Media in Minneapolis–St facts for kids

Minneapolis–Saint Paul, often called the Twin Cities, is a big area in Minnesota, United States. It's known for having many different kinds of media, like newspapers, TV channels, and radio stations. The Twin Cities are a major hub for news and entertainment in the country.

Newspapers and Magazines

The Twin Cities have two main newspapers: the Star Tribune in Minneapolis and the Saint Paul Pioneer Press in Saint Paul. These papers bring daily news to thousands of homes.

Students at the University of Minnesota have their own newspaper called the Minnesota Daily. There are also other local papers like the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder and Finance and Commerce, which focuses on business news.

Besides daily papers, you can find many weekly and monthly magazines. City Pages is a popular free weekly paper that covers local events and music. Many colleges also have their own student newspapers and magazines, like The Mac Weekly at Macalester College and The Wake at the University of Minnesota.

Some newspapers focus on specific neighborhoods, like the Downtown Journal and Southwest Journal in Minneapolis. In Saint Paul, you might find the East Side Review or the Highland Villager.

There are also magazines for special interests. For example, Lavender Magazine serves the LGBT community, and The Minnesota Women's Press focuses on topics important to women. Other examples include the Asian American Press and The Catholic Spirit.

Television Channels

KSTP-TV studios on University Avenue in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

The Twin Cities have several major TV channels. WCCO-TV is a CBS channel with its main studios in Minneapolis. Other big stations are in Saint Paul.

Twin Cities Public Television runs two PBS channels, KTCA and KTCI, which offer educational and cultural programs. KSTP-TV is the ABC channel, and KSTC-TV is an independent station. Both are owned by Hubbard Broadcasting. WUCW is the local The CW channel.

Some TV stations are located in nearby suburbs. KMSP-TV (a Fox channel) and WFTC (a MyNetworkTV channel) are in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. KARE is the NBC channel, located in Golden Valley, Minnesota.

For many years, KARE has been known for its popular evening news. WCCO often has the most viewers for its morning news. KSTP was one of the first stations in the country to have a regular nightly newscast, starting in 1948.

WCCO-TV satellite dishes in Minneapolis.

Local communities also have their own public access TV channels, where people can create and share their own shows. The Metro Cable Network is one such channel available across the region.

In the past, many local TV shows were made in the Twin Cities, especially for children. Some shows from the Twin Cities even became famous across the country! For example, Newton's Apple, a science show, and the funny show Mystery Science Theater 3000 both started here.

Radio Stations

Eleanor Mondale of WCCO radio interviewing Fred Thompson at the Minnesota State Fair.

For a long time, WCCO radio was the most listened-to station, known for its news and talk shows. Now, other stations are also very popular. KQRS plays classic rock and has a well-known morning show. KSTP plays pop music on FM (KS95) and sports talk on AM (AM1500). If you like country music, you might listen to K102 or Buz'n 102.9. KDWB is a long-standing Top 40 station.

Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) is a big name in radio, famous for shows like A Prairie Home Companion. MPR is based in Saint Paul and is one of the largest public radio organizations in the U.S.

KFAI and Radio K are two local stations that focus on local music, which is great because Minnesota has a lively music scene! They might not have the strongest signals, but you can often listen to them online. KCMP (89.3 The Current) also plays a mix of music and has a stronger signal.

Some radio stations have their main transmitters in Shoreview, Minnesota. There are also backup facilities on top of the IDS Center in downtown Minneapolis.

List of Newspapers and Magazines

Here are some of the print publications you can find in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area:

Daily Publications

• Finance and Commerce (Minneapolis)
• MinnPost.com (Minneapolis)
• St. Paul Pioneer Press (St. Paul)
• Star Tribune (Minneapolis)
• Twin Cities Daily Planet (Minneapolis)

Weekly Publications

• City Pages
• Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal (Minneapolis)
• Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder (Minneapolis)
• One Nation News

College Publications

• The Mac Weekly (Macalester College student newspaper)
• The Minnesota Daily (University of Minnesota student newspaper)
• The Wake (University of Minnesota student magazine)
• The Clarion (Bethel University student newspaper and magazine)

Other Publications

• Game Informer
• Minnesota Monthly
• Mpls.St.Paul

Neighborhood Newspapers

In Minneapolis:

• Bryn Mawr Bugle
• Camden Community News
• Downtown Journal
• Longfellow Nokomis Messenger
• North News
• Northeast Beat (online only)
• Northeaster
• Seward Profile
• Southside Pride
• Southwest Journal
• Whittier Globe

In St. Paul:

• East Side Review
• Midway-Como-North End Monitor
• Park Bugle
• Villager
• West Seventh Community Reporter

Special Interest Publications

• Asian American Press
• Catholic Spirit
• Lavender Magazine (for Minnesota's LGBT community)
• The Minnesota Women's Press (a feminist newspaper)
• Profane Existence (an anarcho-punk magazine)

List of Television Channels

Here are some of the broadcast TV channels in the Twin Cities:

Cable Channels

• Metro Cable Network (Channel 6)
• Saint Paul Neighborhood Network (SPNN)
• Minneapolis Telecommunications Network (MTN)
• Fox Sports Net North (FSN)

List of Radio Stations

Here are some of the radio stations you can listen to in the Twin Cities:

AM Radio Stations

FM Radio Stations