Matt McKinney
Reporter
Washington CountyMcKinney graduated from St. John's University in Collegeville and spent years chasing stories through Wisconsin, Rhode Island, and Cambodia. A Minnesota childhood taught McKinney to love winter, skiing, the first warm day of spring, good books and time spent outdoors. He benefited from great teachers at Stillwater High School, and again in Collegeville and at the University of Minnesota. He's a fan of several local breweries, Prince, Jessie Diggins, the Loons, and newspaper reporters near and far who taught him the craft. McKinney bikes to work year-round from his home in the Twin Cities, which he shares with his wife and two sons.
Latest from Matt McKinney
Outdoors
Jessie Diggins roars into the new season of Nordic World Cup ski racing with grit and a touch of glitter
The Afton, Minnesota native talks success, pressure, focus, and fun in this Q & A.
November 22, 2024
Twin Cities Suburbs
Treasure hunter backs out of buying beached boat on Beer Can Island
That means the initial Minnesota owner of the boat will continue receiving fines from the city of Hudson until the boat is removed from the St. Croix River.
November 22, 2024
Politics
Forest Lake native Pete Hegseth faces new scrutiny, support as Trump defense nominee
Forest Lake classmates remember Pete Hegseth as a talented student-athlete, but some Minnesota retired military members and lawmakers question his political experience.
November 20, 2024
Twin Cities Suburbs
Treasure hunter from Alabama buys motor yacht marooned on Beer Can Island
New owner Bill Warren said the boat in Hudson, Wis., could help search for buried treasure in the Gulf of Mexico, if he can find someone to lift it from the beach.
November 8, 2024
Twin Cities Suburbs
Woodbury breaks ground on $330 million water treatment plant
The new plant, expected to come online in 2028, will scrub PFAS chemicals from the city’s water supply. Much of the cost will be covered by 3M settlement money.
November 7, 2024
Elections
Local sales tax measures win approval in several Twin Cities suburbs
Voters approved new taxes in Stillwater, Chanhassen and Woodbury to pay for parks and public safety facilities, but rejected a new sales tax in Cottage Grove.
November 6, 2024
Twin Cities Suburbs
Woodbury approves backyard chickens for some residents
The city recently loosened its rules on backyard coops for larger properties, but chickens are still not allowed on typical city lots.
October 31, 2024
Twin Cities Suburbs
With fines mounting, the motor yacht marooned on Beer Can Island is still stuck
The city of Hudson is fining the owner $1,400 a day. The owner told city officials his lawyer advised him to leave it where it sits.
October 30, 2024
Twin Cities Suburbs
Woodbury breaks ground on $330 million water treatment plant
The new plant, expected to come online in 2028, will scrub PFAS chemicals from the city’s water supply. Much of the cost will be covered by 3M settlement money.
November 7, 2024
Elections
Local sales tax measures win approval in several Twin Cities suburbs
Voters approved new taxes in Stillwater, Chanhassen and Woodbury to pay for parks and public safety facilities, but rejected a new sales tax in Cottage Grove.
November 6, 2024
Twin Cities Suburbs
Woodbury approves backyard chickens for some residents
The city recently loosened its rules on backyard coops for larger properties, but chickens are still not allowed on typical city lots.
October 31, 2024
Twin Cities Suburbs
With fines mounting, the motor yacht marooned on Beer Can Island is still stuck
The city of Hudson is fining the owner $1,400 a day. The owner told city officials his lawyer advised him to leave it where it sits.
October 30, 2024