Year: 2025

In The News: Trees!

Spring is a time for celebrating trees – we report on two restoration projects taking place in conjunction with Arbor Day and Arbor Month.

A large two-story tan brick home with a porch extending across the entire front.

Discovered — The Underground Railroad in Southeast Minnesota and the Abolitionists Who Helped

Amy Jo Hahn uncovers the hidden history of the Underground Railroad in Southeast Minnesota.

A woman in a turquoise shirt holds a piece of stained glass while she sits at a table surrounded by other pieces of art.

Remarkable Artists Open Their Houston County Studios for Regional Art Tour

Rose Korabek profiles three women artists featured in the 2025 Bluff Country Art Tour.

April Springs to Life

Root River Current photographers capture the arrival of Spring in Southeast Minnesota.

A man stands in a stream up to his thighs and reaches out with a wood handled net to scoop up a trout.

2025 Trout Season Looks Promising for Local Anglers

John Weiss opens the 2025 catch-and-keep trout season with a primer on the state of trout fishing in southeastern Minnesota.

view of wild rice growing in Mississippi River

Wild Rice Returns to Nearby Stretches of Mississippi River

Madeline Heim reports on the resurgence of native wild rice in the Upper Mississippi River valley.

Essay | Frank Walsh’s Kitchen

An excerpted essay from the book “Frank Walsh’s Kitchen” of a charming story of two teen boys working at summer haying and the unique lunch that followed.

An older woman in a pink shirt holds up a white hood with eye holes. The right side of the graphic includes a reprint of an historical newspaper article titled: Ku Klux Klan invades Lanesboro.

Minnesota’s Hooded History

Surprising or not, the Ku Klux Klan was active in Southeast Minnesota in the 1920s. John Torgrimson reports on a recent presentation on the history of the Klan’s presence in the region.

An older woman stands in front of a mini-bus holding a bin of snacks and juices.

Area Public Health Officials Remain Vigilant at All Times

Since long before Covid 19, health officials have worked hard to stay ahead of ‘the next’ potential regional health threat; David Phillips reports on one example of a dedicated health team.