Erica Pearson
Reporter
FeaturesPearson grew up in rural Cozy Corner, Wisconsin and spent more than a decade reporting in New York City before joining the Minnesota Star Tribune. She has covered an earthquake in Haiti, a hurricane in Brooklyn and beats like immigration, faith and lifestyle news.
Latest from Erica Pearson
Where were Minnesota’s fur trading posts located long ago?
Waterways were key to trade routes hundreds of years ago. Historic sites include the Snake River Fur Post and Grand Portage National Monument.
September 12, 2025
What’s the oldest small-town festival in Minnesota?
Some of the state’s quirky traditions date back to the 1800s.
September 5, 2025
How did foods on a stick become a Minnesota State Fair tradition?
It all started with Pronto Pup in the 1940s. In the 1990s and 2000s, the idea really took off.
August 29, 2025
Here’s what’s new at the Minnesota State Fair for 2025
A super-tall swing ride called the Thunderbird and an exhibit about space exploration are debuting this year.
July 31, 2025
How Minnesotans can beat the heat in practical and kooky ways
It's hot, and it looks like it's going to stay that way. You can hide out in your basement or get creatively cool.
July 15, 2025
Why are there fewer muskrats in Minnesota?
Furry critters’ population is “not what they used to be,” according to the DNR.
July 11, 2025
![A muskrat dining on vegetation on the shore of Bde Maka Ska scratches an itch Tuesday in Minneapolis ]
DAVID JOLES • david.joles@startribune.com
Tuesday, June 22, 2021, in Minneapolis, MN.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/U2UNEJ265FZ5PHXNJOSNGOET5U.jpg?&w=252&ar=3:2&fit=crop)
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Which Chicago skyscraper observation deck is better? We visited both.
Sky-high experiences like TILT in the John Hancock building and the glass Ledge balconies at Willis Tower offer more than just thrilling views.
June 20, 2025
What was the Twin Cities like in the Gilded Age?
As James J. Hill’s mansion rose in St. Paul, new immigrants crowded into neighborhoods like Swede Hollow and Minneapolis’ Bohemian Flats.
June 20, 2025
Are those really LBJ’s footprints in concrete at Minnehaha Falls?
President Lyndon B. Johnson visited the Minneapolis waterfall in 1964.
May 16, 2025
What’s the story behind Minneapolis’ Boom Island Lighthouse?
The little landmark on the Mississippi River was built in 1987.
May 9, 2025
Why doesn’t Minneapolis’ Tangletown follow the grid?
First called “Washburn Park,” the neighborhood was designed to be a fancy suburban retreat.
May 2, 2025
How an unexpected gift launched Minnesota’s oldest zoo
Como Zoo in St. Paul traces its origins to three whitetail deer.
April 4, 2025
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