areas, down from the 6,000 available last year.

'30 Days of Biking' pledgers bike, boast and post daily in April

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 15:10:50 -0500

The 30 Days of Biking movement is back for a fourth year. Already this year, thousands pledged to ride their bikes every day in April, and report on the experience online.

Twins fans should brace for cold seats, hot treats

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 08:25:56 -0500

The Minnesota Twins are heading for their earliest outdoor opener ever on Monday, and it's shaping up to be a chilly one.

Florida Gulf Coast University's alley-oop hoop strategy

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 06:34:46 -0500

The Florida Gulf Coast University Eagles are using an offensive play called the alley-oop as a key part of their offensive strategy.

Food vendors eye Vikings stadium space

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 07:56:00 -0500

The Minnesota Vikings will soon know if their new stadium can match the culinary experience at Target Field across town.

I-94 resurfacing, new Lafayette Bridge among planned Minn. road projects

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 12:21:01 -0500

The Minnesota Department of Transportation announced its construction schedule for the year, and it's likely to cause significant traffic delays around the state.

Dayton: Industry should be part of pulltab projections

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 08:50:37 -0500

Gov. Mark Dayton today sounded a different tone after critical remarks on whether the Gambling Control Board was as open as it should have been about the gambling industry's role in estimating the revenue from electronic pulltabs.

Gambling revenue from e-pulltabs falls victim to old-school habits

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 06:26:20 -0500

New electronic pulltab gambling is falling far short of its promise. Some blame cost, others say the games aren't as much fun. But behind the scenes, the games are becoming a casualty of the battle between old school paper pulltab suppliers and the internet-driven upstarts trying to reboot the industry.

Tubby Smith fired: U of M men's basketball coach out after disappointing season

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 11:49:54 -0500

Tubby Smith spent six seasons with the Gophers, helping to bring the program back to respectability. He arrived in 2007 from Kentucky, immediately ramping up expectations for a team that had been buried by an academic cheating scandal.

Duluth expands oversight of vacation rentals

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 08:40:52 -0500

Duluth is expanding its oversight of the growing market for vacation rentals. The city has begun requiring homeowners to apply for permits if they want to rent out their properties to tourists and to comply with applicable regulations.

Powerball run sparks $3M in prizes for MN

Sun, 24 Mar 2013 21:00:00 -0500

The run-up to Saturday night's Powerball drawing generated over $3 million in prizes for Minnesota players and earned the state more than $5.4 million.

Big 1st half propels Florida over Minnesota 78-64

Sun, 24 Mar 2013 19:40:58 -0500

Florida used an overpowering first half to roll past the Minnesota Gophers and into the NCAA men's basketball tournament round of 16 for the third consecutive year with a 78-64 win Sunday in the South Regional.

Gophers get perfect season with NCAA women's title

Sun, 24 Mar 2013 19:14:35 -0500

the Gophers breezed by Boston University 6-3 on Sunday to finish the first perfect season in the 13-year history of NCAA women's hockey.

As casinos struggle, tribes seek more US aid

Sun, 24 Mar 2013 10:10:49 -0500

As a gambling slump squeezes profits at the Foxwoods Resort Casino, the tribe that owns the famously successful enterprise in southeastern Connecticut has begun receiving more assistance in the form of U.S. government grants.

5 Minn. hockey teams forming new tournament

Sun, 24 Mar 2013 09:13:41 -0500

Five Minnesota hockey programs are joining to form the state's first Division 1 men's hockey tournament.

Minn. slopes are open for late season skiing

Sat, 23 Mar 2013 10:01:45 -0500

Many Minnesotans may be weary of winter, but some are enjoying an unusually long ski season on the slopes.