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
Curious Minnesota
Why did the Excelsior Amusement Park on Lake Minnetonka close?
With a wooden roller coaster and lakeside setting, the popular park once offered free rides for good grades.
January 24, 2025
Curious Minnesota
This was the first bridge over the Mississippi River — but how did people cross before that?
Minneapolis’ first bridge opened in 1855 with a parade of horse-drawn sleighs and a giant dinner party.
January 10, 2025
Curious Minnesota
How did Minnesota become the birthplace of ski jumping in America?
Red Wing’s ‘Sky Crasher’ found glory flying through the air in the 1880s. Now, just four big jumps are left.
January 3, 2025
Curious Minnesota
Who was James Ballentine and why is the Uptown VFW named for him?
Post 246 in Minneapolis got its name more than a century ago.
December 27, 2024
Curious Minnesota
The stranger-than-fiction tale of how a real Minnesota island became ‘Moosylvania’
Rocky and Bullwinkle creator Jay Ward leased a tiny isle on Lake of the Woods as a publicity stunt and took a silly bid for statehood all the way to the White House.
December 20, 2024
Curious Minnesota
How was the giant Canada goose rediscovered in Rochester after being declared extinct?
A Mayo brother’s private flock led to a rediscovery of these big birds. Decades later, the geese nearly took over town.
November 16, 2024
Midwest Travel
New in Kansas City: An immersive children’s lit museum, a women’s soccer stadium and Thai barbecue
The Rabbit Hole and CPKC Stadium are just two reasons why K.C. should be on family travelers’ radar right now.
November 1, 2024
Curious Minnesota![A major threat to the goblin fern is the invasive earthworms destroying the forest floor that are being spread by anglers improperly dumping bait and movement from ATV tires. ] Brian Peterson ¥ brian.peterson@startribune.com](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/IOZS3EQGUTRADS3QMGWYSQOWXU.jpg?&w=252&ar=3:2&fit=crop)
How did earthworms invade Minnesota?
They aren’t native to the state. And the toothless, wriggly creatures are destroying our forest floors.
October 18, 2024
Curious Minnesota
The stranger-than-fiction tale of how a real Minnesota island became ‘Moosylvania’
Rocky and Bullwinkle creator Jay Ward leased a tiny isle on Lake of the Woods as a publicity stunt and took a silly bid for statehood all the way to the White House.
December 20, 2024
Curious Minnesota
How was the giant Canada goose rediscovered in Rochester after being declared extinct?
A Mayo brother’s private flock led to a rediscovery of these big birds. Decades later, the geese nearly took over town.
November 16, 2024
Midwest Travel
New in Kansas City: An immersive children’s lit museum, a women’s soccer stadium and Thai barbecue
The Rabbit Hole and CPKC Stadium are just two reasons why K.C. should be on family travelers’ radar right now.
November 1, 2024
Curious Minnesota
How did earthworms invade Minnesota?
They aren’t native to the state. And the toothless, wriggly creatures are destroying our forest floors.
October 18, 2024