Podcasts about mpr news

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

This past Saturday, people across northern Minnesota and Wisconsin saw a long flash of sparkling white and green light trail across the night sky. People captured it on video and it went viral on social media. But no one was exactly sure what it was. Maybe a meteor? A comet? Santa doing a test run with Rudolph? MPR News Duluth reporter Dan Kraker made it his mission to find out after seeing the spectacle himself. He joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about what he learned about the so-called “space junk.”

A judge heard arguments today in a federal lawsuit against the state of Minnesota challenging a state law that allows undocumented students to get in-state college tuition. And another long-time legislator says he won't seek re-election in 2026. Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

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

Minneapolis' Somali community continues to be on edge, following a confrontation between ICE agents and community members. It happened Tuesday afternoon in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood of Minneapolis where a large Somali community lives. Federal agents used chemical irritants to push through a crowd that blocked their vehicles as they checked identifications of people in the area. ICE officials say they did not make any arrests Tuesday. Minneapolis City Council member Jamal Osman, who represents that area, said he saw at least one young Somali person detained. The incident was the latest in an ongoing operation targeting some Somali people in the state. MPR News host Nina Moini talked with Osman for more about what he saw.

The state released new health data Wednesday about students across Minnesota. The 2025 Minnesota Student Survey shows that students are generally reporting better mental and physical health than they did when they took the survey last, back in 2022. But they were asked about a new topic this time around: social media and screens. That was where students reported a bigger struggle. University of Minnesota professor Jodi Dworkin studies how technology shapes child development and she helps parents navigate children's use of social media and screens. Dworkin joined MPR News host Nina Moini on Minnesota Now.

A shiny green beetle has transformed city streets and forests in parts of the United States. The emerald ash borer has been found in 59 counties of Minnesota and it has especially affected the southeast corner of the state. The beetle depends on ash trees to survive and reproduce. It lays eggs into their bark. Then those eggs hatch into larvae that feed on the living tissue of the trees, eventually killing them. The larvae become beetles and fly off to other trees. Scientists at the University of Minnesota have found several species of parasitic fungi that can interrupt this cycle by killing emerald ash borer. Colin Peters is a Ph.D. candidate and lead author of a recent study about using these fungi to protect ash trees. He joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about his research and what it could mean for Minnesota's one billion ash trees.

Much of Minnesota woke up Wednesday buried in a fresh layer of snow. It's a fitting scene, since this week is 15 years since one of the state's most infamous snow events. Early in the morning on Dec. 12, 2010, the roof fell in at what was then the Minnesota Vikings' stadium, the Metrodome. Minnesota Now looked back at MPR News coverage of the collapse and talked with the only person who was in the arena when it happened. Peter Eisenschenk, former building operations manager of the Metrodome, joined MPR News host Nina Moini to share what he remembers.

Minneapolis leaders are sharing reports of racial profiling and arrests of U.S. citizens by ICE. City Council Member Jamal Osman talked with Minnesota Now about what he witnessed in a chaotic confrontation with ICE agents in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood.Minnesota's survey of students shows their mental health is getting better. But for the first time the results include a look at the impact of social media use.Plus, a local researcher may have found a new way to kill emerald ash borers and save ash trees. Chief Meteorologist Paul Huttner joined with snow totals plus details on when the next round could arrive. And 15 years ago this week, the state was digging out of another winter storm. That one led to the collapse of the Metrodome. MPR News host Nina Moini talked to a man who was in the stadium when it happened.

Driving conditions across Minnesota will worsen through night as snow and freezing rain move across the region.And nine Republican candidates for Minnesota governor gathered last night to debate issues at a Lyon County Republican candidate forum.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

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

Since an immigration operation launched in the Twin Cities on Dec. 1, federal officials have not said exactly how many people they have detained, have in custody for deportation proceedings or who has been released after questioning. Of those detained by ICE in the last week, several lawsuits have been filed on their behalf in an effort to secure release.Attorney David Wilson represents several of those individuals. He joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about his clients.

Those who have faced it know it well: substance use disorder does not discriminate. But addiction treatment can look different for everyone. That's why Fraser, a Minnesota-based autism services program, has launched a new substance use disorder treatment program specifically for Minnesotans on the autism spectrum. To get a better picture of how their services look different from a traditional addiction treatment program, Aric Jensen, the vice president of the outpatient and community-based mental health program at Fraser, joined MPR News host Nina Moini.

Officials at Augsburg University in Minneapolis say federal immigration agents entered a private campus parking lot without a warrant on Saturday afternoon and detained a student.And the Minneapolis City Council this week will consider a new ordinance that its authors say will require a more humane approach to homeless encampments. Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

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

Reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the Twin Cities have spiked since Dec. 1, when the agency says it began an operation here. ICE has released only selective details of 19 arrests. The operation is one of the latest to focus on a United States metro area as the Trump Administration pursues its goal of mass deportations. The federal agents trying to meet the government's quotas have a growing set of tools to help them find people to arrest and deport. For more, MPR News host Nina Moini talked with Stevie Glaberson, director of research and advocacy for the Center on Privacy and Technology, a think tank based at Georgetown Law.

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

Minnesota is in national news due to President Donald Trump's recent targeting of the state's Somali population. In a cabinet meeting this week, the president made xenophobic and racist comments about Somali people. MPR News is also following reports that the White House is sending federal agents to the Twin Cities to arrest Somali immigrants who have final deportation orders. All of this has spread fear among Somali Minnesotans, most of whom are U.S. citizens or green card holders. Salman Fiqy, who is Somali, threw his energy into campaigning for Republican candidates in his Somali community in the south Twin Cities metro during the 2024 election. This was after he had ended an unsuccessful campaign for a Republican house seat. Results from the 2024 presidential election showed Democrats lost support in Minneapolis neighborhoods with high numbers of Somali voters. A survey from that time also showed growing support for the Republican party.Since President Donald Trump's recent xenophobic comments, Fiqy has shared that he can no longer support the party. Salman Fiqy spoke with host Nina Moini more about his decision.

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

Fear has rippled through the state's East African community following reports of an immigration enforcement push in the Twin Cities targeting Somali immigrants who have final deportation orders. The New York Times and the Associated Press reported Tuesday morning that Immigration and Customs Enforcement will send 100 federal agents to the Twin Cities this week and that the operation could sweep up legal residents including U.S. citizens.Most of Minnesota's 80,000 Somali residents are U.S. citizens or legal residents. A much smaller number in the hundreds have temporary protected status, a designation President Donald Trump has said he will end for Somali immigrants in Minnesota.For perspective, MPR News host Nina Moini talked with three leaders of the Minneapolis Somali community, State Senator Omar Fateh, Imam Hassan Jama and police sergeant Mukhtar Abdulkadir.Read the full reporting at MPRNews.org.

The Somali community is at the center of a reported ICE operation in the Twin Cities, bringing fear to a community of 80,000 people. We spoke to state senator Omar Fateh, who represents many Somali Minnesotans and is Somali himself. Plus, we checked in with a Minneapolis Imam and a Somali Minneapolis police sergeant about how community leaders are responding. MPR News reporter Jon Collins was also out in the Somali community, asking what they've seen in the last 24 hours. Plus, temperatures are plummeting due to arctic air in our region. MPR meteorologist Brandon Weatherz gave us the details on how long these cold temperatures will last. And, a local author is bringing together the first refugee writing cohort. We learned more about the project ahead of their first event Wednesday. Our Minnesota Music Minute was “Lullaby” by Low and our Song of the Day was “Cerulean” by Ocean Blue.

President Donald Trump is intensifying his disparaging remarks about Minnesota's Somali community and lobbing criticism at Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.According to reports, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is beginning an operation targeting undocumented Somali immigrants in the Twin Cities.Tens of thousands of Somali immigrants live in Minnesota, and most are U.S. citizens. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey raised concerns that citizens will be caught up in a federal operation.That story and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Elena See. Music by Gary Meister.

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

One week ago Tuesday, a confrontation led to St. Paul police using chemical irritants and projectiles on a crowd. Hundreds of people gathered to protest and document the arrest of two people by federal immigration agents. The police department says it is reviewing officers' response. The incident came just days after a similar confrontation with federal agents in another part of the city. They, too, used chemical irritants and projectiles. In cities across the country, federal immigration actions have resulted in frequent clashes between law enforcement and community members who are organizing to respond. More could be on the horizon after reports came out Tuesday that federal agents are expected to target hundreds of Somali immigrants in the Twin Cities. Minneapolis and St. Paul leaders said in a press conference that local law enforcement will not assist the operation but will respond to public safety threats. To understand more about the health impacts of what are called less lethal methods of crowd control, MPR News host Nina Moini talked with Dr. Rohini Haar. She is an emergency physician, a medical advisor for the group Physicians for Human Rights and a lecturer in the University of California-Berkeley law school.

Fruit crops in Minnesota have gone dormant to survive the winter. That leaves the people who grow them to plan ahead. For organic fruit growers, that includes preparing for warmer winters, wetter springs and drier summers. Those are among the climate-driven trends affecting Minnesota. On Wednesday, the University of Minnesota Extension will begin the second year of a climate resilience program for fruit growers in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Madeline Wimmer is organizing the program as an extension educator and president of the Organic Fruit Growers Association. She joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about the role fruit crops play in the region's food system and how fruit farmers are adjusting for climate change.

Just in time for holiday travel, a snow storm impacting much of Minnesota has left several inches of snow in a swath from southwestern Minnesota to the northeast. Roads were slick and snow covered Wednesday morning. I-94 was closed for a time due to jack-knifed semis. The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport says Wednesday is one of the busiest travel days of the year.Federal authorities on Wednesday took at least two people into custody in St. Paul during an operation that drew protesters. St. Paul Police confirmed their officers used chemical irritants. Police chief Axel Henry says his department did not violate the city ordinance that prevents it from assisting with federal enforcement. Police officers used chemical irritants and less lethal projectiles on protesters and the press. MPR News photojournalist Kerem Yucel was hit by the chemical irritants.Best Buy is reporting a strong third quarter in its latest earnings report — and the company also is raising its sales and profit forecasts for the year. The Richfield-based electronics retailer says comparable-store sales rose nearly 3 percent in the last quarter — its biggest gain in three years.As Minnesotans get ready for a holiday that revolves around a large meal, people who work in hunger relief are asking people to remember food shelves and those in need. A family from the Red Lake Nation will represent three generations in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York this year.

Today is the first day of meteorological winter ... this fall turned out to be our 4th warmest ... and very dry. The cold and the snow mean it's snowmobile season. In Minnesota, the season can start as early as December 1 — if conditions are right.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Elena See. Music by Gary Meister.

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

A federal operation yesterday in St. Paul ended with at least two people taken into custody. And authorities in northeast Minnesota say a man died after being struck by a falling tree while clearing snow this morning amid the winter storm.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Just in time for holiday travel, a snow storm impacting much of Minnesota has left several inches of snow in a swath from southwestern Minnesota to the northeast. Roads were slick and snow covered Wednesday morning. I-94 was closed for a time due to jack-knifed semis. The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport says Wednesday is one of the busiest travel days of the year.Federal authorities on Wednesday took at least two people into custody in St. Paul during an operation that drew protesters. St. Paul Police confirmed their officers used chemical irritants. Police chief Axel Henry says his department did not violate the city ordinance that prevents it from assisting with federal enforcement. Police officers used chemical irritants and less lethal projectiles on protesters and the press. MPR News photojournalist Kerem Yucel was hit by the chemical irritants.Best Buy is reporting a strong third quarter in its latest earnings report — and the company also is raising its sales and profit forecasts for the year. The Richfield-based electronics retailer says comparable-store sales rose nearly 3 percent in the last quarter — its biggest gain in three years.As Minnesotans get ready for a holiday that revolves around a large meal, people who work in hunger relief are asking people to remember food shelves and those in need. A family from the Red Lake Nation will represent three generations in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York this year.

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

Firearm season for deer hunters is largely over in Minnesota. Data from the state Department of Natural Resources shows hunters were more successful than they have been for a few years. The number of harvests has climbed back from a low point in 2023. In low years, some hunters see a lack of deer and point to wolves as the cause. A recent study from far northern Minnesota tells a different story. The Voyageurs Wolf Project studies wolves in Voyageurs National Park and the surrounding area. Biologist Tom Gable leads the project and joined MPR News host Chris Farrell with details on how fluctuating deer and wolf populations impact one another.

The first snow storm of the season swept through the state Tuesday into Wednesday. That means new Minnesotans have now been properly baptized. Duluth picked up the most snow with 10.3 inches and the Twin Cities received 3.1 inches. In Rochester, which got 1-2 inches of snow, the public works department and other organizations have been helping prepare new Minnesotans for winter. Earlier this fall, they put on the second annual Rochester Snow Summit, a winter-preparedness event organized by the city. Jake Busho is the public works street maintenance supervisor and one of the organizers of the Rochester Snow Summit. He talked with MPR News host Chris Farrell along with Jessica Thornton. She is aging services program manager at Family Service Rochester, an organization that participated in the summit.

Earlier this year, South Korea's government admitted that widespread corruption had tainted hundreds of thousands of adoptions from its country. Babies who were thought to be orphaned had living parents. Some children were trafficked. Paperwork was falsified. Records were destroyed.Korean adoptees worldwide were left reeling, including here in Minnesota, home to the largest population of Korean adoptees in the U.S. Many had already wrestled with questions of identity and racial and cultural belonging. Now even the small bits of information they had about their past could no longer be trusted.How are Korean adoptees who call Minnesota home responding to this foundational earthquake? Earlier this month, MPR News' North Star Journey Live project hosted a gathering of adoptees who are deeply invested in the search for truth about their origin stories at Arbeiter Brewing in Minneapolis.Moderated by Twin Cities PBS reporter Kaomi Lee, who is herself an adoptee, the panel shared their personal histories and how the work they do today is moving the narrative forward. Guests: Kaomi Lee is a reporter at Twin Cities PBS. She is also the host of Adapted, one of the longest running Korean adoptee podcasts.Ami Nafzger has been working on behalf of Korean adoptees for decades as the founder of the Korean-based GOAL (Global Overseas Adoptees' Link) and the newer Minnesota-based Adoptee Hub. Matt McNiff is the board president and director at Camp Choson, one of many Korean culture camps started in the Upper Midwest in response to the wave of adoptions from Korea. Cam Lee Small is a licensed clinical therapist who specializes in adoption literacy, working both here in the Twin Cities and online. He's also the author of “The Adoptee's Journey.”Mary Niedermeyer is the CEO of Communities Advancing Prosperity for Immigrants, also known as CAPI, a Minnesota-based nonprofit.Correction (Dec. 2, 2025): An earlier version of this story had an incomplete title for CAPI. The story has been updated.Find a resource guide to learn more about this topic at MPRnews.org.

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

Whether you're the kind of shopper who will line up at the big box stores for Black Friday or if you like to keep it low-key with a few small businesses, chances are holiday shopping feels slightly different this year.Due to tariffs, rising costs and overall economic uncertainty, shoppers may be more hesitant to spend this holiday season. Projections for Minnesota-based retailer Target show a challenging outlook for the holiday season. MPR News has reported on multiple small businesses that have been affected by the tariff rollercoaster.Bruce Nustad, the president of the Minnesota Retailers Association, joined MPR News host Chris Farrell to break down these trends.

Two professional women's volleyball leagues recently announced they are coming to Minnesota. Major League Volleyball and League One Volleyball will launch teams in 2027. But it won't be the first time Minnesota has had a professional women's volleyball team. In 1987, a brand-new professional women's volleyball league brought the Minnesota Monarchs to the state. The league fell apart halfway through the season in 1989 due to financial problems. But while it lasted, the Monarchs had a steady fanbase. Former Monarch Annie Adamczak-Glavan is a coach and director of Club 43, a youth volleyball club based in Hopkins. She joined MPR News host Chris Farrell to share more about the Monarchs and what she thinks about the new leagues.

Belém, Brazil hosted this year's United Nations climate conference, which wrapped up last weekend.More than 50,000 people attended COP30. Even though representatives of the United States government were absent, a few Minnesotans were there, including students from a class at the College of St. Benedict and Saint John's University. St. Ben's juniors Ella Chiroux and Abby Robinson joined MPR News host Chris Farrell to share about their experience.

Much of the state is under a winter storm warning through Wednesday morning. The forecast has shifted to include more snow hitting the Twin Cities metro. This comes at one of the busiest travel weeks of the year with Thanksgiving. MPR News host Chris Farrell spoke to MPR News meteorologist Mandy Thalhuber for an update on the forecast and MnDOT spokesperson Anne Meyer, who shared advice on how to drive in winter weather.

Snow is expected tomorrow and Wednesday across much of the state... with several inches of accumulation possible in northern Minnesota ahead of the holiday weekend. The Twin Cities could get 1 to 3 inches.An immigration judge today ordered the deportation of a Northfield man who was detained by ICE earlier this month. Somali community leaders and Democratic lawmakers rallied at the Capitol today to oppose a proposal to end temporary protected status -- or TPS -- for Somali people in Minnesota.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

At some point in our lives, many of us will struggle to afford groceries. A job loss, a medical crisis, a divorce, an unexpected expense — life happens. Yet shame often keeps us from seeking help at food shelves and through food assistance programs like SNAP. MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks about food insecurity and the stigma that often surrounds it. Guests:Karen Tolkkinen is a columnist for the Minnesota Star Tribune who writes about issues and people of greater Minnesota. She recently wrote a column about her experience turning to food assistance at two different points in her life.Susie West is a University of Minnesota Extension educator who manages and leads a program that helps make food shelves more dignified and inviting — places where families can choose food the way they would in a grocery store.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.     

Waymo, the autonomous vehicle ride-sharing service, is currently on the streets of Minneapolis beginning testing. For now, there is a driver behind the wheel. But eventually Waymo wants you to take a ride with no driver. Minneapolis would be one of Waymo's first winter-weather markets and the company says it has been testing in winter conditions including the Sierra Nevada and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. MPR News host Chris Farrell spoke to Raj Rajamani, an autonomous vehicle expert at the University of Minnesota and Frank Douma, who researches autonomous vehicle policy at the University of Minnesota.

Kate Baer wore sequins to Talking Volumes.It was a fitting close to the 2025 season — and not-so-subtle reminder that today is all we are promised. Might as well wear the sequins. Talking Volumes: Kate Baer Baer's latest book of poetry, “How About Now,” captures the mundane beauty of what it means to be a modern woman in midlife. She writes of shifting roles and shifting bodies, of the joy she finds in her family — even if she'd rather stand outside and look at them through the window, and the unique bond in female friendships. MPR News reporter Catharine Richert stepped into the host chair for this Talking Volumes, and talked with Baer about bad childhood poetry, Amish romance novels, the power of getting older and how Baer's latest poetry collection is both personal and resoundingly universal. Musicians Faith Boblett and Seth Duin closed out the evening with their own kind of poetry. Subscribe to the Thread newsletter for the latest book and author news and must-read recommendations.Subscribe to Big Books and Bold Ideas with Kerri Miller on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS or anywhere you get your podcasts.

Many of us listen to music off of our phones through streaming apps with algorithms built to feed us songs it thinks we would like. It's convenient, but those playlists, now starting to incorporate AI, rarely surprise us.Maybe that's why some college radio stations are making a comeback. They offer something more personal — real human voices and a space where music discovery feels spontaneous and driven by curiosity not calculations. MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with two students who are passionate about college radio and help run their college stations. They'll talk about what makes college radio special and what it offers to listeners.

Minnesota has two major parties – the Democratic Farmer Labor Party and the Republican Party. That's fewer than in the recent past, when there were four parties with that status. It's important because it provides some built-in advantages come campaign season. The Forward Independence Party has high hopes of getting into the big leagues and showcased some of its candidates Thursday morning at the Capitol. The party introduced Jay Reeves, an Army veteran who is running for state auditor, along with Kelly Doss, the owner of a coaching business, who is running for Republican Rep. Tom Emmer's 6th District seat in Congress. Mike Newcome, a businessman, is running for governor with the Forward Independence Party. Tom Horner has been on a similar journey to the one Newcome just began. In 2010, Horner broke from the Republican party to run for Minnesota governor with the Forward Independence Party.  Horner won nearly 12 percent of the vote that November, and the results for Republican Tom Emmer and Democrat Mark Dayton were so close that they triggered a recount. Ultimately, Dayton won that election. Tom Horner went on to found a PR firm and he writes about politics in Minnesota and beyond. He joined MPR News host Nina Moini to explain this new dynamic of the 2026 race for governor along with MPR news reporter Peter Cox, who spoke with Moini about the Forward Independence Party's origins and goals.

For the last six months, Samuel Moose has been working as the director of tribal government relations with Essentia Health. It's a new role for the health care system that primarily operates in a rural area that includes 19 tribal nations. It's been a busy six months in the world of health care with cuts to Medicaid funding and hospital closures in greater Minnesota. Moose, a member of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, checked in with MPR News host Nina Moini about how it's going.

Every week, MPR News host Nina Moini checks in with one of MPR News' regional reporters. On Thursday, Fargo-Moorhead area agriculture reporter Tadeo Ruiz Sandoval chatted with Nina about his latest stories on the ripple effects of the federal government shutdown on the state's farmers, farmers' concerns on the nation's economic outlook and the projected cost of a Thanksgiving turkey this year.

Target says it's facing a challenging outlook for the holiday shopping season. But the Minneapolis-based retailer also outlined more steps today to try to reverse its recent struggles.One of Minnesota's largest health insurers, UCare, is shutting down at the start of next year. Another nonprofit insurer will be taking over its members. Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

“FAFO parenting” is getting attention — the idea that sometimes the best way for kids to learn is by experiencing natural consequences. FAFO doesn't exactly stand for “fool around and find out,” but you get the idea.Supporters say the parenting approach builds resilience and responsibility. Critics worry it can cross into neglect or leave kids without the guidance they need.MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with a parenting researcher about when stepping back helps children grow, when intervention matters and how families can find the balance between independence and safety.Guest:Christopher Mehus is a research associate professor in the Department of Family Social Science at the University of Minnesota.

A federal operation in St. Paul Tuesday morning led to a confrontation between federal agents and protesters. Federal agents used chemical irritants and projectiles on the crowd. At a press conference Tuesday morning, St. Paul City Council Vice President Hwa Jeong Kim spoke in defense of people who gathered to observe and record the operation. “Concerned and caring residents were shoved, thrown to the ground. One observers' foot was run over. This is not safety. This is not law enforcement. This is state violence,” she said. In a statement to MPR News, an ICE spokesperson said the agency and law enforcement partners conducted court-authorized law enforcement activity and served a search warrant as part of a federal criminal investigation. MPR News asked for additional information about the chemical irritants used by agents, but have not received a response. With growing ICE operations across the country under the Trump administration, advocates have called for community to respond to federal action that appears to involve ICE. It's leading to more clashes, like the one that occurred Tuesday. For more on this issue, MPR News host Nina Moini talked with ACLU of Minnesota Legal Director Teresa Nelson.