Michelle Baik

Jan 22, 2025 | kare11.com | Michelle Baik

BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. — Recent business closures in Brooklyn Park have prompted city leaders to take a closer look at how to revitalize a key commercial area. By the end of last year, the busy node around Brooklyn Boulevard and West Broadway had seen five closures: Caribou Coffee, Jimmy John’s, CVS, Petco and Cub Foods. In November, the city invited community members to discuss the issue and actions it was hoping to take.

Nov 14, 2024 | kare11.com | Michelle Baik

MINNEAPOLIS — A popular snack for young kids is drawing some concerns from health experts. Fruit and vegetable pouches are go-to picks for parents because they're easy, quick and mess-free. Dr. Gigi Chawla from Children's Minnesota sees their efficiency and notes they have some nutritional value. The concern rises when they're overused and replace whole foods. "It's so efficient that it can become problematic as well," Chawla said. Chawla pinpoints cavities as a possible unwanted effect.

Nov 12, 2024 | kare11.com | Michelle Baik

LINO LAKES, Minn. — Everybody loves their dogs, but there's one thing nobody loves about taking care of them: scooping poop. Caleb Olson is reminded of that truth whenever he has to go outside and let out his corgi Twinkie. "This is a huge problem, [which is] why don't I attempt with the Poopcopter," he said. A gadget that's never been created before according to his research, the Lino Lakes software engineer says his drone can hover the grass until it detects a "brown parcel," if you will.

Aug 29, 2024 | kare11.com | Michelle Baik

SAINT PAUL, Minn — Many parents have just one more weekend to shop before school starts, and they'll have to pay up. A survey by Deloitte shows parents this fall plan to spend on average $586 per kid. The cost nearly doubles if the child is in extracurricular programs. Enter the Twin Cities Frugal Mom. The blogger, Lisa Stockert, has two teens of her own and has yet to check off all the items on their lists of school supplies. Stockert won't be purchasing everything, however.

Aug 15, 2024 | kare11.com | Michelle Baik

FOREST LAKE, Minn. — Marais Bower mixes her mint brownie batter with the ease that comes with experience. "I don’t really know," she says. "But I've been baking for a long time." Marais is 6 years old. The girl from Forest Lake has spent half her life entering — and winning — local baking competitions. As recently as last month, Marais took home a handful of prizes at the Washington County fair: four first-place ribbons, two more for second place in her age group and a paper check for $11.50.