MPR News with Angela Davis

We think of wildlife as separate from urban life. But there are a lot of wild critters living all around us in the city. Turkeys have made a remarkable comeback in the last few decades after being driven entirely out of Minnesota. Deer, squirrels, rats and racoons are regular visitors to many people's back yards. And, a relatively new research project is documenting how coyotes and foxes are vying for territory in city neighborhoods. MPR News host Angela Davis talks about the secret lives of wild animals in our midst and how they interact with each other and with us. Guests: Geoff Miller is a post-doctoral associate in the department of fisheries, wildlife and conservation biology at the University of Minnesota, where he works with the Twin Cities Coyote and Fox Project. His research focuses on how coyotes and foxes live in urban areas, and interact with each other and humans. Marlene Zuk is a professor in the department of ecology, evolution and behavior at the University of Minnesota. Her newest book is “Outsider Animals: How the Creatures at the Margins of Our Lives Have the Most to Teach Us.” Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS. Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.    

When most of us think about 911, we picture flashing lights and first responders arriving on the scene. But that fast emergency response starts somewhere else — with a person answering the phone. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with a 911 call taker, a dispatcher, and the director of Minneapolis's 911 call center about what happens after the phone rings — how they gather critical details, move information through the system and send help where it's needed. Guests:Joni Hodne is the director of the 911 Emergency Dispatch Center in Minneapolis. She oversees the city's 911 operations, including staffing and training.Lori Patrick is a dispatcher who has been working at the 911 Emergency Dispatch Center in Minneapolis for over 30 years. She dispatches first responders in the field, relaying crucial information in real time. Ben Jacobs is a call taker for the 911 Emergency Dispatch Center in Minneapolis. He takes emergency calls, gathers critical information and often helps callers stay calm in emergencies.

The Science Museum of Minnesota has wowed generations with its dinosaur fossils, including an 80-foot Diplodocus. And tens of thousands of people have visited its other exhibits explaining everything from outer space to the history of race.But these days, fewer people are visiting.Like other cultural institutions across the country, the St. Paul museum has struggled to lure people back after the COVID-19 pandemic. Attendance is half of what it was in 2019, forcing the museum to eliminate summer camps, lay off employees and make other cuts.MPR News host Angela Davis talks about what contributed to the drop in visitors and how the museum is trying to sell more people on its cool collections, current exhibits and educational programming.Guests:Alison Rempel Brown has been the president and CEO of the Science Museum of Minnesota since 2016. She was previously chief of staff at the California Academy of Sciences.Colleen Dilenschneider is founder and managing member of IMPACTS Experience, a market research firm that works with cultural organizations, including museums, zoos, aquariums and science centers. She is based in Chicago.Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation. 

Snow is still on the ground across parts of Minnesota, but it's not too early to start thinking about spring allergies. Coming up at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two allergists about what's coming this season and how to get ahead of it.Guests:Dr. Alice Knoedler is an allergist and immunologist at Midwest Allergy and Asthma, which is part Midwest Ear, Nose and Throat Specialists, a group of clinicians based in and around the Twin Cities. Dr. Zachary Rubin is a pediatrician and allergist who practices at Oak Brook Allergists in Chicago. He is also author of the recently published book, “All About Allergies: Everything You Need to Know About Asthma, Food Allergies, Hay Fever, and More.”Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

Foundations play a big role in supporting nonprofit work in Minnesota.One of the most prominent is the Bush Foundation. Founded in 1953 by 3M executive Archibald Bush and his wife Edyth, the foundation gives grants in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and the 23 Native nations sharing that geography. Its funding is helping train Ojibwe language teachers, create a loan pool for Black homebuyers and launch Latina child care businesses.It's supported everything from duck habitat restoration in South Dakota to programs for entrepreneurs in rural Minnesota. And it invests in emerging leaders through its longstanding Bush Fellowship program.MPR News host Angela Davis talks with the president of the Bush Foundation, Jen Ford Reedy, about how philanthropy is changing, how it shapes a community and how the Bush Foundation has responded to community upheavals, including the recent immigration enforcement surge and the murder of George Floyd. Guest: Jen Ford Reedy has been president of the Bush Foundation since 2012. Reedy was previously chief of staff and vice president of strategy for the St. Paul and Minnesota Foundation, where she led the creation of GiveMN.org and Give to the Max Day. She has also worked as a consultant with McKinsey and Company and directed the Itasca Project, a CEO-led regional civic initiative in the Twin Cities. She sits on the board of the Council on Foundations. Editor's note: MPR has received funding from The Bush Foundation.

This is a time of real uncertainty for agriculture in Minnesota. Crop prices are fluctuating, the cost of fuel and fertilizer remains high, and tariffs and global trade uncertainty are adding another layer of pressure on farmers trying to make a profit. As spring planting season begins, farmers need to make some big decisions — facing a lot of unknowns. For many families, farming is not just tied to income, but to identity, tradition, and generations of work. So when things feel unstable, the impact goes far beyond the farm. MPR News host Angela Davis talks about how Minnesota farmers are managing the challenges.Guests:Thom Petersen is the commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Before being appointed commissioner, he was the director of government relations for the Minnesota Farmers Union. He has spent most of his life working for a horse and farm business. Megan Horsager is a farmer in Chippewa County. She works on Stevens farms with her family, where they raise sugar beets, corn, soybeans, alfalfa and silage. Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS. Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.   

What's it like to be married for 34 years to someone who wrote a book called “What Happy Couples Do.” That's the lucky situation in which Brian Bruess finds himself. He is president of the College of St. Benedict and St. John's University and the first president to lead both schools. His wife, Carol Bruess, is nationally known for her research on relationships and communication and is the schools' scholar-in-residence for relationships and dialogue. MPR News host Angela Davis continues her Power Pairs series talking with Carol and Brian about how they've supported each other in marriage, careers and creating community on campus. Guests: Brian J. Bruess is the president of the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University outside of St. Cloud, Minn. He started in July of 2022 and is the first person to serve as the joint president for both schools. He was previously president of St. Norbert College in eastern Wisconsin. Before that he worked for over two decades in administration at St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minn. Carol Bruess is scholar in residence for relationships and dialogue at the College of St. Benedict and Saint John's University and professor emerita of communication and family study at the University of St. Thomas. She researches, speaks and writes about how to create healthy relationships. She's the author of five books, including “What Happy Couples Do,” and “Family Communication in the Age of Digital and Social Media.” Do you know a Power Pair?“Power Pairs” is a series featuring prominent Minnesotans in a close relationship. You may know of them separately but they reveal a new side of themselves when they sit down together. Listen to past interviews here and submit your idea for a future Power Pair here.Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.    

When federal agents surged into Minnesota in January, communities didn't just face a legal issue. They faced a moral one. Faith leaders showed up. Churches became distribution hubs for food and diapers. Nonprofits organized ride shares and distributed rent money. Clergy mobilized to protest, sing, champion and, in some cases, face arrest. “Our faith compels us,” was the common refrain. “Operation Metro Surge” is over now. But churches, mosques, synagogues and faith-based nonprofits say their work is just ramping up. A group of faith leaders joined MPR News host Angela Davis for a North Star Journey Live event at our studios in downtown St. Paul on Thursday, March 26, to talk about what they experienced on the front lines of the immigration enforcement surge and how their faith both compelled and comforted them. They also shared gifts from their own faith traditions to help Minnesotans process our collective moral injury. For such a time as this Guests: JaNaé Bates Imari is a minister and the co-executive director of ISAIAH, a multi-racial, multi-faith, nonpartisan coalition of faith communities in Minnesota.Rev. Hierald Osorto is senior pastor of St. Paul's-San Pablo Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, a multicultural, multilingual, inclusive Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) congregation.Rabbi Arielle Lekach Rosenberg is lead rabbi at Shir Tikvah Synagogue, a reform congregation in south Minneapolis.Imam Mowlid Ali serves as an imam and youth counselor at Abubakar As-Saddique Islamic Center in Minneapolis.Subscribe to MPR News with Angela Davis on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.

Federal job cuts last year hit one group the hardest — Black women. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with a journalist who interviewed some of the women who lost their jobs about how they are doing a year later — financially and emotionally. The article was published recently in Hammer and Hope, an online magazine that focuses on Black politics and culture.Guest:Natalie Moore is a senior lecturer and director of Audio Journalism Programming at Northwestern University in Illinois. She was a reporter and editor at the Chicago public radio station, WBEZ, for 17 years where she was known for her reporting on segregation and inequality.She writes a monthly column for the Chicago Sun-Times and she is also the author of “The South Side: A Portrait of Chicago and American Segregation.” And she is co-author of “The Almighty Black P Stone Nation: The Rise, Fall and Resurgence of an American Gang” and “Deconstructing Tyrone: A New Look at Black Masculinity in the Hip-Hop Generation.”

Hennepin Healthcare operates one of Minnesota's largest and most essential hospitals, HCMC, formerly known as Hennepin County Medical Center. And it's not in good health.The hospital provides emergency trauma and burn care to patients from across Minnesota and trains more than a third of the region's future doctors.But that mission comes at a cost. The public hospital serves more low-income and uninsured patients than other hospitals, leaving it especially vulnerable as federal Medicaid cuts take hold and the number of uninsured Minnesotans rises. Add in other mounting financial pressures, and leaders say the system is being pushed to the brink.HCMC has already eliminated 100 positions, reduced services and is now seeking sales tax revenue just to stay afloat.MPR News host Angela Davis talks with her guests about the financial crisis at HCMC, why other hospitals are also struggling and some possible solutions. Guests: Jan Malcolm was appointed by Gov. Tim Walz as his senior adviser on hospitals and health systems. She served as Minnesota's health commissioner under three governors, stepping down in 2023 after guiding the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. She previously served in executive positions at Allina Health and HealthPartners.Dr. Rahul Koranne is president and CEO of the Minnesota Hospital Association. He leads the organization in advocating for Minnesota's hospitals and health systems, focusing on sustainability, workforce challenges and community health. He previously served as the MHA's chief medical officer.

It's a tough moment in the job market right now.Layoffs are happening across industries, and for recent graduates just starting out, getting a foot in the door can feel harder than ever.If you're not out of work, you likely know someone who is — a friend, a partner or a family member. For a lot of us, work is tied to our sense of purpose, identity and even self-worth. So, a job loss can ripple beyond the loss of a paycheck. MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about what unemployment can do to our mental health — and how people are coping.Guests:Connie Wanberg is a professor and a leading researcher on unemployment and job search behavior at the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota.Eli Blase is a therapist who owns Blase Therapy Solutions, a private practice based in south Minneapolis.

Repa Mekha saw slim opportunities for himself and his peers growing up as a young Black man in Milwaukee.He ended up in prison, where he started college and embarked on his life's work of figuring out what it takes to create more paths forward for Black Americans and other groups left out of mainstream economies.He worked with homeless teens in the Twin Cities and got a master's degree from Harvard University. He also founded a nonprofit that promotes cooperatively-owned businesses and distributes “wealth-building” grants to people who are descendants of the transatlantic slave trade.MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Repa Mekha about his life and vision for building wealth and wellbeing for Black Minnesotans.

Technology is changing how we work, how businesses operate and how decisions get made — from artificial intelligence to cybersecurity and automation. And it's happening quickly. Some leaders in the state's tech sector say Minnesota has the opportunity to lead — by bringing companies together, developing talent and thinking carefully about how technologies like AI are built and used. MPR News guest host Chris Farrell talks with some of those leaders about the opportunities, the concerns and how Minnesota is preparing people for a changing workforce.Guests:Joel Crandall is the president and CEO of the Minnesota Technology Association.  Elizabeth Adams is the founder and chief engagement officer of the Minnesota Responsible AI Institute.  

What makes tree sap start running in late winter? And how do you tap a tree without harming it? MPR News host Angela Davis talks about the science behind maple syrup, how climate change is affecting the sap season in Minnesota and what trees may better withstand climate change. Guests:Laura Irish-Hanson is an extension educator at the University of Minnesota.Brandon Miller is an assistant professor of horticulture and curator of Plant Collections at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

The weight of the world is increasingly showing up in therapy these days — from fears of the war with Iran to worries about the job market to anxiety about immigration enforcement. And, the counselors themselves are also feeling the strain.MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two mental health professionals about how therapists are coping with stress and burnout, and how all of us can take care of ourselves in difficult times. Guests: Darcie Davis-Gage is director of the Minnesota Center for Rural Behavioral Health at Minnesota State University Mankato, which provides mental health counseling in southern and central Minnesota and clinical training for students. She is a licensed mental health counselor and previously worked as a clinician and educator in Iowa. Nancy Rocha is a licensed clinical social worker and clinical manager at Canopy Mental Health & Consulting with locations in Northeast Minneapolis and Richfield, Minn. She sees clients and provides oversight and support to the clinical team.  Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.    Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.     

The wage gap facing women in Minnesota has barely budged in more than a decade. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two nonprofit leaders about how they think mentorship can help close it.Guests:Ethelind Kaba is the executive director of the Ann Bancroft Foundation, a nonprofit that works to empower girls to achieve their highest potential and dreams. Gloria Perez is the president and CEO of the Women's Foundation of Minnesota. She is a former president and CEO for the Jeremiah Program, a nonprofit that aims to end poverty for single mothers and children. And she was the executive director of Casa de Esperanza – now Esperanza United – where she mobilized Latinas to end domestic violence. 

MPR News host Chris Farrell and meteorologist Sven Sundgaard talk about the powerful March snowstorm that brought blizzard conditions and dangerous travel to central and southern Minnesota over the weekend.Guest:Sven Sundgaard is an MPR News meteorologist.Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.     

Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in the U.S. But when it's caught early, the survival rate is around 90 percent, according to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance.MPR News host Angela Davis talks about symptoms that shouldn't be ignored, common misconceptions about family history, and what treatment looks like today.

If you've lived in Minnesota for a while, you've probably noticed that winters are changing. They're not quite as cold as they used to be. We get less fluffy snow that stays on the ground. And, sometimes, we even get winter rain.These local changes are closely linked to global warming, as greenhouse gases released by human activities continue to heat the planet.MPR News host Angela Davis talks with a climatologist and a climate journalist about how seasons in Minnesota are changing, how the state is doing on its goals to reduce carbon emissions and how the Trump administration has pulled back on addressing global warming.

Over the past few years, the car market has gone through some changes.It's getting more expensive to buy a vehicle. Prices for new cars are high and so are interest rates, leaving many buyers stretching payments over six or even seven years to keep monthly costs manageable. Used cars aren't as affordable as they used to be and insurance and repair costs are rising too. At the same time, the types of vehicles on the market are shifting. Electric vehicles are more common. So are SUVs.So, what does this all mean if you're thinking about buying a car?  MPR News host Angela Davis talks with her guests about the economics of buying a car in 2026 — what's driving prices, how financing is changing and what buyers should know before heading to the dealership.Guests:Chris Farrell is senior economics contributor for MPR News and Marketplace. Joseph Yoon is the consumer insights analyst for Edmunds, an online resource for researching and buying both used and new vehicles. 

Ramsey County is changing how it responds to young people who commit crimes — and early results show their new approach is working. In the past, young offenders were charged much like adults. They were sent to court and often placed on probation or assigned community service. The new approach, sometimes called restorative justice, goes deeper. It pulls in members of the community, considers why the crime happened and helps young people understand the harm they caused while also holding them accountable. MPR News host Angela Davis talks about why more communities across Minnesota are using restorative justice and about a new a study in Ramsey County that shows it dramatically reduces repeat offenses.

Protein is having its moment. Protein powders are marketed to young men who want to bulk up and to women in menopause to prevent losing muscle mass. It's also being added to everything from cereal to bagels, pasta and pancake mix. And, in January, federal dietary guidelines nearly doubled the amount of protein per day Americans are recommended to consume, with a focus on meats and full-fat dairy products. So, with all the protein hype, how much do we really need?MPR News host Angela Davis talks about our current protein obsession along with smart and budget-friendly ways to get the nutrition we need for a healthy life. Guests:  Tara Schmidt is a registered dietitian and instructor of nutrition at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. She is also the lead dietitian for the Mayo Clinic Diet, host of the podcast “On Nutrition,” and co-authored “The Mayo Clinic Diet: Weight Loss Medications Edition.”  Aimee Tritt is a practicing dietitian in private practice. She is also a clinical assistant professor of nutrition at the University of Minnesota in the College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resource Science.  

One in five Minnesota households can't afford the food they need. MPR News host Angela Davis talks about hunger in Minnesota — who's affected, what keeps people from seeking help, and potential solutions. Guest:Sarah Moberg is the chief executive officer at Second Harvest Heartland, which is one of the largest food banks in the country. It provides services in central and southwest Minnesota and western Wisconsin. She worked at General Mills for 25 years, where she was most recently the senior director of Innovation, Technology and Quality. For help finding free food, call or text the Second Harvest Heartland helpline: 866-844-3663.Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.     

Increased federal immigration agents in parts of Minnesota has had ripple effects that are affecting child care. Some child care centers are reporting drops in attendance as families keep children home out of fear. And, staff members are strained as they worry about their own safety.  MPR News host Angela Davis is joined by early childhood education reporter Kyra Miles to talk about how the increase of federal immigration agents is affecting the child care industry and children, families and child care workers. Guests:Kimberli Benhoff is the program director of Rise Early Learning Center in St. Louis Park.Tiffany Taylor is a teacher at South Metro Childcare Academy in Bloomington. 

When the world feels heavy, we look for small escapes.For some, that means tuning out the headlines to binge a new show or watch a must-see film.MPR News host Angela Davis talks with NPR's TV and media critic and a Twin Cities entertainment writer about what they're watching — and the hottest shows and movies right now.Guests:Eric Deggans is the TV critic, media analyst and guest host at National Public Radio.  He is also the Knight Professor of Journalism and Media Ethics at Washington and Lee University in Virginia. Lily Osler is an entertainment writer based in the Twin Cities. Her writing has been published in the New Yorker, Racket and Reactor. She is also the managing editor of Episodes, a newsletter and pop-culture blog. 

President Donald Trump took the national stage Tuesday night for his State of the Union address at a pivotal moment for his presidency and for his party.MPR News host Angela Davis talks about what the president said — and didn't say — with a historian, a political scientist and our listeners. Guests: Yohuru Williams is a distinguished university chair, professor of history and founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas.Whitney Court is a professor of political science and chair of political science at the College of St. Benedict and St. John's University. Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.    

Americans say staying informed is essential to participating in civic life — especially when it comes to voting. But a new Pew Research Center study finds that many people also feel overwhelmed by the news, are distrustful of what they see and are increasingly selective about what they pay attention to.So what does that mean for local journalism?MPR News host Angela Davis talks about how newsrooms are trying to adapt to changes in news consumption with the editor of the Minnesota Star Tribune.Guest: Kathleen Hennessey is the editor and senior vice president of the Minnesota Star Tribune. Prior to her current role, she was deputy politics editor for the New York Times. Before that, she led the regional politics team for the Associated Press. She covered the White House during President Barack Obama's second term for the LA Times and the Associated Press and was the White House editor and deputy bureau chief for the Associated Press during President Donald Trump's first term.Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

The immigration enforcement surge has taken an economic toll on many Minnesota communities, especially in the Twin Cities. As workers and customers stay home, some restaurants, construction firms and other businesses that employ immigrants are struggling to stay open. Minneapolis officials estimate the city lost more than $200 million in economic activity in a single month. And, when spending contracts this quickly, the impact ripples through industries far beyond those directly touched by immigration enforcement.MPR News host Angela Davis takes a look at the economic impact of ICE, proposals from local and state governments to support struggling businesses and how to move forward. Guests:Chris Farrell is the senior economics contributor for MPR News and Marketplace. Neil Linscheid is a state specialist in entrepreneurship and expert in community economics for University of Minnesota Extension. He works alongside local leaders to develop practical, community-centered strategies that build and drive long-term economic health. Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.  

The Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus is one of the oldest and largest gay choruses in the country. For 45 years, it's built a sense of community among its singers and has spread joy and awareness in the broader community. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with the artistic director and chorus members about the choir's history and how music can heal and bring people together through hard times. Guests: Gerald Gurss has been the artistic director of the Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus since 2018. He is also a composer and has served as artistic director and founder of choruses in North Carolina.  Carlos Saldaña sings tenor with the Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus. He joined the chorus in 2013 and has also served in several roles, including as a member of the board of directors.  Mikal Nabors is a tenor with the Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus. He joined the chorus in 2011 after singing with the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus.  

More federal funding for public health is on the chopping block. MPR News host Angela Davis talks about what the cuts could mean for Minnesota and why a federal judge stepped in to temporarily block them. 

MPR News host Angela Davis talks with former St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter about his eight years in City Hall, the lessons he's learned and what's next.Guest:Melvin Carter III served as mayor of St. Paul for eight years. Elected in 2017 and reelected in 2021, he was the city's first African American mayor. Prior to his election as mayor, he served as St. Paul City Council member for Ward 1, representing the neighborhood he grew up in. He is the founding board chair of the St. Paul Promise Neighborhood and served as the director of the Minnesota Office of Early Learning. He has roots that go back four generations in St. Paul. His father was a St. Paul police officer and his mother was a teacher and Ramsey County commissioner.

The immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota is ending, said Tom Homan, the border czar for President Donald Trump.Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said Thursday he'll back an aid package to support state businesses, especially immigrant-owned business, hurt by the surge of federal immigration agents in Minnesota over the past two months.Walz told reporters he'll propose a $10 million emergency fund, similar to an effort during the COVID-19 pandemic, that would offer forgivable loans targeted at small businesses.During this special coverage following the announcement from Homan, MPR News host Angela Davis talks with guests about the impact of the immigration surge on the community. Plus we'll hear live coverage of Gov. Walz's announcement and comments regarding the federal immigration actions.Guests:Michael Lansing is a professor of history of Augsburg University who has studied the history of policing in Minneapolis.Brian Bakst is the MPR News politics editor.Dana Ferguson is a politics reporter for MPR News.Zachary Aaker is an immigration attorney at Martin Law in Bloomington, Minn.Zena Stenvik is the superintendent of Columbia Heights Public School District.Brenda Lewis is the superintendent of Fridley Public Schools.

The federal immigration enforcement actions have brought a sense of fear and uncertainty to many communities in Minnesota. Many people — especially immigrants and their families — are feeling unrelenting stress. Others are feeling anxious and exhausted as their workplaces, schools and neighborhoods navigate sudden changes and loss. Coming up at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, MPR News host Angela Davis talks about how to live through a crisis — how to process grief, protect yourself when anger is everywhere and cope when you feel overwhelmed without resorting to “toxic positivity.”

Names removed from mailboxes. Businesses shuttered. More packages from online retailers. These are just a few of the changes mail carriers say they've noticed since President Donald Trump's administration sent a surge of federal immigration agents to Minnesota in early December.MPR News host Angela Davis hears from mail carriers about how ICE activity is affecting their work and the people they serve, and how their familiar routes feel different.Guests:Artis Curiskis is a reporter and producer for the Center for Investigative Reporting — a nonprofit, independent, investigative newsroom that produces the radio show “Reveal,” the print magazine Mother Jones and the podcast “More To The Story.” You can hear his recent report about the changes mail carriers are noticing on their routes here: How Minneapolis Taught America to Fight Back.Luke Ferguson is a U.S. Postal Service mail carrier who delivers along a Minneapolis route ten blocks from where he grew up.Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.     

Construction always slows during winter in Minnesota. But this year, federal immigration crackdowns are causing an even bigger slowdown in the industry.Builders and remodelers who rely on immigrant labor say enforcement activity is making it harder to keep crews on the job. Many immigrant workers are staying home out of fear — worried about being detained, questioned and harassed by immigration officers. And when crews aren't available, projects drag on and costs rise.  MPR News host Angela Davis talks with a homebuilder and a labor organizer about the impact of federal immigration enforcement on workers, businesses and the construction industry. Plus, MPR News senior economics contributor Chris Farrell shares the latest economic news headlines. Guests: Dave Remick is the owner and president of McDonald Construction, a smaller, custom homebuilding company based in Burnsville, Minn. with projects throughout the greater Twin Cities.  Patricio Cambias is an organizer with Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en la Lucha, an organization working to protect worker rights and improve conditions for non-unionized workers in the construction industry in the Twin Cities metro area. 

For many people, the federal immigration activity in Minnesota creates fear and raises urgent questions about safety and belonging. For others, it's a call to witness, document and respond. Artists are often among the first to translate historic moments like this — to give shape to emotions that can feel overwhelming or hard to name. Through poetry, visual art, murals, performance, and music, they help communities process what's happening in real time. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with a poet, a ceramic artist and a graphic artist about what they're seeing, feeling and creating in this moment.Guests:Junauda Petrus is the Poet Laureate for the city of Minneapolis. She is an author, playwright, filmmaker and co-founder of the experimental artist collective, Free Black Dirt. She is the author of the award-winning young adult novel, “The Stars and the Blackness Between Them,” and the children's book, “Can We Please Give the Police Department to the Grandmothers?”   Terresa Hardaway is the owner and creative director of Blackbird Revolt, a social justice-based design studio in Minneapolis. She's an associate professor of graphic design and the director of Design Justice in the College of Design at the University of Minnesota. She is also the owner of Black Garnet Books in St. Paul. Sayge Carroll is an artist and co-founder of Mudluk Pottery Studio in Minneapolis.  

Federal immigration enforcement is fueling a growing rent crisis. Many immigrant workers — even those with legal authorization — fear leaving home due to increased enforcement, while others are losing income as workplaces cut hours or shut down. Without paychecks, rent and other bills go unpaid.Advocates report a surge in calls to tenant hotlines and emergency assistance programs, particularly in immigrant communities, and some leaders are calling for a temporary ban on evicting tenants. MPR News host Angela Davis discusses how immigration enforcement is upending people's livelihoods and how communities are responding.

Federal immigration enforcement has entered a new era. ICE agents are now deploying facial recognition software, social media monitoring, and other digital tools to identify immigrants and surveil protesters. MPR News host Catharine Richert and her guests take a hard look at how these technologies work, where the law draws the line, and what the expansion of digital surveillance means for privacy for all of us. If you've ever wondered how much your digital footprint can reveal, join us for tonight's conversation.Guests:William McGeveran is the dean of the University of Minnesota Law School where he teaches data privacy.Shubhanjana Das is a reporter with the Sahan Journal. Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.   

Over the past month, federal immigration enforcement has focused on the city of Minneapolis. Their presence and aggressive tactics have forced city leaders to navigate complex questions about authority, cooperation, and the role of local government.  At the center of that conversation is the city's community safety commissioner, Todd Barnette.He oversees the Minneapolis Police Department along with the city's fire department, 911 services, emergency management and neighborhood safety programs — with the goal of improving communication, accountability, equity, and service delivery.MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Barnette about leadership, reform, and the path forward.Guest:Todd Barnette is the community safety commissioner for the city of Minneapolis. Before his current role, he served 17 years as a judge in the Hennepin County District Court, including terms as presiding judge of drug court, presiding judge of the criminal division, and chief judge, where he was the first person of color to hold the position. He is also an adjunct faculty member and mentor at the University of St. Thomas Law School. Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.     

MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Minnesota school superintendents about how the surge in federal immigration activity is affecting student attendance, learning, and safety — and what it means for families and schools. Guests:Brenda Lewis is the superintendent of Fridley Public Schools.Christine Tucci Osorio is the superintendent for School District 622 which includes North St. Paul, Maplewood and Oakdale.

Businesses across Minnesota are feeling the strain as the Trump administration's immigration crackdown moves into its seventh week.Immigrant-owned businesses — and companies that rely on immigrant workers — have been hit especially hard. Employers say many workers are staying home, worried about being stopped or detained by immigration officers. At the same time, customers are also staying away, as fear and tension ripple through communities following the recent killings of two U.S. citizens, Alex Pretti and Renee Good. The result? Short-staffing, reduced hours, lost revenue — and a lot of uncertainty about what comes next. MPR News guest host Chris Farrell looks at how this surge in enforcement is disrupting business as usual and what people can do to support their local shops and restaurants.Guests: R.T. Rybak is the president and CEO of the Minneapolis Foundation, which just announced plans to distribute $3.5 million to businesses hurt by the immigration enforcement surge. He is also a former mayor of Minneapolis. Miguel Hernandez is the owner of Lito's Burritos, with locations on Lake Street in Minneapolis and Richfield. He grew up working in his parents' Richfield restaurant, El Tejaban Mexican Grill. Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.      

Healthcare providers across the state say fear of federal immigration operations are keeping patients from doctors' offices and emergency rooms. Patients are canceling appointments, delaying treatment and avoiding care altogether — not because they aren't sick, but because they're afraid.  That fear has very real consequences. When people delay care, their health suffers, and puts a strain on families, clinics and the broader health care system.  Coming up at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks about how ICE's presence is reshaping access to health care in Minnesota — what providers see on the ground, what it means for public health, and how clinics and hospitals are responding.