Minnesota Now

This week MPR News invites you to jump on the Minnesota Lynx bandwagon. Why? Because the No. 1 ranked team is in the playoffs which kick off this week. And they are looking great. Even if you don't know a thing about the WNBA, basketball or care about sports in general, the Lynx players are just plain fun to follow. At least that's what MPR News resident Lynx superfan tells us. MPR newscaster Emily Reese joined Minnesota Now to explain who the standout stars on the team are and why everyone should be watching the Lynx during the WNBA playoffs.

A shooting at a Minneapolis homeless encampment that left seven people injured is renewing questions about housing solutions and safety. We talk to a city leader in charge of homeless response.Annunciation students are back at school this week after a mass shooting. We talk to a parent about what it looks like to go back after a tragedy. Plus, we talk to two people who are looking at extremism in a new way: from a public health perspective. Chief meteorologist Paul Huttner joins us with a look at when this heat wave will end. And you may have heard of the StudBudz. They are two Minnesota Lynx players making waves with their pink hair. We learn all about them.

Wednesday night the Minnesota Lynx will play the Golden State Valkyries in Game 2 of the WNBA playoffs. As the playoffs heat up, MPR News' Emily Reese is reaching out a hand from the Lynx bandwagon and sharing everything new fans may want to know. First, we learned about the revenge tour: the Lynx are motivated to become champions this year after a loss attributed to a bad call last year. Then, we got to know the team's starters. This time, Reese joins Minnesota Now to talk about the StudBudz, Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman, and why their viral, but very real friendship means so much to fans.

A team of researchers at American University in Washington D.C. has shifted their approach to look at domestic extremism as a public health problem. The researchers work with the Polarization and Extremism Research and Innovation Lab, or PERIL. Minnesota is no stranger to these types of incidents, with the shooting of two lawmakers and their spouses in June and the recent mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School. Hala Furst, PERIL's director of strategic partnerships and Rabbi Seth Limmer, director of public affairs, join MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about their work.

Students at Annunciation Catholic School are back in the classroom this week for the first time since a mass shooting claimed the lives of two children and injured 21 other people. The school is providing mental health support for staff, students and their families as they navigate this transition. Aaron Rupar is a parent of two children who are new to Annunciation this year. He joins MPR News host Nina Moini on Minnesota Now.

Minneapolis city attorneys will be in court Wednesday afternoon in an attempt to stop property owner Hamoudi Sabri from allowing a homeless encampment on parking lots he owns. Earlier this week, a shooting at the encampment on Sabri's property in South Minneapolis left seven people hurt, including three who were critically injured. To learn more about the city's response to homelessness, MPR News host Nina Moini talks with Enrique Velázquez, director of regulatory services in Minneapolis.

Hopefully last week's cool temperatures didn't lead you to take out your window AC unit or turn your heat on because this week we have zigzagged back to seriously summery heat. MPR News chief meteorologist Paul Huttner joins Minnesota Now with the forecast.

Gov. Tim Walz is running for reelection in 2026. If he were to win, he would be the first ever Minnesota governor to win a third four-year term. And several Republican candidates have also started campaigns. Politics correspondent Dana Ferguson joined the show to explain the dynamics of the governor's race. Mayors from more than 100 cities and towns along the Mississippi are in the Twin Cities Tuesday. We learned how they're approaching issues like flooding, pollution and federal funding cuts. Xcel Energy wants to raise electricity rates, but it will need approval from state regulators. We talked to a consumer advocate about the proposal. All this week we're helping new Lynx fans get on the bandwagon. We explored the ins and outs of the team's starting five.Our Minnesota Music Minute was “Weedkiller” by POSTER BOY. Our Song of the Day was “Shotgun” by Sleeping Jesus.

Xcel Energy customers could see their electric bills jump by an average of $13 a month next year. That's if state regulators approve the rate hikes the company is proposing: 9.6 percent for 2025 and another 3.6 percent for 2026. Xcel, which is Minnesota's largest electricity provider, says the higher rates will fund investments in reliability, clean energy and its nuclear plants – and help it prepare for higher energy use in the future. The Public Utilities Commission, which is the board that regulates utilities in Minnesota, is holding meetings around the state this month to gather public input. Annie Levenson-Falk advocates for utility consumers as the leader of a group called the Citizens Utility Board. She joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about it. There's a virtual public hearing on electric rates Tuesday evening at 6:30 p.m. Others are scheduled around the state through next Thursday. In a statement to MPR News, Xcel wrote, “We are committed to meeting our state's growing demand for electricity, maintaining reliable service, working toward a cleaner energy future and keeping costs low for our customers. Our proposal reflects the needs expressed by our customers as they electrify their homes and businesses and invest in economic development.”

Mayors from up and down the Mississippi River are gathering in the Twin Cities this week for their annual conference. The event, organized by the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative, brings together local leaders from 107 cities across 10 states that border the river.It marks the first time these mayors have met in person since federal funding cuts reduced support for disaster mitigation and assessment, which are tools many river communities rely on as they face more frequent flooding, drought and other climate-related threats.Colin Wellenkamp, the executive director of the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative, and Red Wing Mayor Gary Iocco joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about what's on the agenda for mayors who lead cities along the Mississippi River corridor.

Gov. Tim Walz announced Tuesday that he'll try to make history by running for a third four-year term. The news was a long time coming. But there is a long way between now and when voters decide in November 2026.Politics correspondent Dana Ferguson joined MPR News host Nina Moini from the Capitol to break it down.

Lawmakers are meeting for the first time to discuss gun policy changes since the shooting at Annunciation. We'll learn more about what solutions state senators proposed and we'll hear about the memorial for 10-year-old Harper Moyski, who was killed in the shooting.As Annunciation students return to school this week, we'll hear from an organization providing mental health support to students and staff.Plus, some Minnesota immigrants are facing an uncertain future as changes come to two temporary immigration statuses. We'll hear from an expert and an advocate impacted by these changes. And we'll break down what you need to know for the Lynx playoff run and get all the other latest Minnesota sports news.Our Minnesota Music Minute was “Fly” by Anna Graves.

For Minnesota sports fans focused on football and baseball, this weekend wasn't the greatest. The Vikings lost to the Atlanta Falcons 6 to 22 in their home opener. The Gophers lost to the California Golden Bears in Berkeley. And the Twins lost to the Arizona Diamondbacks at Target Field. Joining Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to put these losses in perspective are our sports contributors, Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson.

The playoffs are finally here for the Minnesota Lynx. They've been the number one team in the WNBA all season long and seemingly just waiting for the big games to start. Well, they started Sunday with a first-round playoff game against the Golden State Valkyries and the Lynx won 101-72. It's just the start of what is being dubbed as the “revenge tour” for the Lynx, who are vying for the title after a heartbreaking loss last year against the New York Liberty. MPR newscaster and Lynx superfan Emily Reese joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to share the story behind what's fueling the Lynx's revenge.

Two recent court rulings impact the rights of more than one and a half million immigrants to legally live and work in the United States, including here in Minnesota. On Friday, a federal appeals court ruled the Trump Administration can end what's called humanitarian parole for Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela. But another program is still in legal limbo. Earlier this month, a federal court blocked the administration from ending Temporary Protected Status for Haitians and Venezuelans in the United States. Michele Garnett McKenzie is an immigration lawyer and co-executive director of The Advocates for Human Rights and shared the legal implications with Minnesota Now host Nina Moini. And David Policard founded the organization called VANSE to support Haitians in Minnesota and joined the program to talk about what he's hearing from immigrants on this status.

Annunciation Catholic School students will return to school on Tuesday. That's three weeks after a shooter killed two students and injured 21 others during a back-to-school mass. One organization providing support for kids as they make the transition back is Washburn Center for Children in Minneapolis. Joining Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk more about their efforts, are CEO Craig Warren and Beth Dahline a therapist and chief operating officer at the center.

A Minnesota Senate working group met Monday morning to discuss a variety of proposed solutions to deter gun violence following a Minneapolis mass shooting last month.The hearing is the first public meeting about policy changes since the shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School that left two dead and many injured last month. It could set the table for an anticipated special legislative session addressing violence prevention. MPR News senior politics reporter Dana Ferguson joined Minnesota Now with the latest on the hearing.

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.