Podcasts about mpr news

This week MPR News invites you to jump on the Minnesota Lynx bandwagon. Why? Because the No. 1 ranked team is in the playoffs which kick off this week. And they are looking great. Even if you don't know a thing about the WNBA, basketball or care about sports in general, the Lynx players are just plain fun to follow. At least that's what MPR News resident Lynx superfan tells us. MPR newscaster Emily Reese joined Minnesota Now to explain who the standout stars on the team are and why everyone should be watching the Lynx during the WNBA playoffs.

Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon is supporting a new bill before Congress to prohibit removal of people from state voter rolls without evidence of a change in status.And the Minneapolis City Council this morning passed an ordinance that aims to tighten accountability for negligent landlords.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister

Federal judges are deciding whether the National Guard can continue to deploy in Chicago. Two of Minnesota's former governors are signing their support to sue the Trump administration over it. Former Republican Gov. Arne Carlson will weigh in.The University of Minnesota's regents faced some tough decisions over their budget and the historic Eastcliff Mansion Thursday. We get an update on that. Plus, MPR News senior reporter Hannah Yang lets us in on her process covering flooding and water quality in southwestern Minnesota.And one of Minnesota's favorite musicians Dessa brings us her brand new music.The Minnesota Music Minute was “Just Another Sucker feat. Prince” by 94 East.

The state of Illinois and the city of Chicago are suing to stop the deployment of Texas National Guard troops to the Chicago area. The Trump administration says it needs the National Guard troops to protect federal agents who are carrying out immigration enforcement orders. A bipartisan group of former governors is asking to get involved in the case in support of Illinois and Chicago leaders. Among them are two former Minnesota governors, Democrat Mark Dayton and Arne Carlson, who served as a Republican but has since moved away from the party. Carlson joined MPR News host Nina Moini to share more.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency recently released an analysis of the water quality of rivers, lakes and streams across the state. While the Blue Earth River in southwestern Minnesota has improved, scientists are still seeing the effects of the June 2024 Rapidan Dam failure on the river's water quality.MPR News senior reporter Hannah Yang has been covering the impacts of the dam failure, which released more than a century's worth of sediment buildup into the Blue Earth River. She joined Minnesota Now to share what she's learned, as a part of a regular check-in with reporters in Greater Minnesota.

Minneapolis singer, rapper and writer Dessa has risen to fame over the past two decades through her genre-defying solo performances and collaborations with groups like the Minnesota Orchestra and Doomtree.Dessa is releasing a new single “Camelot” off her new EP on Friday. She joined MPR News host Nina Moini to share a sneak peek of her new project and reflect on her two decades in the Twin Cities music scene and beyond.

Minneapolis police say they've identified more people who were hurt in the August shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church, bringing the total count to 30 victims.Gov. Tim Walz is walking back prior remarks that he'd call a special legislative session with or without an agreement with lawmakers.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

From shrinking newsrooms to less news coverage, local journalism faces many challenges.Since 2005, more than 3,200 print newspapers have vanished, according to Northwestern University's 2024 report on the state of local news.But one thing that still makes local journalism powerful is when reporters live in the places they cover. MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with reporters who do just that. They'll talk about what it means to report on their own communities and why that connection matters. Guests: Tadeo Ruiz Sandoval is an MPR News reporter based in the Fargo-Moorhead area. He covers the region with a focus on agriculture. Tadeo started his journalism career as an intern at KMUW, the NPR Station in Wichita, Kan. In 2024, he interned at The Wall Street Journal where he produced and hosted a miniseries on Gen Z's debt. Molly Castle Work is an MPR News reporter based in Rochester. She covers health care in southeast Minnesota. Prior to joining MPR News, Molly worked as an investigative reporter at the Rochester Post Bulletin and later as a correspondent for KFF Health News in California. Dan Kraker is an MPR News correspondent based in Duluth where he covers the people, economy and environment of northeast Minnesota. Before joining MPR News, Dan worked at KNAU Arizona Public Radio for 11 years. He covered northern Arizona's Native nations and then served as news director. He also contributes regularly to National Public Radio programs and Marketplace.

Wednesday morning, security guards at Temple Israel in Minneapolis discovered the synagogue had been vandalized with what synagogue leaders are calling antisemitic rhetoric. The vandalism at Temple Israel comes on the heels of a break-in at Alhikmah Islamic Center in Minneapolis on Monday. A few days prior, there was a fire at the same mosque. Police are investigating whether the two mosque incidents are connected. For more, MPR News host Nina Moini talked with Temple Israel Senior Rabbi Marcia Zimmerman and Jaylani Hussein, executive director of Minnesota's Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

A recent raid on a construction site in St. Paul has alarmed neighbors and immigrant advocates. ICE confirmed agents arrested four people who were working on a roof project on Thursday. A spokesperson for the agency said three of the four had criminal convictions but did not provide names or further information. MPR News has not independently verified those details. At a vigil, immigrant advocates said arrests like these are creating a climate of fear. MPR News host Nina Moini talked to Merle Payne about how this moment is impacting people working in the Twin Cities who could be subject to immigration arrests. Payne is executive director of the worker advocacy group, CTUL.

The first group of Norwegian immigrants arrived in the U.S. on a ship from Norway 200 years ago. And this week, Norway's Crown Prince Haakon, the heir to the Norwegian throne, is in Minnesota to recognize the unique ties the state has had to the country since 1825. On Tuesday, Haakon visited Norway House in Minneapolis. He was greeted by hundreds of community members waving Norwegian flags and he cut the ribbon for a library connecting Minnesotans with Norway. Sandy Ulsaker Wiese is board chair of the Norway House. She joined MPR News host Nina Moini to explain the significance of the Crown Prince's visit and how Norwegians have shaped Minnesota.

Tonight could be the coldest night of the fall so far across much of the region.And a former Minnesota Republican consultant and donor will not have his sex trafficking conviction reviewed by the U.S. Supreme Court.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Since it was launched 20 years ago by Minnesota Public Radio, The Current has grown into much more than your average music radio station. It's become a cultural hub for music lovers across Minnesota.It's where local artists are played alongside national names, and for many musicians, hearing their song on The Current isn't just exciting — it's a career milestone.MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with some of The Current's staff. They'll pull back the curtain on The Current's sound and how it all comes together.Guests:Lindsay Kimball is the program director of The Current. She started her career at The Current as an intern in 2005.Amber Hoback is the music director of The Current. She curates the station's playlist and works to shape the sound of The Current.Gannon Hanevold is a weekend host at The Current. You can hear him every Saturday and Sunday from 3 to 7 p.m.   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.    

As soon as Tuesday, the Trump administration is expected to announce a significant bailout package to help soybean producers and other farmers. President Donald Trump's trade policies have had an outsized impact on farmers. China, the biggest buyer of U.S. soybean exports, isn't buying any beans. It's leaving Minnesota's soybean farmers in a lurch. Ed Usset is a grain market economist for University of Minnesota Extension. He joined MPR News host Nina Moini to explain why soybean farmers need government assistance and the potential impact of that federal aid.

Tuesday marks two years since the beginning of the war in Gaza. Currently, there is a new round of peace talks between Israel and Hamas over a plan drafted by the U.S.  The war began when Hamas militants stormed across the border, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. 48 hostages remain in captivity. Israel responded by launching an attack in Gaza, which has killed 67,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.  College campuses have been a flashpoint for the war. On Tuesday, the University of Minnesota is both a place of protest and place for support for Jewish students.  Rabbi Jill Avrin is the director of campus affairs for the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas. She spoke to MPR News host Nina Moini about working with Jewish students across the spectrum of political beliefs.

It's been more than 60 years since the construction of Interstate 94 destroyed much of the historically Black St. Paul neighborhood known as Rondo. Minneapolis writer Debra J. Stone remembers visiting her grandparents as a child in Rondo every Sunday without fail. She even remembers playing in an enormous dirt pit from I-94 construction growing near their house. It was only when her grandparents' house was demolished that she realized the effect the interstate would have. Debra wrote a novel about a little girl, not unlike herself at the time, grappling with the destruction of the Rondo neighborhood in 1963. The book is called “The House on Rondo,” and it is out Tuesday. She spoke to MPR News host Nina Moini about her experience growing up visiting Rondo and her new book.Debra will read from her new book at Black Garnet Books in St. Paul for a book launch event on Oct. 11.

Minnesota soybean farmers are suffering after their largest consumer stopped importing amid the Trump administration's trade war.And a prominent Democrat in the Minnesota Legislature has announced he will retire at the end of his term.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with MPR President Duchesne Drew about the future of local journalism and public media in the wake of government funding cuts. They talk about how MPR News is adapting, what's at stake for communities and what he thinks it will take for public media to survive and thrive.Guest:Duchesne Drew is senior vice president at American Public Media Group and president of Minnesota Public Radio. He leads the teams that produce MPR News, The Current, APM Reports and YourClassical MPR.Editors note: MPR receives money from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. When reporting on the business of MPR and public media, we do so independently from news executives and do not let them review material before it runs. 

Business owners and city leaders kicked off the second annual Minneapolis Latino Business Week. The city partnered with multiple community organizations to put on training events, mixers and a celebration highlighting the many businesses led by Latinos in the city. The recognition week comes amid a year of highly restrictive enforcement and efforts to limit both illegal and legal immigration by the Trump administration. The heart of Latino Business Week is at Midtown Global Market in Minneapolis. One business owner, Wilin Castro, runs a restaurant there called Andy's Garage. He joined MPR News host Nina Moini along with Minneapolis City Council Member Jason Chavez.

Federal tax credits for solar projects are expiring at the end of this year, and some smaller towns in rural Minnesota have tapped into the benefits.For Climate Cast this week, MPR News meteorologist Paul Huttner talks to Minnesota Star Tribune reporter Kristoffer Tigue about the skepticism around solar power that many small and local governments had adopted over the years and the economic benefits that changed their minds.

Gov. Tim Walz pushed back on a White House proposal to cancel funding for clean energy projects in states that didn't support President Donald Trump's presidential bid. The DFL governor and former vice-presidential candidate said the threat was clearly a political move. And prosecutors are asking a judge to jail a defendant in the next Feeding Our Future trial for allegedly trying to stop a cooperator from testifying.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Willmar, Minn., is one of the most diverse cities in greater Minnesota. More than 25 different languages are spoken in its school system, and immigrants hailing from east Africa, Mexico, Myanmar and central America have revitalized its downtown. So on Sept. 8, Kerri Miller took the Rural Voice town hall series to Foxhole Brewhouse in Willmar to talk with community members about how they've successfully built an inclusive city. Rural Voice in Willmar The conversation focused on how the region evolved over the last few decades to include immigrations from Africa, Mexico and other countries and discuss the positive impact that integration has had on the local culture and economy. Participants also discussed ongoing challenges, like political representation for newcomers and institutional discrimination. Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.

The Minnesota Department of Health has confirmed 10 new cases of measles since Monday, bringing the total to 18 cases in the state. Meanwhile, national health officials reported there is a total of more than 1,500 cases across the country. That's the highest number since the disease was declared eliminated from the U.S. in 2000. Jessica Hancock-Allen, the director of the Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Division at the Minnesota Department of Health, joined MPR News host Nina Moini to explain the situation.

State leaders outlined some of the potential impacts of the federal budget shutdown Thursday. Gov. Tim Walz and other state budget officials said thousands of federal employees are at risk of being furloughed and funding for nutrition programs and clean energy projects are in limbo. MPR News politics correspondent Dana Ferguson joined MPR News host Nina Moini with details.

Most magnets are made from rare-earth elements imported from China, and access to these elements has become a bargaining chip in the U.S. trade war with China. But the magnet supply could become less of a concern, if a Minnesota company is successful in its bid to replace rare-earth magnets. Niron Magnetics held an official groundbreaking of its new manufacturing plant in Sartell last week. MPR News correspondent Kirsti Marohn joined Minnesota Now to share what she's learned, as a part of a regular check-in with reporters in Greater Minnesota.

The Lower Sioux Indian Community has been leading the charge in Minnesota in building homes out of hemp. The tribe has its own facility that makes a home insulation material known as “hempcrete," which is safer and healthier than conventional materials.Lower Sioux's innovation has led it to host the 13th International Hemp Building Symposium this weekend. It's the first time the conference has been held in the United States.Danny Desjarlais, a member of the Lower Sioux Indian Community and the industrial hemp construction project manager for the tribe, joined MPR News host Nina Moini to share more about the symposium and his work.

It's been 75 years since Charles Schulz's beloved comic strip “Peanuts” debuted on October 2, 1950, in St Paul.Charlie Brown, Snoopy and their friends have had a huge impact on culture in Minnesota and around the world. Kate Roberts, senior exhibit developer at the Minnesota Historical Society and self-proclaimed “Peanuts” superfan, joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about the comic's legacy.

Federal workers are either furloughed or working without pay during the government shutdown that started today.And federal officials say Minnesota's inclusion of trans athletes in female sports is a violation of Title IX. The Trump administration announced yesterday it had found Minnesota's high school league and state department of education in violation of civil rights law for policies that allow transgender athletes to compete on teams consistent with their gender.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

In 2023, Minnesota passed a law requiring free menstrual products in all public school bathrooms for grades four through 12.But when the law went into effect last year, some schools weren't sure how best to put it into practice.MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with two graduate students who created the Minnesota Menstrual Products in Schools Toolkit to help school staff navigate implementing the law.They shared what they learned about the needs inside schools and why they believe their toolkit can make a difference for students and educators alike.

Minnesota is facing a heat wave that harkens back to the dog days of summer, not the start of October. MPR News chief meteorologist Paul Huttner joins Minnesota Now to explain.

One of Minneapolis' most recognizable rock bands this decade will release their long-awaited debut album on Friday. Gully Boys have been playing grunge-infused pop songs on local and national stages for more than nine years. The upcoming self-titled album contains songs their superfans know and love, plus many new releases. Gully Boys guitarist Mariah Mercedes joins MPR News host Nina Moini to share some of those songs and talk about the band. Beginning at 9 a.m. Thursday, MPR News' sister station The Current will play the full album with commentary from the band.

Minnesota is recognized as one of the leading states for school-based mental health care. A three-part series from MinnPost explores how that came to be and where gaps in care still exist.Andy Steiner is mental health and addiction columnist for MinnPost. She joins MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about the series, which she wrote as part of a fellowship with the Solutions Journalism Network.

On Wednesday morning, a statewide coalition working to stop domestic violence released its annual homicide report. It names 24 people who were killed last year due to intimate partner abuse in Minnesota, plus three others whose deaths are listed as suspicious. For more about what these cases reveal about intimate partner violence, MPR News host Nina Moini talks with Nikki Engel, interim co-executive director of Violence Free Minnesota. The group has published a version of this report every year since 1989.If you or someone you know is in a dangerous situation with a partner, there is a 24-hour statewide domestic and sexual violence hotline. You can call Minnesota Day One at (866) 223-1111 or text (612) 399-9995.

The U.S. government has shut down after the Senate failed to pass a stopgap spending bill. That means some U.S. government services are coming to a temporary halt and many federal workers are furloughed or working without pay through the shutdown. Republicans and Democrats could not come to an agreement on the spending bill before the deadline, which was at midnight. U.S. Sen. Tina Smith from Minnesota is one of many Senate Democrats who voted against the Republican-backed spending bill. MPR News host Nina Moini talks with her about that decision and what's ahead.

The U.S. Department of Justice is suing the state of Minnesota — along with Hennepin County, Minneapolis and St. Paul — over policies limiting local law enforcement agencies' work in immigration operations.And the driver of a pickup truck died this morning after it collided head-on with a school bus in the city of Andover. Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

The Federal Reserve recently cut its key interest rate for the first time since December 2023. The move marked a shift in monetary policy as the central bank responds to what Fed Chair Jerome Powell described as a “really cooling off” labor market, while continuing to monitor inflation.MPR News guest host Catharine Richert and senior economics contributor Chris Farrell talk about the reasoning behind the Fed's decision and what the rate changes could eventually mean for your credit cards, mortgage, savings account or investments. Guest:Neel Kashkari is president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. It's one of the Federal Reserve System's 12 regional banks with a district that includes Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Northern Wisconsin, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.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.     

On Wednesday, representatives from several large Minnesota companies will gather in Minneapolis to learn about neurodivergence, an umbrella term for a variety of ways someone's brain may work differently from what's considered typical. Neurodivergence includes conditions such as ADHD, autism and dyslexia. The disability advocacy group PACER Center is hosting Wednesday's workshop, which is led by Wells Fargo and the University of Connecticut. The idea is to design hiring and workplace practices to include neurodivergent employees. PACER Center executive director Tonia Teasley joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about the workshop.

In Minnesota, Native Americans experience homelessness at a much higher rate than other racial or ethnic groups. Many Native people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in Minneapolis live in encampments, which have been criticized as areas ripe with violence and drug use. What to do with encampments — and whether to close them — has become a divisive issue in Minneapolis. The issue has risen to the forefront again following a shooting earlier this month at a homeless encampment in south Minneapolis that left one dead and six others injured.Joe Hobot is the CEO and president of the American Indian Opportunities and Industrialization Center in south Minneapolis and has a doctorate in education from Hamline University. He joined MPR News host Nina Moini to share his perspective.

The Department of Justice is suing Minnesota, the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Hennepin County, the Hennepin County Sheriff and the attorney general over sanctuary policies.These policies, which jurisdictions often call separation ordinances, limit local government and law enforcement's collaboration with ICE. The federal government says the policies interfere with federal immigration enforcement and are illegal. In response to the lawsuit, both mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul say they are committed to the city's ordinances. Ana Pottratz Acotsa, a visiting professor at the University of Minnesota Law School and the Binger Center for New Americans, spoke to MPR News host Nina Moini about what impacts the lawsuit could have in Minnesota.

The Minnesota Department of Revenue is warning Minnesotans NOT to engage with text messages claiming to provide tax refunds. Work was paused today on road construction projects across the state... after two workers died in separate incidents in construction zones last week. MnDOT says the first-ever statewide safety stand-down was held in part to honor the lives lost. It also was a chance for workers to have discussions and share their experiences in an effort to recommit to and improve work zone safety.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Thinking about adding attic insulation, swapping your old air conditioning system for a heat pump, or putting solar panels on your roof?Federal tax credits can cut the cost, but the clock is ticking. President Donald Trump's tax and spending bill passed this summer is doing away with several energy incentives that encouraged homeowners to reduce their energy use and switch to cleaner energy sources. MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with her guests about the tax credits and home energy efficiency.You can also find more information on home energy audits, how to get started on home energy efficiency projects and rebate, tax credit and financing programs at the Center for Energy and Environment.

In the past two weeks, federal prosecutors have charged nine people with defrauding two Medicaid programs. Acting U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson sits down with MPR News host Nina Moini to share more about how his office has been tackling fraud in the state.The National Rural Teacher of the Year is from a school district in Wright County. We'll hear how his approach to teaching has changed over the past three decades. And after a devastating loss, the Lynx are out of the WNBA playoffs. We'll talk with our sports contributors Wally and Eric to break down what happened and whether the Vikings can secure redemption across the pond. Our Minnesota Music Minute was “Break” by Gully Boys. The last 20 minutes of Minnesota Now was preempted by NPR special coverage.

Five candidates vying to be the next Minneapolis mayor participated in Friday's debate. This year's election is on Nov. 4 and uses ranked-choice voting. Early voting began Sept. 19.Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz told MPR News if he's elected to a third term, he plans to serve the entire term.This is an MPR News Evening update, hosted by Emily Reese. Theme music is by Gary Meister.  Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS. 

State Senator and Minneapolis mayoral candidate Omar Fateh says his campaign office was vandalized this week with an Islamophobic message and threat graffitied on a wall. And the U.S. Department of Justice is suing Minnesota's top election official as it tries to unlock statewide voter registration data.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Jacob Aloi. Music by Gary Meister.

Rural Voice, the statewide town hall series amplifying perspectives from greater Minnesota, launched its 2025 season at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College on Sept. 3, with a robust conversation on tribal rights and sovereignty in rural Minnesota.Moderated by Rural Voice co-founder and MPR News host Kerri Miller, the discussion featured a variety of voices and opinions emphasizing the inherent nature of treaty rights and the importance of Native Minnesotans relationship to the land. Rural Voice at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College Participants also touched on the challenges of building a Native middle class, how current tribal members are dealing with generational trauma and the importance of Native businesses in the area to create true economic vitality.

Ever since a vaccine advisory panel to the CDC last week changed recommendations about COVID-19 vaccines for everyone, and certain immunizations for children, there's been a lot of confusion here in Minnesota over who should get what shot and when. Joining Minnesota Now to clear up some of this confusion and answer questions about vaccines are three MPR reporters. Krya Miles covers early childhood issues for MPR News. Erica Zurek and Molly Castle Work cover health.

There's a new book out this month about "the most beloved unknown nature writer in Minnesota history." That's how author David Hakensen describes Helen Hoover, the subject of his new biography. Seventy years ago Hoover moved to a cabin on the Gunflint Trail, where she became a best-selling author, writing about her experiences and the wildlife she observed. MPR News reporter Dan Kraker spoke to Hakensen about why he finds Hoover's story so compelling.

On Thursdays, we're featuring the work of our regional reporters and having them open their notebooks a bit to shed light on how they work. Earlier this week, MPR News Bemidji bureau reporter Mathew Holding Eagle III shared a story about housing needs in Beltrami County. He joined MPR News host Nina Moini to provide some insight on reporting on his story. If you have a news story or tip in Bemidji or the surrounding area you can email mholdingeagle@mpr.org.

Minnesota continues to bask in warmer temperatures, blurring our seasons together. “If you break it up month by month, the biggest change we've seen is Septembers,” said Pete Boulay, assistant state climatologist with the Minnesota State Climate Office. “September is evolving into an extension of summer.”Average temperatures for the fall season have been warming up about one degree a decade since 1970. “Averages used to be, statewide, about 55 degrees,” Boulay said. “Now we're about 61 degrees for September temperatures, and we've had a lot more warmer than cooler Septembers since 2010.”MPR News chief meteorologist Paul Huttner talked with Boulay about the state's fastest warming month and how it could impact fall colors. To hear the full conversation, click play on the audio player above or subscribe to the Climate Cast podcast.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and attorneys for the state are appealing a ruling that upended a new legal ban on binary triggers. Federal prosecutors today charged a Twin Cities woman with stealing $14 million from a state autism program.That story and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Todd Melby. Music by Gary Meister.