Mini version of the Minnesota State Fair gets underway for year 4
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Mini version of the Minnesota State Fair gets underway for year 4

The Minnesota State Fair is still 90 days away, but starting Thursday you can indulge in some of your favorite fair goods at the Kickoff to Summer event. This is the fourth year for the four-day event. New to the kickoff: Peachey’s Baking Company will be frying up their Amish-style donuts that were a fan favorite at the 2023 State Fair. There are 40 food vendors including Sweet Martha’s and Rick’s Pickle Pizza, plus brews, three stages of music, shopping and free parking. Kickoff to Summer at the Fair hours: Thursday, May 23, 4-9 p.m.; Friday, May 24, 4-9 p.m.; Saturday, May 25, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, May 26, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Lake Nokomis restaurant opens for the season
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Lake Nokomis restaurant opens for the season

The Painted Turtle is back for it’s second season on the Lake Nokomis beach in Minneapolis. The space is under construction but still open and serving up ice cream from Minnesota Dairy Lab and frying up cheese curds, waffle fries and sliders. The construction will allow The Painted Turtle to serve beer in the future as they add a covered seating space. The restaurant is open daily through September from 11 a.m. to sundown.

24/7 Indoor Doggy Playground opens in Apple Valley
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24/7 Indoor Doggy Playground opens in Apple Valley

Apple Valley has a new type of dog park. Anytime Puppy Playground is an indoor playground that’s open 24 hours a day. Visitors can purchase a one-day pass, monthly pass or annual membership. There are no breed or size restrictions. Owners are responsible for their dogs. They must clean up after them and decide if they’re a good fit for a type of place like this. Anytime Puppy Playground is located at 6950 146th St. W, Suite 120, Apple Valley.

Brioche Donuts bring out the crowds to St. Paul
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Brioche Donuts bring out the crowds to St. Paul

About 10 years ago the country went crazy for cronuts, a cross between a donut and a croissant. There’s a new creation to get excited about in St. Paul. So Yen Desserts is making super fluffy brioche donuts. The donuts are hand-rolled, fried and filled with a light cream. The flavors rotate monthly. For May they’re featuring banana cream caramel pie, strawberry cream, raspberry lychee and an ‘everything but the bagel’ donut. The shop also has fresh beignets, burnt Basque cheesecake and savory congee bowls. They’re open Friday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and are planning to add Thursdays this summer. They can sell out of the brioche donuts, but they will announce sell-outs on their social media pages. So Yen Desserts is located in Lowertown St. Paul at 275 4th St. E.

Did you see that? Art exhibit at the ARB
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Did you see that? Art exhibit at the ARB

A collection at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum will make you stop and say, "did you see that?" Artist Adam Turman came up with the original designs. The show runs through July 14th.

Horace the Corpse Flower continues to grow, but no bloom yet
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Horace the Corpse Flower continues to grow, but no bloom yet

There’s a lot of buzz around an upcoming bloom at the Como Park Conservatory in St. Paul. Horace the Corpse Flower could bloom any day now, though the staff believes Sunday May 19 is the likely date. When it happens, it will likely be in the afternoon or evening. They’ve been waiting for Horace to bloom for seven years. His brother is also at the conservatory but is still dormant and remains nameless. Both come from seeds from the same parent plants. Horace will be moved to the North garden on Friday morning and will still be available to view during regular business hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. You can watch Horace 24/7 on the Como Park live feed.

Inflation eases in April
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Inflation eases in April

According to the latest consumer price index, inflation eased slightly in April, providing at least a bit of relief for consumers. In the 12 months through April, the CPI increased 3.4% after climbing 3.5% in March. Patrick Rehkamp, a senior financial writer from 1834, A Division of Old National Bank, joined the FOX 9 Morning News to discuss what the latest report means for consumers.

Art-a-Whirl returns to NE Minneapolis this weekend
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Art-a-Whirl returns to NE Minneapolis this weekend

The largest open studio tour in the country is taking place this weekend in Northeast Minneapolis. Art-a-Whirl is in its 29th year in the arts district. This year there are 1,300 participating artists at more than 100 locations. The event is taking place May 17-19. Art-a-Whirl hours: Friday from 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.; Saturday from noon – 8 p.m.; and Sunday noon – 5 p.m.

Tour historic church as part of the Doors Open Minneapolis
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Tour historic church as part of the Doors Open Minneapolis

The buildings and places that tell the story of Minneapolis history will open to the public for a free behind-the-scenes look this weekend. Doors Open Minneapolis is back with dozens of venues including Diamond Lake Lutheran Church. It is one of Hugo Haeuser’s final Gothic Revival masterpieces of church design. Doors Open is a free event on May 18-19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. though a few of the venues are only open one of the days.

Historic Minneapolis building open for tours this weekend
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Historic Minneapolis building open for tours this weekend

The buildings and places that tell the story of Minneapolis history will open to the public for a free behind-the-scenes look this weekend. Doors Open Minneapolis is back with dozens of venues including historic theaters, churches and mansions. One of the spots is a newspaper that has served the African American community for nearly 90 years. The Minnesota Spokesman Recorder is offering tours and a chance to browse their archives which has a copy of every edition they’ve printed since 1934. Doors Open is a free event on May 18-19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. though a few of the venues are only open one of the days.