Kelly Smith
News team leader
News & PoliticsKelly Smith is a news editor, supervising a team of reporters covering Minnesota social services, transportation issues and higher education. She previously worked as a news reporter for 16 years, covering Minnesota nonprofits/philanthropy, politics, Greater Minnesota communities, Hennepin County government, west metro suburbs and K-12 education.
Smith grew up in the Twin Cities and graduated from the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, Minn. She previously worked for The Forum newspaper in Fargo, N.D., before joining the Minnesota Star Tribune in 2010.
Latest from Kelly Smith
What to know about the Feeding Our Future fraud trial as jury deliberates
A verdict is expected in the coming days in the Feeding Our Future trial of Aimee Bock and Salim Said.
March 19, 2025
8 great places to sauna and cold plunge in Minnesota this winter
Minnesota is the epicenter of the growing sauna trend. And the Land of 10,000 Lakes has something extra special: natural cold plunges galore.
November 30, 2024
More Minnesota nonprofits are facing financial crisis than any year since 2020
Nearly 80% of nonprofits in a new survey said they have less than a year before they face financial distress largely because of declining donations and increasing costs.
September 19, 2024
Woman who dropped off attempted bribe for Feeding Our Future juror pleads guilty
In new details, Ladan Ali admitted to stealing $80,000 in cash meant to go to the juror. She could face nearly five to six years in prison.
September 5, 2024
Brooklyn Park man accused of tax evasion over vape shops and deceptive practices at décor business
Hennepin County charges and an attorney general lawsuit accuse William Shocinski Jr. of Brooklyn Park of not providing metal décor products, making fake charity claims and evading tobacco vaping taxes.
September 5, 2024
State alleges motorcycle ride fundraiser pocketed money meant to support Minnesota veterans charity
A 2022 motorcycle ride fundraiser, Ride to The Chip, promised riders 100% of the money would go to charity. Instead, state investigators allege organizers pocketed the money.
September 5, 2024
St. Paul & Minnesota Foundation honors four Minnesotans for anti-racism efforts
The winners will be honored Sept. 26 and each will receive a $7,500 grant to give to a nonprofit of their choice.
August 21, 2024
Jennifer Bjorhus, longtime journalist and Star Tribune reporter, dies of brain cancer
Bjorhus, who had an award-winning journalism career in the Twin Cities and West Coast, was 59.
August 16, 2024
Cargill billionaire’s secretive foundation quietly closes after giving out unprecedented $500 million
Former Cargill CEO Whitney MacMillan’s WEM Foundation dissolved last December and closed its Minnetonka office. For more than three decades, the foundation kept a low-profile despite being one of Minnesota's largest private foundations.
August 3, 2024
Safety concerns prompt Catholic Charities to install temporary fencing in downtown St. Paul
Catholic Charities Twin Cities has installed temporary chain-link fencing on its St. Paul campus to control access and reduce safety issues, and is working to design permanent fencing for 2025.
August 2, 2024
Minneapolis police investigating stabbing off Hennepin Avenue in Uptown
The male victim, who wasn’t identified, was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries.
July 21, 2024
Foundations invest $6 million in new fund to support local journalism in Minnesota
The money will help local groups over the next five years. Organizers also hope to drum up more philanthropic support.
July 19, 2024
