Karen Tolkkinen
Columnist
Greater MinnesotaKaren Tolkkinen is the Minnesota Star Tribune's greater Minnesota columnist. She has more than three decades of experience in local journalism, most recently serving as a reporter, copy editor, and columnist at the Echo Press in Alexandria, Minn. She lives with her husband and son in Otter Tail County, in a farmhouse built by her husband's great-great grandparents in the early 1920s.
Latest from Karen Tolkkinen
Greater Minnesota
Tolkkinen: All ends well for Brad, the ram on the lam, and Taz, the horse in the north
Brad the sheep and Taz the Arabian are both back home, thanks to two-legged friends who never lost hope.
November 21, 2024
Greater Minnesota
Tolkkinen: When criticized, Trump doubles down and strengthens his support. He’s doing it again.
Who else could get away with a feed-style hat with a business suit?
November 19, 2024
Duluth
Tolkkinen: Sheep on the lam proves too wily for North Shore rescuers
Brad the sheep has been sighted repeatedly along the North Shore over the past two weeks, eluding wolves, coyotes, police and animal rescuers.
November 14, 2024
Greater Minnesota
Tolkkinen: Hunting together despite divisions
The opening of firearms season for Minnesota deer hunters brings familes and friends together and also forces you to make peace with people of differing politics.
November 12, 2024
Elections
Tolkkinen: Why Trump? Rural Minnesotans explain.
I spent Election Day at voting precincts in five rural Minnesota towns.
November 6, 2024
Elections
Tolkkinen: On Election Day, let’s hold ourselves accountable
Whether it’s our profession, our faith, or our politics, we need to admit when our side is wrong.
November 5, 2024
Greater Minnesota
Tolkkinen: So you thought cheating in an election was easy
Cities, counties go through many steps -- before and after an election -- to preserve election integrity.
November 2, 2024
Greater Minnesota
Tolkkinen: What does sexual identity have to do with farming?
The University of Minnesota Extension Service had to close down social media comments after announcing its first-ever LGBTQIA+ farming event, #agforall.
October 29, 2024
Elections
Tolkkinen: Why Trump? Rural Minnesotans explain.
I spent Election Day at voting precincts in five rural Minnesota towns.
November 6, 2024
Elections
Tolkkinen: On Election Day, let’s hold ourselves accountable
Whether it’s our profession, our faith, or our politics, we need to admit when our side is wrong.
November 5, 2024
Greater Minnesota
Tolkkinen: So you thought cheating in an election was easy
Cities, counties go through many steps -- before and after an election -- to preserve election integrity.
November 2, 2024
Greater Minnesota
Tolkkinen: What does sexual identity have to do with farming?
The University of Minnesota Extension Service had to close down social media comments after announcing its first-ever LGBTQIA+ farming event, #agforall.
October 29, 2024