Aaron Lavinsky

DULUTH, Minn. - Two words of advice if you want to keep pace with social media influencer Mason Branstrator: Buckle up.

After devouring a salmon salad that spilled over the plate on a late July afternoon at Northern Waters, the young Duluthian moved toward Canal Park's Lakewalk for one of his day's main courses.

Mason Branstrator embraces his girlfriend, Victoria Duenes, as he arrives at OMC Smokehouse for dinner before a sailing outing Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in Duluth, Minn. (Aaron Lavinsky/The Minnesota Star

Time once again for Minnesota State Fair llama drama: The llama and alpaca costume contest.

The Gophers cruised past Eastern Illinois in their opener. Mississippi State did the same against Louisiana-Monroe. Now both teams get a chance to show what their Week 1 blowouts meant.

Olivia Miles of the Minnesota Lynx is the highest scoring rookie in WNBA regular season history. (Aaron Lavinsky/The Minnesota Star Tribune/TNS)

Alex Pretti's memorial on Nicollet Avenue still looms months after his death. (Aaron Lavinsky/The Minnesota Star Tribune/TNS)

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz gestures during an interview during the North Star Summit at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. (Aaron Lavinsky/The Minnesota Star Tribune/TNS)

Protestors attempt to keep a door open to the St. Paul, Minnesota, federal courthouse in June 2026. (Aaron Lavinsky/The Minnesota Star Tribune/TNS)

Models take part in a fashion show directed by Sandra Thao during the Hmong Arts Celebration on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, at the Mall of America Rotunda in Bloomington, Minnesota.