Podcasts about mpr news

After a Minneapolis police officer murdered George Floyd, calls for justice were loud and urgent. Some community leaders began asking: How do we make real, lasting change — especially when it comes to racial and economic justice? That question sparked the creation of the Groundbreak Coalition — a multibillion-dollar effort to close the racial wealth gap by rethinking how we invest in homes, businesses, and communities. Listen to a conversation moderated by MPR News host Angela Davis about how a moment of crisis inspired a long-term strategy to build Black wealth — and why economic justice is essential to racial justice. The discussion was recorded at a national conference in Minneapolis organized by the Council on Foundations.Panelists:Tonya Allen is president of the McKnight Foundation whose leadership has helped shape a philanthropic vision rooted in equity and systemic change. She is also the chair of the Groundbreak Coalition. R.T. Rybak is the CEO of the Minneapolis Foundation and former mayor of Minneapolis. David Mortenson is the chairman of M.A. Mortenson Company — one of the nation's leading construction and real estate development firms. He also serves on the board of directors for the Mortenson Family Foundation. 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 U.S. Senate approved a rescissions package that cuts $1.1 billion from public media over the next two years. That includes funding from the Corporation of Public Broadcasting that goes to 16 media organizations in Minnesota. Some of those organizations are MPR News and our sister music stations, as well as regional PBS stations and small radio stations. At those smaller stations, federal dollars cover up to half the budget.   U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar has commented that the cuts could shutter tribal and rural radio stations. She joined MPR News host Nina Moini on Minnesota Now to talk about it. Disclosure: While 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.

Many of us have an intuitive sense that spending some time outside is good for us — and in recent years, science is backing that up.  Whether it's going on a walk down a tree-lined street, splashing in a lake or just eating outside with a view of a garden, spending time in a natural setting can boost our mood.  And that's not all.Growing research shows that spending time in nature can lower blood pressure, improve attention and reduce symptoms of ADHD, prevent near sightedness and strengthen the immune system.MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with a health researcher and the director of a nature center about the healing power of the outdoors and ways to incorporate more nature into your summer.Guests: Cathy Jordan is a pediatric neuropsychologist and a professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School. Her research interests focus on how environments, especially natural environments, shape children's physical and mental development and health. She is also a consulting research director for the Children & Nature Network based in St. Paul.Colleen Foehrenbacher is the executive director of Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center in Lanesboro. The center is situated in 250 acres of restored prairie and mixed hardwood forest and runs a nature-based preschool, field trips for and other outdoor education programs for children, families and adults.  

Water in the Red River Valley takes a path that may look odd on a map. That's because the Red River flows north to Lake Winnipeg in Canada. From there, it heads for saltwater, emptying into the Hudson Bay and eventually reaching the ocean. Somewhere along this route, lodged in a beaver dam or trucking downstream, are small wooden canoes that were decorated and launched by students from about 40 elementary schools in Minnesota and North Dakota. Each boat has a QR code and postcard instructing anyone who finds it to share the location. For more on the program called River of Dreams, MPR News host Nina Moini talks with Taylor Lemieux and Ashley Loe. Lemieux is a watershed education coordinator for the International Water Institute, based in Fargo, and Loe is a fifth-grade teacher in Grand Forks, N.D.

When you are driving in Minneapolis, you may get a speeding ticket without even getting pulled over by police. The city has announced the installation of speeding cameras at five intersections around the city. Eventually there could be more than 40 of these cameras. They are part of the city's Vision Zero plan, aimed at reducing traffic accidents. Vision Zero coordinator Ethan Fawley joins MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about the new program.

Now that President Trump has signed his “Big Beautiful Bill” into law, Congress will shift focus to next year's budget. Congress is considering some initial budget proposals this week. Trump's original budget request to Congress back in May outlined a 44 percent cut to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which oversees federal rental assistance programs and Section 8, or Housing Choice, vouchers.Dominic Mitchell is the executive deputy director of the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority and joins MPR News host Nina Moini to explain how the proposed cuts would impact his agency as well as renters who use the programs.

Minnesota has had an eventful 24 hours of weather, with lots of rain and a big drop in temperatures. It all comes at the halfway point of meteorological summer. To find out how the second half of the season could unfold, MPR News host Nina Moini talks with MPR Chief Meteorologist Paul Huttner on Minnesota Now.

Witnesses are on the stand after opening statements today in the burglary trial for DFL Senator Nicole Mitchell in a Becker County courtroom. And more than 200 Minnesota small businesses will get a funding boost from the state under a wave of funding that goes out soon.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Kelly Bleyer. Music by Gary Meister.

Partisan polarization has long been a fact of political life in the United States. And it seems like politics is everywhere these days — at the dinner table, in the classroom and on every screen. That raises some big questions for parents. How do we talk to our kids about what's going on without passing along fear or cynicism? How do we raise thoughtful, respectful people amid divisive rhetoric?MPR News host Catharine Richert and her guests explore how parents can talk with their kids about politics without anger, divisive rhetoric and polarization. Guests:  Lindsay Cormack is an associate professor of political science at the Stevens Institute of Technology. She is also the author of, “How to Raise a Citizen (And Why it's Up to You to Do It)”  Bill Doherty is a professor emeritus in the Department of Family Social Science at the University of Minnesota. He is also co-founder of Braver Angels, a nonprofit that seeks to restore trust, respect and goodwill in American politics.

Farming is an unpredictable industry. From severe weather to market prices, a lot is out of farmer's control. New data shows that in 2024, little was in farmer's favor in Minnesota. A University of Minnesota annual report that looks at farm finances found that in 2024, Minnesota farmers saw their lowest net income in 20 years. Minnesota crop farmers saw the biggest losses. In 2024 the median net farm income was $2,371, compared to $47,484 in 2023. Some farmers will get some of their money back. Applications opened last week for disaster assistance from the USDA for losses from 2023 and 2024.  Jordan Goblish has a corn and soybean farm in Vesta, Minnesota. Pauline Van Nurden is an extension economist at the Center for Farm Financial Management at the University of Minnesota. They both joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about the financial state of Minnesota farms in 2025.

A local artist is working to humanize people living with vitiligo through photographs that use black lights to highlight the skin condition. Vitiligo is the autoimmune disorder that causes white patches to appear on the skin. And it affects almost one percent of people worldwide. Sharolyn Hagen started taking photographs of herself when she was diagnosed with vitiligo in 2016 to track the progression of her condition. But it turned into a much larger art and advocacy project. She joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about it.

A Minneapolis police officer who shot and killed Amir Locke during a no-knock raid in 2022 is leading a use-of-force training for the department. We got the details from the MPR News reporter who broke the story. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents began detaining people right after their court hearings, according to immigrant rights advocates who are speaking out against the practice. A new report shows Minnesota farm incomes plummeted in 2024 to their lowest level in two decades. We found out why. We took a look inside downtown Minneapolis real estate with someone who sells skyscrapers. A Twin Cities photographer with an autoimmune condition is using her camera to take down stigma.Our Minnesota Music Minute was ‘Warhorse' by Joan of Profile. Our Song of the Day was ‘Mudslide' by Pat Donahue.

MPR News learned that the Minneapolis police officer who fatally shot Amir Locke during a no-knock raid in 2022 is responsible for leading the police department's use of force training.The head of the police department said he understands why the choice of Sgt. Mark Hanneman to do this type of training will concern some people - but said Hanneman is the right person for the job.However, the decision to put Hanneman in that position upset members of Locke's family and others who say it hurts MPD's efforts to reform police culture and repair community relations.Cari Spencer reported the story and joined Minnesota Now to share about her reporting.

Selling a downtown office building in the Twin Cities— or anywhere— is no easy feat these days. Very few buildings have changed hands since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune.  Almost every successful sale of a downtown office building in the 2020s involved Harrison Wagenseil of commercial real estate firm CBRE's Minneapolis team. Wagenseil was part of the brokerage team behind the recent sale of the Wells Fargo and Ameriprise towers in downtown Minneapolis. He joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about what goes into selling a skyscraper, and why it's so difficult.

The way younger people get their news looks a lot different than it did a generation ago.  For many millennials and Gen Z, it's not about watching the 6 o'clock news or reading the headlines in the Sunday paper. Instead, it might be watching a quick video on TikTok, spotting a trending post on Instagram or listening to a favorite podcast on a commute. MPR News host Catharine Richert and her guests talk about what's shaping the way young people stay informed, what holds their attention, what doesn't, and why it matters for the future. Guests: Anne Guttridge is a video producer for MPR News and part of Reverb — an MPR News initiative and reporting team focused on serving younger Minnesotans.Olivia Cordova Kramer is a high school student at the Breck School in Golden Valley. She was a newsroom intern at the Minnesota Star Tribune.

Gov. Tim Walz announced today that a special election to fill the Minnesota House seat of the late DFL Leader Melissa Hortman will take place September 16.And another round of Canadian wildfire smoke is moving across Minnesota today -- and an air quality alert is now in effect for the entire state through Monday morning.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Lately, it seems like no matter where you drive in Minnesota, you run into road construction — lane closures, detours, backed-up traffic and a lot of orange cones. If you're wondering, “Why now? Why so many projects all at once?” — you're not alone. MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests take a closer look at what's behind this busy construction season. Guests: Anne Meyer is the media relations coordinator for the Minnesota Department of Transportation.  Charles Carlson is with the Metropolitan Council. He serves as the executive director of Metropolitan Transportation Services. 

On Minnesota Now this week, we're airing Call to Mind, the MPR News initiative fostering new conversations about mental health.Mental illness is the leading cause of hospitalization for America's military service members.  Anxiety conditions and post-traumatic stress disorders lead the list of diagnoses. This special explores the mental health needs of veterans and people serving in the militaryWe hear about how combat and non-combat military duty can impact mental health. And we explore the unique resources and support available to service members and veterans.   Join Call to Mind host Kimberly Adams for “Silent Battles: Mental Health and Military Service,” a one-hour broadcast special.

Have you been thinking about what your life might look like with less alcohol? Whether it's for health, mental clarity or out of just plain curiosity, more people are choosing to rethink why they drink alcohol. MPR News host Angela Davis explores what it means to be “sober curious.” Guests: Alexandra Zauner is the owner of Lucille's Bottle Shop, a St. Paul business that sells non-alcoholic drinks and organizes alcohol-free events for the sober and “sober curious.” Alyssa Heim stopped drinking five years ago at age 25 and now runs the Instagram page talkthemock where she shares non-alcoholic drink recipes and promotes a sober lifestyle.  

On Minnesota Now this week, we're airing Call to Mind, the MPR News initiative fostering new conversations about mental health.Technology is ever-present in modern life, from remote work to communities on social media, from dating apps to telemedicine. We live with an ever-expanding array of online options and an ever-growing list of new questions about how healthy it is to spend so much time online with our devices. This broadcast special explores the influence of technology on our mental health.  We'll hear from experts about how online communities, AI, influencers, and social media compromise one's mental health. We also meet people whose wellbeing has been improved by new technologies.  Join Call to Mind host Kimberly Adams for “Promise and Peril: Technology and mental health,” a one-hour broadcast special. 

Minnesota school districts are facing a new financial hit after learning the Trump administration will withhold tens of millions in education funding.About three hundred nurses and other medical staff went on strike today in the Duluth area. They work at six Essentia Health facilities and are negotiating their first union contracts.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Teachers often talk about the summer slide — the setback many students experience in reading skills during the summer months. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with three children's book authors for recommendations on great books to read this summer to keep kids' reading skills up and their imaginations alive. Guests:Shannon Gibney is an author and professor of English at Minneapolis College. The children's books she's written include “Sam and the Incredible African and American Food Fight” and “We Miss You, George Floyd.” She is also the co-author of “Where We Come From.” And she's written novels and young adult fiction, including “The Girl I Am, Was, and Never Will Be: A Speculative Memoir of Transracial Adoption,” “See No Color” and “Dream Country,” both of which won Minnesota Book Awards. Jessie Taken Alive-Rencountre is a Hunkpapa Lakota from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. She was a school counselor for 15 years and now works full time as an author and presenter. She received the Great Plains Emerging Tribal Writer's Award for her first children's book, “Pet'a Shows Misun the Light.” And she is the author of six other children's books, including “Thunder's Hair” and “We Are All Related.” Sarah Warren is an award-winning children's book author who worked as an early childhood educator for over 17 years. Her picture books include “Beyoncé: Shine Your Light,” “Stacey Abrams: Lift Every Voice,” “Everything a Drum” and “Dolores Huerta: A Hero to Migrant Workers.” Sarah is also co-founder of Picture Book Parade, an organization that promotes literacy and diverse local authors. Angela's guests and listeners recommended some of their favorite books: “Baby Monkey Private Eye” by Brian Selznick and David Serlin  “Llama Llama book series” by Anna Dewdney “The $66 Summer” by John Armistead “Humphrey Series” by Betty G. Birney “Where the Red Fern Grows” by Wilson Rawls “Time of Wonder” and “Blueberries for Sal” by Robert McCloskey “Go, Dog. Go!“ by P.D. Eastman“Where the Wild Things Are“ by Maurice Sendak“Sisters,” “Smile,“ “Guts,“ graphic novels by Raina Telgemeier “How Full Is Your Bucket“ by Tom Rath and Mary Reckmeyer “The Latehomecomer: A Hmong Family Memoir“ and children's books by Kao Kalia Yang “Click Clack Moo“ by Doreen Cronin “Charlotte's Web“ by E.B. White“One Little Lot: The 1-2-3s of an Urban Garden“ by Diane C. Mullen Mindy Kim Book Series by Lyla Lee “Front Desk“ by Kelly Yang “Looking for Lucy“ by Emrys Current “The Rithmatist“ by Brandon Sanderson 

On Minnesota Now this week, we're airing Call to Mind, the MPR News initiative fostering new conversations about mental health.Studies show that 1 in 4 older adults live with a mental illness such as depression, anxiety and substance use disorders. But many older people don't get the help they need. And America's aging population is expected to double by 2050. This program explores the unique mental health challenges of older adults and the models in place to care for them. We'll hear from mental health providers, direct care workers and older Americans living with mental health issues. The program explores therapeutic solutions and improved treatment systems to help older adults and their wellbeing. Join Call to Mind host Kimberly Adams for “The Aging Mind,” a one-hour broadcast special.

Young adults who recently graduated from college are facing a tough job market.The national unemployment rate among people age 22 to 27 with a degree is almost 6 percent, which is the highest it's been since the pandemic. Joblessness among young workers is also worse than the overall unemployment rate of around 4 percent. And, many young graduates are working in jobs that do not require a college degree. MPR News host Angela Davis talks about reasons why the job market is particularly hard right now for recent grads and what it takes to get a job if you're new to the workforce. Guests: Katie Jolicoeur is director of Career Services at Minnesota State University, Mankato.Chris Farrell is a senior economics contributor for MPR News and Marketplace.  

On Minnesota Now with this week we're airing Call to Mind, the MPR News initiative fostering new conversations about mental health.An estimated 29 million Americans will suffer from an eating disorder in their lifetime. These mental illnesses can be profoundly disruptive to a person's life and psychological wellbeing. And eating disorders can be deadly. Anorexia nervosa has one of the highest mortality rates of any psychiatric condition. Eating disorders strike a wide range of people, but deep-rooted assumptions about who suffers from these diseases often complicate the road to recovery.  This special looks at eating disorders and the challenges of treatment. We'll hear firsthand from people who have experienced these illnesses and experts who treat them.  Join Call to Mind host Kimberly Adams for “Beyond the Mirror: The Challenge of Eating Disorders,” a one-hour broadcast special. 

To mark Independence Day, Big Books and Bold Ideas is airing an encore presentation of Kerri Miller's conversation with historian Patrick O'Donnell about his 2024 book, “The Unvanquished.”The Civil War is remembered for its sweeping battles: Gettysburg, Atlanta, Antietam. Less known are the small troops of men, enlisted by both sides, to fight far from the battlefields.These ruthless soldiers relied on stealth to sneak behind enemy lines — often wearing their opponent's uniform — and destroyed supply lines, assassinated military officials and gathered critical information.Today, we know this kind of warfare as shadow ops — which is a specialty of military historian Patrick K. O'Donnell. A roadside marker he happened to see in rural Virginia ignited years of research into the Civil War-era special forces who were tasked by President Lincoln to undertake spy operations and secrete missions against Confederate units.This week, he joined MPR News host Kerri Miller on Big Books and Bold ideas to talk about his book, “The Unvanquished,” which masterfully tells the story of this forgotten chapter of history.Guest:Patrick K. O'Donnell is a bestselling military historian and an expert on elite units. He is the author of thirteen books, including “The Indispensables,” “The Unknowns” and “Washington's Immortals.” His new book is “The Unvanquished.”Subscribe to Big Books and Bold Ideas with Kerri Miller on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS or anywhere you get your podcasts.Subscribe to the Thread newsletter for the latest book and author news and must-read recommendations.

Minnesota's U.S. House members split along party lines on a tax and budget bill that President Donald Trump plans to quickly sign.That story and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Summer is a great time for birdwatching. With longer days and warmer weather, it's the perfect season to step outside and see what's fluttering in your neighborhood, park, or along the shoreline.And whether you're a seasoned “birder” or a curious newcomer, birdwatching is an increasingly popular way to connect with nature.MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Sharon Stiteler, also known as “the Birdchick,” about summer birdwatching — what to look for, where to go, and why this season is more active than you might think.Guest:Sharon Stiteler, also known as “the Birdchick,” fell in love with birds at age seven when someone gave her a Peterson Field Guide to Birds. She's now an avid bird watcher and author of several books, including “North American Bird Watching for Beginners: Field Notes on 150 Species to Start Your Birding Adventures.” For more information about birding, Sharon recommends allaboutbirds.org. A good resource for younger birders is mybirdclub.org.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. 

President Donald Trump's mega tax and spending bill has passed before its Friday deadline. Minnesota's counties may be affected as it would cut funding to the Medicaid and food assistance programs they run. We'll talk to a county commissioner about the impact. As we gear up for the Fourth of July, a Minnesota fireworks manufacturer will talk us through the difficulties the fireworks industry is facing.In a new Minnesota Now and Then, we'll listen back to a 1976 MPR News broadcast about how Minnesotans celebrated the country's 200th birthday. And about 20 trucks are gearing up for the first ever Native American Food Truck festival in St. Paul this weekend. We'll hear about the variety of Indigenous foods they are celebrating.Our Minnesota Music Minute was 'In the Dark' by Cornbread Harris and our Song of the Day was 'Shapeless' by Dante DeGrazia.

On July 4, 1976 the United States was celebrating its bicentennial, or 200 years. Next year will be the Untied States semiquincentennial, or 250 years.Back in 1976, there was a series of celebrations and observances that paid tribute to U.S. Independence. That year at MPR News, we aired a special program hosted by former MPR News host Gary Eichten that looked at how Minnesotans across the state observed the milestone.

If you have plans to watch fireworks or take part in other outdoor activities on the Fourth of July, keep an eye on the forecast over the next couple of days. MPR meteorologist Sven Sundgaard says a cool front may touch off thunderstorms. Also, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced Wednesday he is joining a multistate coalition suing the Trump Administration, accusing it of sharing personal health data with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. This is the afternoon MPR News update, hosted by Emily Reese. Theme music is by Gary Meister.

Progress has been made in raising awareness about mental health, but many people are still not getting the support they need. Listen to a conversation hosted by MPR News host Angela Davis about barriers to mental health care. Three women who lead Minnesota nonprofits talk about mental health needs in communities and families, the disparities in mental health care systems and how resources can support people.The discussion was recorded on May 28 at an event at the Ameriprise Financial Headquarters in Minneapolis that was organized by CHC: Creating Healthier Communities, a national nonprofit based in Alexandria, Virginia, in partnership with UCare and Medica Foundation.Panelists: Kimberly Spates is the chief executive officer of NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center, a federally qualified health center serving residents in North Minneapolis and Hennepin County. Sue Abderholden has served as executive director for NAMI Minnesota (National Alliance on Mental Illness) since 2001. She is also a community faculty member for the University of Minnesota School of Social Work where she teaches health and mental health policy.  Jessica Gourneau is the clinical director at the American Indian Family Center in St. Paul, where she oversees mental health, chemical dependency, and women's health programming. She is a doctorate-level psychologist and an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa.   

Public safety measures are ramping up in Minneapolis ahead of the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Law enforcement leaders from the city of Minneapolis, Hennepin County and the state of Minnesota held a press conference Wednesday morning at Boom Island Park in Minneapolis to talk about additional safety measures that will be in place this weekend. MPR News reporter Matt Sepic attended the press conference joins Minnesota Now with details.

There's a special kind of dread that comes from driving a car that is about to run out of gas or power. That may be why electric vehicle advocates say highways need to have more EV charging stations for people who make the switch to electric. Those advocates had a recent win. A federal judge ordered the Trump Administration to unfreeze funding for EV infrastructure. But Minnesota's funding is still in limbo.Minnesota was one of 16 states plus the District of Columbia that sued over the funding freeze. But the court order only applied to 14 states, not including Minnesota. Great Plains Institute Senior EV Policy Specialist Moaz Uddin Mian joins MPR News host Nina Moini to explain.

June flew by and July has brought some seriously summery weather so far. MPR News meteorologist Sven Sundgaard joins Minnesota Now with the forecast for the upcoming Fourth of July weekend.

Most Mondays on Minnesota Now, MPR News listeners hear the voices of sports contributors Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson. Each week they walk us through the winning streaks, slumps and near-misses of Minnesota teams. In this installment of our series Out to Lunch, we go out to the ballgame with these two longtime broadcasters to find out what drives their passion for sports. MPR News host Nina Moini meets up with Wally and Eric at a recent Twins game against the Seattle Mariners.

The U.S. Senate passed a major tax and budget package today after after days of floor debate over the bill's contents. Vice President JD Vance cast the tiebreaking vote.Law enforcement is asking the public for any information about Jordan Collins Jr. -- known as "Manny." Searchers found the teen's body in a landfill in Elk River over the weekend.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News.

Across Minnesota, there are people working every day to strengthen their communities. Sometimes it starts with a small business. Sometimes, with a personal passion — and sometimes, with a gym. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Dalton Outlaw — someone who combined all three. He's an entrepreneur, a boxer and a community leader based in the Rondo neighborhood of St. Paul. Guest:Dalton Outlaw is an entrepreneur, boxer and community leader based in St. Paul, Minnesota. He is the founder and owner of Element Gym, a fitness facility that combines boxing, fitness, and community engagement. 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.     

Across Minnesota, there are people working every day to strengthen their communities. Sometimes it starts with a small business. Sometimes, with a personal passion — and sometimes, with a gym. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Dalton Outlaw — someone who combined all three. He's an entrepreneur, a boxer and a community leader based in the Rondo neighborhood of St. Paul. Guest:Dalton Outlaw is an entrepreneur, boxer and community leader based in St. Paul, Minnesota. He is the founder and owner of Element Gym, a fitness facility that combines boxing, fitness, and community engagement. 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.     

Running a restaurant might seem like a dream come true — good food, great vibes, and the chance to serve up joy on a plate.  But what's cooking behind the scenes? It's a never-ending dance of balancing budgets, managing people, and surviving the pressure of every customer, every order, and every shift.  MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about what it takes to start and manage a restaurant — and keep it open. Guests:Stephanie Shimp is the president and founder of Blue Plate Restaurant Company, which owns nine restaurants including Highland Grill, The Lowry and The Blue Barn at the Minnesota State Fair. Joy Summers is a food and drink reporter for the Minnesota Star Tribune.  Chris Farrell is a senior economics contributor for MPR News and Marketplace. 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.      

Joy Womack made history when she became the first American to join Russia's famed Bolshoi Ballet Theater. But getting there was a journey that took a grueling physical and emotional toll. Her new memoir, “Behind the Velvet Red Curtain,” written with MPR News journalist Elizabeth Shockman, is an intimate retelling of what happened when Womack moved to Moscow at age 15 to train under Russian greats and immersed herself in ruthless competition, obsessive training and tenacity in the face of challenge.She talks about what it took to be an American ballerina in Russia with Kerri Miller on this week's Big Books and Bold Ideas. Guest: Joy Womack is a ballet dancer and choreographer, currently based in Paris. Her new memoir, as told to Elizabeth Shockman, is “Behind The Red Velvet Curtain.” Subscribe to Big Books and Bold Ideas with Kerri Miller podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS or anywhere you get your podcasts.Subscribe to the Thread newsletter for the latest book and author news and must-read recommendations.

In 1979, President Jimmy Carter officially recognized June as Black Music Month to honor the influence of Black musicians and artists in shaping American music.  It's a reminder that Black music has been at the heart of almost every sound we know and love, including jazz, blues, rock, R&B, gospel, hip hop and even country. And in Minnesota, we've felt the impact — from the legacy of Prince to the Grammy Award-winning Sounds of Blackness. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Gary Hines, the founder of Sounds of Blackness, about the history and influence of Black artists across all musical genres. Guests: Gary Hines is the founder, music director and producer of Sounds of Blackness, a Grammy Award-winning vocal and instrumental group from Minnesota that blends gospel, R&B, soul and jazz music.   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.  

In a special edition of Minnesota Now, we dedicate the full hour to a conversation with Keon West. He is the author of the book released this year called "The Science of Racism: Everything You Need to Know but Probably Don't — Yet." The book lays out decades of scientific research about racism and its consequences, as well as efforts to address racial inequality. Now a social psychology professor at the University of London, West spent an earlier phase of his academic career in St. Paul. He attended Macalester College and graduated in 2006. MPR News host Nina Moini recently talked with West at the school's alumni weekend.

Most Americans are eating and drinking far more sugar than is good for us. It's easy to do. Sugar is added to everything from breakfast cereals and flavored coffee creamers to salad dressings and pasta sauces. And all of that sugar can add up. Americans consume an average of 17 teaspoons of sugar a day with some estimates as high as 34 teaspoons a day. That's about three times the daily limit recommended by the American Heart Association.U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently said, “Sugar is poison,” and recommends that Americans consume “zero” added sugar. So how much is too much? MPR News host Angela Davis talks with a doctor and a dietitian about what sugar does to our bodies and ways to cut back to improve our health.  Guests: Dr. Allison Estrada is an endocrinologist at Hennepin HealthCare.    Alex Larson is a registered dietitian nutritionist based near Duluth.  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 late Minnesota House DFL Leader Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark will lie in state at the Capitol on Friday.And a Hennepin County judge today sentenced the woman who pleaded guilty to unintentional murder and assault for driving her automobile into a group last fall. Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

After the U.S. attacked three Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend, Israel launched wide-ranging strikes on Tehran and Iran fired missiles at the largest American military installation in the Middle East. And according to President Donald Trump, Israel and Iran have agreed to a cease-fire.MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about the latest developments in the conflict between Iran, Israel and the United States.Guests:Shaherzad Ahmadi is an associate professor of history at the University of St. Thomas. Her research has focused on the history of the Iran-Iraq War that began in 1980. She is also the author of “Bordering on War.” Eric Schwartz is a professor and chair of the global policy area and former dean of the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. He is a former president of Refugees International and served as assistant secretary of state under President Barack Obama.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. 

Beltrami County and the city of Bemidji have declared a state of emergency due to severe storm damage over the weekend. The storms early Saturday had winds of more than 100 miles per hour.And another defendant in the Feeding Our Future case admitted that he tried to bribe one of the jurors at his trial last year.That story and more in today's evening news update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown has sparked recent protests across the country.MPR News host Angela Davis will talk with two immigration attorneys about how Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials are trying to fulfill President Trump's pledge of mass deportations.Guests:Alexis Dutt is a senior attorney at Karam Law, a Twin Cities law firm that focuses on immigration law.Hanne Sandison is the director of immigration legal services for Advocates for Human Rights, a nonprofit based in Minneapolis dedicated to promoting and protecting human rights. Chris Farrell is a senior economics contributor for MPR News and Marketplace. Resources shared during the conversation:U.S. Citizen and Immigration ServicesSelf-help materials: LawHelpMN.orgFind a free or low-cost lawyer: ImmigrationLawHelp.org The Advocates for Human Rights: Get Help or Become a Client

Gov. Tim Walz says the Minnesota Legislature should consider prohibiting people from carrying firearms in the state Capitol. Current law says Minnesotans with a permit to carry are able to bring a gun inside the statehouse. Walz comments come after authorities charged a registered lobbyist who allegedly sent a text message threatening violence at the Minnesota Capitol.Also, heat advisories and warnings are in place for parts of southern and western Minnesota as a sweltering heat wave is expected across the state. This is the afternoon MPR News update hosted by Emily Reese. Theme music by Gary Meister.

Extreme heat and humidity will roll into Minnesota this weekend. The sauna-like weather will be the first major heat wave of the summer. Temperatures will start to rise on Friday. The tropical air mass will push heat indexes to around 90 to 105 degrees.Also, more than 23,000 runners are registered for events connected to Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, including a half and full marathon on Saturday. That number tops last year's record-breaking participation.This is the afternoon MPR News update, hosted by Emily Reese. Theme music by Gary Meister.