Christopher Vondracek
@cvondracek.bsky.social
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D.C. Business Correspondent for The Minnesota Star Tribune. Moonlights on piano.
Former ag reporter encountering farm art in a museum in Montreal today.
7 months ago
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reposted by
Christopher Vondracek
Minnesota Star Tribune
7 months ago
Tomorrow's front page of the Minnesota Star Tribune
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A dispatch on the manhunt for the assassin that ended tonight in a farm field in southern Minnesota, rural Sibley County
www.startribune.com/on-second-da...
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Two-day manhunt for suspected Minnesota political assassin ends with surrender in farm field
Authorities had been searching woods and farm fields in search of Vance Boelter as anxiety reigned across the state.
https://www.startribune.com/on-second-day-of-manhunt-suspected-minnesota-political-assassin-remained-elusive/601373588
7 months ago
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My dispatch from today’s anguish back home in Minnesota
www.startribune.com/melissa-hort...
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Melissa Hortman, shepherd of Legislature’s historic 2023 session, called House Democrats’ ‘captain’
Gov. Tim Walz said Hortman and her husband, Mark, were killed in what he called targeted political violence.
https://www.startribune.com/melissa-hortman-top-democrat-in-minnesota-house-shot-and-killed-in-home/601372998
7 months ago
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We couldn’t fit details about a 2-pound Duke burger from Eagle Lake into the story on tax exemption for tips, but happy with this collab nevertheless
www.startribune.com/tips-tax-exe...
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What no federal tax on tips would mean for Minnesota service workers
The provision comes in the budget bill passed by Republicans in both chambers of Congress. The issue may be more complicated than it seems, industry watchers and workers say.
https://www.startribune.com/tips-tax-exemption-congress-budget-bill-negotiations/601353576
8 months ago
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Morning walking commute here in DC: spotted a video billboard critiquing Interior Sec Doug Burgum, a tiff between staffers at coffee shop over “a colon or em dash” in budget bill, and animal control on hunt for raccoon loose at car mechanic.
8 months ago
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Dispatch from DC:
www.startribune.com/trump-tariff...
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With trade war pause, Minnesota firms rush to place orders from China, remaining wary of what’s next
U.S. and Chinese negotiators worked out a deal to lower tariffs for 90 days.
https://www.startribune.com/trump-tariffs-pause-china-minnesota-reaction/601349718
8 months ago
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A Midwest trifecta here in DC today as farmers from South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa lead presser of those barnstorming to DC calling for passage of farm bill.
9 months ago
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reposted by
Christopher Vondracek
Alex Chhith
9 months ago
Minnesota's only salt lake attracts more than 150 species of birds and guess what? If you don't have time to make it this spring, you can go again in the fall when they're making their way down south. Photos by the
@startribune.com
's intrepid Anthony Souffle
www.startribune.com/where-to-fin...
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Where to find Minnesota’s only salt lake
It attracts huge flocks of migrating birds — and birders — this time of year.
https://www.startribune.com/where-to-find-minnesotas-only-salt-lake/601342068?utm_source=gift
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Either the Red River Valley or France here with farm art in Nashville.
9 months ago
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My dispatch yesterday from the big Cathedral on a hill in Saint Paul.
www.startribune.com/pope-francis...
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Minnesota Catholics mourn Pope Francis and his ‘gospel of mercy’
At an afternoon Cathedral mass led by Archbishop Bernard Hebda, Francis was remembered for his commitment to social justice and forgiveness.
https://www.startribune.com/pope-francis-death-minnesota-reactions/601335588
9 months ago
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Wisconsin cattle man says Pequot Lakes feedlot operator essentially ‘rustled’ hundreds of his cattle when he claimed they died at his facility — latest from me
www.startribune.com/cattle-rustl...
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Wisconsin man claims Minnesota feedlot operators broke cattle-rustling law
The man wants $4.1 million from Pequot Lakes feedlot for disappearance of nearly 600 cattle. The feedlot operators say the cattle died of disease.
https://www.startribune.com/cattle-rustling-minnesota-feedlot-wisconsin-cattleman-lawsuit/601332673?utm_source=copy
9 months ago
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Over winter I ventured to a Baldwin piano in a south Minneapolis home to record my new album, “Packinghouse,” tales of the roads of southern Minnesota. Give a listen on this Record Store Day! Come see me play April 21 at White Squirrel in StP.
open.spotify.com/album/3IlTUS...
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Packinghouse
Christopher Vondracek · Album · 2025 · 9 songs
https://open.spotify.com/album/3IlTUS7srjSvvagtAg9moY?si=kG3GNYJ5Ri6gcwaGEnl2rg
9 months ago
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The blurred space between my new DC-MN biz beat and old ag reporter beat continues in latest dispatch (from my hometown of Wells, with Jp Lawrence.
www.startribune.com/minnesota-so...
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In Minnesota’s soybean country, trade war with China hits hard
Soybeans are the country’s largest export to China, and southern Minnesota farmers are worried about the effect of skyrocketing tariffs.
https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-soybean-farmers-china-tariffs-trade-war-largest-export/601324746
9 months ago
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Helped on this dispatch from Duluth with
@janahollingsworth.bsky.social
www.startribune.com/klobuchar-sm...
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Anxiety increases over possibility that Duluth EPA Great Lakes lab could close
Klobuchar, Smith send letter to EPA administrator as doubt mounts that the lab’s 170 jobs are safe.
https://www.startribune.com/klobuchar-smith-great-lakes-epa-lab-duluth/601325552
10 months ago
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Needed to talk to soybean farmers, so I drove home to Wells, MN — pivoting between my former ag beat and the new Washington biz correspondent beat for
@startribune.com
.
10 months ago
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Feels fittingly absurd that on eve of my last day on the Minnesota agriculture beat I am stuck in traffic on the Minneapolis/Edina border thanks to some jaywalking turkeys.
11 months ago
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reposted by
Christopher Vondracek
Minnesota Star Tribune
11 months ago
In rural Minnesota, advocates and legal clinics are preparing immigrants for family separation amid the Trump administration’s immigrant crackdown.
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In rural Minnesota, immigrants prepare for the day they’ve long feared
In rural Minnesota, advocates and legal clinics prepare immigrants for family separation with things like Delegation of Parental Authority (DOPA) forms, amid the Trump administration’s immigrant crack...
https://www.startribune.com/in-rural-minnesota-immigrants-prepare-for-the-day-theyve-long-feared/601227358/?utm_source=Bluesky&utm_medium=social
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Spent last week in DC, preparing to move (spiritually, literally) my beat to our growing DC bureau at
@startribune.com
, and I encountered (as I so often have on Ag beat) farmland paintings: grain elevator and wheat in Smithsonian, soybeans and farmhouse in Sen. Smith’s office.
11 months ago
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Passenger seat-on the roving MN ag beat today—in town of my birth, Albert Lea. We bought some local locker beef sticks. Happy Valentine’s.
11 months ago
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reposted by
Christopher Vondracek
Greta Kaul
12 months ago
Is it just me or are skate paths having a moment? The one in Warroad looks so freaking cool. You don't have to go all the way up there to find a skate path though -- read to the bottom for more options (probably pending snow!) via
@walkerorenstein.bsky.social
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A river runs through Hockeytown USA, and you can skate on it for miles.
Ice trails like the one in Warroad have become destinations for skilled hockey players and new skaters alike.
https://www.startribune.com/a-river-runs-through-hockeytown-usa-and-you-can-skate-on-it-for-miles/601217993?utm_source=gift
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News today from me on how USAID dismantling also impacts Minnesota farmers and agribusiness
www.startribune.com/usaid-shutte...
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Shuttering of USAID could mean the end of millions in income for Midwest farm operations
Frozen by Elon Musk’s DOGE personnel, the USAID program purchased $70 million in commodities in 2024 from Minnesota vendors.
https://www.startribune.com/usaid-shuttering-cargill-chs-contracts/601218218?utm_source=gift
12 months ago
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Minnesota hat trick tonight at the bar: Vikings on TVs, bingo in lounge, someone jumping a stranger’s stalled car out front.
about 1 year ago
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reposted by
Christopher Vondracek
Minnesota Star Tribune
about 1 year ago
See if 2024 was anything like what you remember from growing up.
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How does 2024’s weather compare with your childhood?
See if 2024 was anything like what you remember from growing up.
https://www.startribune.com/how-does-2024s-weather-compare-with-your-childhood/601202878/?utm_source=Bluesky&utm_medium=social
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Saw a man negotiating his snowboard into an Uber today in snow-encased Minneapolis and then reminded the driver for the “airport” — felt very much the first leg of a long journey to some mountaintop west of here.
about 1 year ago
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Day later, we’ve got ANOTHER Minnesotan matriculating to ranking-member status on a congressional ag committee, as Sen. Klobuchar will hold that spot in the Senate.
about 1 year ago
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We’ve got some breaking MN ag news today, Rep. Angie Craig — from suburbs and cornfields south of Cities — has just been named top Democrat on House Agriculture committee.
about 1 year ago
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Folks ice-skating the lakes in Minneapolis.
about 1 year ago
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reposted by
Christopher Vondracek
Walker Orenstein
about 1 year ago
Minnesota regulators Thursday unanimously approved what would be the state's first carbon dioxide pipeline. The Summit project still hinges on the Dakotas but has sparked debate over ethanol, climate & rupture risks. “It’s a new concept, we get that."
www.startribune.com/commission-a...
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MN regulators approve controversial Summit carbon pipeline
Construction on Summit’s pipeline can’t start until the project moves ahead in North Dakota. It has inspired a debate over risk of a leak and the value of carbon capture for ethanol as a climate solut...
https://www.startribune.com/commission-approves-minnesotas-first-carbon-capture-pipeline-its-future-hinges-on-the-dakotas/601194339
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Santa at a St. Paul dive bar tonight. FYI.
about 1 year ago
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Here’s a snapshot from my coffee with Sonja Trom Eayrs, attorney, author, and southern Minnesota farmer to talk about her book, ‘Dodge County, Incorporated.’
www.startribune.com/a-divisive-f...
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Sonja Trom Eayrs' 'Dodge County, Incorporated' takes a deep dive into what's happening with Minnesota farms
When corporate farms swallow up family farms, it's community and compassion that are lost, says attorney/farmer Sonja Trom Eayrs in her new book "Dodge County, Incorporated."
https://www.startribune.com/a-divisive-factory-farm-battle-in-southern-minnesota-takes-center-stage-in-new-book/601191154
about 1 year ago
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From my colleague, Brooks Johnson:
www.startribune.com/cargill-layo...
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Cargill laying off about 8,000 people, 5% of global workforce
The cuts come amid a corporate restructuring in response to falling sales and profits.
https://www.startribune.com/cargill-layoffs-8000-5-percent-global-workforce-minnesota-ag-trader-minnetonka-hq/601190081
about 1 year ago
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I’ve been off for a couple days, but there’s some MN Ag news coming in: farmers are looking to disband the Barley council. Stay tuned.
about 1 year ago
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No
#MnAgNews
today as far as I see, but related: I’ve been tapped to play piano in a 90s era country band at Turf Club tonight. See you there!
#Twangsgiving2
about 1 year ago
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reposted by
Christopher Vondracek
Kristen Leigh Painter
about 1 year ago
Minnesota’s large companies and their emissaries are getting chattier about tariffs.
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Minnesota business leaders say Trump’s proposed tariffs would result in higher prices for consumers
Canada, Mexico and China are Minnesota’s biggest trading partners, and the tariffs could disrupt companies from 3M and Cargill to Target and Polaris.
https://www.startribune.com/trump-tariffs-could-hit-minnesota-economy-3m-cargill-target-polaris-higher-prices/601187394
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reposted by
Christopher Vondracek
Nancy Yang
about 1 year ago
In Minnesota we recognize, but don't pardon, turkeys.
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This western Minnesota turkey don't be pardoned. But in his dwindling days, he got the spotlight in a governor's reception room.
Minnesota chief executive returns to annual Thanksgiving ceremony that spares no birds from their dinner-plate fate.
https://www.startribune.com/charismatic-turkey-fails-to-win-pardon-from-gov-walz/601187259
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We’ve got some more Mn Ag news coming to you today from the Capitol, where a 40-pound Tom Turkey bruiser has taken over a table in the decorative room at Gov. Walz’s reception (not a pardoning) ahead of Thanksgiving.
about 1 year ago
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Other MN farm news: Rep. Angie Craig (suburbs and southern corn fields) has put hat in ring to be top Democrat on House Agriculture.
about 1 year ago
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Minnesota agricultural products getting unloaded this morning in Linden Hills. Later, we pick up the Lake Mille Lacs-area turkey in hardware store parking lot. Good month for
#MNFarmReporter
.
about 1 year ago
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