Podcast appearances and mentions of emily bright

Layoff notices will begin going out tomorrow as lawmakers work on unfinished pieces of the state budget.And major wildfires burning north of Duluth for nearly three weeks are now nearly fully contained. But state officials expect the risk for more severe wildfires to remain, possibly all summer long.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Bright. Music by Gary Meister.

A wildfire burning in the Boundary Waters in northern Minnesota is growing, leading authorities to close off a part of Superior National Forest land in the Horse River area. The Horse River fire is still relatively small, but it has more than doubled in size in recent days to nearly 25 acres, and it's burning completely uncontained.This is the evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Bright. Music by Gary Meister.

A new book by a St. Paul author tells the story of Chinese emigrants applying to enter the U.S. 100 years ago. The young adult novel incorporates the poems that people detained at Angel Island off of California carved into the walls, expressing their anger and longing.MPR News host Emily Bright spoke with author Freeman Ng about his book "Bridge Across the Sky."

Gov. Tim Walz is promising residents in the fire ravaged areas in the northeastern part of the state will get help in rebuilding.Public sector unions are expressing frustration over a proposed plan to close the state prison in Stillwater. Those stories and more in today's evening update. Hosted by Emily Bright. Music by Gary Meister.

More than 300 college presidents and administrators from around the country signed a letter denouncing “unprecedented government overreach and political interference” in higher education. By noon Wednesday, at least eight Minnesota colleges had joined the growing list of signees.Since President Donald Trump was elected to office, his administration has worked to revoke Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policies at colleges, launched investigations into antisemitism and trans athletes on campuses and threatened to withhold universities' federal funding. The American Association of Colleges and Universities released the letter Tuesday. Suzanne Rivera, president of Macalester College in St. Paul, is on the board of the association. She joins MPR News host Emily Bright to talk about the letter, which she also signed.

It is the time of year when bears are coming out of hibernation and looking about for their next meal. Maybe you have seen a bear this season or heard of one in the neighborhood. This is a possibility not only for people who live in northern Minnesota. There have been bear sightings in the Twin Cities region this year.Andy Tri, bear project leader for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, joins MPR News host Emily Bright to talk about the state of bears in Minnesota.

Wednesday has brought remarkably warm and sunny weather to Minnesota. Thursday may counter with clouds and rain showers. MPR chief meteorologist Paul Huttner joins MPR News host Emily Bright with details on the forecast, plus the latest on funding for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration climate centers.

Tuesday night at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, a show will explore the intersections of grief and humor in Native culture. It's called “Death, Grief and Dying: Indigenous Humor While Crying” and it's a show very personal to its creator Trish Cook. Cook is a comedian and a citizen of the Red Lake Nation. She joined MPR News host Emily Bright to talk about the intersection of grief and humor.

Week two of an unusual Minnesota legislative session is underway with the struggle over power still gripping the Capitol. Republicans in the House continue to hold floor sessions while Democrats continue to boycott as court decisions late last week pushed a House special election into March. Last legislative session, a unique bipartisan coalition formed to combat housing affordability. Chaired by DFLers Rep. Mike Howard and Sen. Lindsey Port, the committee had strong bipartisan support, including from House Republican Whip Rep. Jim Nash, who has been working on housing legislation for more than 10 years.Two of the bills that received very strong bipartisan support had to do with city zoning reform, but lobbying by city governments, especially in the suburbs, tanked the bills. With so much left unfinished last session and with this session's power balance still in limbo, how will that committee work together in the House? Rep. Nash serves on the Housing and Finance Committee. He was one of the co-authors of the zoning bill in the House last session. Rep. Howard is another co-author of the zoning bill and the top-ranking Democrat on the Housing Finance and Policy Committee. They both joined MPR News guest host Emily Bright to explain what's to come.

The Earth's hottest year in recorded history was 2024. The previous hottest year was 2023. MPR News guest host Emily Bright and her guests talk about climate change and possible ways to address it.

If you have travel plans across southern or central Minnesota late tonight or tomorrow -- keep a close eye on weather and road conditions.And Hennepin County commissioners yesterday approved a $3.1 billion dollar budget for 2025. The budget includes a 5.5 percent property tax levy increase.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Bright. Music by Gary Meister.

From MPR News, Art Hounds are members of the Minnesota arts community who look beyond their own work to highlight what's exciting in local art. Their recommendations are lightly edited from the audio heard in the player above. Want to be an Art Hound? Submit here.Authoring and illustrating childhoodArt fan Deborah Bartels of St Paul took a delightful trip The Kerlan, which is one of the premier collections of children's literature, housed in the Elmer L. Anderson Library on the West Bank of the University of Minnesota. Called “Journey to Joy: Rise, Relevance, Representation in Children's Picture Books,” the exhibit is open Monday-Friday 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., with docent-led tours available by appointment each day at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Please note: the Kerlan is closed on weekends and from Dec. 21-Jan 1 for the University's holiday break. Deborah describes. the exhibit: The entrance to the exhibit welcomes viewers with life-sized, colorful cut-outs of joyful children doing cartwheels and reaching for the stars. A wall behind is covered floor-to-ceiling with enlargements of the covers of books that have won the Ezra Jack Keats Award.  Displays invite visitors to see the process behind the published award winner: the submitted manuscript, the sketches that evolve into beautiful artwork and the notes of the authors and illustrators. One of the surprising things I learned was that it is the editor who selects the illustrator for a submitted manuscript and that often the writer and artist never meet! “Journey to Joy” is displayed over four floors of the Anderson Library. A short elevator ride to the third floor brings you to the beginning of the exhibit which succinctly illuminates the history of children's picture books, a history which is not always one to celebrate. The exhibit doesn't dwell long on this exclusionary past; it reveals a lesser-known history of positive efforts to represent the diversity of people and cultures and of the awards which encourage and publish more diverse children's literature.  I have long been aware of Newbery and Caldecott Medals which are well-known prizes in children's literature. I knew little about the Ezra Jack Keats Award, which celebrates books that embrace all ethnic and social groups. The ground floor devotes an entire room to feature three indigenous Minnesota artist illustrators:  Jonathan Thunder, Annette S. Lee and Marlena Myles. — Deborah BartelsHealing artsMartin DeWitt, former director and curator of the Tweed Art Museum in Duluth, recommends making time to see the Twin Ports exhibit “Loaded” by Duluth artists Rob Quisling and Jonathan Thunder. It's showing across the High Bridge at the Kruk Gallery Holden Fine Arts Center, University of Wisconsin-Superior through Dec. 20 and by appointment until Jan. 15, 2025. Martin says: The exhibition is truly a collaboration by Quisling and Thunder, featuring a thoughtful and poignant selection by curator Annie Dugan of each artist's diverse artistry that deals directly with their struggles and recovery from alcohol addiction. The exhibition is a powerful testament, not only to the artists' long-term friendship, but also to their unique and powerful creative expression in a variety of media. A dramatic, monumental acrylic painting on canvas by Thunder, smaller oil paintings and intimate prints and drawings by both artists, and a provocative mixed-media art installation by Quisling, fill the Kruk Gallery with inspiration, forthright honesty and beauty. The notion of “Loaded” takes on new meaning, not only as a celebration of the artists' sobriety but also how passion, friendship and creative expression can offer the potential for healing and resolve in this increasingly challenging world. This is an exhibition not to be missed.— Martin DeWittA note before we go From Art Hounds producer Emily Bright: This is the last Art Hounds for 2024, rounding out our 15th anniversary year. Don't worry, we'll be back in January. But before we take a little holiday break, it's worth taking a moment to appreciate what a distinct joy this show is. This year, Art Hounds featured nearly 130 artists and events, from Worthington to Ely, from Fergus Falls to Winona, plus in venues across the Twin Cities metro area.   Artists regularly tell me that folks turned up at their show because they heard about it on Art Hounds.  And the range of shows is just as wide-reaching: visual arts exhibits and stage performances of all kinds. (And even some off-stage: we had not one but two dance performances on or near bodies of water, because that's how we roll in Minnesota.) There were jazz concerts, community quilt projects, art strolls and cabarets, plus art collections at four different colleges.  This is work that sparks conversation about the biggest topics of our day! Shows that make people feel seen. Art that spreads joy.  Thank you to everyone who's been on Art Hounds this year, for taking time to shine a light on someone else's work.  It's not too soon to let me know about the shows you're looking forward to seeing in 2025. Happy holidays, and we'll see you soon. — Emily Bright

On Saturday, Minnesota's excellent literary scene will be on display at the Twin Cities Book Festival. The day-long event at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds includes readings as well as a chance to meet authors and publishers.One of those local authors is Mubanga Kalimamukwento. The short stories in her new collection “Obligations to the Wounded” move back and forth between the U.S. and her native Zambia, exploring women pushing against society's expectations. MPR News host Emily Bright talks with Kalimamukwento, who will read from her collection at the festival Saturday at 10:15 a.m.

A former supervisor at a Minneapolis autism therapy provider told the Minnesota Reformer she attempted to report negligence and fraud to state officials, and no one responded.It's one piece of the puzzle in a bigger investigation of autism centers across the state. Deena Winter, formerly of Minnesota Reformer reported about it in their most recent story and Minnesota Reformer editor in chief Patrick Coolican joined MPR News guest host Emily Bright to talk about it.

If you spent the summer tending to your garden and have more produce than you know what to do with, join a conversation about what to do with what you grew.MPR News host Emily Bright dives into ways to preserve, store and cook what came out of your garden or is abundant in farmers markets.Whether you're a gardening pro or just trying your hand at it this season, Emily's guests walk you through the best practices for harvesting and what you can do to prepare your garden for next spring.

Our top story is last night's presidential debate. MPR reporters Mark Zdechlik and Ellie Roth attended Republican and Democratic watch parties to get reactions from Minnesotans. The Wayzata Police Department is seeking the public's help in finding an artifact that was part of a 9/11 memorial. The Wayzata Crime Prevention Coalition is offering a $1,000 reward for the return of a glass piece that was part of a granite memorial in Panoway Plaza Park. Police learned of the vandalism last week and say evidence at the scene indicates the piece was removed.This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Emily Bright. Music by Gary Meister.Find these headlines and more at Mprnews.org.Cheers, jeers and minds already made up at Minnesota debate watch partiesHarris presses a more forceful case against Trump than Biden did on abortion, economy and democracyRead the latest edition of the AM Update newsletter.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

Coming-of-age stories are great, but what about a beach read with whose main characters have a little more life experience?St. Paul author Sarah C. Johns' debut novel features three generations of women with a unique family history, and the stars of the show are in their late 50s and and 70s. And they're working together to ready a team for a senior synchronized swimming competition. The novel is called “The Sirens of Soleil City,” and it comes out July 9. MPR News host Emily Bright spoke with the author, who will read from her debut novel “The Sirens of Soleil City” Tuesday, July 9 at Magers and Quinn Bookstore in Minneapolis at 7 p.m.

The much-anticipated list of state fair foods was released Tuesday. There are 33 official new foods and six new vendors. A spokesperson from the state fair joined the show to discuss how the decisions were made. Plus, a new vendor joined in to talk about what makes a Korean corn dog fair food.A journalist who struggled to find health care for his mom in a northern Minnesota is speaking out about a crisis in rural health care.Minnesota will soon see the first curriculum for teaching Hmong. Fifteen teachers are the first to be licensed to teach the language.A St. Paul author has published a summer beach reach about motherhood and a senior swimming competition. MPR News host Emily Bright talked to its author.Our Minnesota Music Minute was “The Great Exaggeration of Summer ‘19” by Zaq Baker, and our Song of the Day was “No one will ever know” by Enemy in the Sky.

Another round of strong, severe thunderstorms have been moving across northern Minnesota today. And at least 15,000 Minnesotans have been automatically registered to vote since the system was certified earlier this year.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Bright. Music by Gary Meister.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has approved a resolution focused on outreach to Native American communities, after acknowledging the church's role in boarding schools. A draft also apologized to Indigenous Catholics. The church operated at least 80 of more than 500 government-funded boarding schools that separated children from their families and suppressed Indigenous cultures.Also, University of Minnesota students will pay more in tuition next school year as part of a budget approved by the Board of Regents Thursday.This is the afternoon MPR News update, hosted by Emily Bright. Theme music by Gary Meister.

Jurors in the Feeding Our Future trial are resuming deliberations Wednesday morning after the presiding judge in the case seated two alternates amid allegations of jury tampering. And a handful of DFL candidates will have a straight shot to the Legislature after they filed to run unopposed.This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Emily Bright. Music by Gary Meister.Find more Minnesota news at MPRnews.org.A handful of Minnesota House candidates have a straight shot to officeFeeding Our Future prosecutor says juror was offered $120K to acquitRead the latest edition of the AM Update newsletter.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have one last chance Tuesday night to stay in the Western Conference Finals. Defense attorneys in the Feeding Our Future trial are expected to start presenting their case this week. And Minnesota Democrats will gather later this week in Duluth for their state convention. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Emily Bright. Music by Gary Meister.Find more Minnesota news at MPRnews.org.Closers Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving have Mavs on verge of sweeping Wolves in West finalsFBI number crunchers track taxpayer cash to house, vehicle purchases in Feeding Our Future trialRead the latest edition of the AM Update newsletter.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

Description Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe to discuss the comic book series Strange Academy. This school for magic users in the Marvel comic book universe introduced readers to a wave of new young magic characters, including Doyle Dormammu and … Continue reading →

The Lino Lakes City Council is considering a moratorium on land development after a 156-acre proposal, including a mosque, divided residents.The council met Monday night for a special work session that was closed to public comment — despite this, hundreds of residents showed up, both in support and opposition of the development, dubbed Madinah Lakes. Faraaz Yussuf is the president of Zikar Holdings, the company proposing to develop an old sod farm off of Main Street into a mix of residential housing and businesses, centered around a mosque. Yussuf joined MPR News guest host Emily Bright.

There are hundreds of different kinds of birds trilling out across Minnesota, and spring feels like an especially nice time to hear them. For years, a group of dedicated scientists and birders around the state documented all 250 species that are known to nest in the state. They created an atlas — not of roads, but of birds.It's a sprawling book called “The Breeding Birds of Minnesota” and it's out on Tuesday. One of the book's coauthors, Lee Pfannmuller joined MPR News guest host Emily Bright.

The Twin-Cities based Chinese-American Kim Loo Sisters was a quartet that got its start in the 1920s. The sisters took their act to Chinatowns across the country and even to Broadway. Nearly 100 years after the sisters got their start, there's a new reason to shine a light on the Kim Loo Sisters. This time it's an exciting new musical about them called “Blended Harmony: The Kim Loo Sisters.” Minnesota-born playwright Jessica Huang wrote the play, which will premier at the History Theatre in St. Paul on Saturday. Huang spoke to MPR News guest host Emily Bright about the show and its significance.

College protestors across the nation — including in Minnesota — woke up in tents this morning. A growing number of students have joined rallies and campouts to protest the Israel-Hamas war and demand their schools cut financial ties to Israel. Student journalists from Hamline University in St. Paul and the University of Minnesota Twin Cities joined MPR News host Emily Bright about the latest on their campuses. Sabine Benda is a senior at Hamline and has been reporting on the protests for her school's paper, The Oracle. And Sam Hill is a student reporter and sophomore at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, where protests led to arrests last week.

We are entering that time of year when adventurous Minnesotans start answering the call of the Boundary Waters, the pristine and isolated land and water we love so much in this state.The Boundary Waters has seen an increase in visitors over the past few years, likely due to the pandemic. Regional journalist and paddle enthusiast Joe Friedrichs wants those visitors to remember that this beautiful northern landscape comes with its own hazards and potential dangers. On Tuesday, he will release a book filled with true stories of peril in the area. Friedrichs joined MPR News host Emily Bright to share what he learned while writing “Last Entry Point: Stories of Death and Danger in the Boundary Waters.”

UnitedHealth Group says the cyberattack on its Change Healthcare subsidiary earlier this year may have exposed personal information from “a substantial portion of people in America.” The Minnetonka-based company says it hasn't seen signs that medical charts or histories were released in the data breach, but it says it may take months of additional work to determine the extent of the breach and notify everyone affected.And about thirty students set up tents in a protest for Gaza. They want the university to divest from weapons manufacturers and businesses that engage with the Israeli military.Those stories and more in today's evening update. Hosted by Emily Bright. Music by Gary Meister.

A set of new appointments announced today to the Minnesota Supreme Court will end a months-long transition phase.And Woodbury police say a man was shot and wounded by officers outside a Target store this morning. There was no immediate word on the man's condition. The Minnesota B-C-A is investigating.This is an evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Bright. Music by Gary Meister.

It's Minnesota Fashion Week, and men's mental health is hitting the runway on Thursday night.The show is called MAN DOWN, and curator Gayle Smaller Jr. is partnering with local non-profits to raise awareness — and funds — for men's mental health, which often flies under the radar. According to the American Psychological Association, over 30 percent of men will suffer from depression at some point in their life, and stigma around men's mental health means many won't seek treatment.Gayle Smaller Junior is the curator of MAN DOWN and one of the producers for Minnesota Fashion Week. He joined MPR News guest host Emily Bright to share the inspiration behind the show, and what change he hopes to see come about.

Lawmakers are pushing to include a mandatory cellphone policy for Minnesota schools as part of the 2024 education policy bill. The bill is heading back to the Minnesota Senate after passing the House last week. The policy aims to curb student cellphone use in state high schools, citing a toxic culture around cellphones, distractions and deterring human interaction. DFL state Rep. Sandra Feist co-authored the bill after reading about how cellphones are severely affecting the development of children.However, some teens are ahead of this bill. A small but growing number of young people have decided it's not worth it to have a smartphone. They're taking control of their mental health and focus by ditching smartphones altogether. One of those young people is Leo Huppke, a sophomore at the University of Minnesota.MPR News guest host Emily Bright spoke with both Feist and Huppke to hear about the ramifications of excessive cellphone use from both ends of the spectrum.

The American Academy of Pediatrics says racism can negatively impact the health of children and adolescents, and the doctor's office is one of the places where kids may experience racial bias.A team of Minnesota doctors asked Black and brown kids aged 11 to 18 about their experience in a recent study. Then, the researchers talked to their parents.Dr. Emily McTate is a pediatric psychologist with the Mayo Clinic and one of the authors of a study published earlier this year. She joined MPR News guest host Emily Bright to share about the project and its findings.

MPR Chief Meteorologist Paul Huttner joined MPR News host Emily Bright to give us the latest on Minnesota weather.He shared the latest rainfall numbers and whether it'll make a dent in the weekly drought monitoring. The forecast seems to be brightening up, but with a bite—frost might be on the way. Plus, the possibility of adding a Category 6 to the hurricane scale.

The family of Ricky Cobb II announced on Wednesday that they're filing a lawsuit against two state troopers who were on the scene when he was shot and killed in July 2023. State trooper Ryan Londregan shot Cobb during an attempted arrest at a traffic stop, and his partner trooper Brett Seide was with him.MPR News reporter Estelle Timar-Wilcox has been following the situation. She joined MPR News guest host Emily Bright for a debrief on the situation.

Whether you're new to Minnesota or are born and raised, we all have questions about our great state.As journalists, it's our job to find you answers. And this year, our friends at the Star Tribune are celebrating five years of finding answers to some of those unique questions.The “Curious Minnesota” column has answered everything from “How did the Mayo Clinic become one of the world's most famous medical centers?“ to “Why do Minnesotans cut their pizza into squares?”To celebrate five years, the Star Tribune has launched a database of every “Curious Minnesota” question they've answered. Editor of “Curious Minnesota” Eric Roper joined MPR News guest host Emily Bright.

A group of 21 Minnesotans who are working on climate solutions across the state recently got back from Miami Beach, where they were part of the international “Aspen Ideas: Climate” gathering.The Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership selected the group of diverse people who are making efforts to combat climate change.Director Heidi Roop joined MPR News guest host Emily Bright to talk about them and their experience.

The state Senate higher education committee heard a bill Tuesday that would prohibit legacy admissions at Minnesota colleges and universities. And a bill advancing in the Minnesota Legislature aims to make all packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2032.This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Emily Bright. Music by Gary Meister.Find more from these stories at MPRnews.org.Minnesota lawmakers look to put packaging companies on the hook for materials wasteProposed bill would ban legacy admissions at all Minnesota collegesRead the latest edition of the AM Update newsletter.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

Gov. Tim Walz is urging small businesses negatively affected by the lack of snow this winter in Minnesota to apply for federal assistance. A bill aimed at protecting consumers who buy online tickets to games and concerts is headed to the House floor. And Kirk Cousins is leaving the Minnesota Vikings for a big new contract with the Atlanta Falcons.This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Emily Bright. Music by Gary Meister.Find more from these stories at MPRnews.org.Small businesses that rely on Minnesota winters could be eligible for federal disaster assistance due to lack of snowLegislation for the ‘Eras' — New Taylor Swift ticketing bill could help fans in MinnesotaCousins leaves Vikings for big new contract with Falcons in QB's latest well-timed trip to marketRead the latest edition of the AM Update newsletter.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

State lawmakers are grappling again this year with bills to legalize sports betting in Minnesota, where there isn't a solid consensus. The issue doesn't cut along party lines and various iterations might gain some votes and lose others in a closely divided Legislature. And with new online trainings for faith leaders, state officials hope to better support mental health in rural areas.This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Emily Bright. Music by Gary Meister.Find more from these stories at MPRnews.org.On latest lap through Capitol, backers of legal sports betting bill strain for winning formulaRead the latest edition of the AM Update newsletter.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

Minneapolis writer Anne Ursu has made her name writing fantasy books for middle-grade readers, but in her new novel, “Not Quite a Ghost,” she side-steps into a different genre: horror. MPR News reporter Emily Bright sat down with Ursu to talk about what she hoped to accomplish with her new novel.

More than 4,000 office janitors across the Twin Cities are on strike Monday. Their push for wage increases and affordable health care follows recent wins for retail janitors. And officials say a large grass fire near Waseca is now under control.This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Emily Bright. Music by Gary Meister.Find more from these stories at MPRnews.org.Wildfires burn hundreds of acres in southern, western MinnesotaRead the latest edition of the AM Update newsletter.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

Season snowfall deficits continue to increase across Minnesota. This winter's snowfall is now about 2 feet below normal in the Twin Cities and more than 3 feet below normal in Duluth. And another DFL state lawmaker, Rep. Hodan Hassan, has announced she will not seek reelection this fall.This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Emily Bright. Music by Gary Meister.

A report by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development  found Minnesota businesses are "cautiously optimistic" about 2024. And government officials will meet with residents in Minneapolis's East Phillips neighborhood later this week to give updates on pollution from a nearby iron foundry.This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Emily Bright. Music by Gary Meister.

A Minnesota psychotherapist is sharing her story of caregiving in a new memoir. “The Unlikely Village of Eden” by Emma Nadler is about learning to adapt when life doesn't go to plan and how even though 53 million people are caregivers in the U.S., their reality is often ignored. MPR News' Emily Bright sat down with Nadler to talk about her life-changing experience.Nadler will speak at Minneapolis' Washburn Library about her book Thursday night at 6 p.m.Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.Subscribe to the Minnesota Now podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.   We attempt to make transcripts for Minnesota Now available the next business day after a broadcast. When ready they will appear here.

The Democratic Governors Association has elected Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as its new chair. And in Rochester, educators have begun implementing required changes that focus on how reading is taught in the state. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Emily Bright. Music by Gary Meister.

Misinformation about the war in Israel is flooding social media. It's making it difficult to sort fact from fiction in a war many in the U.S. already know little about. While there has been plenty of real verified imagery and accounts of the airstrikes and bombings, they have been intermingled with false claims. One was a doctored White House memo claiming to show President Joe Biden announcing billions in aid for Israel. Even mainstream news outlets have been duped. Unverified reports of babies being beheaded were circulating, and CNN had to make a correction that they were not able to confirm it was true. Already the information pouring in at your fingertips can be overwhelming during a time like this. To help sort it out, MPR News guest host Emily Bright spoke with Emily Vraga. Vraga is an associate professor at the Hubbard School of Journalism at the University of Minnesota and studies mis- and disinformation.This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.What's the difference between misinformation and disinformation?Both misinformation and disinformation deal with things that are not accurate, things that we can't prove to be true or that we know to be false. The difference is misinformation is unintentional, while disinformation is something that someone knows to be false and is still spreading to achieve some kind of political, social or financial gain.Why do we see disinformation during war?There's a lot of people who really want to get their point of view across and to persuade people that they are on the right side. Propaganda has always been a part of war and disinformation is part of that. Sometimes it goes beyond just revealing facts to actually spread things that they know to be false.Disinformation is a type of propaganda where people are going beyond just crafting messages that are persuasive, trying to represent only one viewpoint in a very limited way, to actually sharing things that are inaccurate.Many people get their news and information on social media. What should they look for?We need to be really careful when we're on social media, and to think about where the information is coming from and who stands to gain from it. People in general want to be accurate, they want to be right. But when we're on social media, we don't always have that desire at the top of our mind.I just encourage people to continue to remind themselves that it's really important to verify whether the information is something we can trust before sharing it or allow it to affect our beliefs about a topic.Tips for spotting misinformation or disinformation onlineQuestion anything that is really, highly emotional. If there's something that is really trying to tug at our heartstrings, that is doing so to advance a particular viewpoint, that's a time when we should be more skeptical.Really look at the source of the information. If there is a source provided, double check it. And if there isn't a source, that's a reason to maybe be skeptical as well and see if you can find other sources that you do trust or reporting on that topic.Remind yourself that when we start looking at social media that we want to be accurate, we want to be making sure we are relying on the best information, not necessarily on things that make us feel good or feel bad, or really tap into our identity. Putting accuracy at the front of our mind can help us remember to use the tools that I think most of us know we can use effectively.Subscribe to the Minnesota Now podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.   We attempt to make transcripts for Minnesota Now available the next business day after a broadcast. When ready they will appear here.

Five law enforcement officers were wounded by gunfire this morning in central Minnesota. In Minneapolis, some members of the City Council are raising questions about Mayor Jacob Frey's proposal to build a new Third Precinct police facility. Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Bright. Music by Gary Meister.

We just got into the swing of things with fall weather. But Wednesday morning Minnesota saw its first frost of the season. MPR News Chief Meteorologist Paul Huttner joined MPR News guest host Emily Bright with the details on the weather as it begins to feel like fall.For the latest weather information, follow MPR News' Updraft blog.Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.Subscribe to the Minnesota Now podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.   We attempt to make transcripts for Minnesota Now available the next business day after a broadcast. When ready they will appear here.

Housing advocates say eviction rates around Minnesota are increasing at a troubling pace, and gas prices have spiked in parts of Minnesota over the past day... now back over $4 dollars a gallon at some stations. These stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Bright. Music by Gary Meister.