MPR News with Angela Davis

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. 

As federal immigration enforcement has surged in Minnesota, so has assistance to immigrants.Across Minnesota, people are supporting immigrant neighbors who are too afraid to leave their homes.Volunteers are delivering groceries and giving rides. They're helping with rent and pitching in with everything from dog walking to legal services. The support is grassroots, organized through local neighborhood groups, congregations and school communities.  MPR News Guest host Catharine Richert talks with guests and listeners about what volunteers are doing, what motivates them and the impact they're having.

Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old Minneapolis resident, was killed by Border Patrol agents on Saturday. The shooting has renewed protests after weeks of aggressive federal immigration action.  The federal government's account of what happened differs starkly from bystander video footage. Civil liberties groups say that's exactly why independent observation and documentation of law enforcement actions is important. Documentation can be a tool for accountability, legal challenges and public trust. But misunderstanding your rights can put you at risk.MPR News guest host Catharine Richert explores what constitutional observers are, what rights they have and what can be considered interference. Guest:Francisco Segovia is the executive director of COPAL, a Minneapolis nonprofit serving Minnesota's Latino communities.

Faith communities across Minnesota are facing a hard question: What happens when federal immigration enforcement collides with religious conviction?A recent protest inside a church has also raised questions about free speech, religious freedom and the role of faith leaders in moments of moral conflict.MPR News guest host Catharine Richert explores how churches and other religious communities are responding to the legal and moral questions raised by federal actions in Minnesota and why immigration enforcement has become such a flashpoint for people of faith.

Recent federal immigration enforcement actions are creating fear, anger or uncertainty for some Minnesota families. And mental health providers say that anxiety doesn't stop with adults. Stress in young people might show up as sleeplessness, trouble focusing in school or a deep sense of worry about family safety.MPR News host Angela Davis talks about what children, teenagers and young adults are experiencing right now and how the adults in their lives can support their mental health.Guest:Ana Mariella Rivera is a licensed clinical social worker and therapist in private practice in St. Paul who works with teenagers, young adults and families. She is also an adjunct professor of social work at St. Catherine University.Resources shared during the show: ”Good People Everywhere” by Lynea Gillen, ”Something Happened to My Dad: A Story about Immigration and Family Separation” by Ann Hazzard, ”The Breaking News” by Sarah Lynne Reul and ”Most People” by Michael Leannah.If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs immediate mental health support, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also find the number for your local crisis team here.

Federal immigration enforcement activity has increased in Minnesota in recent weeks, prompting questions, concern and uncertainty in many communities.MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Minnesotans who have had recent interactions with federal immigration officers. They talk about how enforcement is affecting daily life, public spaces and community trust.Guests:Ahmed Bin Hassan is a rideshare driver who was questioned by U.S. Border Patrol agents outside the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in a now-viral video. State Rep. Peter Fischer, DFL-Little Canada, has represented Little Canada and most of Maplewood since 2013. Julie Vossen-Henslin is involved with a group of people trying to document the increased federal immigration enforcement in Willmar. She is also trying to support family members of people who are taken into federal custody.To report incidents related to recent federal actions in Minnesota, the Minnesota Attorney General's Office created this Federal Action Reporting Form.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.     

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a chance to reflect on King's life, his words and the work he urged us to continue. King believed in justice rooted in community, in young people as leaders and in the power of any individual to create the change they want to see. Coming up at 9 a.m. on Monday, MPR News host Angela Davis talks with high school students across Minnesota who are engaging with King's message in meaningful ways. They're leading student groups, organizing for change, serving their communities and asking hard questions about equity and justice.

Sometimes opposites attract, and then they make each other stronger. That's the story of our first Power Pair of 2026, Minneapolis married couple Roosevelt and Angela Mansfield. She is a longtime educator who taught in Minneapolis Public Schools and now serves as an assistant commissioner at the Minnesota Department of Education. He's a youth worker, DJ and photographer, whose art shines a light on the people and history of Black communities in the Twin Cities. They met through their shared love of hip-hop. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with the Mansfields about their work, their relationship and their commitment to supporting young people in stressful times. Guests: Angela Mansfield is an assistant commissioner in the Minnesota Department of Education in the Office of Educational Opportunity. She started nearly eight years ago at the state agency as a teacher training specialist. She also founded and ran a charter school and taught in Minneapolis Public Schools.   Roosevelt Mansfield is a photographer and DJ who has worked as a behavioral specialist and in other roles in public schools. He's also the founder of The Purpose, an organization that supports young people of color through cultural education, photography and entrepreneurial skills.  

Getting a cancer diagnosis today can mean something very different than it meant a few decades ago.  Cancer is still deadly. But thanks to advances in detection and treatment, cancer for some people has turned into a manageable condition. A report from the American Cancer Society out this week shows that for the first time that the five-year survival rate for all cancers has reached 70 percent. Tumors are being found at earlier stages, when treatment can be more effective. Surgery and radiation have gotten more precise.  Researchers have refined their understanding of different types of cancers and developed new drugs that zero in on the unique biology of specific tumors.Maybe most importantly, researchers are figuring out how to use the body's own immune system to fight cancer in ways that doctors couldn't have imagined 20 years ago.  MPR News host Angela Davis talks with her guests about how cancer treatments are improving.Guests: Dr. Emil Lou is a medical oncologist and professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School who sees patients at M Health Fairview Masonic Cancer Clinic. He specializes in gastrointestinal cancers, such as colorectal and pancreas cancers, and is also involved in cancer research.  Dr. Rachel L McCaffrey is a breast surgical oncologist at Allina Health who specializes in treating breast cancer. 

Have you ever seen a social media post that was so captivating that you just had to share it?  Maybe it was a powerful video, a striking image or a headline that made you stop scrolling.   But was it true? In a world where artificial intelligence can generate photos, videos and even voices, it's becoming harder to know what's real and what isn't.In fact, it's become so challenging to tell truth from fiction that many colleges are offering classes in how to spot misinformation and digital manipulation. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two professors about how technology is being used to mislead and how to avoid being fooled by fake images, videos and stories. Guests:Bob Groven is a professor and Co-Chair of the Department of Communication Studies, Film and New Media at Augsburg University. He teaches the class “Defense Against the Dark Arts,” which aims to help students recognize and protect themselves from misinformation and disinformation. He is also a strategic communication consultant with over 15 years of experience in leading political campaigns. Lana Medina is a journalist, researcher and educator. She teaches media literacy at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. Her work explores how social media algorithms, AI and newsroom pressures shape local journalism and civic discourse. 

Increased immigration enforcement and Wednesday's fatal shooting of a Minneapolis woman by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent have left some Minnesotans feeling frightened, angry or overwhelmed.MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about how to manage fear, anxiety and emotional overload during stressful times.Guests:Corey Yeager is a licensed marriage and family therapist who has a doctorate in family social science. He has worked for Minneapolis Public Schools and with the Minneapolis Police Department. He was a psychotherapist for the Detroit Pistons and he is the author of “How Am I Doing? 40 Conversations to Have with Yourself.” Chris Farrell is senior economics contributor for MPR News and Marketplace.

On Wednesday morning, a woman was shot and killed during what ICE describes as a targeted enforcement operation in south Minneapolis. In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security said one of its officers fired his weapon in an act of self-defense as the woman “weaponized her vehicle.” However, elected officials and local law enforcement leaders are challenging that account, saying they see no evidence that the shooting was an act of self-defense.   MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with her guests about what's known about the fatal shooting, what remains unclear and the legal questions it raises about federal authority, use of force and civil liberties.Guests:Sarah Thamer is the senior reporter for the MPR News Race, Class and Communities team.Emmanuel Mauleón is an associate professor of law at the University of Minnesota who researches policing, surveillance and racial justice.Jenn Budd is a former senior patrol agent with the US border patrol and author of “Against the Wall: My Journey from Border Patrol Agent to Immigrant Rights Activist.” Liliana Zaragoza is an associate professor of clinical law and director of the Racial Justice Law Clinic at the University of Minnesota 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.     

Health insurance is about to become more expensive for tens of thousands of Minnesotans. Some of the tax credits that helped lower the cost of insurance for people who buy their own plans through the Affordable Care Act expired at the beginning of January after Congress failed to reach a compromise. Those federal subsidies were at the center of last year's political standoff that shut down the federal government. With premiums rising, the cost of healthcare coverage is expected to be a top political issue heading into the 2026 midterm elections.MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks about why premiums are rising and what this means for Minnesotans struggling to afford coverage.

President Donald Trump's administration says it's freezing $185 million in child care funds nationwide this year amid allegations of potential fraud in Minnesota.State officials say they are continuing to investigate the allegations but have not substantiated them so far.MPR News guest host Catharine Richert will examine what the funding freeze could mean for children, families, child care providers and Minnesota politics.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced this morning that he is ending his campaign for a third term. He said he made the decision after consulting with family and friends over the holidays. Walz's departure from the race comes as reports of fraud in state-run social service programs in Minnesota escalated in recent weeks. MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with two political scientists about Walz's announcement and the race to replace him.Guests:Kathryn Pearson is a professor of political science at the University of Minnesota. She is also an associate dean of undergraduate education and the director of the University Honors Program. Cindy Rugeley is an associate professor of political science and chair of the department at the University of Minnesota Duluth.Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.

Laurie Putnam is the superintendent of St. Cloud Public Schools, and the first woman to lead the district. Her husband, Aric Putnam, is a DFL state senator, representing District 14, which includes St. Cloud. Together, they're navigating politics, education, family life and the challenges of leading in the public eye.MPR News host Angela Davis revisits another conversation in her Power Pairs series. She talks with the Putnams about how they support each other and why they picked careers that serve their community.

MPR News host Angela Davis revisits a conversation she had with a brother and sister who are both award-winning storytellers. They talk about their work and how they support each other as part of our MPR News Power Pairs series.Guests:Daniel Bergin is a filmmaker, executive producer and director of history at Twin Cities PBS, where he was hired more than 30 years ago as a production assistant. He has won more than 20 regional Emmy Awards for his films covering diverse topics rooted in Minnesota history, including “Jim Crow of the North,” “North Star: Minnesota's Black Pioneers,” and “Out North: MNLGBTQ History.” Lea B. Olsen is a veteran TV analyst who has covered the Minnesota Lynx and is a sideline reporter for the Minnesota Timberwolves. She also covers both the boys' and girls' state high school basketball tournaments. Beyond the court, Lea is a professional speaker and the founder of Rethink the Win — a platform that challenges athletes, coaches and parents to see sports as a powerful tool for growth, connection and lifelong impact.Listen to all the conversations in our Power Pairs series.Do you know a 'Power Pair? Send us your suggestions.

Some say religion and politics don't mix. But they do in the lives of couple Marcia Zimmerman and Frank Hornstein.Rabbi Marcia Zimmerman is the senior rabbi at Temple Israel in Minneapolis.   Frank Hornstein served for 22 years in the Minnesota House of Representatives, representing neighborhoods near downtown Minneapolis and Lake of the Isles before stepping down in early 2025.They have raised three children together and supported each other in their individual callings through more than four decades of marriage.MPR News host Angela Davis revisits Power Pairs conversations from 2025 this week, starting with a conversation about faith, politics and the importance of strong relationships — in marriage and community.Guests:Rabbi Marcia Zimmerman is the senior rabbi at Temple Israel in Minneapolis. Frank Hornstein served as a DFL representative from District 61A in the Minnesota House of Representatives for 22 years until deciding in 2024 not to seek reelection.Listen to all the conversations in our Power Pairs series.Do you know a 'Power Pair? Send us your suggestions.

Only six percent of Americans follow a vegetarian diet, according to a Statistica poll. And even fewer follow a strict vegan lifestyle, avoiding all animal products in food and clothing.But many people are starting to incorporate more plant-based foods into their diets, often for health reasons and out of a concern for the environment.More vegan and vegetarian options are going mainstream. Think about “meatless Mondays” or the Impossible Burger. Don't want cow milk? Your local grocery store's dairy case probably carries milk made from oats, soybeans, rice, almonds, coconuts or cashews.  MPR News host Angela Davis revisits a conversation she had about what it means to be vegan or to follow a mostly plant-based diet. What makes people decide to do it? Are there health benefits or health hazards? Can you get the protein and nutrients your body needs without eating animal products?Guests:Jacque Reid is the founder of the “Vegan Sexy Cool” brand, which includes a digital lifestyle magazine and a podcast. She is also an Emmy-award winning journalist. She co-hosts the “Reid This/Reid That” podcast with former MSNBC host Joy Reid. She previously hosted lifestyle TV shows on NBC affiliates in New York and Boston and was the lead news anchor for “CNN Headline News” and the “BET Nightly News.”   Megan Baumler is an assistant professor and director of the Nutrition and Dietetics Program at St. Catherine University in St. Paul. She is a licensed and registered dietitian nutritionist. 

As winter settles across Minnesota — when lakes freeze, snow quiets the land, and nights stretch long — many Indigenous communities enter a season of storytelling. It's a time to gather indoors and share stories that carry history, teachings and connection, passed carefully from one generation to the next. MPR News guest host Leah Lemm talks with two Native storytellers about the significance of storytelling in our lives, particularly during the darkest days of the year. Guests: Hope Flanagan is is a storyteller and teacher who works at Dream of Wild Health, a Minneapolis nonprofit organization that recovers and shares knowledge of Indigenous foods, medicines and ways of life. Stories were passed to her from Ona KingBird from Red Lake reservation. She comes from the Turtle Clan, from the people of Tonawanda, Seneca Reservation. Teresa Peterson is an avid gardener and author of several books, including "Grasshopper Girl," "Voices from Pejahutazizi: Dakota Stories and Storytellers," and "Perennial Ceremony." She is Sisseton Wahpeton Dakota and a member of the Upper Sioux Community.

Millions of dollars for homeless services in Minnesota are up in the air after the Trump  administration proposed changing the rules for housing programs that helped people get off the streets.   The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development plans to shift money away from long-term housing programs that provide services.   Instead, more federal money would go toward breaking up homeless encampments and to short-term shelters with work requirements and mandatory addiction treatment.  Critics warn this could force thousands of Minnesotans back into living in their cars, onto friends' couches or onto the streets — including people who have relied on supportive housing for years.On Dec. 19. a judge temporarily halted the administration's proposals, creating more uncertainty. MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with her guests about what helps people move into permanent homes and how federal policy shifts could affect Minnesotans. Guests: Chris LaTondresse is the president and CEO of Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative, one of Minnesota's largest nonprofit providers of supportive housing for families, single adults and youth who have experienced homelessness. He previously served as a Hennepin County Commissioner and chaired the Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority. LeAnn Littlewolf is the executive director of the American Indian Community Housing Organization (AICHO) in Duluth. The nonprofit organization runs Gimaajii Mino-Bimaadizimin, a community center with supportive housing for women and children. She is a member of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and previously worked with the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless.  

From shorebirds to warblers to backyard regulars, the Great Lakes region is a critical stopover for millions of birds every year.MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks about winter birdwatching, how to attract birds to your yard and how to make birding more welcoming to more people.Guest:Dexter Patterson is the co-founder of the BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin, an organization dedicated to making birding more accessible and inclusive for people of color. He also co-hosts The Bird Joy Podcast and is the author of the book, “Birds of the Great Lakes."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.     

Many of us think about, talk about and chase happiness. But it can be elusive and surprisingly complicated.MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with a philosopher who says happiness — at least the way we usually think of it — is really just a feeling that comes and goes. She says what truly matters is flourishing — living in a way that reflects our values, our relationships and the kind of person we're trying to become. Guest:Valerie Tiberius is a professor of philosophy at the University of Minnesota. She is also the author of “What Do You Want Out of Life? A Philosophical Guide to Figuring Out What Matters.”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.     

From local Nutcrackers to community choir concerts, ‘tis the season for holiday shows put on by your friends and neighbors. Across Minnesota, stages are booked with theater, dance and music performances — and many of the people in the spotlight aren't even paid professionals. They're adults with day jobs who rehearse after dinner, all for the joy and community they find in amateur arts groups. MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks about what tapping into your inner performing artist does for your own well-being and how these local productions enrich our communities.Guests: G. Phillip Shoultz III is the associate artistic director of VocalEssence and works with several of the organization's non-professional choruses. He also oversees music at Westwood Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, is an adjunct member of the music faculty at the University of St. Thomas and is artistic director of Sing Democracy 250, which is organizing choir performances next year in all 50 states to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Dylon Starr is the director of Disney's “Frozen” at the Rochester Civic Theatre and has acted and directed in other community theaters in southeastern Minnesota. He's also director of programming and music at Peace United Church of Christ in Rochester.  

Two mass shootings over the weekend left communities in two countries shaken. Two gunmen killed 15 people at a Hanukkah Festival in Australia and dozens remain hospitalized.MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks about what we know about the shootings, what research says about patterns in mass violence and what these attacks mean for communities processing fear and grief.Guests:James Densley is professor and department chair of criminology and criminal justice at Metro State University and co-founder of the Violence Prevention Project Research Center at Hamline University. Jillian Peterson is a professor of criminology and criminal justice, director of the forensic psychology program and executive director of the Violence Prevention Project Research Center at Hamline University. Rabbi Adam Stock Spilker is the senior rabbi at Mount Zion Temple in St. Paul.

Is it possible to build relational bridges, even in contentious times?Scholar and activist john a. powell says yes. He's dedicated his life to teaching others how to belong and bridge. As the director of the Othering and Belonging Institute at the University of California, Berkeley and the founder of the Institute on Race and Poverty at the University of Minnesota, powell — who spells his name in lowercase, to signify that “we are part of the universe, not over it” — studies equity and connection. His new book, “The Power of Bridging,” is his thesis that connecting with others and honoring their humanity is the only way to create a world where we all belong. powell came back to Minnesota on a cold night in early December, at the invitation of The Bush Foundation and MPR, to talk with MPR News reporter and host Catharine Richert about how to do the work of bridging, even at this divisive moment in history. He shared stories from his own life, talked about how to bridge (or not) with folks who don't want to bridge and discussed how the work of bridging and belonging is as much internal as external.

Last month the Food and Drug Administration announced that it would remove its warning on hormone-based products used to treat menopause symptoms.  As women age, most will experience changes linked to the stop of their monthly menses, including hot flashes, bone density loss and sleep problems. But in the past two decades a strong “black-box warning” has scared many women off from seeking relief in hormone creams, patches, pills and other treatments. The warning was added following a landmark study that linked hormone therapy to an increased risk for cancer and cardiovascular problems. Now the FDA says the risks were overblown for most women. MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks about the FDA's change, the risks and benefits of hormone therapy and what women should consider as they decide whether to try it. Guest: Dr. Jissy Cyriac is a primary care physician trained in internal medicine. She sees patients at the Menopause and Women's Sexual Health Clinic at Mayo Clinic in Rochester and is also a certified practitioner through The Menopause Society.  

A federal vaccine advisory committee recently voted to end the decades-old recommendation that all U.S. newborns get a hepatitis B vaccine dose at birth. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted that only infants born to mothers who test positive for hepatitis B — or whose infection status is unknown — are recommended to get that first dose immediately. The vote could result in new guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and is a dramatic shift from the CDC's current policy, which was adopted in 1991 and is credited with reducing childhood hepatitis B infections by more than 95 percent. MPR News guest host Chris Farrell talks with a pediatrician and an infectious disease researcher about what the new recommendation means for families, hospitals and communities in Minnesota that are disproportionately affected by the liver infection.Guests:Dr. Leslie King-Schultz is a pediatrician at Hennepin Healthcare where she co-chairs their vaccine committee.Angela Ulrich is a researcher and infectious disease epidemiologist with the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota. She was one of the lead authors on the Vaccine Integrity Project's recent report about the safety and effectiveness of the hepatitis B vaccination at birth. 

For much of the last century, a steady career often meant staying with one company for decades. But that idea started to fade in the ‘80s and ‘90s as layoffs and restructuring made long-term loyalty feel less secure. By the 2000s, job hopping became the norm and often led to better pay and benefits.But today, something new is happening. Alongside job hopping, we're seeing a rise in job hugging — people staying put, even when they'd rather move, because the job market feels uncertain. MPR News guest host Chris Farrell talks about shifting hiring trends, when it's smart to switch jobs, when it's best to stay and what it all means for our careers and workplaces.Guests:Alan Benson is an associate professor at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management where he researches hiring, promotions and employment.Mark Sorenson-Wagner is the director of career development at the University of St. Thomas.

Food has the power to comfort us, connect us to our roots and preserve our culture. When coming to a new country, immigrants leave much behind. But one thing many people carry with them to start life in a new place are their family's recipes.MPR News guest host Kelly Gordon talks with a cookbook author and a chef from Mexico about the dishes and stories that tie us to the people — and places — we're from.Guests: Lee Svitak Dean was the longtime food editor at The Minnesota Star Tribune. She's co-author of “Kitchens of Hope: Immigrants Share Stories of Resilience and Recipes from Home.” She is also author of “Come One, Come All: Easy Entertaining with Seasonal Menus” and co-author of “The Ultimate Minnesota Cookie Book.” Gustavo Romero is co-owner with his wife Kate of Nixta, a tortilleria in northeast Minneapolis where they make tortillas using traditional methods and heirloom corn. They expanded next door to open the restaurant, Oro by Nixta, which was a finalist for a James Beard award and named one of the 20 Best New Restaurants of 2024 by Bon Appetit.  

President Donald Trump has escalated rhetoric about Minnesota's Somali community in recent weeks. And according to reports from The New York Times and the Associated Press, the Trump administration now plans to target hundreds of Somali immigrants living unlawfully in the Twin Cities.MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks about what we know so far, what remains unclear and the impact it's all having on the Somali community in Minnesota.Guests:State Sen. Zaynab Mohamed (DFL-Minneapolis) has represented south Minneapolis since 2023. She is the first Somali woman elected to the Minnesota Senate. She is also the youngest member in Minnesota Senate history. Tatiana Padilla is a postdoctoral fellow at the Institute for Social Research and Data Innovation at the University of Minnesota where she researches how immigration enforcement affects communities.Steve Thal is an attorney practicing immigration law in Minnetonka.

The weekly radio show, The Splendid Table, turns 30 this year. For three decades, the program has helped home cooks feel more brave, curious and connected through the food we share. MPR News guest host Catharine Richert marks the anniversary by talking with Splendid Table host and James Beard Award-winning food writer Francis Lam. They'll talk about food during the holiday season — how to take the stress out of holiday meals, how to be a thoughtful guest and how to get out of that “same-old recipe” rut.     Guests:Francis Lam is the host of The Splendid Table, a radio program and podcast produced by American Public Media. He is an award-winning food writer with contributions to The New York Times Magazine, Bon Appetit and Gourmet. His work often explores how food connects us to culture, memory and community. 

On the first day of 2026, Minnesota will introduce a new benefit for most workers in the state.  It's a paid family and medical leave program that guarantees access to time off to bond with a new child, recuperate from a major medical issue or care for an ill family member. The program replaces a portion of someone's wage for a leave that can span weeks. Minnesota is the 13th state to go down this path, but its program is among the nation's most ambitious. MPR News host and politics editor Brian Bakst talks with his guests about eligibility criteria, how people can tap into the program and what they and their employers need to keep in mind.Guests:Dana Ferguson is a political reporter for MPR News.Greg Norfleet is the Paid Leave director for the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, also known as DEED.Justin Terch is a consultant with Terch and Associates, a human resources consulting firm. He is also president of the Minnesota State Council of the Society of Human Resource Management and he serves on the board of Essentia Health, a Duluth-based health care system that operates mainly in rural areas in the upper Midwest. For more information about Minnesota's Paid Leave program, visit: paidleave.mn.gov or call 844-556-0444 or 651-556-7777. The phone lines are staffed from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays.

Earlier this year, South Korea's government admitted that widespread corruption had tainted hundreds of thousands of adoptions from its country. Babies who were thought to be orphaned had living parents. Some children were trafficked. Paperwork was falsified. Records were destroyed.Korean adoptees worldwide were left reeling, including here in Minnesota, home to the largest population of Korean adoptees in the U.S. Many had already wrestled with questions of identity and racial and cultural belonging. Now even the small bits of information they had about their past could no longer be trusted.How are Korean adoptees who call Minnesota home responding to this foundational earthquake? Earlier this month, MPR News' North Star Journey Live project hosted a gathering of adoptees who are deeply invested in the search for truth about their origin stories at Arbeiter Brewing in Minneapolis. Moderated by Twin Cities PBS reporter Kaomi Lee, who is herself an adoptee, the panel shared their personal histories and how the work they do today is moving the narrative forward. Guests: Kaomi Lee is a reporter at Twin Cities PBS. She is also the host of Adapted, one of the longest running Korean adoptee podcasts.Ami Nafzger has been working on behalf of Korean adoptees for decades as the founder of the Korean-based GOAL (Global Overseas Adoptees' Link) and the newer Minnesota-based Adoptee Hub. Matt McNiff is the board president and director at Camp Choson, one of many Korean culture camps started in the Upper Midwest in response to the wave of adoptions from Korea. Cam Lee Small is a licensed clinical therapist who specializes in adoption literacy, working both here in the Twin Cities and online. He's also the author of “The Adoptee's Journey.”Mary Niedermeyer is the CEO of Communities Advocating Prosperity for Immigrants, also known as CAPI, a Minnesota-based nonprofit.Find a resource guide to learn more about this topic at MPRnews.org.

Earlier this year, Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde delivered a sermon that drew national attention as President Donald Trump returned to the White House. She spoke about unity, how people of faith respond in uncertain times, and she directly asked Trump to have mercy on immigrants, transgender children and people fleeing war zones. Her sermon — at that moment and in that setting — sparked conversations about how people decide what to stand for and how they respond when those choices are difficult. Those questions are at the heart of her latest book, “We Can Be Brave,” an adaptation for young readers of her bestseller, ”How We Learn to Be Brave.”MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with Budde — and the theologian who helped adapt her book — about being brave in life's hardest moments and how they define courage in personal and public life.  Guests:Mariann Edgar Budde is the first woman elected spiritual leader for the Episcopal Diocese of Washington which includes the Washington National Cathedral, other congregations and Episcopal schools in the District of Columbia and four Maryland counties. Previously, Bishop Budde was a parish priest at St. John's Episcopal Church in Minneapolis for 18 years. She is the author of “How We Learn to Be Brave” and the adaption for young readers, “We Can Be Brave: How We Learn to be Brave in Life's Decisive Moments.”Bryan Bliss is a writer, priest and theologian. He is chaplain and chair of the religion department at Breck School, a private school in Golden Valley, Minn. He helped adapt Bishop Budde's book for young readers and he is the author of “We'll Fly Away,” a novel based on his experience witnessing an execution as a member of the press.