Christopher Vondracek
@cvondracek.bsky.social
D.C. Business Correspondent for The Minnesota Star Tribune. Moonlights on piano.
Former ag reporter encountering farm art in a museum in Montreal today.
June 19, 2025 at 12:38 AM
Former ag reporter encountering farm art in a museum in Montreal today.
Reposted by Christopher Vondracek
Tomorrow's front page of the Minnesota Star Tribune
June 16, 2025 at 4:29 AM
Tomorrow's front page of the Minnesota Star Tribune
A dispatch on the manhunt for the assassin that ended tonight in a farm field in southern Minnesota, rural Sibley County www.startribune.com/on-second-da...
Two-day manhunt for suspected Minnesota political assassin ends with surrender in farm field
Authorities had been searching woods and farm fields in search of Vance Boelter as anxiety reigned across the state.
www.startribune.com
June 16, 2025 at 4:34 AM
A dispatch on the manhunt for the assassin that ended tonight in a farm field in southern Minnesota, rural Sibley County www.startribune.com/on-second-da...
My dispatch from today’s anguish back home in Minnesota www.startribune.com/melissa-hort...
Melissa Hortman, shepherd of Legislature’s historic 2023 session, called House Democrats’ ‘captain’
Gov. Tim Walz said Hortman and her husband, Mark, were killed in what he called targeted political violence.
www.startribune.com
June 15, 2025 at 2:24 AM
My dispatch from today’s anguish back home in Minnesota www.startribune.com/melissa-hort...
We couldn’t fit details about a 2-pound Duke burger from Eagle Lake into the story on tax exemption for tips, but happy with this collab nevertheless www.startribune.com/tips-tax-exe...
What no federal tax on tips would mean for Minnesota service workers
The provision comes in the budget bill passed by Republicans in both chambers of Congress. The issue may be more complicated than it seems, industry watchers and workers say.
www.startribune.com
May 22, 2025 at 11:53 PM
We couldn’t fit details about a 2-pound Duke burger from Eagle Lake into the story on tax exemption for tips, but happy with this collab nevertheless www.startribune.com/tips-tax-exe...
Morning walking commute here in DC: spotted a video billboard critiquing Interior Sec Doug Burgum, a tiff between staffers at coffee shop over “a colon or em dash” in budget bill, and animal control on hunt for raccoon loose at car mechanic.
May 20, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Morning walking commute here in DC: spotted a video billboard critiquing Interior Sec Doug Burgum, a tiff between staffers at coffee shop over “a colon or em dash” in budget bill, and animal control on hunt for raccoon loose at car mechanic.
A Midwest trifecta here in DC today as farmers from South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa lead presser of those barnstorming to DC calling for passage of farm bill.
May 6, 2025 at 8:35 PM
A Midwest trifecta here in DC today as farmers from South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa lead presser of those barnstorming to DC calling for passage of farm bill.
Reposted by Christopher Vondracek
Minnesota's only salt lake attracts more than 150 species of birds and guess what? If you don't have time to make it this spring, you can go again in the fall when they're making their way down south.
Photos by the @startribune.com's intrepid Anthony Souffle
www.startribune.com/where-to-fin...
Photos by the @startribune.com's intrepid Anthony Souffle
www.startribune.com/where-to-fin...
Where to find Minnesota’s only salt lake
It attracts huge flocks of migrating birds — and birders — this time of year.
www.startribune.com
April 30, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Minnesota's only salt lake attracts more than 150 species of birds and guess what? If you don't have time to make it this spring, you can go again in the fall when they're making their way down south.
Photos by the @startribune.com's intrepid Anthony Souffle
www.startribune.com/where-to-fin...
Photos by the @startribune.com's intrepid Anthony Souffle
www.startribune.com/where-to-fin...
Either the Red River Valley or France here with farm art in Nashville.
April 24, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Either the Red River Valley or France here with farm art in Nashville.
My dispatch yesterday from the big Cathedral on a hill in Saint Paul.
www.startribune.com/pope-francis...
www.startribune.com/pope-francis...
Minnesota Catholics mourn Pope Francis and his ‘gospel of mercy’
At an afternoon Cathedral mass led by Archbishop Bernard Hebda, Francis was remembered for his commitment to social justice and forgiveness.
www.startribune.com
April 22, 2025 at 11:53 AM
My dispatch yesterday from the big Cathedral on a hill in Saint Paul.
www.startribune.com/pope-francis...
www.startribune.com/pope-francis...
Wisconsin cattle man says Pequot Lakes feedlot operator essentially ‘rustled’ hundreds of his cattle when he claimed they died at his facility — latest from me
www.startribune.com/cattle-rustl...
www.startribune.com/cattle-rustl...
Wisconsin man claims Minnesota feedlot operators broke cattle-rustling law
The man wants $4.1 million from Pequot Lakes feedlot for disappearance of nearly 600 cattle. The feedlot operators say the cattle died of disease.
www.startribune.com
April 18, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Wisconsin cattle man says Pequot Lakes feedlot operator essentially ‘rustled’ hundreds of his cattle when he claimed they died at his facility — latest from me
www.startribune.com/cattle-rustl...
www.startribune.com/cattle-rustl...
Over winter I ventured to a Baldwin piano in a south Minneapolis home to record my new album, “Packinghouse,” tales of the roads of southern Minnesota. Give a listen on this Record Store Day! Come see me play April 21 at White Squirrel in StP.
open.spotify.com/album/3IlTUS...
open.spotify.com/album/3IlTUS...
Packinghouse
Christopher Vondracek · Album · 2025 · 9 songs
open.spotify.com
April 12, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Over winter I ventured to a Baldwin piano in a south Minneapolis home to record my new album, “Packinghouse,” tales of the roads of southern Minnesota. Give a listen on this Record Store Day! Come see me play April 21 at White Squirrel in StP.
open.spotify.com/album/3IlTUS...
open.spotify.com/album/3IlTUS...
The blurred space between my new DC-MN biz beat and old ag reporter beat continues in latest dispatch (from my hometown of Wells, with Jp Lawrence.
www.startribune.com/minnesota-so...
www.startribune.com/minnesota-so...
In Minnesota’s soybean country, trade war with China hits hard
Soybeans are the country’s largest export to China, and southern Minnesota farmers are worried about the effect of skyrocketing tariffs.
www.startribune.com
April 11, 2025 at 4:44 PM
The blurred space between my new DC-MN biz beat and old ag reporter beat continues in latest dispatch (from my hometown of Wells, with Jp Lawrence.
www.startribune.com/minnesota-so...
www.startribune.com/minnesota-so...
Helped on this dispatch from Duluth with @janahollingsworth.bsky.social
www.startribune.com/klobuchar-sm...
www.startribune.com/klobuchar-sm...
Anxiety increases over possibility that Duluth EPA Great Lakes lab could close
Klobuchar, Smith send letter to EPA administrator as doubt mounts that the lab’s 170 jobs are safe.
www.startribune.com
April 10, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Helped on this dispatch from Duluth with @janahollingsworth.bsky.social
www.startribune.com/klobuchar-sm...
www.startribune.com/klobuchar-sm...
Needed to talk to soybean farmers, so I drove home to Wells, MN — pivoting between my former ag beat and the new Washington biz correspondent beat for @startribune.com.
April 9, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Needed to talk to soybean farmers, so I drove home to Wells, MN — pivoting between my former ag beat and the new Washington biz correspondent beat for @startribune.com.
Feels fittingly absurd that on eve of my last day on the Minnesota agriculture beat I am stuck in traffic on the Minneapolis/Edina border thanks to some jaywalking turkeys.
February 27, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Feels fittingly absurd that on eve of my last day on the Minnesota agriculture beat I am stuck in traffic on the Minneapolis/Edina border thanks to some jaywalking turkeys.
Reposted by Christopher Vondracek
In rural Minnesota, advocates and legal clinics are preparing immigrants for family separation amid the Trump administration’s immigrant crackdown.
In rural Minnesota, immigrants prepare for the day they’ve long feared
In rural Minnesota, advocates and legal clinics prepare immigrants for family separation with things like Delegation of Parental Authority (DOPA) forms, amid the Trump administration’s immigrant crack...
www.startribune.com
February 24, 2025 at 3:33 PM
In rural Minnesota, advocates and legal clinics are preparing immigrants for family separation amid the Trump administration’s immigrant crackdown.
Spent last week in DC, preparing to move (spiritually, literally) my beat to our growing DC bureau at @startribune.com, and I encountered (as I so often have on Ag beat) farmland paintings: grain elevator and wheat in Smithsonian, soybeans and farmhouse in Sen. Smith’s office.
February 21, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Spent last week in DC, preparing to move (spiritually, literally) my beat to our growing DC bureau at @startribune.com, and I encountered (as I so often have on Ag beat) farmland paintings: grain elevator and wheat in Smithsonian, soybeans and farmhouse in Sen. Smith’s office.
Passenger seat-on the roving MN ag beat today—in town of my birth, Albert Lea. We bought some local locker beef sticks. Happy Valentine’s.
February 14, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Passenger seat-on the roving MN ag beat today—in town of my birth, Albert Lea. We bought some local locker beef sticks. Happy Valentine’s.
Reposted by Christopher Vondracek
Is it just me or are skate paths having a moment? The one in Warroad looks so freaking cool.
You don't have to go all the way up there to find a skate path though -- read to the bottom for more options (probably pending snow!)
via @walkerorenstein.bsky.social
You don't have to go all the way up there to find a skate path though -- read to the bottom for more options (probably pending snow!)
via @walkerorenstein.bsky.social
A river runs through Hockeytown USA, and you can skate on it for miles.
Ice trails like the one in Warroad have become destinations for skilled hockey players and new skaters alike.
www.startribune.com
February 6, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Is it just me or are skate paths having a moment? The one in Warroad looks so freaking cool.
You don't have to go all the way up there to find a skate path though -- read to the bottom for more options (probably pending snow!)
via @walkerorenstein.bsky.social
You don't have to go all the way up there to find a skate path though -- read to the bottom for more options (probably pending snow!)
via @walkerorenstein.bsky.social
News today from me on how USAID dismantling also impacts Minnesota farmers and agribusiness
www.startribune.com/usaid-shutte...
www.startribune.com/usaid-shutte...
Shuttering of USAID could mean the end of millions in income for Midwest farm operations
Frozen by Elon Musk’s DOGE personnel, the USAID program purchased $70 million in commodities in 2024 from Minnesota vendors.
www.startribune.com
February 6, 2025 at 11:37 PM
News today from me on how USAID dismantling also impacts Minnesota farmers and agribusiness
www.startribune.com/usaid-shutte...
www.startribune.com/usaid-shutte...
Minnesota hat trick tonight at the bar: Vikings on TVs, bingo in lounge, someone jumping a stranger’s stalled car out front.
January 14, 2025 at 2:01 AM
Minnesota hat trick tonight at the bar: Vikings on TVs, bingo in lounge, someone jumping a stranger’s stalled car out front.
Reposted by Christopher Vondracek
See if 2024 was anything like what you remember from growing up.
How does 2024’s weather compare with your childhood?
See if 2024 was anything like what you remember from growing up.
www.startribune.com
January 7, 2025 at 5:27 PM
See if 2024 was anything like what you remember from growing up.
Saw a man negotiating his snowboard into an Uber today in snow-encased Minneapolis and then reminded the driver for the “airport” — felt very much the first leg of a long journey to some mountaintop west of here.
December 19, 2024 at 10:36 PM
Saw a man negotiating his snowboard into an Uber today in snow-encased Minneapolis and then reminded the driver for the “airport” — felt very much the first leg of a long journey to some mountaintop west of here.