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
Culture
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
News & Politics
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
News & Politics
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
Twin Cities
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
Twin Cities
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
Twin Cities
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
Twin Cities
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
News & Politics
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
Twin Cities
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
Twin Cities
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
Twin Cities
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
News & Politics
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