MPR News pictures of the year, July through September As summer, and the state government shutdown, stretched on, we were drawn to farms, food insecurity, and the growing Pagami Creek wildfire in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.December 30, 2011
MPR News pictures of the year, April through June With spring came floods, tearful good-byes of soldier/spouses in the war, and college graduations. And a rare tornado tore through the north side of Minneapolis.December 30, 2011
MPR News pictures of the year, January through March The winter of 2011 was one for the record books when it came to snow; we played in it, we shoveled it and some of us sought shelter from it. Meantime, there were protests in the Twin Cities over tuition hikes, and at the Wisconsin Capitol over efforts to neuter public employee unions.December 30, 2011
Families of deployed Red Bulls miss loved ones during holidays Brian Wunderlich is among the roughly 2,700 members of the Minnesota National Guard on duty in Kuwait. His wife, Margarita , says his presence is missed - especially during the holidays. Staying in touch isn't easy, but the effort makes their marriage strong.December 29, 2011
Poll: In 2012, there's nowhere to go but up Nearly seven in 10 say the year gone by was a bad one, more than double those who consider it a success, according to the poll.December 29, 2011
Wis. man plans Polar Bear jump for 60th, last time Milwaukee Polar Bear Club president Garth Garskey says his consecutive streak began in 1953 and Sunday's 60th dunk will be his last.December 29, 2011
'Tarzan' movies' chimp 'Cheetah' dies at 80 A Florida animal sanctuary says Cheetah the chimpanzee sidekick in the Tarzan movies of the early 1930s has died at age 80.December 28, 2011
December is a busy month for popping the question Turns out December, with its holiday cheer, romantic winter backdrops and family gatherings, is among the busiest months for popping the question.December 27, 2011