Minnesota Now

Minnesota Now live from opening day of the Minnesota State Fair!The State Fair has historically become a stumping ground for politicians. As we gear up for the midterms, we heard from outgoing U.S. Sen. Tina Smith.Plus, the fair is built on agriculture. Farmers from across the state bring their livestock. We met two baby animals being shown at this year's fair.And crop art has become a main attraction. We learned about the craft and how it's grown.We also talked to local musician Sophie Hiroko and heard some of her music.

On Minnesota Now, we play local music every day. And when we broadcast from the State Fair, that music is live.Sophie Hiroko is from from Duluth and has been making a pretty big name for herself in the Minnesota music scene. She won the 2025 Palomino grant from the Duluth band Trampled by Turtles, she released an EP, she was picked as one of First Avenue's best new bands of 2025, and she recently headlined at the 7th St. Entry. Now, she shared with MPR News that she has secured studio space to record her first studio album. Hiroko joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about her music career and play two songs.

Thousands of Minnesota youth are bringing their animals to the State Fair this year along with their families, their 4-H clubs or FFA chapters. It's a big lift to prepare an animal to be judged for a ribbon at the fair, and the Minnesota State Fair foundation has a grant program for first-time fair goers, the BELLE grant. BELLE stands for beginning exhibitor livestock learning experience. The grant helps pay for travel, animal show supplies and feed for the animals. It also helps set up the first-timers with a mentor. 12-year-old Madelyn Donnelly and her mentor Allison Van Nurden, who is in her first year of college - and last year of 4-H. They both brought their lambs to the Minnesota Public Radio stage at the Minnesota State Fair to talk to MPR News host Nina Moini about their experience as mentor and mentee.

For many Minnesotans, there are several State Fair staples. Maybe it's Sweet Martha's, or the giant slide. Or maybe it's seeing the butter sculptures. Over the past several years, the crop art exhibit has joined the list of must-see attractions. Marta Shore is the woman behind putting the contest and exhibit together, as the crop art and scarecrow assistant superintendent.Shore spoke to Minnesota Now host Nina Moini at the MPR stage.

Over the next 12 days, Minnesotans will walk through the state fair gates to encounter animals, art and decadent food. Politicians will have a chance to meet voters face-to-face, which could be especially important in a competitive midterm election year like 2026. Democratic U.S. Sen. Tina Smith kicked off one of the year's the most significant statewide races when she announced in 2025 she would not seek reelection. DFL Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan and Republican sports broadcaster Michele Tafoya are running for the seat. Smith now has a few months left in her term, with major budget and farming legislation before Congress. She joined MPR News host Nina Moini on the MPR stage.

Thursday marks one year since two children were killed and several were injured in a mass shooting at Annunciation Church and School in Minneapolis.When the call first came in of a shooting at Annunciation that morning, many of the Minneapolis police officers who ended up on the scene didn't know if it was real. But as more calls and details poured in, the reality of the situation quickly set in.Inspector Ryan Kelly got to the church within three-and-a-half minutes of the first 911 call, according to a new report released by the city this week. Dozens of other first responders soon arrived, including officers Valeria Perez Martinez and Liban Ibrahim.Minnesota Now heard from the three officers in interviews conducted and shared by the Minneapolis Police Department.

Thursday marks one year since the mass shooting at Annunciation Church and School in Minneapolis. Minnesota Now has a special one-hour program to remember the lives lost and hear how student survivors, parents and staff are grieving and healing. We hear from eighth graders who graduated from Annunciation and are now transitioning to high school. Plus, we learn how the school is supporting students and staff. And after the tragedy, parents mobilized to advocate for gun violence prevention. They worked with other parents who have a shared experience, from Sandy Hook. We have a special musical tribute to Fletcher Merkel, who was killed at 8 years old. And after Harper Moyski's death, her little sister has found sisterhood with Harper's best friends.

In the months after a deadly mass shooting at Annunciation Church and School last year, a group of Annunciation parents turned to organizing to prevent future violence. They met with state lawmakers and supported a range of policy changes, like a ban on assault-style weapons and more funding for mental health care. The Annunciation Light Alliance also found allies in Sandy Hook parents who have built a national advocacy network since the mass shooting at their children's' elementary school in Connecticut in 2012. To learn more about the past year of organizing and what's next, MPR News host Nina Moini talked with Annunciation Light Alliance co-founder Kristen Neville, who has five children at the school, along with Sandy Hook Promise CEO Nicole Hockley, who co-founded that group after losing her son Dylan, a first-grader, in the Sandy Hook tragedy.

Harper Moyski is remembered as a fearless leader, a beloved daughter and the best big sister. She was 10 years old when she was killed in the mass shooting at Annunciation Church and School. Since her death, her younger sister Quinn has formed a new friendship with Harper's best friends. They like to go to is Harper's memorial bench to reflect, heal and have fun. It faces the colorful Lyndale Park Rose Garden in south Minneapolis and it is one of many ways the girls keep Harper's memory alive. MPR News host Nina Moini sat down with Quinn, Orla, Savannah and Astoria to talk about their new friendship and how they're remembering and honoring Harper.

This week Minneapolis residents have a chance to share what they want to see in a new police chief, after former chief Brian O'Hara resigned in May. We'll hear from two city council members who are hosting listening sessions this week.The group collecting stories about the impact of the surge of federal agents will give its first public presentation this week. We'll hear from a member of the Minnesota Truth Council about the findings. The Department of Homeland security sent investigators here and to other states to look for noncitizen voters. We'll talk to an investigative reporter who learned that they didn't find much. An event Tuesday evening will celebrate Minnesota farmers through storytelling onstage.Our Minnesota Music Minute was “Funky Frog” by Rada K and the Cicadas, and our Song of the Day was “Bad for You” by Haley.

Voting and election integrity has been a central issue in the Trump administration. Yesterday, the Supreme Court cleared the way for Trump's executive order that looks to restrict mail-in voting. Though it leaves the door open for more legal challenges. It's just one of many ways the Trump administration has looked to cast doubt on the voting process. A new ProPublica investigation looks at how hundreds of Homeland Security Investigators were deployed to Minnesota and across the country to try to find and prosecute noncitizen voters. But it ended up with meager results. One of the reporters behind this story, Peter Elkind, joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about his reporting.

Tuesday night marks the start of a series of community listening sessions in Minneapolis to get input on what residents want in a new police chief. Chief Brian O'Hara resigned in May over allegations he interfered with an investigation into his conduct. Now, the city is in the process of selecting a new chief. City council member Michael Rainville represents downtown Minneapolis, and is hosting a listening session Tuesday evening. Council member LaTrisha Vetaw, who represents parts of north Minneapolis will host a listening session Wednesday evening. They both joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about what they're listening and looking for in a new police chief.

Minnesotans will get a chance to hear stories collected for the Governor's Truth Council starting this week.The council was created in March to document the impacts of Operation Metro Surge and Operation PARRIS on Minnesotans. The first of four public presentations sharing the council's findings will take place Wednesday.Jennifer Prestholdt is vice chair of the council and deputy executive director of The Advocates for Human Rights. She joined MPR News host Nina Moini to discuss the council's work.

Farming isn't usually a job that puts you on stage, in front of an audience. But farmers still have stories to tell — six farmers from around the state will tell theirs at the Minneapolis Central Library Tuesday evening. The event is called “Celebrating Minnesota's Farmers: A Love Story.” It's part of a storytelling series by the global non-profit, Food Tank. Food Tank president Danielle Nierenberg joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about the event along with Anita Fondikum, owner and operator of Shining Lights Farm in Princeton, Minnesota, who is one of the event storytellers.

President Donald Trump is threatening more tariffs on goods from our neighbors to the north. Relations soured with Canada this weekend after negotiations fell apart. What this means for Minnesota and our economy as the trade war deepens.A statewide coalition has formed to increase vaccination rates across Minnesota. We'll learn more about the effort.And the Trump administration is looking to roll back protections for millions of acres of forests nationwide. What that could mean for Minnesota's northern forests with the potential repeal of the "Roadless Rule."Plus, a new season is just around the corner for the Minnesota Vikings, while the Minnesota Lynx are nearing the end of theirs. We'll have the latest from our sports contributors. Our Minnesota Music Minute was “Summer” by Tasha and our Song of the Day was “Call Me” by The Immaculate Beings.

The Trump Administration has taken a step toward opening tens of millions of acres of forest nationwide to roads, logging and other development. That includes 62,000 acres in northern Minnesota. That land is protected under what's called the Roadless Rule, created by the Clinton administration in 2001. In a statement last week, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins called the rule “outdated.” She said repealing it will help local forest managers control wildfires. Supporters of this move also say allowing logging and other development in these areas will boost rural economies. But environmental groups say it will jeopardize public lands that people treasure. Public comment on the proposal is open through Sept. 21.Forest ecologist Lee Frelich and director Center for Forest Ecology at the University of Minnesota joined Minnesota Now to explain how Minnesota's forests could be impacted.

A new coalition is working to vaccinate more Minnesotans. It's called "Immunize Minnesota," and it's working through advocacy, education and partnership statewide to achieve its mission.The coalition so far has ten organizations, including the Minnesota Department of Health and 30 individuals across the public health sphere. Joining Minnesota Now is co-chair of the steering committee, Munira Maalimisaq, who is a family nurse practitioner and CEO of the Inspire Change Clinic.

The trade relationship between the U.S. and Canada has taken another sharp turn. Sky-high U.S. tariffs on some Canadian goods took effect over the weekend after trade talks between the two countries fell apart. President Trump is now threatening another 50 percent tariff on Canadian automobiles, auto parts and steel starting next year. Canada says it will retaliate, and Ontario Premier Doug Ford warned that Canada could cut off electricity and critical minerals to the U.S. if the conflict worsens. That's a particularly important story here in Minnesota, where Canada is a main trading partner and where people and businesses regularly cross the border in both directions. Livio Di Matteo is a professor of economics at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario, right over Minnesota's border with Canada. He joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about Minnesota and Canada's trade relationship.

Google has its eye on two rural Minnesota towns. It wants to develop data centers in Pine Island and Hermantown. The company held open houses Wednesday about their plans and faced big push back. In Hermantown, some people were escorted out by police. New data on kindergarten vaccine rates are out from the CDC. It shows Minnesota has the third lowest measles vaccination rate in the country. We spoke to a pediatrician about why rates are so low. Plus, we've been talking to the candidates for Hennepin County Attorney. Today, we heard from state Rep. Cedrick Frazier. And, we talked to the organizer of the first ever Midwest Black Book Fair taking place this weekend.The Minnesota Music Minute was “Let Me Buy You Coffee” by Matcha Fever. The Song of the Day was “Who Da Man” by Brother Jon Band.

Google is trying to smooth over some ruffled feathers in two small Minnesota towns where the tech giant hopes to build a couple of massive data centers.Wednesday evening, Google hosted what it called a community celebration in Pine Island, about 20 minutes northwest of Rochester, with free food, live music and family activities.That same night in Hermantown, outside of Duluth, the company held an open house to answer questions from area residents about the hyperscale data center it wants to build there.MPR News Rochester-based reporter Molly Castle Work and our Duluth-based reporter Dan Kraker gave us a look inside the events.

As kids start looking ahead to the new school year, health officials are looking at new immunization data – and it's showing rates have continued to fall over the last year especially in Minnesota. Kindergartners in our state have the second and third lowest vaccination levels in the country for DTaP and MMR, respectively, at 86 percent for both. These two vaccines are combination shots that protect against a myriad of diseases like whooping cough and measles.Minnesota also has one of the highest exemption rates at 6.9 percent.Dr. Andrea Singh, chair of pediatrics at HealthPartners and Park Nicollet, joined Minnesota Now to talk through what these ongoing trends mean.

This weekend is a first for Minnesota's literary scene. The inaugural Midwest Black Book Fair will bring Black authors and booksellers to north Minneapolis on Saturday. There will be food for sale, and books as well as workshops and panels. Terresa Hardaway, who's behind the event and the owner of Black Garnet Books in St. Paul, joined Minnesota Now to give a preview.Read more about the event here: Inaugural Midwest Black Book Fair will debut in north Minneapolis

There were two winners out of last week's primary: Former federal prosecutor and Acting U.S. Attorney for Minnesota Anders Folk and state Rep. Cedrick Frazier. It sets up a November matchup for the seat being vacated by Mary Moriarty. Minnesota Now host Nina Moini spoke with both candidates. We aired the conversation with Folk Wednesday and we heard from Rep. Frazier Thursday.Frazier is a three-term state representative and former public defender. His campaign has focused on gun violence and youth crime. He's also calling for more crime prevention and alternatives to incarceration.Voter's Choice: Anders Folk looks to bring federal prosecution experience to Hennepin Co. Attorney's office

Minnesota's gas prices are higher than the national average, after seeing a 20 cent spike in the past week. An expert explained what's behind the prices at the pump and what it would take for prices to decrease. A federal hemp ban may be delayed after a vote in Congress. Brewers of local hemp-THC drinks hope the delay gives lawmakers more time to reconsider regulations of the lucrative business. Plus, we heard from one of the candidates running for Hennepin County Attorney, Anders Folk. On Thursday, we'll hear from his opponent, Cedrick Frazier.MPR chief meteorologist Ben Cathey shared his weekly weather outlook. And local teen poets will showcase work that imagines the world they want to see.The Minnesota Music Minute was “Unbound” by Bizhiki and “My Friends, How to Fail“ by Piltdown was the Song of the Day.

There were two winners out of the August primary: Former federal prosecutor and Acting U.S. Attorney for Minnesota Anders Folk and State Rep. Cedrick Frazier. It sets up a November matchup for the seat being vacated by Mary Moriarty. We spoke with both candidates and will air those conversations Wednesday and Thursday, starting with Anders Folk.Folk signed the federal indictment against Derek Chauvin in the murder of George Floyd. He was also a senior counsel in the Department of Justice under President Joe Biden.Voter's Choice: Rep. Cedrick Frazier leans on 'wide variety of experience' in Henn. County Attorney race

How do teens imagine the future of our country and world? That's the question a group of youth poets will answer at a reading taking place Thursday at the Bell Museum. It's the culmination of a program that spanned several weeks where a group of teens took workshops and received mentorship from adult writers. In that time, they reflected on the 250th anniversary of the U.S. and were prompted to imagine the world they want to see. Knox Frederickson is one of the teen poets and a rising senior. Amanda Rosas is one of the mentors and a teacher at Visitation School. They talked with MPR News host Nina Moini and shared pieces of their work.

It's the fine print of federal laws that has made — and potentially unmade — the hemp-derived THC industry. Most recently, the U.S. Senate voted to delay a nationwide ban on these products from Nov. 12 to Dec. 12. The move was part of a government funding measure the House will need to approve when it returns from recess at the end of this month. One of the businesses watching this closely is Bent Paddle Brewing in Duluth. The brewery began selling hemp-derived THC drinks in 2022 and now has a countdown clock for the ban on its website, set to the November date. Bent Paddle co-founder and CEO Bryon Tonnis joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about how he's navigating the uncertainty and what a ban could mean for breweries in the state.Correction: This story has been updated with the correct effective date of the ban, under the Senate-approved vote to delay.

Gas prices are on the rise again. According to AAA, Minnesota's average on Wednesday sat at $4.14. That's 20 cents higher than a week before and higher than the national average.University of St. Thomas economics professor Tyler Schipper said it's not likely prices will significantly fall any time soon, unless there are long-term solutions to ongoing global conflicts and issues. He joined MPR News host Nina Moini to explain.

Gov. Tim Walz issued an executive order Tuesday blocking mining near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. If it holds up, the move will be the end of a proposed underground copper-nickel mine in the region. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is suing Texas to demand an ICE agent stand trial in Minnesota in the shooting of Julio Sosa-Celis in January. A Twin Cities church is hosting the first in what organizers hope will be a series of conversations about the federal surge. And residents in a downtown Minneapolis neighborhood are gathering to talk about a data center proposal in their area. Plus, a new fund is helping make movies in Minnesota.The Minnesota Music Minute was “Hey There's My Girl” by Your Smith. The Song of the Day was “Lake Avenue Blues” by Jon Sullivan Band.

Tuesday evening, a Twin Cities church is hosting facilitated discussions about the surge of federal immigration agents to Minnesota this winter and the increased scrutiny, arrest and detention of refugees. The federal government named these operations Metro Surge and PARRIS — terms that didn't exist a year ago and now carry specific memories, meanings and emotions for people across the state. The organizers of the event at Faith United Methodist in St. Anthony want to help people sort through what's happened across divides. It's part of the Minnesota Council of Churches Respectful Conversations project organized in partnership with the group Democracy 2076. MPR News host Nina Moini spoke to Pastor and MCC Director of Civic Dialogue Jerad Morey as well as Ade Salami more about the initiative.

Minnesota's tourism arm is trying to jumpstart the state's film industry — and a brand-new fund is helping local filmmakers get to the silver screen. The “10,000 Stories Fund” by Explore Minnesota Film and FilmNorth has picked 10 filmmaking teams to receive $10,000 to help create their work. Nell Lawrenz-Wareham, deputy director of Explore Minnesota Film, and filmmaker Alex Nystrom, who is a member of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and one of the recipients of the fund, joined Minnesota Now to share more about the effort.

Neighbors in the North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis are coming together this week to discuss a proposed data center. Developer Legacy Investing has signed a deal to buy the old Minnesota Star Tribune printing facility with intentions to turn it into a data center. Mary Binkley, president of the North Loop Neighborhood Association, and Fernando Burga, a senior research fellow at the Minnesota Design Center at the University of Minnesota, shared more about the workshops they're holding.

Gov. Tim Walz issued a state executive order Tuesday prohibiting copper-nickel mining over about 350 square miles in the Rainy River watershed in northeast Minnesota. The action comes just four months after Congress voted to overturn the Biden-era mining ban in the region.Duluth-based reporter Dan Kraker joined Minnesota Now to help us sort through it all.

An undercover operation by federal agents at a Minneapolis church may have violated a court order that barred immigration enforcement agents from being there. Plus, a look at the wave of Minnesota cities and counties that are ending their use of Flock cameras. A new investigation from MPR News and APM Reports takes a look at the man linked to a number of group homes in Minnesota, who is also a high-ranking government official in another country.Plus, it's been six weeks since wildfires broke out in northeast Minnesota. More ahead on how the U.S. Forest Service is trying to preserve the ecosystem while fighting the fires.And, the Vikings have a new starting quarterback. How he did in the first preseason game.Our Minnesota Music Minute was “Atmosphere of the Microcosm” by Paul Metzger and our Song of the Day was “Last Tuesday” by Chris Koza.

Wildfires have now been burning for six weeks in northeast Minnesota, in the Boundary Waters. The fires have burned more than 66,000 acres. And there are more than 650 fire personnel working to put the fires out. Putting the fires out responsibly is much more than just putting down hose lines. Joining Minnesota Now with more about the careful work to preserve the forest ecosystem while fighting fires is Matt Nourmohamadian, a fire resource advisor coordinator.

The Minnesota Vikings named Kyler Murray starting quarterback for the upcoming season. They played their first pre-season game against the New York Giants this weekend and won 13-10.But it came with the loss of a veteran defender. Jamal Adams tore his right quadriceps tendon during the game. And some are blaming the turf at MetLife Stadium in New York. Plus, the Minnesota Lynx beat the No. 3 Las Vegas Aces and are gearing up to play the No. 2 Golden State Valkyries on Wednesday. Minnesota Now sports contributors Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson have those sports headlines plus other Minnesota sports news. 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.

A new MPR News and APM Reports investigation reveals that the man behind a Medicaid-funded network of group homes in Minnesota is also a high-ranking government official in a country thousands of miles away from here. It's a story that raises questions about how closely the state is monitoring its group home industry — and the massive amounts of taxpayer money flowing into it. MPR News reporter Ellie Roth joined Minnesota Now to talk about her reporting.

An undercover federal operation at a Minneapolis church this spring may have violated a federal court order that blocks the government from enforcing civil immigration laws on the church's properties. Jon Collins broke the story over the weekend and joined Minnesota Now to talk about the latest.

Both St. Paul and Minneapolis recently released their budget proposals for 2027. We got highlights of those proposals from Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her.The state has released the results from a study looking at the experience and needs of LGBTQ+ Minnesotans.Plus, Minnesota high schoolers took part in shaping a national artificial intelligence policy for schools. We talked to one student and her principal about participating.And there's a new professional sports team in Minnesota — a Major League Volleyball team — and it finally has a name, the Minnesota Forge! We heard more about how they're gaining new fans ahead of their inaugural season.The Minnesota Music Minute was “Circuit” by The Real Chuck Norad. The Song of the Day was “Telluride” by Landon Conrath.

This upcoming school year, districts across the country have a new tool they can use: A national artificial intelligence policy. It was created in July by 98 teens, representing all 50 states.They gathered in Boston for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Day of AI, created a mock senate, and drafted and passed their own legislation that helps schools navigate artificial intelligence. Representing Minnesota were students and staff from St. Cloud. St. Cloud Tech High School student Bihmanji Acho and Principal Molly Kensy joined Minnesota Now to share more about the experience.

There's a new professional sports team in Minnesota. Announced in November, Major League Volleyball has gone from an idea to a roster to a coaching staff, and now it has an identity: Minnesota Forge. The Forge will begin playing in January 2027 at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul. Michelle Haines is president of the team, and spoke to MPR News host Nina Moini about the new team and their growing fan base.

The state has released the first results of a multi-part study looking into the experiences and needs of LGBTQ+ Minnesotans. More than 7,000 people responded to a community needs survey by the Council on LGBTQIA2S+ Minnesotans. Emma Watts, executive director of the Council, shared more about the findings with Minnesota Now host Nina Moini.