Photos

Perfect ice conditions draw skaters to Twin Cities lakes
During the dry cold snap, lakes in the Twin Cities and around the state turned mirror-like with smooth surfaces of clear ice. Consistent cold temperatures, calm conditions and a lack of snow created perfectly natural ice skating venues.
Here are 14 Minnesota stories and videos that made us smile in 2024
2024 was filled with with ups and downs. But for this end-of-year roundup, we’re focused on the heart-warming, feel-good news that made us smile. From felines being reunited with their families to a rare and stinky flower with thousands of fans, here are some of the stories that lifted our spirits this year.
2024 in focus: Favorite photos of the year from MPR News’ lens
From politics to playoff dreams, unseasonable winters to moments of quiet resilience, the MPR News photo team did what they do best: follow their curiosity, chase stories and bring you along for the ride, one frame at a time.
Photos: For St. Paul’s homeless, 12 hours of emergency warmth at the law enforcement center
As winds howled and temperatures crashed, Ramsey County opened the lobby of its St. Paul law enforcement center overnight Wednesday into Thursday for unsheltered people to escape the bitter cold. MPR News spoke to some of those who needed a warm place to stay.
Photos: Thousands brave Thanksgiving cold to run and walk Turkey Day 5K
Amid one of the coldest Thanksgiving days of the past decade, thousands of runners flocked to downtown Minneapolis on Thursday for the annual Turkey Day 5K, the largest Thanksgiving race in the Twin Cities.
Minnesota United advances to Western Conference Semifinals with sweep of Real Salt Lake
Emeka Eneli scored the equalizer for Real Salt Lake in the 75th minute of a 1-1 tie in regulation, but Dayne St. Clair had two saves in the shootout as Minnesota United came out on top 3-1 to finish off a sweep of Real Salt Lake.