MPR News with Angela Davis

Minnesotans made more than 9 million visits to food shelves last year — setting a record for the fourth year in a row, according to The Food Group's 2025 Minnesota Food Shelf Visits Report. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with the CEO of Feeding America, the largest hunger-relief organization in the U.S., and a regional food bank leader about the growing need for food assistance — and what can be done to help make sure people have enough to eat.Guests:Denis McDonough is the chief executive officer of Feeding America. Until January 2025, he was Secretary of the Department of Veteran Affairs. He served in various roles in the White House during both of President Barack Obama's terms — and was the White House Chief of Staff for President Obama's second term.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.

When a parent can't care for a child, family members often step in. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, older siblings and close family friends become caregivers — sometimes with little preparation or support. They often face unexpected challenges navigating schools, healthcare, finances and the legal system.MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about what these families need, how policies can better support them and what each of us can do to help.Guests:Donna Butts is the former executive director of Generations United, a national nonprofit that advocates for intergenerational strategies, policies and programs. She is also the author of the new book, “Grandfamilies: Stories of Children and the Loving Relatives Who Raise Them.”Janet Salo is a kinship navigator for Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota. She helps relatives and close family friends who are raising another person's child find and use financial, legal, medical, mental health and educational support.For help, call Kinship Family Support Services at 651-917-4640 or 877-917-4640 or email warmline@lssmn.org.A caller during the show recommended Keeping Families Connected Minnesota, an organization that provides free legal support to relatives caring for children. 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.    

Minnesota's top judge is retiring at the end of this month. Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Natalie Hudson has been on the Supreme Court since 2015 and was elevated into her role as chief justice in 2023. She is one of only a few Black justices in state history and is the first person of color and the third woman to lead the state's highest court. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with her about her long career and why she thinks it's important for the public to understand and trust the role of the courts, especially in politically divisive times. Guest: Natalie Hudson is chief justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court. She was appointed to the position by Gov. Tim Walz in 2023 after serving since 2015 as an associate justice on the court. She previously served 13 years on the Minnesota Court of Appeals. Earlier in her career, she practiced housing and employment law, served as the St. Paul city attorney and worked in the criminal appellate division of the Minnesota attorney general's office. 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.    

Most people have days when they want to quit their jobs. But when that feeling doesn't go away — when you feel stuck, unhappy or unable to grow — it may be time to seriously consider leaving.Deciding to quit can be complicated. Before giving notice, there are questions to weigh about your finances, your family, the job market and whether changes at your current workplace could make staying worthwhile.MPR News host Angela Davis talks with her guests about how to recognize when it's time to leave a job — and how to prepare for what comes next.Guests:Chris Farrell is the senior economics contributor for MPR News and Marketplace. LaRae Jome is a psychologist and career counselor with Work-Life Directions in the Twin Cities. She has more than 25 years of experience helping people navigate career decisions, job changes, workplaces challenges and burnout. 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. 

For those who lived through it, the morning of Sept. 11, 2001 remains a defining moment. But an entire generation has now grown up since the attacks.That morning, terrorists hijacked four passenger planes. Two crashed into the World Trade Center in New York, one hit the Pentagon, and passengers on the fourth plane fought back before it crashed in rural Pennsylvania.Nearly 3,000 people were killed in the attacks, with thousands more later dying from illnesses linked to the toxic debris.9/11 changed the United States in lasting ways. It altered the country's sense of safety, brought many Americans together, but also led to increased harassment and hate crimes against Muslim Americans and immigrants. It prompted the war in Afghanistan and major changes to airport security, including the creation of the TSA.MPR News host Angela Davis talks with her guests and listeners about what people remember about 9/11 and the lasting impact of that day.Guests:   Tim Stout Tim Stout is the chief of staff for the civilian staff in the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office. He was on staff in the White House on September 11, 2001 and subsequently worked in the newly established White House Office of Homeland Security and then for the first Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.Anne Gearity is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Minnesota Medical School. She has a doctorate in clinical social work with expertise in trauma and has been a therapist for children, teenagers and adults for nearly four decades.

A growing number of people are finding stress relief in sound baths. It involves lying down, closing your eyes and letting waves of sound wash over you — usually the sounds of gongs, crystal bowls, rattles and other instruments. Many people who have experienced a sound bath say it calms their mind and puts them in a state of deep relaxation that can also help with anxiety, sleep problems and even pain. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with her guests about some of the benefits and the science behind the good vibrations. Guests: Diana Parra Perez provides sound healing, mindfulness practices and retreats through her business Resonancia Sagrada, with a focus on Latino and Spanish-speaking communities. She is a senior scientist in the Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis. A native of Bogotá, Colombia, she lives in St. Louis, Mo. Donette Ambrosy is a sound therapist with a home studio in Minneapolis called Fine Tuning Sound Therapy. She also leads sound bath experiences at local yoga studios, community centers and other venues. 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.  

Minnesota voters will find a question about public school funding on their ballots this fall. A proposed constitutional amendment would increase the amount distributed each year from the state's Permanent School Fund — a $2.4 billion investment fund built with revenue generated by state-owned school trust lands.Supporters say it would provide additional money without raising taxes, but critics say that the increase would only cover a fraction of the broader financial pressures facing school districts.MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about how Minnesota schools are funded, where that money goes and what voters should understand about the proposed amendment before November. Here's a link to a resource to see what will be on your ballot this coming November:Minnesota Secretary Of State - What's On My Ballot?Guests:Christine Tucci Osorio is the superintendent for School District 622, which includes North St. Paul, Maplewood and Oakdale. Mary Kunesh is a DFL state senator representing District 39 in the northern Twin Cities suburbs. She chairs the Senate Education Finance Committee.Marguerite Roza is a research professor at Georgetown University and director of its Edunomics Lab, a research center that studies education finance and how school systems use public dollars. 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.    

Community land trusts make it possible for land to be owned collectively while individuals own the homes and businesses on it. The model grew out of the civil rights movement, when Black farmers in the rural South used collective ownership to build economic independence despite barriers to credit and land access.Today, community land trusts help preserve affordable housing and commercial spaces while giving communities more control over their future. The Rondo Community Land Trust in St. Paul is one example. It is working to rebuild community wealth and preserve the legacy of the historic Black neighborhood displaced by Interstate 94.MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about how community land trusts work, why collective ownership matters and what the model could offer communities across Minnesota.Guests:Mikeya Griffin is the president and CEO of Rondo Community Land Trust, a nonprofit that creates permanently affordable homes and commercial spaces that keep land, opportunity, and legacy rooted in community. She grew up in St. Paul's historic Rondo neighborhood and is the first African American woman to lead the 30-year-old organization.Debbie Montgomery is a community leader who grew up in the Rondo neighborhood of St. Paul. She was the first Black woman police sergeant in St. Paul and the first Black woman elected to the St. Paul City Council. She also served as assistant commissioner for the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. At age 17, she became the youngest person to serve on the national board of the NAACP, an organization that works towards equity, political rights and social inclusion of Black people and people of color.

Confidence can be hard to find when you're facing a new challenge, recovering from a mistake or simply hearing that critical voice in your head. But confidence isn't a personality trait. It's a skill that can be developed.MPR News host Angela Davis and her guest talk about how to quiet your inner critic, learn from mistakes, recognize your wins and take action — even when you don't feel ready.Guest:Cindra Kamphoff is a professor of sport and performance psychology at Minnesota State University, Mankato. She is a certified professional coach and mental performance consultant who founded the Mentally Strong Institute, a firm that provides coaching to leaders and athletes. She also hosts the podcast “High Performance Mindset.” Her most recent book is, “The Confidence Habit: 7 Core Practices to Transform Self-Doubt to Self-Belief.”

The Mississippi River has provided water, food, transportation and a place of connection for generations of Minnesotans. But its history is also marked by displacement, environmental damage and decisions that have often prioritized industry and commerce over communities and the health of the river.A new documentary, “We Are the River: How the Mississippi Shaped Minnesota,” explores the complicated history of the river and the people who have lived alongside it. Coming up at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, MPR News host Angela Davis talks with her guests about what that history can teach us about caring for the Mississippi today and in the future.Guests:Kate Beane is Flandreau Santee Sioux Dakota and Muscogee Creek. She is the executive director of the Minnesota Museum of American Art, has taught at the University of Minnesota and Minneapolis College and serves on the board of Wakan Tipi Awanyankapi, a nonprofit that oversees two Dakota sacred sites in St. Paul. Devin Ashley Brown is the founder of Sovereign Waters, a Minneapolis-based organization that creates culturally responsive pathways to water confidence, environmental connection and outdoor leadership. She works to dismantle barriers that have excluded historically underserved communities from outdoor recreation. She also attempted to be the first Black woman on record to solo the Mississippi River before flood waters ended her trip. John Anfinson is a Mississippi River historian, author and former Superintendent of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. He previously worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and is the part-time river historian at the University of Minnesota's St. Anthony Falls Laboratory. He is also a founding board member of Friends of the Mississippi River and is active in many other river-related organizations and initiatives.

Many Americans are finding it harder to stretch their budgets — and wondering when they'll feel some financial relief. Inflation, higher gas prices and difficulty keeping up with bills and other payments — like buy now, pay later loans — are straining household budgets, while tariffs and changing trade relationships, including with Canada, raise concerns about additional costs.MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about why so many people feel financially squeezed, what's driving these pressures and what they reveal about the broader economy.Guests:Chris Farrell is the senior economics contributor for MPR News and Marketplace. Catherine Rampell is economics editor at The Bulwark, an independent media company. She is also an anchor at MS NOW, formerly MSNBC, and a contributor to Marketplace. She previously worked as an opinion columnist for The Washington Post and was an economics reporter for The New York Times.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 first day of the Minnesota State Fair brings a chance to see thousands of creative works made by Minnesotans — including quilts that showcase remarkable skill, artistry and imagination.MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two quilters about what goes into making a quilt, how quilting has evolved and the community and personal stories that can be stitched into every finished piece.Guests:Brenda Lyseng is a quilter and board member of Minnesota Quilter's, Inc., a statewide quilting organization. She was the director of the organization's annual quilt show for five years until retiring from that role in 2024. Before that she was a biology professor and dean with the Minnesota State colleges and universities system.Wally Wallestad started quilting four years ago and is a member of the Minneapolis Modern Quilt Guild.Angela's guests shared these resources for beginner quilters:Melanie Ham's Beginner Quilting Tutorial VideosMinnesota Quilters Facebook Group

A string of foodborne illness outbreaks has raised new questions about the safety of fresh produce. A major cyclospora outbreak has sickened thousands nationwide, salmonella linked to jalapeños has infected more than 100 Minnesotans and recalled alfalfa sprouts grown in the state have been connected to cases of both E. coli and salmonella.MPR News host Angela Davis talks with food safety experts about what's behind the recent outbreaks, how produce becomes contaminated and what consumers can do to reduce their risk of getting sick.Guests:Amy Johnston is a food safety expert and extension educator with the University of Minnesota. She develops education and training on safe food handling, preparation and processing for food producers, businesses and consumers. Craig Hedberg is a professor in the Division of Environmental Health Sciences at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health and co-director of the Minnesota Integrated Food Safety Center of Excellence. He studies foodborne-illness surveillance, outbreak investigations and prevention.

In the 1980s rural Minnesota was struggling with the farm crisis and the McKnight Foundation launched an experiment — the Minnesota Initiative Foundations. These six independent regional foundations across greater Minnesota were created to listen to their communities and invest in local economic development. Over four decades, they've distributed hundreds of millions of dollars in grants and loans to help address housing and child care, support entrepreneurs, train up new leaders and create a sense of belonging. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with the heads of two of the regional foundations about creative solutions to challenges facing rural Minnesota. Guests: Benya Kraus became the president and CEO in 2025 of the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, which invests for economic growth in 20 counties and one Native community in south central and southeastern Minnesota. She previously worked in advancement at Resource Rural, a national philanthropy that raised public and private funds to invest in rural and tribal communities. Brian Voerding was named president of the Initiative Foundation in 2023 after serving two years as its vice president for inclusive entrepreneurship, which is based in Little Falls, Minn. and invests in 14 counties and two Native nations in central Minnesota. He was previously editor of the Winona Daily News and executive director of Engage Winona, a nonprofit that engages and trains people to solve local problems in Winona.

Thursday will mark one year since the shooting at Annunciation Church and School in Minneapolis when a shooter opened fire during a back-to-school Mass. One hundred and sixteen bullets shattered windows of the building in less than two minutes. Two children, 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski, were killed. Twenty-eight other people were injured.On Monday, MPR News host Angela Davis talked with two parents of children who attend the school about how they plan to remember Aug. 27, 2025. “It's feeling really heavy,” said Brittany Haeg, whose first-grade son was shot last August and spent several days in intensive care. “We have three kids, and they're all very different ages and stages, and they feel very different about how they want to spend the day. And so, I think our day is about contingencies and contingencies for our contingencies. So we have a loose plan and a lot of adults, and we have staffed our house with friendly faces who are going to hang out there, so that we can sort of touch in and touch out throughout the day.” Haeg co-chairs the Annunciation Light Alliance, a nonprofit founded by parents to build safer communities for children, with Kristen Neville, who founded the organization. Neville is in a blended family with five children who attend Annunciation Catholic School. Like Haeg, she plans to lean into how her children are feeling. She also said she hopes to spend time with other Annunciation families.“I think our hope is to be able to spend time together with other Annunciation families. It's a comfort, and I think it's also a part of the healing journey that we have. I have a really strong sense of desire to want to give back to the community on that day, which is very much associated with what Annunciation is asking, right? People come and they ask us, ‘What can we do on this day? What are you doing?' It's a day really focused on remembrance, but it's also focused on moving your feet and on prayer. And so, I will be doing that, kind of working in the community. There's a really beautiful event that's been planned at Pearl Park by some of our representatives, and so I'll be there packing some kits for youth that experience homelessness right now.” Annunciation families push for laws to protect kids While reflecting on the last year, Haeg and Neville also talked about continuing their advocacy for changes that keep kids safe. During the legislative session earlier this year, the Annunciation Light Alliance took a nonpartisan stance and sought a layered approach to preventing gun violence with hopes of gaining support from both sides of the aisle. Parents backed a ban on assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines, as well as more mental health support funding, funding for school safety programs and safeguards for children online. The Minnesota Senate, with its slight DFL majority, passed a comprehensive package with firearm restrictions and school safety provisions in early May. However, the state House — split 67-67 between parties — did not bring the bill to the floor for a vote. Companion bills also failed to make it out of committee. State lawmakers passed two laws the Annunciation Light Alliance says will help. One adds guardrails around social media accounts for Minnesota minors. Another requires schools to set up anonymous threat reporting systems, which allow people to report tips about potential threats and help with intervention. “I think the legislative session was disappointing for some people in terms of what got passed and that the gun violence — some of those efforts didn't get passed,” said Jillian Peterson, executive director of the Violence Prevention Project Research Center at Hamline University. Peterson said it has been “inspiring” to be part of the Governor's Statewide Safety Council, which Gov. Tim Walz established in December after the shooting to examine and reduce gun violence. Haeg and Neville are also on the council. “It's commissioners from all different state agencies, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the sheriffs, the chief of police, and it's getting all these people from different perspectives into a room once a month for like a three or four hour conversation about how complicated this is, about the root causes, about mental health and gun access and radicalization and social media, with the goal of putting together a really comprehensive package of recommendations for the legislature,” Peterson said. Peterson is hopeful that the connections forged on the council will encourage change. How to honor and help Peterson, who has studied mass shootings for years, said what stands out to her about Annunciation is that people are not focusing on the shooter. Instead, they're focusing on finding solutions to help children.“I think to take a tragedy like this and spin it into something incredibly positive about protecting children and about, ‘How do we do a better job of this? How do we hold each other up? How do we take care of each other?' To me, that's a remarkable conversation to come out of something this horrific.” As we approach Aug. 27, 2026, Haeg and Neville said they are often asked what people can do to help. “Sometimes I say just spending time with your own children and being able to be present and a part of their life, so that you can be able to help them continue to grow,” Neville said. “And nurture their environment that they're in when they go to school and are good stewards of the community and really express and represent those values that then can be presented and lived. That I think is something that is really helpful. I also think there is the element of just being engaged within your community on a broader basis, finding opportunities to take action if it's something that you feel called to.” Haeg added, “Have these conversations in your communities before tragedy strikes. Have it before your Aug. 27.” 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.    

Your local library has more to offer than a good book. A library card can connect you with job-search help, classes and events, computers, free or discounted tickets to museums and even 3D printing. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with her guests about the wide range of resources libraries provide, how to access them and how the role of public libraries is changing.Guests:Jennifer Baker is community relations manager for Metropolitan Library Services Agency, or MELSA, which supports eight public library systems across the Twin Cities. She works to connect people with the resources and services available through the region's libraries.Maureen Hartman is the director of St. Paul Public Libraries. She oversees its library branches, mobile library and online services.

We all need someone to talk to. But as we get older, it can be harder to find opportunities to build meaningful connections.MPR News host Angela Davis talks about programs that bring older adults and volunteers together through phone conversations, virtual coffee chats and in-person visits. Guests:Emma Lucchesi is the senior director of programs at Friends & Co, a Minnesota-based nonprofit that runs programs to create connection and belonging for older adults.Leigha Jensen has volunteered with Friends & Co since 2018. She is matched with an older adult who she calls regularly and now considers a good friend.

Schools across Minnesota are starting the new school year. For families with a child entering high school, the transition can bring harder classes, changing friendships and new social pressures — along with more independence and opportunities to grow.MPR News host Angela Davis talks with her guests about how parents can support teenagers through the transition into high school. They'll discuss how to keep communication open, when to step in and step back, and how to recognize when a child may need additional support.Guests: Sharon Powell is an extension educator with the University of Minnesota. She develops resources to help families navigate major transitions. Christine Paton is a guidance counselor at Minnehaha Academy, a private K-12 school in Minneapolis. She helps students with academic planning, personal growth, social and emotional well-being and preparation for life after high school.

American Indians on tribal lands in the United States have historically faced some of the nation's worst economic conditions. Casinos have helped improve bring jobs and development to many Minnesota tribes over the past four decades. And, now, the number of other types of businesses owned by Native entrepreneurs and tribal governments is growing — and becoming more diverse. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with MPR News senior economics contributor Chris Farrell and two Native business owners featured in the new series from MPR's Upper Midwest Newsroom “Beyond the Bet,” exploring the diversification of Native entrepreneurship. Guests: Robert Blake is the founder and CEO of the solar development business Solar Bear. He is also founder and executive director of Native Sun Community Power Development, a nonprofit organization that is building out an electric vehicle charging network on tribal lands and promoting clean energy through education and workforce training. He lives in St. Paul and is a citizen of the Red Lake Nation of Ojibwe people in northern Minnesota. Madonna Peltier-Yawakie is co-founder and president of Turtle Island Communications, Inc. based in Brooklyn Park, Minn. The company provides engineering and technical consulting services to tribes, states and federal agencies to expand broadband internet service in reservation communities. She is a citizen of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians in North Dakota.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.    

Flock cameras can help police find stolen cars and solve crimes. But they can also create a record of where vehicles have been — raising questions about privacy and police surveillance.MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with a data privacy expert about what kind of information Flock cameras collect, who can access that information and what limits the Constitution puts on tracking our movements.

MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with two political strategists about what Tuesday's primary election results reveal about the future of Minnesota's political parties, the influence of President Donald Trump and the November midterm elections.

For nearly 150 years, Pillsbury United Communities has worked across Minneapolis to provide everything from youth programs and employment services to food assistance and a world class theater. Its work is rooted in a simple idea: The people who live in the neighborhood are the ones who know how to make their lives there better. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with the new president and CEO of Pillsbury United Communities about taking the helm at a time when local communities are facing so many challenges, and how the arts and connection can help people heal. Guests: Signe Harriday is the new president and CEO of Pillsbury United Communities, one of the Twin Cities' oldest and largest nonprofits. The organization runs several community centers in Minneapolis and programs aimed at uplifting communities. She previously acted, directed and taught with Pillsbury House + Theatre before becoming the organization's artistic producing director in 2021. Antonio Cardona is director of advancement at Pillsbury United Communities. He was previously the vice president of career readiness at Project for Pride in Living. Before that, he worked at Pillsbury for 15 years, primarily overseeing workforce development and charter schools.

Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis are coming home to Minnesota for a special concert at the Minnesota State Fair. The Minnesota music legends are the award-winning songwriting and production duo behind dozens of hits for some of the biggest names in music and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with the longtime friends and creative partners about their Minnesota roots, the story behind their successful careers and the friendship that has kept them working together for more than 50 years. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis Guests: Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis are a Grammy Award-winning songwriting and production duo from Minnesota who have created hits for artists including Janet Jackson, Prince, Mariah Carey and Usher. They have been friends and creative partners for more than 50 years.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.  

State and federal authorities continue to investigate a recent coordinated cyberattack on Minnesota municipal water systems.Hackers disrupted technology controls at water towers and treatment plants in more than 30 Minnesota communities last week. And the FBI says water and wastewater companies in at least six other states have reported incidents. MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with her guests about what we can do to protect the water systems, power grids and other public services we rely on.

Public office has always been demanding, but the stress of leadership seems to be taking a bigger toll on elected officials' mental health. Several city council members in Minnesota recently shared their struggles with mental health, including a Minneapolis council member who took a break to attend to depression and anxiety. Earlier this year, St. Paul's city council president resigned, citing “the “constant stressors of public leadership.” At a national level, a U.S. representative from New Jersey disclosed in June that he was being treated for depression after a four-month absence from Congress. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with a therapist and a city council member about burnout and stress among elected officials and what to do about it. Guests: Aurin Chowdhury is a member of the Minneapolis City Council representing Ward 12 in southeastern Minneapolis. She was elected in 2023 after serving as manager of constituent services for a state senator and a policy aide for two Minneapolis council members. She recently shared her struggles with her mental health in a newsletter with constituents. Noel Nix is a therapist with Vibrant Life Therapy working toward a professional clinical counseling license. He has a master's degree in counseling psychology from the University of St. Thomas and previously worked for more than a decade in municipal government as a city council aide and in public engagement for the City of St. Paul.

Public trust is essential to effective leadership, but it can be difficult to build and easy to lose.Recent allegations of sexual harassment involving St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her have prompted conversations about workplace conduct, accountability and the responsibilities that come with public office. MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about the standards we hold elected officials to and how power, race, gender and politics shape how we think about allegations against public figures.

If you have student loans, keeping up with the rules hasn't been easy. Over the past few years borrowers have navigated payment pauses, loan forgiveness efforts, court challenges and the return of monthly payments.Now, another major change has arrived. As of July 1, new federal rules have reshaped parts of the student loan system, restricting repayment options for many borrowers and borrowing rules for future students.MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about what these changes mean for borrowers, how they affect monthly payments and how people can make informed financial decisions about their student loans. Guests:Chris Farrell is a senior economics contributor for MPR News and Marketplace. Shannon Doyle is a certified financial counselor and program director of partnerships and education with LSS Financial Counseling. Here are some resources that were mentioned during the show:Federal Student AidFederal Student Aid EstimatorSubscribe 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 Trump administration last week put a new freeze on Medicaid funding for Minnesota, citing concerns over fraud. The nearly $200 million in frozen payments follows previous funding pauses, for a total of nearly $550 million. While federal authorities insist they are protecting taxpayer money, Minnesota state officials argue that the move is punitive and harms vulnerable people who rely on Medicaid programs. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with the head of the state's Medicaid programs about how the state department is responding to Medicaid fraud cases and the impact of funding freezes on providers and patients. If you suspect fraud in a program run by the Minnesota Department of Human Services, you can find information on how to report it on the DHS fraud reporting website. The Minnesota Department of Human services also has information on what people can do to find a new provider if their provider has been disenrolled from the Medicaid program. Guest: John Connolly is temporary commissioner and state Medicaid director for the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Before being appointed as interim head of the department in 2026, he was a deputy commissioner.

For many people, going to the dentist is easy to put off — until something hurts. Millions of Americans don't get regular dental care because of cost, lack of insurance, difficulty of finding a provider or fear of the dentist. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two experts about why oral health matters, the barriers that keep people out of the dentist's chair and what's being done to make dental care more accessible.Guests:Dr. Elmi Abdulkadir Elmi is a dentist and co-founder of All About Dentistry, a general dental practice with locations in Burnsville and West St. Paul. He was also selected as a 2026 Bush Fellow, recognized for his work expanding access to oral health care. Dr. Sheila Riggs is an associate professor of dental public health in the School of Dentistry at the University of Minnesota and chair of the Association of Critical Access Dental Providers of Minnesota. Here are some of the resources that were discussed on the show:Dental Clinics and Services - Help Me ConnectPublic Resources | Minnesota Dental AssociationUniversity of Minnesota Dental ClinicsSubscribe 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. 

Buying a house or condo is becoming harder for many people in Minnesota. The math is simple. Home costs are rising and most people's incomes aren't keeping up. But solutions are more complicated. Communities need to build more low-cost homes, help buyers with down payment assistance and lower-interest loans, and help current homeowners maintain and stay in their homes. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity's CEO Chris Coleman about how the nonprofit organization is working on all these fronts to tackle the housing affordability crisis. Guest: Chris Coleman became president and CEO of Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity in 2018 after serving as mayor of St. Paul from 2006 to 2018. He worked previously as an investment advisor for RBC and served for six years on the St. Paul City Council.Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity uses thousands of volunteers every year. Learn more on their website's volunteer page.

Layoffs have become a recurring headline this year, with companies in technology, finance, manufacturing and other industries announcing job cuts.But at the same time, unemployment remains relatively low, applications for unemployment benefits are near historic lows and Minnesota recently added jobs, according to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. So what's really happening in the job market? MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about what's driving recent layoffs, where job opportunities might be, and what it all says about the economy.Guests:Chris Farrell is a senior economics contributor for MPR News and Marketplace. Angelina Nguyen is the director of the Labor Market Information Office at the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.Kyle O'Keefe is a district president at Robert Half, a recruiting and business consulting firm. 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.    

Your 30s are often described as the decade when you're supposed to have life “figured out.” Maybe you've built a career, bought a home, started a family or settled into the person you're going to be — but for many people, that's not what this decade looks like. MPR News guest host Kyra Miles talks with her guests about how your 30s can be a time of big transitions and changing priorities. They'll explore what research says about this stage of adulthood and why so many people feel pressure to have it all together. Guests:Audra Nuru is the director of family studies and professor at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. Her research explores how we communicate to construct identities and navigate periods of change. Melissa Ertl is a researcher and assistant professor of psychology at the University of Minnesota. She also works as a practicing therapist. Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.

Eating is a fundamental part of life. So, when things aren't going well with our digestive system, it affects not only our health but also our routines, social lives and very identity. And these days, more people seem to be struggling with chronic gastrointestinal problems, including irritable bowel syndrome and autoimmune diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. MPR News guest host Kyra Miles talks with her guests and listeners about diagnosing and living with gut problems.

When was the last time you read a book or magazine, or listened to an audiobook? Overall, Americans are reading less. A study last year from the University of Florida and University College London found the portion of people who read daily for pleasure in the U.S. fell from 28 percent in 2004 to 16 percent in 2023.And, according to the National Endowment for the Arts, fewer than half of all adults said they read a book of any kind in 2022 — even fewer said they read a novel. MPR News guest host Kerri Miller talks about what's behind the decline in reading, and why some people are saying that it points to a fundamental shift that has consequences for how we entertain ourselves, learn and think.

America's college campuses are entering a period of major change. The pool of traditional college-age students is shrinking, and many young people are rethinking whether college is worth the cost.MPR News guest host Kerri Miller and her guests talk about why colleges are expecting fewer students, how public and private institutions are preparing, and what's influencing whether — and where — young people decide to pursue higher education.Guests:Nathan Grawe is a professor of economics at Carleton College and is one of the country's leading experts on the college enrollment cliff. He is also the author of “Demographics and the Demand for Higher Education," and “The Agile College,” which helped bring national attention to the coming decline of college-age students. Suzanne Rivera is the president of Macalester College in St. Paul. She has been the president since June of 2020. 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.    

Wildfires have burned thousands of acres across northern Minnesota, sending smoke into communities around the state and prompting air quality alerts. Live updates Get the latest information on wildfires in Minnesota MPR News guest host Kelly Gordon talks with meteorologists about the combination of heat, rainfall, humidity, wind and drought that can increase wildfire risk. They'll also discuss what this summer's weather patterns can tell us about the weeks ahead, how smoke travels hundreds of miles from fires and how a changing climate is influencing fire seasons in Minnesota.Guests:Ben Cathey is the chief meteorologist for MPR News.Sven Sundgaard is a meteorologist for MPR News.Mandy Thalhuber is a meteorologist for MPR News.Jeff Masters is a meteorologist who writes about extreme weather for Yale Climate Connections, a news service that focuses on climate change. He is a former hurricane hunter and the co-founder of the commercial weather service, Weather Underground. 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.    

Smoke from wildfires burning in northern Minnesota and Canada has drifted into other parts of Minnesota this week and triggered air quality alerts for much of the state.MPR News guest host Kelly Gordon talks about how air quality is monitored and forecast and the health risks of breathing wildfire smoke.Guests:Kathy Raleigh is an epidemiologist who works in the environmental health division of the Minnesota Department of Health.Matt Taraldsen is a meteorologist and supervisor of the team that issues air quality conditions, alerts and forecasts at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Resources discussed during the show:Air quality forecasts: Air quality forecast | Minnesota Pollution Control AgencyCurrent air quality conditionsAirNow.gov allows you to check current air quality conditions. You can also download the AirNow mobile app and sign up to receive air quality alerts and forecasts via email.Current air quality conditions | Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (state.mn.us)Purple AirMinnesota Outdoor Air Quality Guidance for Schools and Child CareThe MPCA's Air quality and health webpage has information about health and indoor and outdoor air quality and how to prevent air pollution.The Minnesota Department of Health has an Air Quality, Climate and Health webpage.The Minnesota Department of Health wildfire smoke webpage highlights ways you can protect your health against wildfire smoke.How to make your own air cleaner: DIY Air Cleaner to Reduce Wildfire Smoke IndoorsHow to protect pets8 tips on keeping pets cool during the dangerous heat wave across Minnesota this week | MPR NewsWildfire smoke and animals | American Veterinary Medical AssociationSubscribe 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 guest host Kelly Gordon talks with a forest ecologist about what's behind the fires burning in and near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, why they're so difficult to contain and what we can do to reduce wildfire risk. Listen Poor air quality: What causes it and how to protect your health Guest:Lee Frelich is the director of the University of Minnesota's Center for Forest Ecology.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 Americans give up on studying another language after finishing a high school or college foreign language requirement. But some adults are diving into learning a new language to connect with their heritage, communicate with neighbors or co-workers, as a door to travel and culture, or just to give themselves a mental challenge. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with her guests about the joys and challenges of learning a new language as an adult. Guests: Amanda Dalola is an associate professor of linguistics and director of the Language Center in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota. She studies how people learn languages. She trained in Romance linguistics, speaks several Scandinavian languages and is currently learning Finnish, Norwegian and Korean. Julian Nye has been learning Spanish for the past three years through language apps, conversation groups and St. Paul Public Schools Community Education classes. He works in human resources for a Twin Cities nonprofit organization.

Summer is heating up and temperatures over the next few days are expected to climb into the 90s in many parts of Minnesota.For many of us, that means finding ways to stay cool and maybe spending more time indoors. But public health experts say extreme heat is more than an inconvenience. It's the deadliest weather hazard in the United States — and a growing concern in Minnesota.MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about what can we do to protect ourselves, our families and our communities during stretches of extreme heat.Guests:Ben Cathey is the chief meteorologist for MPR News. He leads MPR's weather coverage including Climate Cast and the Updraft weather blog and helps Minnesotans understand everything from daily forecasts to long-term climate trends and extreme weather.Kristin Raab is the director of the Climate & Health program at the Minnesota Department of Health. Here's a link to the Minnesota Department of Health's resources for extreme heat.

Have you thought about what will happen to your home, your savings or your treasured family keepsakes after you die? If you're leaving it to your loved ones to just figure out, you might be leaving them costly and stressful problems. MPR News host Angela Davis talks about why estate planning isn't just for the wealthy, and what simple steps you can take now to reduce expenses and family conflict when you're gone.

Kimchi. Kombucha. Yogurt. Sauerkraut. Fermented foods have been part of the human diet for thousands of years but researchers are still trying to understand their potential health benefits.MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two researchers about the connection between fermented foods and our health.Guests:Andres Gomez is an associate professor of animal science and food science and nutrition at the University of Minnesota.Kylene Guse is a researcher and founder of the Living Food Initiative where she explores the connection between food, microbes, ecology and culture. She was also co-owner of the now-closed GYST Fermentation Bar in Minneapolis.