Culture & Community

Five people holding photo props stand on either side of a rainbow striped banner with the words "dam proud". The banner is hung on the side of a tall pavilion in a park.

Photo Essay | Lanesboro’s First-ever Pride in the Park

Upwards of 200 people gathered to support Lanesboro’s first annual Pride in the Park; Root River Current photographers share the story in a special photo essay.

a photo collage of a screen, a bike, and a train

Speak Up, Speak Out – and Listen

Water quality, e-bikes and a new “talking trail” are all In the News in June. John Gaddo has details on how Root River Current readers can speak up, speak out – and listen!

A group of people sit outside in folding chairs on green grass all facing forward watching a musical performance.

La Crescent Goes Live with Summer Music Series

Greg Lovell reports on how you can take in the music, community and fun at La Crescent Live, a summertime community event.

Four students hold long metal poles with an x-shaped end that is placed on the gravel ground.

Chert Quarry Near Grand Meadow Was Historic Social Center

A historic Grand Meadow-area site was both a quarry and a seasonal crossroads for neighboring Indigenous people. Check out part II of David Phillips’ reporting.

Two people dressed in biking gear stand behind their e-bikes on an outdoor trail.

“On Your Left!” — E-Bikes on Regional Trails

Steve Harris reports on the surge in e-bikes on Southeast Minnesota’s 60+ miles of state trails.

A man and a woman and small child stand in a wooded area and look at a large interpretitive map on a stand.

Chert Quarry Near Grand Meadow is Rare, Lucky Find for Archaeologists

In the first of two stories, David Phillips reports on a rare archaeological find near Grand Meadow and visits with the archaeologist who’s been leading the research in recent years.

Groups of people walk through a field with emerging rows looking at the soil for artifacts.

Shooting Star Trail Was Once an Indigenous Crossroads

David Phillips explores Indigenous history found in Mower County along the Shooting Star Trail.

Man in tshirt and sunglasses stands behind a table.

La Crescent Farmers Market Builds Community

Greg Lovell finds fresh produce, artisan goods and community at the La Crescent Farmers Market.

An older white man stands facing a crowd of seated people.

Braver Angels Encourages Constructive Disagreement

Anna Loney reports on a community gathering recently held in Lanesboro to help people learn communication techniques.

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.

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.