Laura's Good News

Laura visits with Duluth artist Gaelynn Lea, the violinist and composer who scored the original music for the current run of Macbeth on Broadway starring actor Daniel Craig. She also spends a day at Spring Farm Animal Sanctuary in Long Lake learning the stories of pigs, cows, and other creatures living out their days. Ramsey County librarian Paul Lai recommends this week's book, and Star Tribune food writers Sharyn Jackson and Joy Summers talk about their list of iconic Minnesota dishes and restaurants.

Laura talks with inmates in the Hennepin County Jail and Nate Johnson, the founder of Freewriters, about how this creative writing program is equipping them for life beyond bars. A new Prince mural is in the works for a high-profile spot in downtown Minneapolis, and the pork tenderloin sandwich of all pork tenderloin sandwiches....right in St. Paul.

It's a dream come true for Laura as she spends a day behind the scenes with the Rolling Stoners, a local tribute band that Rolling Stones fans can't get enough of, and another day meeting a select group of prisoners who are training assistance dogs as part of their rehabilitation and therapy. Plus, Star Tribune food writer Sharyn Jackson has the fish sandwich of all fish sandwiches, and Ramsey County librarian Jenna Emmans is back with a great read to get us into real Spring.

Laura chats with Abbey Hauser, an inspirational young trailblazer letting nothing get in her way despite her rare genetic disease; Star Tribune food writers Sharyn Jackson and Joy Summers discuss their fun list of the state's 40 most iconic dishes, and Mpls-St. Paul Magazine's Stephanie March takes us to the basement for some good St. Paul eats.

Laura chats with longtime Star Tribune entertainment writer Neal Justin about a wild few early decades of his career and what ultimately led him to alcohol treatment and a new life he's living to the fullest. Exciting happenings in the DNR's EagleCam nest, the latest Minnesota Twin driving big ticket sales, and a new twist on the local supper club boom.

Laura chats with USA Today's "Woman of the Year" for Minnesota, Sheletta Brundidge about her endless advocacy and activism...all with a side of jokes and real-life stories that would make some people blush. Ramsey County's library system is doing away with hundreds of thousands of dollars in late fees, and Star Tribune food writer Sharyn Jackson has THE fish sandwich for the season.

Laura chats with former Guthrie Theater Artistic Director Joe Dowling, who is back in the building directing a glorious, funny, colorful take on Shakespeare's The Tempest. WCCO Meteorologist Paul Douglas has the good weather news we've been clamoring for, Pickleball is taking over the Twin Cities, and Mpls.-St. Paul Magazine's Stephanie March has THE place to celebrate Pi Day.

Laura chats with the Minnesota DNR's Lori Naumann, aka the keeper of the DNR's popular EagleCam. Learn what's for lunch up in the secret nest and what the comings and goings are all about as this year's nesting pair awaits the hatching of two new chicks. A very tall Minnesota family is headed to the record books, and you can test your "ramp-off" skills with some of the best in the radio business. Ramsey County librarian Jenna Emmans has the perfect pick-me-up book for a not-so-hot mood, and Star Tribune food writer Sharyn Jackson finds the perfect rotisserie chicken dinner.

Laura heads to Duluth to ride the waves (Ha!) with Erik and Vonnie Wilkie, two of many diehard winter surfers on Lake Superior. She also chats with local filmmaker Ian Planchon, whose new documentary explores how climate change is affecting our largest freshwater lake. Laura checks in on Nan, the Como Zoo's newest polar bear, and Pioneer Press Food Editor Jess Fleming says it's time for us to get a little picky about our Fish Fries. Yes--Fries, not Frys. Laura looked it up.

Laura dives into the magic of vintage guitars with Willie's American Guitars owner Nate Westgor, and visits with musician Erik Koskinen at his Real Phonic Studios in southern Minnesota. Ramsey County librarian Paul Lai has a great read that celebrates some pretty important women in U-S history, and what's old is new again with Mpls-St. Paul Magazine Senior Editor of Food and Dining Stephanie March.

Laura chats with the President of Minnesota's new women's pre-professional soccer team, Andrea Yoch. MN Aurora FC has been announcing new players all week, and will call TCO Performance Center home in just a few months. Hennepin Theater Trust's 2022-23 Broadway on Hennepin season is it's first full season in two years with loads of Tony-award winners coming to town; and Star Tribune food writer Sharyn Jackson will have you eating sorbet in the middle of winter in no time.

Laura visits hockey practice for some amazing young adults with cognitive challenges and chats with Coach Dana Thiede, who says his life is richer thanks to them. St. Paul native Do-Hyoung Park tells Laura about his experience making it onto 'Jeopardy', and Pioneer Press Food Editor Jess Fleming has the sandwich of all sandwiches to get through the rest of winter.

Laura visits with St. Paul singer-songwriter Becky Kapell, who decided to get serious about a music career at the age of 42. Fifteen years later, she's out with a new record, a red-hot band, and a solid calendar of live shows. The Minnesota State Patrol is trying to draw more women to its ranks; the gleaming, new Dayton's Project is trying to draw more tenants; and Star Tribune food writer Sharyn Jackson finds the perfect pizza for Betty White lovers.

Laura chats with KARE-11's Boyd Huppert about the battle from his home bubble -- continuing his amazing storytelling while facing down a rare form of blood cancer. A very special boxing gym is changing lives, Star Tribune Books Editor Laurie Hertzel has a powerful read, and Mpls.St.Paul Magazine Senior Food and Dining Editor Stephanie March takes us to a hot, new, local supper club she's still fangirling about.

Laura chats with Canadian Consul General Ariel Delouya about the juxtaposition of 9/11 and the hit Broadway musical, Come From Away, which takes place in a tiny Newfoundland town where 38 planes were diverted that fateful day. The Betty White Challenge is doing plenty of good for local animal shelters and rescue organizations, Star Tribune Books Editor Laurie Hertzel reviews actor Alan Cumming's latest memoir, and Star Tribune food writer Sharyn Jackson finds the perfect frozen custard for January in Minnesota.

Sales of non-alcoholic beer topped 188 million last year, and now that brewers have learned how to make it taste good, there's no sign the market will be slowing down. Laura chats with Hairless Dog Brewing Company co-founder Paul Pirner about this trend, their brewing process, and why N/A beer plays such a role during this month when many are trying to stay alcohol-free. Also on the show - gratitude for our tireless National Guard troops during the pandemic, a riveting new read from writer and University of Minnesota professor Julie Schumacher, and Star Tribune food writer Sharyn Jackson's favorite food truck for a cozy, warm, delicious winter meal.

Laura visits rocker Chris Perricelli's St. Paul practice space for some solid jamming and deep conversation about life, rock music, fashion, and beating depression while giving back during the pandemic. WCCO's Susie Jones takes us to jail school, Ramsey County librarian Jenna Emmans has the perfect pick for the new year, and Star Tribune food writer Sharyn Jackson tells us about Minneapolis' latest hot breakfast spot with quite the view.

As we remember the unprecedented journey that has been COVID-19 in 2021, Laura chats with Twin Cities psychotherapist Sheridan Anderson about gratitude and not losing sight of what's going right in our lives. Minnesota Central Kitchen continues to serve those in need after 2 million meals and counting, Star Tribune Books Editor Laurie Hertzel has a perfect read for the winter solstice, and Star Tribune food writer Sharyn Jackson takes us to a west metro haven for holiday-themed ice cream.

This week Laura talks with lifelong friend and PR professional Michael Deering about how he's been documenting his life (and history, for that matter) by taking a photo a day for 25 years - a project that reveals everything from the mundane to the life-altering. The City of Minneapolis launches a new system for responding to mental health emergencies. Holidazzle is back live and in-person for the first time in two years, and the Star Tribune's Sharyn Jackson tells us about a must-try local pizza joint to visit before it closes it's doors next month.

Laura chats with KSTP-TV anchorman Chris Egert about his major life-changing decision to have part of his leg amputated. She also meets a local doctor who has also become quite a TikTok star, and who is using her influence to help teens stop vaping. University of Minnesota professor and writer Julie Schumacher recommends one of her favorite books, and Star Tribune food writer Sharyn Jackson brings us a sweet potato latte from a new Minneapolis coffee shop housed in a barber shop.

Laura's Good News for December 5, 2021 features a conversation with Minneapolis Chef Kris Koch about why the farm to table movement is so important these days. Laura also chats with Reverend Shawn Morrison of Good in the 'Hood, a nonprofit that not only helps those in need, but also empowers them to help themselves. Tiny Tim's best friend chats about a new documentary on the late musician's unconventional life, and Star Tribune food writer Sharyn Jackson highlights one of her favorite local food trucks.

Laura's Good News for November 28, 2021 includes a conversation with her lifelong friend Nancy Kaley, who kicked her sugar addiction, lost more than 100 pounds, and now runs the organization that helped her do it. Laura also tours the private office spaces of the new Dayton's Project in downtown Minneapolis, chats with Pause 4 Paws founder Jill Goldstein about local rescue organizations' dire need for help, and Star Tribune food writer Sharyn Jackson has a coffeecake cupcake perfect for that holiday brunch.

Laura's Good News from November 21, 2021 includes a candid and uplifting chat with Hennepin County Sheriff Dave Hutchinson about what spurred him to lose 50+ pounds and counting. Laura also learns about "Turf Game," visits with singer/ banjo player Ellen Stanley, and shares this week's book and food recommendations from the Star Tribune's Laurie Hertzel and Sharyn Jackson.

Laura's Good News for November 14th includes a candid visit with Minnesota folk singer-songwriter Charlie Parr, whose lifestyle is in no way glamorous, and who says music has saved his life on more than one occasion. Laura also asks the cast of the Broadway touring production of Oklahoma! what makes the show "sexy" as it's ads proclaim, and Star Tribune food writer Sharyn Jackson brings us an entire Thanksgiving dinner in one juicy bite.