Minnesota Now

Cleanup continues in southeastern Minnesota after several tornadoes ripped through over the weekend. We checked in with the Olmsted County sheriff about the damage and recovery efforts. And we got a tornado season forecast from our meteorologist.Recent cyberattacks on Spring Lake Park schools and Winona County have local officials wondering how they can better protect their systems. A cybersecurity expert had some insight and tips.We heard from a local organization about how the surge of federal immigration agents in Minnesota affected people facing domestic violence.We got more from Jessie Diggins' retirement celebration and our sports contributors recapped the start of playoffs for the Wild and Timberwolves.Our Minnesota Music Minute was "Still I Rise," composed by Rosephanye Powell and performed by the Twin Cities Women's Choir. Our Song of the Day was “Sideways” by Good Morning Bedlam.

As federal immigration enforcement ramped up earlier this year, many Minnesotans were living with a heightened sense of fear and uncertainty. Advocates say that fear extended beyond workplaces and schools, shaping how, or whether, survivors of domestic violence sought help.Leaders at Esperanza United, a Minnesota-based organization supporting survivors of gender-based violence in Latino communities, say they saw significant changes in how people navigated safety during “Operation Metro Surge.”Vivian Huelgo, president and CEO of Esperanza United, spoke with MPR News host Nina Moini about what survivors experienced during that time, and the stressors they still face now.

The Timberwolves and the Wild play tonight in each of their second games of their best-of-7 series. The Minnesota Timberwolves lost in their first game against the Denver Nuggets. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Wild had a strong start against the Dallas Stars. Joining Minnesota Now to talk about the teams playoff runs and other sports news are sports contributors Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson.

Severe weather season is off to a busy start, with several tornadoes. The National Weather Service has reported 11 tornadoes so far, though some may end up being duplicates. There have also been 68 total severe weather reports so far which includes hail and damaging winds. It's the most active start to severe weather season since 2022.MPR meteorologist Sven Sundgaard joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about the outlook for severe weather for the rest of the year.

Two recent cyberattacks have highlighted the risk that hackers pose to local governments. Last week, Spring Lake Park School District canceled school for two days after its technology team learned an outside actor had infiltrated its systems. A week before that, Winona County took its systems offline in response to its second cyberattack this year — the first was in January. Both Spring Lake Park schools and Winona County said they were working with law enforcement and cybersecurity consultants to understand what happened. Cyberattacks are becoming more common and more advanced, according to the state's information technology agency, MNIT. Local governments and contractors reported 269 cybersecurity incidents to the state between December 2024 and November 2025 — that averages to about five incidents a week.Faisal Kaleem is director of cybersecurity and cyber operations programs at Metro State University. He joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about a growing trend of cyberattacks.

Residents of Olmsted County in southeastern Minnesota are continuing cleanup efforts after storms over the weekend produced at least five tornadoes, according to crews with the National Weather Service. Those touched down in Stewartville and Marion Township, which are around 10 miles south of Rochester.Olmsted County Sheriff Kevin Torgerson joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about the extent of the damage and the cleanup efforts underway.

The U.S. senate overturned a ban on mining in the Boundary Waters Thursday. It's a win for mining companies — and a loss for environmentalists who say mining will pollute the region. We heard from a Minnesotan in the mining industry.And a New York Times reporter shared what she learned by talking with dozens of former and current DHS employees.A St. Paul elementary school will soon launch a historic Afrocentric curriculum for its majority Black student body. Plus, we heard from a documentary filmmaker following the Jacob Wetterling murder case — after it was closed — through the perspective of the Wetterling family. And we spoke to a Duluth writer who wrote a book about the best hikes in the country.The Minnesota Music Minute was “St. Paul” by Anchorhead.

In fall of 2026, a St. Paul elementary school will transform itself with a new learning model. Benjamin E. Mays, which currently runs under the International Baccalaureate — or IB — program, will instead be centered around an Afrocentric program and curriculum. It's been years in the making and it's historic as Benjamin E. Mays will become one of the only Afrocentric schools in the state. Danielle Hughes, principal of Benjamin E. Mays, and Stacie Stanley, superintendent of St. Paul Public Schools, spoke to Minnesota Now about the program.

For most Minnesotans, Jacob Wetterling's case is closed. But for those closest to the 1989 kidnapping and murder of the 11-year-old boy in Stearns County, this is never really over. It took 27 years for the case to be solved. A new documentary sticks with Jacob's family for years after his killer confessed and went to prison. That documentary is called “Echoes in the Night: The Search for Jacob Wetterling.” It premieres Saturday at the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival. Director Chris Newberry joined Minnesota Now to talk more about the film.

Whiplash, chaotic, dangerous and unsustainable. These are some of the ways a new report describes the accounts of former and current immigration agents and officials under the Trump administration. It comes from a new piece by the New York Times that gives a rare behind-the-scenes look into Trump's Department of Homeland Security. The team of reporters spoke with more than 80 former and current D.H.S. employees as well as Justice Department officials. This list includes ICE agents, lawyers and top leadership. They shared reflections on the last year plus, from Election Day 2024, through Operation Metro Surge and up to the replacement of former DHS secretary Kristi Noem in early March. Rachel Poser was one of the reporters on the story and she joined Minnesota Now to talk more about the story.

As a child, Stephanie Pearson grew up like a lot of northern Minnesota kids do: She hiked the Superior Hiking Trail from her home in Duluth and spent summers canoeing in the Boundary Waters. Those adventures kick started her career in outdoors writing. Her job has taken her all over the country and gave her the chance to explore national parks and remotes trails.Now, she's back in Duluth and has just published a book with National Geographic about her time on the trail titled, “100 Hikes of a Lifetime USA” She shared her favorite hikes and how she put this behemoth of a book together on Minnesota Now.

The U.S. Senate voted 50-49 Thursday morning to overturn a 20-year ban on mining near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Republican Rep. Pete Stauber, who represents northeastern Minnesota, introduced the legislation. Both of Minnesota's U.S. senators, Democrats Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, urged their colleagues to vote it down. President Donald Trump is expected to sign the measure into law. Its passage is a win for the company Twin Metals, a subsidiary of the Chilean mining firm Antofagasta, which aims to open an underground copper-nickel mine just south of the boundary waters.Julie Lucas represents Twin Metals and other companies as executive director of the industry group, MiningMinnesota. She joined MPR News host Kelly Gordon with reaction to the Senate's vote.

U.S. senators could vote Wednesday on legislation that would roll back protections against mining in the Boundary Waters. Supporters say there are great economic benefits to mining in the area, but those opposed say there are dire ecological risks. State Republican lawmakers took a preliminary step to impeach Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison Wednesday morning. We were inside the polarizing hearing. Plus, a look at the trend of young Minnesotans moving to rural parts of the state. Did you find yourself turning into an amateur astronaut during the Artemis Two mission? There is even more wonder to explore during Dark Sky Week. And we talked with Duluth musician Gaelynn Lea, who is out with her first memoir. The Minnesota Music Minute was Lea's rendition of the traditional song “The Parting Glass” and “Late Bloom” by Zippy Laske was the Song of the Day.

It was ten years ago that Gaelynn Lea rose to fame by winning the NPR Music Tiny Desk contest. Her memory of getting the call, is the first chapter of her new book “It Wasn't Meant to Be Perfect.” Lea was born with the rare genetic disease osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as brittle bones disease. Her memoir traces her upbringing in Duluth and how she's navigated her disability in all different facets of life. Lea spoke to MPR News host Kelly Gordon about her memoir.

Space has been a major topic of conversation lately, after four astronauts flew a figure-eight around the moon and returned safely back to Earth last weekend. The Artemis II livestream may be over, but if we are lucky, we can find a window to the universe just by looking up. This week happens to be dedicated to the night sky. International Dark Sky Week began in 2003 to raise awareness, not only of the beauty of nighttime, but also the artificial light that can erase it.Governor Tim Walz recently signed a proclamation recognizing Dark Sky Week in Minnesota for a third year in a row. And Voyageurs Conservancy, the non-profit partner of Voyageurs National Park in northern Minnesota, is leading a series of programs focused on the night sky. MPR News host Kelly Gordon talked with the group's associate director, Breanna Trygg.

A new report shows many parts of greater Minnesota are diversifying and growing. However, sustained population growth looks unlikely with an aging Baby Boomer generation and declining birth rates. That's the topline from the 2026 State of Rural report by the Center for Rural Policy and Development. Ben Winchester says there's even more to the story around these trends — and it has a lot to do with housing. As a rural sociologist with the University of Minnesota Extension, he studies housing dynamics across the state. MPR News host Kelly Gordon talked with him on Minnesota Now.

A Minnesota House committee went into rare and highly polarizing territory Wednesday. It began discussing impeachment of DFL Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison. As weighty as that sounds, it's important to note this is a preliminary step in a process that has next-to-no chance of coming to fruition. The resolution before the committee laid out a process to impeach the constitutional officers over their leadership during a time when Minnesota programs experienced widespread fraud. MPR News politics reporter Dana Ferguson was in the Capitol hearing. She joined MPR News guest host Kelly Gordon from the Capitol.

The U.S. Senate could vote Wednesday on legislation that would roll back protections against mining in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. If passed, this would overturn a 20-year ban on mining across more than 200,000 acres of the Superior National Forest that was put in place in 2023. The measure led by Minnesota Republican congressman Pete Stauber passed the House back in January. It has stalled in the Senate since. Chris Knopf, executive director of Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness, joined MPR News host Kelly Gordon to talk about the possible vote.

A Minnesota man was violently tortured and killed in New York in 2024. We heard from his family as the suspects in his death head to court. Plus, Ramsey County attorneys are investigating a federal immigration arrest as a possible kidnapping. In Minneapolis, a group of former diplomats gathered for a conference on nuclear proliferation in a tense global environment. And St. Paul's negotiating a new contract with its largest supplier of electricity. We also got the latest on the Minnesota Lynx after Monday's WNBA draft. And the movie Fargo turns 30 this year. We heard from the actor from an iconic scene involving a woodchipper.The Minnesota Music Minute was “The Lake” by Bunny Blood. The Song of the Day was “Feral Eyes” by Garden Tigers.

The city of St. Paul is in the midst of negotiating a new contract with one of its largest electricity suppliers, Xcel Energy. The final outcome of these discussions will be a new franchise agreement. Franchise agreements are contracts between a city and a utility laying out how the company can use the city's existing infrastructure to provide its services. Unidos MN has been working behind-the-scenes to push the city toward what it would see as a more climate-forward and flexible agreement with Xcel Energy. Madi Johnson, an organizer with Unidos MN, explained more about the process and what's at stake.

A group of former diplomats and foreign policy experts shared a stage Tuesday in Minneapolis to discuss a sobering topic: the potential spread of nuclear weapons around the world. The “Great Decisions Conference” by the organization Global Minnesota comes during a tense moment in global security. Nuclear weapons are a major part of the equation in the United States' and Israel's war with Iran. And a nuclear arms treaty between the U.S. and Russia expired earlier this year. Mary Curtin, one of the panelists and a former diplomat-in-residence at the University in Minnesota, joined Minnesota Now to talk about the gathering.

Film buffs around the world know the North Dakota city of Fargo thanks to the 1996 classic by the same name. The Coen Brothers filmed their darkly comedic, crime drama in Minnesota and filled it with scenes of bitter cold and exaggerated accents to represent their home state. The film turned 30 in March around the same time that Fargo's movie theater celebrated 100 years. The theater is commemorating both those birthdays Tuesday with a screening of Fargo and a Q&A event with Swedish actor Peter Stormare. He played the bleach-blonde, silent kidnapper Gaer Grimsrud, who's most infamous for his dealings with a woodchipper at the end of the film. Stormare talked with MPR News Fargo/Moorhead reporter Tadeo Ruiz Sandoval about the film's 30th anniversary.

We're keeping track of potential severe weather that could make its way to the Twin Cities and southern Minnesota Monday afternoon. There's possibility for large hail, damaging winds and a tornado threat. We'll check in with meteorologist Mandy Thalhuber. This weekend marked five years since the killing of Daunte Wright by police. The city of Brooklyn Center promised there'd be changes. We'll take a closer look at whether those changes have actually been made.The Trump administration is making more moves in an effort to assert more control over elections. One of those is the SAVE Act. We'll learn about that. Plus, a preview of two new exhibits centering Native artists at the Textile Center in Minneapolis.And we'll get a preview of WNBA draft night as the Lynx look to remake their roster. The Minnesota Music Minute was “Got My Mojo Working” by George “Mojo” Buford. Our Song of the Day was “Wobbuffet” by room3.

The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the New Orleans Pelicans in their final game of the regular season last night. But for many fans, the main event was sitting courtside. Kevin Garnett returned to the Target Center for the first time in eight years. The MVP played for Minnesota for 12 years starting in 1995, and again in 2015 for his final year before retirement. He's beloved among many Wolves fans, but kept his distance from the team for years due to a sour relationship with former owner Glen Taylor. Now that the franchise is under new ownership, Garnett has signed on as a team ambassador and the Wolves plan to retire his number 21 jersey. Meanwhile, heading into draft night Monday, the Minnesota Lynx features a nearly entirely new roster. In the past weekend, the Lynx signed multiple players in free agency and also lost several players. Minnesota Now sports contributors Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson joined the program with those sports headlines and more. Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.Subscribe to the Minnesota Now podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.We attempt to make transcripts for Minnesota Now available the next business day after a broadcast. When ready they will appear here.

Two new exhibits featuring Native artists from across the state opens Tuesday at the Textile Center in Minneapolis. One exhibit, “TWO-SPIRIT STORIES”, brings together six different emerging, Two-Spirit artists to respond to the question: “What is your story?” Across their pieces, they offer diverse and intimate reflections on the prompt.The second exhibit features 11 Dakota and Anishinaabe artists. From beadwork to canoes and baskets, “Mni Sóta: Traditions & Innovations” highlights the vast breadth of Native and textile art in traditional and contemporary ways. Penny Kagigebi is the curator for community collaboration for “TWO-SPIRIT STORIES.” She is a direct descendant of the White Earth Ojibwe. Delina White is curator for “Mni Sóta: Traditions & Innovations” and is a member of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. She is also the founder of “IamAnishinaabe” fashion house as well as Native Nations Fashion Night. Kagigebi and White joined Minnesota Now for a conversation about their exhibits.

Congress is back from spring break this week and the U.S. Senate is expected to debate the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act or SAVE Act. The legislation, which already passed the U.S. House, would set new federal standards for voting, including a new requirement that voters have "documentary proof of citizenship" in order to vote. The bill also requires states to hand over voter data to the Department of Homeland Security. Democrats are firmly opposed. This SAVE Act is just the latest effort by President Trump to assert more control over elections, as he continuously claims falsely that the 2020 election was stolen from him.Joining Minnesota Now to explain the bill and where it stands is University of Minnesota political scientist Larry Jacobs.

Members of Minnesota's House of Representatives heard from a variety of business owners, think tank leaders and government officials to better understand the scope of “Operation Metro Surge” on the state's economy. State Rep. Cedrick Frazier, DFL- New Hope, is co-chair of the House Ways and Means committee, which held the hearing about the economic impact and also is the author of a bill for a $100 million economic relief program for businesses impacted by the surge. Frazier spoke to MPR News guest host Kelly Gordon about the testimony he heard this morning and his effort to bring relief for businesses.

State lawmakers are getting involved in the financial crisis at Hennepin County Medical Center. Without action, the county warns the hospital could close by June. One lawmaker shared how he's trying to keep the busy Hennepin County trauma center open.After the murder of George Floyd, local nonprofits were overwhelmed by millions of dollars of donations. How one is still working to redistribute that money.And taxes are due next week! We got some last minute tips in the new episode of our series, Professional Help.Plus, a 90-year tradition is returning to the Twin Cities after a hiatus: The International Festival of Minnesota.Our Minnesota Music Minute was “Mexico” by 12 Rods. Our Song of the Day was “Sometimes, Not Always” by Mike Munson Trio.

We all need a little help to get through life sometimes. From everyday questions to more complex problems, we're asking the experts to lend us a hand in our series called Professional Help.The tax deadline is less than a week away, on April 15. If you haven't completed your taxes yet, you are far from alone. Even David Horn, the Master of Business Taxation Director at the University of Minnesota, told producer Ellen Finn that he hadn't completed his taxes just yet as early April rolled around. He has tips on how to get started, even if you're running behind.

Imagine walking through a festival and to your right, you smell sambusas from Somalia. And then to your left you hear the music of a Mexican Mariachi band. That is the multicultural experience you can have this weekend at the International Festival of Minnesota. If you grew up here or had kids here, you may remember attending its former namesake, the Festival of Nations. It ran nearly 90 years, and was the Midwest's oldest and longest-running annual multicultural celebration. It drew 30,000 people to the RiverCentre when it was last held in 2019. Due to the pandemic and rising costs, the event came to an end. But now it is back and it kicks off Friday. Steve Heckler is the executive director of the International Festival of Minnesota and he joined MPR News host Emily Bright to talk about this weekend's celebrations.

An effort is underway to redistribute $500,000 of funds raised following the murder of George Floyd in the summer of 2020. In total, Black Visions — along with an off-shoot organization Reclaim the Block — received some $30 million following the killing of George Floyd. Black Visions said more than $9 million have been redistributed already to other Black-led efforts across the state.Now, Black Visions is creating a new grant to share more of that money. Working in partnership with Headwaters Foundation for Justice, the goal is to provide immediate cash relief to Black Minnesotans facing hardship. Individuals can apply for one-time funding of $1,500, $2,000 or $5,000. Black Visions formed in August 2017 and was at the center of an effort to replace the Minneapolis Police Department in the wake of George Floyd's murder. Tiffany Dykes, director of development at Black Visions, shared more about the fund.

State lawmakers have begun to discuss a bill to help address the financial crisis at HCMC. The Hennepin County hospital is the state's busiest trauma center. It's also a teaching hospital and part of the healthcare safety net. It treats patients regardless of insurance. The hospital faces a $50 million projected shortfall this year. It slashed programs and positions in January. But Hennepin County commissioners have said that without action from state lawmakers, the hospital could begin closing in June. Lawmakers have responded with a proposal to use sales tax money to help cover the hospital's costs. During a House taxes committee meeting Thursday, former patients and healthcare providers testified in support of the bill, including Dr. Tom Wyatt, the hospital's emergency medicine chair.Rep. Danny Nadeau, R-Rogers, is a co-author on the bill and he spoke with guest host Emily Bright about his legislation.

In the last three months, a coalition of foundations have distributed millions of dollars in donations to support communities impacted by the federal immigration operation. We learned how they worked to quickly distribute money to those who needed it most.Minneapolis Public Schools students are all back in-person, with the district ending e-learning for students that were too scared to leave their homes. A district leader shared how staff are making sure kids are coming back to class. Plus, Minnesota is celebrating 75 years of Wildlife Management Areas, lands the Department of Natural Resources says have played an important role in protecting habitat. And we went “Out to Lunch” with a domestic violence advocate who is making sure African immigrant communities aren't left behind.

A group of philanthropic leaders say they have managed to raise and give out millions of dollars to organizations across the state in the span of just a few months. The Immigrant Rapid Response Fund will wrap up its final round of grantmaking this week. In total, nearly $14 million dollars will be distributed to more than 140 organizations.Ambar Hanson, the executive director of the Mortenson Family Foundation, shared more about their work on Minnesota Now.

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 Minnesota news and culture to get to know them better.Comfort Dondo has spent her career supporting women who have experienced domestic violence in the Twin Cities and beyond. She founded the nonprofit Phumulani in 2017 and has had her hands in community anti-violence and empowerment projects throughout the twenty years she's lived in the Twin Cities, after moving here from Zimbabwe as a teen. She met MPR News host Nina Moini at a restaurant that she said reminded her of home, Bolé Ethiopian Cuisine in St. Paul.

The “Land of 10,000 Lakes” is also the land of 10 million acres of wetlands. That may sound like a lot, but it is just about half the wetlands that existed in Minnesota before European settlement, according to the Department of Natural Resources. In the mid-20th century, government policies incentivized farmers to drain or fill wetlands, and crops spread across areas that were critical to birds and other wildlife. A movement to protect and recover wetlands grew into a system of state lands called Wildlife Management Areas. This year, the DNR is celebrating the 75th anniversary of this conservation strategy, which now includes about 1,500 WMAs across a variety of habitats. DNR Wildlife Section Manager Dave Trauba joined MPR News host Emily Bright to talk about the history and future of these areas.

Minneapolis Public Schools students returned from spring break this week as the district ended a temporary virtual option it launched in January. The purpose of that option was to sustain learning for students who were afraid to leave their homes during the surge of federal immigration agents to the state. More than 6,000 students used the virtual option at one point or another, according to the district. As they worked to support learning, educators raised concerns that immigrant students and students of color could experience a repeat of the academic losses and absenteeism that followed the COVID-19 pandemic. MPS Director of Student Retention and Recovery Colleen Kaibel joined MPR News host Emily Bright to reflect on the surge's impact on attendance and talk about her office's work moving forward.

President Donald Trump issued new threats against civilian infrastructure in Iran Tuesday. He's set an 8 p.m. EST deadline for the country to agree to a deal. We'll talk with the leader of one group in Minnesota's Iranian community. A viral video gives a glimpse into the lives of kids in Minneapolis who are bearing the impacts of events like the Annunciation shooting and the ICE surge. We'll talk with a therapist about how trauma impacts children and how to help. A plan to expand a dairy operation in West Central Minnesota is getting pushback from some neighbors and environmental advocates. We'll talk with a reporter who's been covering the proposal and the controversy. We'll get the latest on Minnesota sports from our sports contributors. Our Minnesota Music Minute was “Who's This?” by Ber. Our Song of the Day was “Cut Your Hair” by Pavement.

A Minneapolis woman went viral for sharing her experience at a playground - she said her story illustrates the trauma children in Minnesota are living with after the ICE surge and after the Annunciation school shooting in 2025.MPR News host Kelly Gordon talked with Ana Mariella Rivera, a therapist in St. Paul about how children are processing the impact of both traumatic events.

President Donald Trump is warning of a major escalation in the war in Iran, posting on social media Tuesday morning that a “whole civilization will die tonight.” Trump set a deadline of 7 p.m. Central for Iranian leaders to agree to a deal that include reopening the Strait of Hormuz or else the military will target bridges and power plants. Parham Alaei is the co-founder of the Minnesota Committee in Support of a Democratic Iran. He joined MPR News host Kelly Gordon to talk about his family back in Iran and the escalation this week.

If you stayed up for the men's NCAA championship Monday night, chances are today you're either celebrating or crumpling up your bracket and throwing it in the trash. While March Madness has officially come to a close, here at home the Twins are shaking off a strange home opener, and the Timberwolves are eyeing the playoffs. Minnesota Now sports contributors Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson joined Kelly Gordon to share the top local sports headlines.

A dairy company in west-central Minnesota has plans to expand one of its farms to become the state's largest dairy operation. It is raising concern from some local residents and environmental advocates. Riverview LLP, which runs West River Dairy near Morris says it's trying to increase capacity to meet growing demand across the country and world. Meanwhile, opponents say the move will hurt smaller dairy farms and the environment. The proposal is under review by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Michael Johnson, a news editor for Agweek who has been following the story, joined MPR News host Kelly Gordon to talk about what risks the expansion could have to the environment and what locals are saying.