Twin Cities gets "The Bachelorette" treatment

Minnesota's Michelle Young sets off on another televised journey to (hopefully) find true love this week.

Driving the news: Young, a teacher at a Burnsville public school, makes her debut Tuesday night as "The Bachelorette" in the latest season of the long-running dating show.

Why it matters: Well, it really doesn't. But it's fun to cheer on a local leading lady, especially for those of us who identify as #BachelorNation fans.

Catch up quick: Young was named the star of this fall's run after she was dumped by Bachelor Matt James in his season finale.

• For the uninitiated: As the star, Young starts the season with dozens of suitors — including a one-time Gophers basketball player from Minneapolis and a former lineman for the Vikings.
• She'll get to know them through a series of cheesy dates and deep talks, eliminating the guys she likes least each week until just one remains.

The #LocalAngle in brief: Young, who teaches at Echo Park Elementary, grew up in the area. She was a basketball star at Woodbury High School.

Another reason to tune in: The show filmed here in the Twin Cities this summer, with scenes shot at Lake Minnetonka, Semple Mansion, and Target Field, per photos posted on social media and reports from notorious show spoiler Reality Steve and other outlets.

• The entire cast reportedly stayed at the Marquette Hotel in downtown Minneapolis.

What she's saying: Young told reporters in July that she probably wouldn't have agreed to do either season if it weren't for the pandemic.

• "I would have chosen to stay in the classroom the whole time," she said during one shoot at the St. Paul Saints' CHS Field, according to the Star Tribune.

Of note: Young isn't the first Minnesotan to fill the lead role. Prior Lake native Becca Kufrin got engaged to the last man standing at the end of her season in 2018. The pair split last year.

How to watch: The show airs on ABC on Tuesdays at 7pm. But be warned — at two hours, it can be quite the commitment.