Mary Lynn Smith

Reporter | Metro

Mary Lynn Smith is a general assignment reporter for the Star Tribune. She previously covered St. Paul City Hall and Ramsey County. Before that, she worked in Duluth where she covered local and state government and business. She frequently has written about the outdoors.

After graduating with a master's degree in public affairs reporting, the Chicago native moved to Minnesota and fell in love with the outdoors despite being a Girl Scout dropout. Smith became an avid long-distance runner and cross-country skier, keeping her fit so she could backpack in the mountains and paddle the BWCA and Quetico wilderness areas with her husband and three children. Now that her daughters are adults, she gives them the heavier packs.

Recent content from Mary Lynn Smith

Star Tribune honored with prestigious George Polk Award for Floyd coverage

The newspaper's work in the 'local reporting' category spanned seven months.

Ice road becomes a lifeline to Minnesota's Northwest Angle

Canada's COVID closures left the Northwest Angle inaccessible. Residents engineered a solution.

Minneapolis lifts bar service restrictions as COVID-19 cases fall

The move brings Minneapolis establishments in line with state restrictions.

Goodhue County wants extra 'eyes' to crack crime

Folks asked to register security cameras to accelerate investigations.

Minnesota sanctuary tiger tested positive for COVID-19

The tiger, which has since recovered, is the second confirmed case in a Minnesota animal.

Minnesota pastor says on video to be ready to 'arm up' as a citizen militia force

Alexandria's Darryl Knappen is drawing praise and condemnation.

'Nothing like a real hug.' Minnesota mom, son reunited after months apart in quarantine

A captured hug between a mother and her son resonates with all those who can't.

Ice fishing contests melting away because of Minnesota's pandemic restrictions

Some events have been canceled and others have gone virtual, where participants can fish numerous lakes. Still others are hoping to host modified events that meet social distancing guidelines

Together in life and death: Couples battle coronavirus

As COVID-19 has ravaged the elderly, couples who have spent nearly a lifetime together are dying together — days, sometimes hours apart. For some families, the losses are even more painful because a vaccine was almost within reach.

Survey: Nearly half of Minnesota youth drink a sugary beverage daily, especially students of color

Health officials warn that sugar consumption increases the risk of obesity and diabetes.

Follow us
Subscribe • 99¢ for unlimited access