Courtney (C.J.) Sinner
@cjsinner.bsky.social
director, grfx/dataviz @startribune.com • my team does mostly data-driven charts, maps & diagrams, but also reports and writes, collaborating across our newsroom to craft distinctive visual journalism.
I was on vacation enjoying northern fall colors when this published, but I thought the tree species mini maps on this were so cute and interesting!
Finding great fall color doesn’t have to mean a road trip out of the Twin Cities.
To find the best urban fall colors, we looked at more than 340,000 trees and 342 species to find the highest tree density and species mix.
To find the best urban fall colors, we looked at more than 340,000 trees and 342 species to find the highest tree density and species mix.
The best fall color in the Twin Cities? We mapped 340,000 trees to find it
Minneapolis and St. Paul’s tree inventory shows where density and color collide.
bit.ly
October 8, 2025 at 2:25 PM
I was on vacation enjoying northern fall colors when this published, but I thought the tree species mini maps on this were so cute and interesting!
Reposted by Courtney (C.J.) Sinner
Despite seven mass shootings this year — four since August, including at Annunciation Church, and three others on or near a troubled stretch of Lake Street — Minneapolis remains on track to see a fall in all categories of major crime this year.
www.startribune.com/minneapolis-...
www.startribune.com/minneapolis-...
Minneapolis crime is falling in 2025, even amid high-profile violence
Most crimes are down in Minnesota’s largest city, continuing a pattern following a pandemic-era spike. That doesn’t alleviate concerns among wary residents after mass shootings.
www.startribune.com
October 8, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Despite seven mass shootings this year — four since August, including at Annunciation Church, and three others on or near a troubled stretch of Lake Street — Minneapolis remains on track to see a fall in all categories of major crime this year.
www.startribune.com/minneapolis-...
www.startribune.com/minneapolis-...
Reposted by Courtney (C.J.) Sinner
Q: Do you think it would've been fitting to lower the flags to half staff when Melissa Hortman, the Minnesota House Speaker, was gunned down by an assassin?
TRUMP: I'm not familiar. The who?
TRUMP: I'm not familiar. The who?
September 15, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Q: Do you think it would've been fitting to lower the flags to half staff when Melissa Hortman, the Minnesota House Speaker, was gunned down by an assassin?
TRUMP: I'm not familiar. The who?
TRUMP: I'm not familiar. The who?
Reposted by Courtney (C.J.) Sinner
Minnesota Star Tribune to sell Minneapolis printing plant, lay off 125 workers
www.startribune.com/minnesota-st...
www.startribune.com/minnesota-st...
Minnesota Star Tribune to sell Minneapolis printing plant, lay off 125 workers
The state’s largest media company will continue printing 7 days a week, but will outsource printing to Iowa.
www.startribune.com
September 8, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Minnesota Star Tribune to sell Minneapolis printing plant, lay off 125 workers
www.startribune.com/minnesota-st...
www.startribune.com/minnesota-st...
ICYMI, this fun catalog of the Fair smells is a delightful art map visual look at one of the senses we don't often talk about! It's usually all about sights, sounds, tastes. What about smells?
Smells of the Minnesota State Fair create a festival for the nose www.startribune.com/smells-of-th...
Smells of the Minnesota State Fair create a festival for the nose www.startribune.com/smells-of-th...
Smells of the Minnesota State Fair create a festival for the nose
From pleasant to powerful, a cornucopia of scents wafts over the fairgrounds in late August.
www.startribune.com
September 2, 2025 at 2:11 PM
ICYMI, this fun catalog of the Fair smells is a delightful art map visual look at one of the senses we don't often talk about! It's usually all about sights, sounds, tastes. What about smells?
Smells of the Minnesota State Fair create a festival for the nose www.startribune.com/smells-of-th...
Smells of the Minnesota State Fair create a festival for the nose www.startribune.com/smells-of-th...
Reposted by Courtney (C.J.) Sinner
Minnesota’s only privately owned prison, which has sat vacant for 15 years, may get new life as a detention facility for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Minnesota’s only private prison could reopen as ICE detention facility
No contract has been signed for the Appleton, Minn., facility, but the private company that owns it is “exploring opportunities” with ICE for which it could be a “viable solution.”
bit.ly
August 22, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Minnesota’s only privately owned prison, which has sat vacant for 15 years, may get new life as a detention facility for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
You on the Fair's first day: "It's so crowded, we'll definitely break a record."
Our tracker with new data just now: "Sorry, you're about 1,700 shy of last year's record"
www.startribune.com/2025-minneso...
Our tracker with new data just now: "Sorry, you're about 1,700 shy of last year's record"
www.startribune.com/2025-minneso...
2025 Minnesota State Fair attendance tracker
Check in throughout the run of the 2025 fair to see whether we're close to breaking records
www.startribune.com
August 22, 2025 at 7:34 PM
You on the Fair's first day: "It's so crowded, we'll definitely break a record."
Our tracker with new data just now: "Sorry, you're about 1,700 shy of last year's record"
www.startribune.com/2025-minneso...
Our tracker with new data just now: "Sorry, you're about 1,700 shy of last year's record"
www.startribune.com/2025-minneso...
Reposted by Courtney (C.J.) Sinner
A lot of people asking: What happened? How was the convention flawed? Was Mayor Frey behind the revoked endorsement? Answering some of these questions:
Why did the Minnesota DFL revoke Omar Fateh’s endorsement for Minneapolis mayor?
The state party revoked the local endorsement following a July convention that saw dozens of challenges, delays and miscounted votes.
www.startribune.com
August 22, 2025 at 7:08 PM
A lot of people asking: What happened? How was the convention flawed? Was Mayor Frey behind the revoked endorsement? Answering some of these questions:
We have a lot of fun Fair stuff to offer and more to come, but this is one of my favorites. It's *genuinely useful* in addition to being fun.
How far can you stretch $100 at the Minnesota State Fair?
www.startribune.com/how-far-can-...
How far can you stretch $100 at the Minnesota State Fair?
www.startribune.com/how-far-can-...
How far can you stretch $100 at the Minnesota State Fair?
Use our tool to create and share your perfect fair itinerary on a budget.
www.startribune.com
August 22, 2025 at 7:19 PM
We have a lot of fun Fair stuff to offer and more to come, but this is one of my favorites. It's *genuinely useful* in addition to being fun.
How far can you stretch $100 at the Minnesota State Fair?
www.startribune.com/how-far-can-...
How far can you stretch $100 at the Minnesota State Fair?
www.startribune.com/how-far-can-...
Reposted by Courtney (C.J.) Sinner
I'm going to publish the entirety of an exchange I just had with the press office of the DOJ. I want you to see how they are talking about truth.
August 14, 2025 at 2:52 PM
I'm going to publish the entirety of an exchange I just had with the press office of the DOJ. I want you to see how they are talking about truth.
Reposted by Courtney (C.J.) Sinner
Residents of Juneau, Alaska, have been urged to evacuate after an overflowing glacial lake sent water surging down the Mendenhall River, threatening homes and roads. Forecasters said river levels could break a record between 8 a.m. and noon local time on Wednesday.
Juneau Floods As Mendenhall Glacier Melts
The Mendenhall River in Alaska was at “major flood” stage as of Wednesday morning, with additional water expected from an overflowing glacial lake.
nyti.ms
August 13, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Residents of Juneau, Alaska, have been urged to evacuate after an overflowing glacial lake sent water surging down the Mendenhall River, threatening homes and roads. Forecasters said river levels could break a record between 8 a.m. and noon local time on Wednesday.
Reposted by Courtney (C.J.) Sinner
NEW: An investigation by ProPublica and @texastribune.org found more than 60 instances of nepotism, self-dealing and conflicts of interest among 27 private schools that likely would have violated state laws had the schools been public.
By Lexi Churchill and @emsimani.bsky.social
By Lexi Churchill and @emsimani.bsky.social
Texas Private Schools Hire Relatives and Enrich Insiders. Soon They Can Do It With Taxpayer Money.
An investigation by ProPublica and The Texas Tribune found more than 60 instances of nepotism, self-dealing and conflicts of interest among 27 private schools that likely would have violated state law...
www.propublica.org
August 13, 2025 at 11:30 AM
NEW: An investigation by ProPublica and @texastribune.org found more than 60 instances of nepotism, self-dealing and conflicts of interest among 27 private schools that likely would have violated state laws had the schools been public.
By Lexi Churchill and @emsimani.bsky.social
By Lexi Churchill and @emsimani.bsky.social
The Athletic, but make it Minnesota high school sports
Introducing Strib Varsity, your hub for all things Minnesota high school sports: bit.ly/41769jj
August 13, 2025 at 4:16 PM
The Athletic, but make it Minnesota high school sports
Reposted by Courtney (C.J.) Sinner
"The annual income needed to afford monthly payments on a median-priced home in the US was $126,670 in 2024—a 60% jump from $79,330 in 2021, according to the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. Meanwhile the US median household income was $80,610 in 2023"
More Americans are getting priced out of homeownership. The long-term implications could reshape society.
Americans Are Getting Priced Out of Homeownership at Record Rates
More Americans are getting priced out of homeownership. The long-term implications could reshape society.
bloom.bg
August 13, 2025 at 2:05 PM
"The annual income needed to afford monthly payments on a median-priced home in the US was $126,670 in 2024—a 60% jump from $79,330 in 2021, according to the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. Meanwhile the US median household income was $80,610 in 2023"
Reposted by Courtney (C.J.) Sinner
This is very cool
More than 2,000 readers answered the question “Where is Uptown?” Responses were all over the map. Literally.
Generational differences became clear as readers defined the Minneapolis neighborhood beyond just its geography.
Generational differences became clear as readers defined the Minneapolis neighborhood beyond just its geography.
Where is Uptown? Here's what you said.
Generational differences became clear as readers defined the Minneapolis neighborhood beyond just its geography.
bit.ly
August 13, 2025 at 1:58 PM
This is very cool
We've solved it, and the argument shall never happen again, we declare.
This turned out so fun; come for the answer, stay for the pink and purple map at the end.
This turned out so fun; come for the answer, stay for the pink and purple map at the end.
Welp, folks. We did it. We settled the debate about Uptown's borders.
www.startribune.com/we-asked-whe...
www.startribune.com/we-asked-whe...
Where is Uptown? Here's what you said.
Generational differences became clear as readers defined the Minneapolis neighborhood beyond just its geography.
www.startribune.com
August 13, 2025 at 4:10 PM
We've solved it, and the argument shall never happen again, we declare.
This turned out so fun; come for the answer, stay for the pink and purple map at the end.
This turned out so fun; come for the answer, stay for the pink and purple map at the end.
in which I take @gretakaul.bsky.social's good data idea and spin it into a dot plot with emoji.
It's not just you -- this summer has kind of sucked!!!
www.startribune.com/this-summer-...
It's not just you -- this summer has kind of sucked!!!
www.startribune.com/this-summer-...
August 1, 2025 at 5:22 PM
in which I take @gretakaul.bsky.social's good data idea and spin it into a dot plot with emoji.
It's not just you -- this summer has kind of sucked!!!
www.startribune.com/this-summer-...
It's not just you -- this summer has kind of sucked!!!
www.startribune.com/this-summer-...
Uptown vibes (CJ's version)
July 25, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Uptown vibes (CJ's version)
Smol spoiler: There IS no definition, it's just vibes. But you can tell us where your vibes are in a very cool map-drawing tool, and we'll analyze them all over the next couple weeks and try to build some consensus.
Uptown Minneapolis has been the focus of an endless amount of hand-wringing about its evolution over the years. But where is Uptown exactly?
Nobody can agree on where Uptown starts and ends. Is there a true definition?
Various sources yield everything from maximalist expanses to tightly bound to W. Lake Street and Hennepin Avenue.
bit.ly
July 25, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Smol spoiler: There IS no definition, it's just vibes. But you can tell us where your vibes are in a very cool map-drawing tool, and we'll analyze them all over the next couple weeks and try to build some consensus.
Rarely do I see so many positive comments on a story.
If you’re roadtripping around the state this summer and you’re like, “gosh that’s a lot of corn,” well here’s some visual trivia you can break out between bites of your hot dog.
www.startribune.com/what-growing...
If you’re roadtripping around the state this summer and you’re like, “gosh that’s a lot of corn,” well here’s some visual trivia you can break out between bites of your hot dog.
www.startribune.com/what-growing...
Knee-high by Fourth of July: What’s growing in Minnesota and why
There are almost 20 million acres of crops in the state, mostly producing corn, soybeans and sugar beets for a variety of uses, including food and fuel.
www.startribune.com
July 4, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Rarely do I see so many positive comments on a story.
If you’re roadtripping around the state this summer and you’re like, “gosh that’s a lot of corn,” well here’s some visual trivia you can break out between bites of your hot dog.
www.startribune.com/what-growing...
If you’re roadtripping around the state this summer and you’re like, “gosh that’s a lot of corn,” well here’s some visual trivia you can break out between bites of your hot dog.
www.startribune.com/what-growing...
Timely.
Earlier today we taped tomorrow’s show, and we discussed the potential for the U.S. to bomb Iran. Since taping, the U.S. has carried out several bombings. We’ll have more to say in the future, but for now our piece on Trump and the Iran Deal can help explain what got us here. youtu.be/5xnZ_CeTqyM
Iran Deal: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)
YouTube video by LastWeekTonight
youtu.be
June 22, 2025 at 2:02 AM
Timely.
Reposted by Courtney (C.J.) Sinner
The Minnesota State Patrol has encouraged the public to avoid the planned No Kings Day protests in St. Paul and across the state.
Indivisible Twin Cities, one of the groups organizing local No Kings Day protests, said they still planned to demonstrate.
Indivisible Twin Cities, one of the groups organizing local No Kings Day protests, said they still planned to demonstrate.
Live: Rep. Melissa Hortman assassinated, others shot in ‘targeted’ attack
Authorities said suspect impersonated a police officer, and a “manifesto” was recovered with lawmakers’ names.
www.startribune.com
June 14, 2025 at 4:30 PM
The Minnesota State Patrol has encouraged the public to avoid the planned No Kings Day protests in St. Paul and across the state.
Indivisible Twin Cities, one of the groups organizing local No Kings Day protests, said they still planned to demonstrate.
Indivisible Twin Cities, one of the groups organizing local No Kings Day protests, said they still planned to demonstrate.
Reposted by Courtney (C.J.) Sinner
The home invader who shot two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses early Saturday wrote a “manifesto” containing the names of other elected officials.
Shooter of two Minnesota lawmakers, families wrote ‘manifesto’ naming more officials
With the suspect still on the run, police are notifying other politicians they might be on the list and providing some with security.
www.startribune.com
June 14, 2025 at 5:44 PM
The home invader who shot two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses early Saturday wrote a “manifesto” containing the names of other elected officials.
Reposted by Courtney (C.J.) Sinner
A White House official asserted there is “no need” for the public to know who’s in DOGE and asserted that there have been no conflict-of-interest violations: “For decades, we’ve been able to operate without these people’s names.”
The DOGE 100: Musk Is Out, but More Than 100 of His Followers Remain to Implement Trump’s Blueprint
At least 38 DOGE members work, or have worked, for one of Elon Musk’s companies. Meanwhile, nearly two dozen DOGE officials are making cuts to the same federal agencies that regulate the industries…
www.propublica.org
June 13, 2025 at 4:02 PM
A White House official asserted there is “no need” for the public to know who’s in DOGE and asserted that there have been no conflict-of-interest violations: “For decades, we’ve been able to operate without these people’s names.”
Small-town newspapers are dying because no one wants to run them. 🦋 www.cjr.org/analysis/sma...
Small-Town Newspapers Are Dying Because No One Wants to Run Them
And it’s not just about the money.
www.cjr.org
June 13, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Small-town newspapers are dying because no one wants to run them. 🦋 www.cjr.org/analysis/sma...