Minnesota Now

The nation is grappling with news of a potentially political act of violence after right-wing activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed in Utah Wednesday. We talk to a Minnesota senator who remembers him as a mentor.We continue to look at AI in the classroom this week. One study found that 70 percent of teens have used an AI companion, or digital friend. We focus in on how those programs impact youth mental health.Our reporter Dan Kraker joins us from Duluth to talk about an energy controversy in northern Minnesota.Plus, are you new to rooting for the Vikings? We have some advice on how to dive into the season.And a Minnesotan appears in a Stephen King film that opens Friday. We hear from him.The Minnesota Music Minute was "In the Light" by Laamar. The Song of the Day was "Blue Blue Blue" by Cornbread Harris.

A long awaited film adaptation of a Stephen King novel opens tomorrow, and a Minnesotan plays a prominent role. Actor Ben Wang was born in China but grew up in Minnesota before starring in the movies "Karate Kid Legends" and "Chang Can Dunk." Now, he's playing a supporting role in "The Long Walk." Directed by Francis Lawrence, the film is a dystopian thriller about young men forced to compete in a deadly test of endurance.Wang spoke with arts reporter Jacob Aloi about the film and what got him into acting. A quick note for listeners: this conversation includes mentions of violence.

Most of us don't put a whole lot of thought into the electricity that powers our daily lives. We just flip the switch and expect the lights to go on. A proposed sale of one of Minnesota's largest electric utilities is getting a lot of attention now. It's getting people to think more closely about who owns electric companies and who's going to pay for the solar, wind and other infrastructure needed to transition to a green energy future. Dan Kraker has been covering the clean energy transition in northern Minnesota and joined Nina Moini to talk more about the proposed sale.

The Minnesota Vikings will kick off their home opener Sunday night at U.S. Bank Stadium against the Atlanta Falcons. The Vikings are 1-0 this year after a win Monday night against the Chicago Bears.Minnesota Now Producer Ellie Roth wanted to learn how to get a bit more into the football season this year. She spoke to Vikings legend and all-time great Chuck Foreman. The running back helped carry the Vikings to three Superbowl games in the 70s.Our ask: Help me understand football and the Minnesota VikingsOur professional: Chuck Foreman, former running back for the Minnesota Vikings

A new study from Common Sense Media, a group that studies and advocates for using screens and digital media sensibly, found that 70 percent of teens have used AI companions, platforms designed to serve as “digital friends.” As the technology gets more sophisticated, experts worry about AI's potential to exacerbate crises of loneliness and youth mental health. Brandon Jones, the executive director of the Minnesota Association for Children's Mental Health, joined Minnesota Now to share more about this. Hear more from our special series on AI in schoolsPerspective from a Minnesota teacher turned AI education consultantSt. Paul teacher says it's 'like bringing a forklift to the gym'Minnesota high school student weighs the benefits and pitfalls of AI

Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist who helped rally young people in support of President Donald Trump, was fatally shot on a college campus in Utah on Wednesday. Political violence has been top of mind in Minnesota since the shootings of two Democratic lawmakers and their spouses this summer. Former house speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were killed in that attack. Kirk was scheduled to speak at the University of Minnesota later this month as part of his “American Comeback” tour. State Sen. Julia Coleman, R-Waconia, called him a mentor and friend. She joined Minnesota Now to talk about the uptick in political violence and working with Kirk early in her political career.

More than 1,000 University of Minnesota employees are striking. They include custodians, maintenance staff and food service workers. We go to the picket line and learn how the work stoppage is impacting campus operations. As we look at AI's impact on schools, we talk to a Minnesota high school senior about how she's using AI (it's not for homework).Plus, we get your fall color forecast. And look at the return of summer temperatures with Paul Huttner. Farmers in Minnesota are looking to expand with oats as their next crop, but they face challenges in finding buyers. And we talk to the woman behind a gathering that brings together musicians with and without disabilities.

Sunday is a “Day of Hope” for Yue Wu, music therapist and founder of a Twin Cities nonprofit called Light in the Well. Dancers, singers and musicians with and without disabilities will come together for a performance at the Landmark Center in St. Paul. Wu joins MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about the event and her work.

Farmers in Minnesota and Iowa are banding together to add oats to their usual soybean and corn crop rotations. And they are working to open an oat processing plant in Albert Lea in 2026.Their movement is rooted in responding to climate change and unpredictable markets. But the farmers need to bring on board big food companies, who usually source most of their oats from Canada. Journalist Erin Jordan reported on the push for oats in the area for Investigate Midwest and she joins MPR News host Nina Moini to explain.

Minnesota got a serious taste of fall this week with chilly temperatures and some grey days. But it looks like summer will return, at least for a little while. MPR News Chief Meteorologist Paul Huttner joins Minnesota Now to explain the fall outlook and the forecast for the rest of the week.

As students and teachers are settling into a new school year, Minnesota Now is looking at how artificial intelligence is changing teaching, learning and wellbeing in the classroom. We have talked with a consultant working on AI policy at the district level and a high school English teacher. Next, we hear from a student. High school seniors in this year's graduating class were freshmen when Chat GPT launched in November 2022. Every year since then, AI chatbots have become more prevalent. Elianah Dollar-Simmons is a high school senior who has done a lot of work with AI, but not in the way you might assume. She built AI models as part of summer programs at MIT and Carnegie Melon University. Dollar-Simmons joins MPR News host Nina Moini from Tartan High School in Oakdale, a suburb east of St. Paul.

Hundreds of University of Minnesota workers are on strike at campuses across the state.Teamsters Local 320, which represents food service, custodial and maintenance workers, rejected a final contract offer from the University of Minnesota last week. The union represents about 1,400 employees.Reporter Estelle Timar-Wilcox was at the picket line on the Twin Cities campus this morning and joins MPR News host Nina Moini to share more. Read the full report at MPRNews.org.

Democrats in the Minnesota House have chosen Rep. Zack Stephenson to lead them after their former leader, Melissa Hortman, was assassinated. We learned more about the new leader and the job ahead of him, including a possible special session. If you are confused about the future of vaccine access in the United States, you are not alone. A pediatrician helped us navigate shifting policies at the state and federal levels. We're continuing our series on Artificial Intelligence in education. This time, a high school teacher took us into his classroom.We learned about the resurgence of Native lacrosse. A spoken word poet who is out with her first book full of poems about growing up in south Minneapolis joined the show.Our Minnesota Music Minute was "Overrated" by Landon Conrath and our Song of the Day was "Break Out" by Wave Cage.

A Minneapolis spoken word poet is out with her first book of poetry, all about growing up on the south side of Minneapolis near Lake Street. The collection is called “Before I Lie.” Its author Dralandra Larkins joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about her identity in south Minneapolis and shared part of her poem called “I Am Black.”

As students and teachers are settling into their school year routines, Minnesota Now is looking at how artificial intelligence is changing teaching, learning and wellbeing in the classroom. MPR News host Nina Moini dove into one English classroom at Humboldt High School in St. Paul. She spoke to English teacher Carl Haefemeyer about how AI is showing up at his school.

It's a confusing time in public health. Some states like Minnesota have started new vaccine policies with the goal of protecting people's access. Other states have moved in a different direction. Florida plans to end vaccine requirements for children. These changes at the state level are happening as the federal government's approach to vaccines is in upheaval. U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as a committee of advisers who influence vaccine policies. Kennedy then filled some of those roles with people who, like him, have spread misinformation and conspiracy theories about vaccines. Dr. Nathan Chomilo is a practicing pediatrician and chair-elect of the American Academy of Pediatrics' Council on Health Equity. He joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about how Minnesota pediatricians are considering federal and state guidance.

The Minnesota House DFL Caucus has a new leader after losing their last one to a tragic act of political violence. Rep. Zack Stephenson has been chosen to lead the caucus as the House remains incredibly close. The decision to elevate Stephenson comes almost three months after Melissa Hortman, the prior caucus leader and a former speaker, was killed in her home. MPR News politics reporter Dana Ferguson joined MPR News host Nina Moini to share more about Stephenson and some immediate challenges that await him. 

Hundreds of people gathered in Minneapolis on Sunday for Fletcher Merkel's funeral, the 8-year-old boy who died in the Annunciation mass shooting. Reporter Nicole Ki shares more from the service where Fletcher was remembered as a colorful and caring kid. This week, we're taking a look at how AI is having an impact in the classroom. You'll hear from an educator helping other teachers learn about the new technology.Plus, today is 988 Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the national suicide and crisis lifeline. We'll talk to the director of the call center in the Twin Cities.A new report found Minnesota has the highest share of transgender adults in the country. And Monday night is the season opener for the Minnesota Vikings. We'll get a preview of the football game with our sports contributors. Our Minnesota Music Minute was “Free Treasure” by Adrianne Lenker and our Song of the Day was “All of You” by Jett Hertz.

Vikings season begins Monday night in Chicago. And it's a homecoming of sorts for quarterback J.J. McCarthy. As a kid growing up in the Chicago suburbs, he was a Bears fan. In fact, the first NFL game he saw in person was Bears vs. Vikings at Soldier Field. The venue and the matchup will be the same Monday night, when McCarthy plays his first regular season NFL game — an injury kept him out of play last year during his rookie season.Sports contributors Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson joined Minnesota Now with a preview of the game.

A new report from the UCLA School of Law Williams Institute asked the question: how many adults and youth identify as transgender in the United States? And it found Minnesota has the highest percentage of adults who identify as transgender in the country at 1.2 percent of the population. The national average is 0.8 percent. Jody Herman is a Williams Institute scholar of public policy and co-author of the report. And Kat Rohn is the executive director of the LGBTQ+ advocacy group Outfront Minnesota. Herman and Rohn joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about the report.

Monday, Sept. 8 (or 9/8) is National 988 Day. It's a day meant to boost national awareness of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The Minnesota Department of Health has four call centers throughout the state to support the mental health of anyone who calls. The biggest of those centers is in the Twin Cities, operated by United Way. Julie Ogunleye is the director of that call center. She joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about the program and its future.If you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone. Call or text 988 to get connected with trained counselors who can help. The 988 suicide and crisis lifeline is available 24/7. 

As students and teachers are settling into their school year routines, Minnesota Now is taking a look at how artificial intelligence is changing teaching, learning and wellbeing in the classroom. This week on the program, you'll hear from a teacher, a student and a mental health professional about how they are viewing AI's impact on young people. But to set the tone, we're turning to Jon Fila. He was a finalist for Minnesota Teacher of the Year back in 2022, but now runs Inclusive AI Strategies, which provides school districts with guidance and educational tools around artificial intelligence.

The parents of one child who was injured in the Annunciation mass shooting last week pleaded with visiting Vice President Vance to find solutions to mass shootings in the U.S. We dive deeper into potential solutions with an expert.We explore how and why officials are looking into whether the mass shooting at Annunciation could be classified as a hate crime. And a woman who has spent the week tending to the Annunciation memorial shares what it's been like to shepherd support pouring in from across the globe. Plus, MPR News is welcoming two new reporters who are based in Moorhead and Rochester. Join us as we get to know them.And the bar trivia empire Trivia Mafia is out with a new trivia podcast. We talk with one of the hosts, Sean McPherson.Today's Minnesota Music Minute was “Hand in the Air” by The Gated Community. The Song of the Day was “Almost Home” by Hannah Hammond.

MPR News has several bureaus across Minnesota to serve people from every corner of the state. Two new reporters are now settled in greater Minnesota.Molly Castle Work is based in the Rochester bureau with a focus on health reporting. Tadeo Ruiz Sandoval is based in the Moorhead bureau and will have a focus on agriculture. They joined Minnesota Now to share more about their backgrounds.

Thousands of people around the world have sent messages and flowers to comfort the victims of the Annunciation Church and School shooting in Minneapolis last week.One woman, Annique London, helped thousands of people pay their respects to the victims of the shooting at Annunciation. She shared her story about tending to the memorial in front of the church this past week with Minnesota Now producer Ellen Finn.In our series Thank You, Stranger, we hear the stories of how strangers can make our lives a little brighter, or lift us up in a difficult moment. If you have a story to share about a stranger who made your life a little brighter, we want to hear it.Contact us at minnesotanow@mpr.org or ‪(612) 361-1252‬.

Sean McPherson was a host at The Current and hosted a show with during the pandemic called “The Warming House” with Nina Moini. Today, he's a host at Jazz88 and the co-owner of the bar trivia empire Trivia Mafia. Trivia Mafia is out with a new podcast co-hosted by McPherson called “No Brains, No Lightbulbs.” He joined Minnesota Now to share more about the project.

State and federal investigators are still reviewing the facts surrounding the Annunciation Catholic School and Church shooting last Wednesday. Some local and national leaders have used the terms “hate crime” and “domestic terrorism” to describe the shooter's attack on students and other churchgoers last week. FBI Director Kash Patel said the shooting will be investigated as an anti-Catholic hate crime. Things may be more complicated than that, since the specifics around the shooter's motives are not yet clear. Jessica Hodge, a professor of Justice and Society Studies at the University of St. Thomas, joined Minnesota Now to break down how officials might look at defining the crime.

The parents of Lydia Kaiser made a plea to Vice President JD Vance during his visit to Minneapolis. Lydia was injured while protecting a younger student during the mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School and is still hospitalized at Children's Minnesota. Her mother Leah Kaiser, and father Harry Kaiser, who is also a gym teacher at Annunciation, spoke to media at the hospital after meeting Vance on Wednesday. They asked Vance to study the causes of mass shootings in the United States and work to find bipartisan solutions. Vance did not immediately address any policy changes after his visit. Listen to their statement here. Jillian Peterson, the executive director of the Violence Prevention Project Research Center at Hamline University in St. Paul, joined Minnesota Now to talk about what that study may look like.

Vice President JD Vance is visiting Minneapolis to meet the families of the victims of the Annunciation mass shooting. Plus, calls are growing for tougher gun laws. We learn about the chances of new laws passing in the state legislature. Then, we take a deep dive into gun laws, what their impact can be and the debate around them. We'll hear the story of a Duluth college student now conducting research where she got life-changing treatment.There could be some flakes flying in northern Minnesota. We get the latest on a chilly forecast from meteorologist Sven Sundgaard. And for our next Out to Lunch, we sit down with the principal of Mankato East High School, Akram Osman.The Minnesota Music Minute today is “Live Forever” by Oasis, a song the band dedicated to the victims of the Annunciation mass shooting. The Song of the Day is “It's Fun” by Minneapolis band WHY NOT.

On Minnesota Now, we hear from many different people in Minnesota over the phone and in the studio. But we don't often meet them in the community, where news and life happens. In our Out to Lunch series, MPR News host Nina Moini sits down for a meal with people from across Minnesota.Akram Osman is entering his third year as principal of Mankato East High School. He also graduated from the school in 2009. Osman was one of the first Somali principals in the country. And he was recently awarded a Bush Fellowship to help increase representation in school leadership and reduce systemic barriers in education.

The mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School that killed two students and injured 21 others in Minneapolis has reignited calls for gun reform and policy changes at the city, state and federal levels. A group of Twin Cities-area mayors gathered at the Capitol Tuesday to call for more authority to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines if the Legislature refuses to do it at the state level. Gov. Tim Walz is mulling whether to call lawmakers back for a special session to address gun violence. Megan Walsh, the director of the Gun Violence Prevention Clinic at the University of Minnesota Law School, joins MPR News host Nina Moini with more on the state's gun laws.

It is time to get out your fall clothing for the rest of the week and weekend. The start of September has brought significantly cooler temperatures to the state. Some areas of Minnesota could soon see snowflakes. MPR News meteorologist Sven Sundgaard joins MPR News host Nina Moini with details.

One week after the deadly mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and school, JD Vance is in Minneapolis to meet with families of the victims. Archbishop Bernard Hebda shares next steps for the church. And as Gov. Tim Walz considers calling a special session of the Legislature in response to the shooting, MPR News looks into the changes that could be coming to state law.

School is back in session for most students across the state. We heard voices from the first day in St. Paul and in St. Cloud. We found out how those districts are dealing with school safety and financial challenges. On college campuses, changes to immigration policy have created challenges for some international students. We heard from the president of Macalester College in St. Paul.The students at Annunciation Catholic School are not yet returning to class. We heard how worshippers came together for their first service since last week's mass shooting. Even in a typical year, the first day of kindergarten can bring up a lot of emotions for students and their families. We talked to an expert about the transition.Our Minnesota Music Minute was “say” by Mati and “Meet the Elements" by They Might Be Giants.

On Thursday, the NFL season will begin with the Dallas Cowboys in Philadelphia. They'll play the Eagles, who are, of course, the defending Super Bowl champions. The Minnesota Vikings will be late to the party. Their first game is on Monday and it's the last game of opening week.Minnesota Now sports contributors Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about what to expect for the Vikings' season, plus the latest with the Loons, Lynx and more.

Minnesota schools are welcoming students back to class this week. Many started Tuesday morning. It's a difficult time for some as they deal with the news and impact of the deadly mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School.Districts are focused on keeping kids safe and meeting their needs. MPR News education reporter Elizabeth Shockman and MPR News correspondent Kirsti Marohn, who covers central Minnesota, joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about what schools, students and parents are saying about the start of classes.

Across the country, international students are returning to a new normal on campus — as the Trump administration ramps up immigration enforcement efforts. In part because of new restrictions on student visas and bans on citizens of certain countries traveling to the U.S., some students aren't returning to campus at all. Modeling from the National Association of International Educators projects a 30 to 40 percent decline in new international student enrollment this fall. The cost of that decline to Minnesota's economy is projected to be $77 million.Tuesday is the first day of classes at Macalester College in St. Paul. MPR News host Nina Moini caught up with President Suzanne Rivera about what she's been observing as students return to campus.

The first day of school is an especially big one for the thousands of kindergarteners who are stepping into school for the first time ever. That is a huge new chapter – and can cause a lot of excitement and anxiety within a family. Coco Du is the CEO of the Minneapolis-based organization called Way to Grow, which provides educational support for families from birth to third grade. She joined Minnesota Now to talk about how she helps prepare families for that transition.

There isn't a more perfect place to share a meal than at the Minnesota State Fair. And there may be no more prominent figure at the state fair than Princess Kay of the Milky Way. Minnesota Now host Nina Moini went Out to Lunch with this year's winner, Malorie Thorson. The two shared fair favorites at the MPR Stage and had a conversation about Thorson's passion for the dairy industry.

Minnesotans are reeling after an 8-year-old and 10-year-old celebrating the start of school were killed and 18 people were injured at Annunciation Church and School in south Minneapolis.We take you to a vigil where thousands gathered to grieve and we also get a better picture of how emergency responders approached the harrowing morning.Plus we talk to a member of the Catholic community about reckoning with the profound trauma their church has faced.We learn more about the 23-year-old suspected shooter.And a mental health professional will share about how to talk to children about this scary moment as Minnesota students are returning to school next week.The Minnesota Music Minute was "The Road Home" by Stephen Paulus.

We're learning more information about the shooter who killed two children and wounded 18 others during the mass shooting in southwest Minneapolis yesterday [Wed]. Videos have emerged where 23-year-old Robin Westman espoused hatred for numerous groups of people, but didn't appear to have a coherent ideology or motivation for the violence. MPR News Senior reporter Jon Collins and Correspondent Kate Martin from APM Reports have been looking into Westman's background. Jon joins me to talk about what he found.

Beyond the two children who were killed during the attack at Annunciation Catholic Church Wednesday, 18 people were wounded. Fifteen were children as young as six and three parishioners in their 80s were shot. First responders took the injured to HCMC and Children's Minnesota for treatment. Dr. Tom Wyatt is the chair of emergency medicine at HCMC. He joins MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about what he and his colleagues have been dealing with at the hospital.