Ben Hovland
@benjovland.bsky.social
Photos, bikes, news.
Visual journalist at @mprnews.org
Visual journalist at @mprnews.org
I expect most of the popular beaches to be picked-over this time of year on the North Shore of Lake Superior. But if you wade out 5-6 feet from shore you might see one of these guys staring up at you.
July 27, 2026 at 1:09 AM
I expect most of the popular beaches to be picked-over this time of year on the North Shore of Lake Superior. But if you wade out 5-6 feet from shore you might see one of these guys staring up at you.
View of the severe-warned storm passing north of downtown Minneapolis about 10 minutes ago. Taken from the 24th St. pedestrian bridge over 35W. #mnwx
June 19, 2026 at 10:31 PM
View of the severe-warned storm passing north of downtown Minneapolis about 10 minutes ago. Taken from the 24th St. pedestrian bridge over 35W. #mnwx
Several edited photos from my storm chase in southern MN on Monday:
1. The Amboy tornado fully condensed
2. The same storm ~30 min later
3. Wide view showing the entire supercell base
4. Photographer Tim Evans capturing the storm before the tornado
#mnwx
1. The Amboy tornado fully condensed
2. The same storm ~30 min later
3. Wide view showing the entire supercell base
4. Photographer Tim Evans capturing the storm before the tornado
#mnwx
April 14, 2026 at 1:58 PM
Several edited photos from my storm chase in southern MN on Monday:
1. The Amboy tornado fully condensed
2. The same storm ~30 min later
3. Wide view showing the entire supercell base
4. Photographer Tim Evans capturing the storm before the tornado
#mnwx
1. The Amboy tornado fully condensed
2. The same storm ~30 min later
3. Wide view showing the entire supercell base
4. Photographer Tim Evans capturing the storm before the tornado
#mnwx
Video of the tornado we captured near Amboy, Minn., yesterday evening. Touchdown occurred just before 6:30 and it was on the ground for a little over 10 minutes before lifting. #mnwx
April 14, 2026 at 1:52 PM
Video of the tornado we captured near Amboy, Minn., yesterday evening. Touchdown occurred just before 6:30 and it was on the ground for a little over 10 minutes before lifting. #mnwx
April 13, 2026 at 11:46 PM
Reposted by Ben Hovland
My @mprnews.org colleague & I rode along with observers after the Twin Cities surge at the start of December, well before most national publications came to town. It was really necessary to get at what ICE is really doing on the ground & how people are opposing it.
www.mprnews.org/story/2025/1...
www.mprnews.org/story/2025/1...
January 29, 2026 at 9:45 PM
My @mprnews.org colleague & I rode along with observers after the Twin Cities surge at the start of December, well before most national publications came to town. It was really necessary to get at what ICE is really doing on the ground & how people are opposing it.
www.mprnews.org/story/2025/1...
www.mprnews.org/story/2025/1...
Nice night for a skate in Minneapolis
December 15, 2025 at 1:22 AM
Nice night for a skate in Minneapolis
Hi it’s me, your cyclist-turned-ice-skater here to tell you wild ice conditions on Bde Maka Ska are phenomenal right now. Go skate it if you can!
December 15, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Hi it’s me, your cyclist-turned-ice-skater here to tell you wild ice conditions on Bde Maka Ska are phenomenal right now. Go skate it if you can!
Reposted by Ben Hovland
FYI: If you have news tips regarding ICE activity in the Twin Cities, especially if you have friends or relatives who have been detained, please contact me securely on Signal.
December 7, 2025 at 3:40 PM
FYI: If you have news tips regarding ICE activity in the Twin Cities, especially if you have friends or relatives who have been detained, please contact me securely on Signal.
Reposted by Ben Hovland
Witch’s Hat in Tower Hill Park
November 12, 2025 at 3:36 AM
Witch’s Hat in Tower Hill Park
I’ve never seen overhead aurora in the middle of Minneapolis as bright as I saw tonight. Here are a few more photos with my nice camera (Canon R6, 16-35mm f2.8, 6400iso, 0.8”) slightly edited for contrast and clarity.
The shimmering corona was absolutely stunning. #mnwx
The shimmering corona was absolutely stunning. #mnwx
November 12, 2025 at 4:07 AM
I’ve never seen overhead aurora in the middle of Minneapolis as bright as I saw tonight. Here are a few more photos with my nice camera (Canon R6, 16-35mm f2.8, 6400iso, 0.8”) slightly edited for contrast and clarity.
The shimmering corona was absolutely stunning. #mnwx
The shimmering corona was absolutely stunning. #mnwx
Reposted by Ben Hovland
Northern lights are out! The view just after 7p this evening at Eagle Lake near Norwood Young America, west of the Twin Cities
November 12, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Northern lights are out! The view just after 7p this evening at Eagle Lake near Norwood Young America, west of the Twin Cities
Back with some full moon photos for your viewing pleasure.
The full Buck Moon rises next to the historic Gold Medal Flour sign in Minneapolis on Thursday. Taken at 400mm from the Hennepin Ave bridge. #mnwx
The full Buck Moon rises next to the historic Gold Medal Flour sign in Minneapolis on Thursday. Taken at 400mm from the Hennepin Ave bridge. #mnwx
July 11, 2025 at 5:32 AM
Back with some full moon photos for your viewing pleasure.
The full Buck Moon rises next to the historic Gold Medal Flour sign in Minneapolis on Thursday. Taken at 400mm from the Hennepin Ave bridge. #mnwx
The full Buck Moon rises next to the historic Gold Medal Flour sign in Minneapolis on Thursday. Taken at 400mm from the Hennepin Ave bridge. #mnwx
Birds and a bike in northeast Minneapolis.
April 23, 2025 at 3:02 AM
Birds and a bike in northeast Minneapolis.
Weekly bike post, Crosby Regional Park edition.
February 22, 2025 at 12:33 AM
Weekly bike post, Crosby Regional Park edition.
OK bike nerds, ice skating season is over. Have some pics from Stupor Bowl last Saturday.
By my count, it’s been seven years since the last truly snowy edition of the event.
By my count, it’s been seven years since the last truly snowy edition of the event.
February 14, 2025 at 7:04 PM
OK bike nerds, ice skating season is over. Have some pics from Stupor Bowl last Saturday.
By my count, it’s been seven years since the last truly snowy edition of the event.
By my count, it’s been seven years since the last truly snowy edition of the event.
OK I’ll bite. If you feel like it, quote this with a pic of a BRIDGE.
January 24, 2025 at 2:57 AM
OK I’ll bite. If you feel like it, quote this with a pic of a BRIDGE.
Sorry cyclists, this is an ice skating account now
January 23, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Sorry cyclists, this is an ice skating account now
Hundreds celebrated the winter solstice tonight with a lantern-lit parade through south Minneapolis with puppets from In the Heart of the Beast Theatre.
After a snowy singalong around bonfires in the park, revelers returned to the theatre for hot soup and more musical performances.
After a snowy singalong around bonfires in the park, revelers returned to the theatre for hot soup and more musical performances.
December 21, 2024 at 4:58 AM
Hundreds celebrated the winter solstice tonight with a lantern-lit parade through south Minneapolis with puppets from In the Heart of the Beast Theatre.
After a snowy singalong around bonfires in the park, revelers returned to the theatre for hot soup and more musical performances.
After a snowy singalong around bonfires in the park, revelers returned to the theatre for hot soup and more musical performances.
Winter fans, rejoice — finally seeing plowable snow in the Twin Cities.
A few weather features from my bike ride around town this morning for @mprnews.org:
#mnwx
A few weather features from my bike ride around town this morning for @mprnews.org:
#mnwx
December 19, 2024 at 4:49 PM
Winter fans, rejoice — finally seeing plowable snow in the Twin Cities.
A few weather features from my bike ride around town this morning for @mprnews.org:
#mnwx
A few weather features from my bike ride around town this morning for @mprnews.org:
#mnwx
Reposted by Ben Hovland
I am working on a story about the job hunt in Minnesota and the Midwest and what experiences people are having. Are you someone who has recently been laid off, looking for a new job or beginning the job search for the first time? DM me here.
December 4, 2024 at 8:48 PM
I am working on a story about the job hunt in Minnesota and the Midwest and what experiences people are having. Are you someone who has recently been laid off, looking for a new job or beginning the job search for the first time? DM me here.
Tom isn't here for a long time, but he's here for a good time. The 22-week-old turkey got a tour of the Capitol's steps after appearing at a presser with Gov. Tim Walz & members of Minnesota's agriculture industry on Tuesday.
November 27, 2024 at 11:05 PM
Tom isn't here for a long time, but he's here for a good time. The 22-week-old turkey got a tour of the Capitol's steps after appearing at a presser with Gov. Tim Walz & members of Minnesota's agriculture industry on Tuesday.
This week's coverage highlights include a trans pride-themed bolo tie worn by Theo Casio during a Transgender Day of Remembrance vigil at the MN Capitol.
“To remember those people in this setting, it’s loud in ways that we need it to be because those lives should have never been lost," Casio said.
“To remember those people in this setting, it’s loud in ways that we need it to be because those lives should have never been lost," Casio said.
November 22, 2024 at 4:39 PM
This week's coverage highlights include a trans pride-themed bolo tie worn by Theo Casio during a Transgender Day of Remembrance vigil at the MN Capitol.
“To remember those people in this setting, it’s loud in ways that we need it to be because those lives should have never been lost," Casio said.
“To remember those people in this setting, it’s loud in ways that we need it to be because those lives should have never been lost," Casio said.