Podcasts about mpr news

Attorneys for Renee Good's family today announced two lawsuits for her killing by a federal immigration agent in Minneapolis in January. And the city of St. Paul today released the full report from an outside investigation into misconduct allegations against Mayor Kaohly Her.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

The city of St. Paul released Thursday the full report of the investigation into allegations against Mayor Kaohly Her. The city's police chief, Axel Henry, alleged Mayor Her sexually harassed him and that city employees retaliated against him after he complained. The city had previously released a summary of the investigation but this full redacted report comes after City Council members called for its release.St. Paul council member Molly Coleman, who represents Ward 4 in the northwestern corner of the city, was among those who called for the full document. She spoke with Minnesota Now host Nina Moini about the release and MPR News reporter Melissa Olson shared details from the report.

In a rare move, the U.S. Department of Justice has filed a judicial misconduct complaint against multiple Minnesota judges over comments they made to the New York Times. And the Saint Paul City Council passed a resolution to pay for Mayor Kaohly Her and the city's defense in a lawsuit filed against her by Police Chief Axel Henry.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

The worst of the COVID-19 pandemic is several years behind us, but many Minnesotans are still living with its consequences in the form of long COVID. Long COVID is a chronic condition that can last for weeks, months or even years after a COVID infection. A major symptom is extreme fatigue, and other symptoms can include everything from blood pressure changes and brain fog to joint pain and depression. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with a doctor and a public health leader about long COVID and other other post-infection chronic conditions that doctors are only beginning to understand. Guests:  Dr. Tanya Melnik is an internal medicine doctor and director of the M Health Fairview Adult Post-COVID Clinic. She is also a clinical associate professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School. Kate Murray manages the Long COVID and Post-COVID Conditions program at the Minnesota Department of Health, one of the first public health initiatives focused on understanding the impacts of long COVID and related conditions and improving access to support. 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 Minnesota Department of Education has released the results of this year's Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments. Fewer than half of students statewide who were tested met math and reading standards. MPR News education reporter Elizabeth Shockman joined Minnesota Now to explain. Then, MPR News host Nina Moini talked with MDE Assistant Commissioner Bobbie Burnham about the test results as well as changing literacy standards and curriculum in the state.

Legal experts from around the country are convening at the University of St. Thomas Friday to explore the constitutional questions that came out of this winter's surge of federal agents to Minnesota. The event looks at the power and limitations states have to hold the federal governmental accountable for unlawful actions. MPR News host Nina Moini spoke with University of St. Thomas law professor Rachel Moran, who was a part of shaping the event and will moderate one of its panels.

There are more than a quarter million Somali Americans in the U.S. and more than 80,000 in Minnesota. The diaspora is a frequent target of attacks from the White House down to online influencers and commenters. Two Minnesota journalists aim to combat racist misinformation and fill coverage gaps with true stories about Somali American life, with a new digital platform called The Somali Brief. Founder Mukhtar Ibrahim has been rethinking how to cover immigrant communities in Minnesota for years. He worked for the Star Tribune and at MPR News before founding Sahan Journal in 2019. Journalist Ubah Ali became the Twin Cities' first Somali-American TV news reporter when she started at WCCO a few years ago. Now, she's lead reporter for The Somali Brief. They joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about the new venture.

From silent cinema to modern movies, only one movie theater in the Twin Cities can say it has lived through it all. The Heights Theater in Columbia Heights has been running for 100 years. The one-screen theater has been through a lot in that time, as has the movie industry, and The Heights will celebrate its legacy starting Thursday, Oct. 1st. Co-owner Ryan Oestreich joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about the centennial celebration.

Carol Anderson has been sounding the alarm for years. As a historian at Emory University, she is intimately acquainted with America's legacy when it comes to voting access. Her book, “One Person, No Vote: How Voter Suppression is Destroying our Democracy,” was longlisted for the National Book Award in 2018. She brought her deep knowledge of history and concern about what's happening to voting access now to Red Wing on Sept. 23. During a conversation at the Sheldon Theatre with MPR News host Kerri Miller, Anderson said she's worried the Jim Crow-era is beginning anew, thanks to persistent attempts to deny communities of color their right to vote. “I see it as the result of a long-term campaign to undermine the strength of our electoral systems,” she told Miller. “How many times can you hear ‘stolen election, stolen election, voter fraud, voter fraud, voter fraud?' If you say a lie enough times, it becomes the truth, and there's a nasty long history of hollering ‘voter fraud.'”But while Anderson acknowledged the country's track record on voting access is grim, she also applauded the only thing that has ever held it at bay: voters who are active and civically engaged. She pointed to the Red Wing audience as evidence. Click here“This is, what, a Wednesday evening? And you're here listening to a talk about voter suppression and voting rights?” she laughed. “This is where our strength is. It is people getting educated about what's happening and knowing not to listen to the lies about election integrity and voter fraud.”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.

Another proposed health system merger is poised to reshape Minnesota's healthcare industry. Bloomington-based HealthPartners and Duluth-based Essentia Health announced today that their boards of directors have approved a merger plan.The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system has been warning state officials it may have to close campuses around the state if its budget isn't shored up.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Isaac Thompson grew up in the Twin Cities dreaming of becoming a professional violinist. His career took him off the stage and into arts leadership — and eventually brought him back home to lead the Minnesota Orchestra, the same institution that inspired him as a kid.MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Thompson about his first year as CEO of the orchestra and his vision for making classical music more accessible.Guest:Isaac Thompson is the president and CEO of the Minnesota Orchestra, a role he began in October 2025. He previously served as president and CEO of the Oregon Symphony and held leadership roles at the New York Philharmonic, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.Isaac Thompson serves on the Minnesota Public Radio Board of Trustees.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.    

Nearly a century ago, thousands of Minneapolis workers went on strike in the middle of the Great Depression. It turned violent and police shot dozens of strikers, killing two. Members of a Teamsters local were fighting for union recognition, better wages and limits on their working hours. The strike ultimately helped turn Minneapolis into what was known as a union town. Now, author John Hanson has written a new book about the strike, called “Fight & Win: Minneapolis Teamsters Strike, 1934." He joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about his personal connection to the story.

A Minnesota-based organization is leading its fifth-annual run on Sept. 30 to recognize National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. The day was created to honor Indigenous children who died at residential schools as well as survivors of the institutions, where they suffered abuse and forced separation from their families and cultures. Similar boarding schools existed in the United States. People in both countries wear orange shirts in remembrance each Sept. 30. Verna NezBegay Volker started the Run for the 215 event in 2021. She's from the Navajo Nation and founder and executive director of Native Women Running. MPR News host Nina Moini talked to her about five years of the event.

Artificial intelligence is everywhere in the headlines: from debates over data centers to concerns about the power of AI, elected officials and everyday people are figuring out the role of this technology in our lives. In greater Minnesota, two professors have recently pushed to add new master's degree programs on AI at their universities. They say it's needed to meet the challenges and opportunities of our time. MPR News host Nina Moini spoke with Minnesota State University Mankato professor Rajeev Bukralia, who helped launch the school's master's in AI program last year. Moini also spoke with Minnesota State University Moorhead professor Andrew Chen, who is helping the school launch its master's in AI program in fall 2027.

The Detroit Lakes School Board has been trying to remove rainbow stickers from school grounds for months. It met again Monday night to debate a new policy. MPR News reporter Harshawn Ratanpal was at the meeting and joined MPR News host Nina Moini with the latest in Detroit Lakes.

Runners can expect seasonably cool temperatures for the 2026 Twin Cities Marathon. But the early October tradition will be moving back a week starting next year. Race officials have stated health concerns due to heat as a reason for the change. Between 1961 and 1990, October temperatures never touched 90 degrees in the Twin Cities. But, since 2010, there has been two instances of 90-degree temperatures in October. And now it's twice as likely to hit temperatures over 80 degrees than 50 years ago.MPR News meteorologist Sven Sundgaard spoke with distance runner Jeff Denney and Jacob Kastner, the medical co-director of the Twin Cities Marathon, about how a changing climate is impacting long distance runners. Click play on the audio player above to listen to this episode or subscribe to the Climate Cast podcast.

Authorities have detained and charged a man accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a woman last week.And teams of state and federal officials will begin assessing the damage in New Richland later this week after the southern Minnesota community was hit by heavy flooding more than a week ago.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

As artificial intelligence companies create increasingly powerful models, lawmakers are calling for rules to regulate the technology. MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about the debate over AI regulation, who should oversee it and what the guardrails could be.Guests:Daniel Schwarcz is a professor of law at the University of Minnesota.Chris Farrell is the 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.    

St. Paul City Council members Molly Coleman and Saura Jost are calling on the city to release the full report from the outside investigation into Mayor Kaohly Her. The city's HR department released a summary of the investigation earlier this month. It found that the mayor had behaved inappropriately with city employees but that her behavior did not constitute sexual harassment. The council members' call for the full report comes after St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry last week sued the mayor and the city, alleging sexual harassment and retaliation.MPR News host Cathy Wurzer spoke with St. Paul City Council member Molly Coleman about the report and why she wants it released.Listen to the full conversation by clicking the player above.

St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry is suing Mayor Kaohly Her for sexual harassment. Regina Medina reports he plans to stay in his job despite the lawsuit.And the man convicted in federal court of murdering former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark is now preparing for a state trial.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her declined comment today when asked about the lawsuit filed against her by Police Chief Axel Henry.And gas and diesel prices in Minnesota have been flat or slightly falling over the past couple days.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Four years ago, Rural Voice launched in St. Joseph, Minn., with a conversation about the challenges and opportunities of building a business in rural America. This year, to kick off the 2026 season, Rural Voice returned to St. Joseph to talk about belonging. MPR News host and Rural Voice moderator Kerri Miller led a discussion at Krewe Restaurant on Sept. 14. Community members shared personal stories about what it means to belong — especially when you enter a small town as a newcomer. Rural Voice in St. Joseph Rural Voice is a series of town hall discussions designed to illuminate the rewards and challenges of making a home in rural Minnesota. For more information, and to see if a Rural Voice is coming to a city near you, check out the Rural Voice website. 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. 

St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry is suing Mayor Kaohly Her for sexual harassment and retaliation. We got more on the allegations in the lawsuit and next steps from MPR News reporter Matt Sepic.We also spoke to a midwife who helped support pregnant women whose families went into hiding during Operation Metro Surge earlier this year — and how her work has continued six months later.And the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge is celebrating 50 years of protecting thousands of acres along the Minnesota River.Plus, a preview of the final Minnesota Lynx game ahead of the playoffs and a new micro-cinema opening on the East Side of St. Paul. The Minnesota Music Minute was “Hey Big Dipper” by Humbird. The Song of the Day was “Forgiveness/Forgetness” by We Are the Willows.

We're delving into the practical effects of Minnesota electing its first woman as governor and what issues might get new attention at the state Capitol.Barring something unforeseen, Minnesota will join the current list of 32 states that have elected a female chief executive. MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst talks with correspondent Dana Ferguson about the campaigns of Democratic nominee Amy Klobuchar and Republican nominee Lisa Demuth. Both have personal experience with breast cancer and both are talking about women's health in a more-prominent way.Then, a discussion of election polls. They're everywhere this time of year. But the weight they carry is a source of debate.Guests:Dana Ferguson is a correspondent for MPR News.Todd Rapp is the president and CEO at Rapp Strategies and an MPR News politics analyst.Peter Leatherman is chief executive officer of Morris Leatherman Company and has served in various research roles at the Minneapolis market and research firm.Ellie Roth is a politics reporter for MPR News.Peter Cox is a senior politics reporter for MPR News.Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation or subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.

Motor oil prices are going up, which means Minnesotans are paying more for an oil change. This is the evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

When someone stops drinking alcohol or using drugs, it's only the beginning. For many people, recovery is a long journey — one that can mean rebuilding relationships, changing everyday habits and finding a new community and sense of purpose.MPR News host Angela Davis talks during National Recovery Month with two guests who rebuilt their lives after alcohol or drug use brought everything crashing down — in very public ways.Guests: Beth McDonough is a sober advocate, author and former Twin Cities TV crime reporter. She writes in her first memoir “Standby” about losing her job, home and sense of identity in 2008 following two arrests for drunken driving. Her new memoir, “Still Standing,” describes her recovery from alcoholism and how she rebuilt her life after her public downfall. She lives and writes in southern Utah. John Solomon recently stepped into the new role of executive director of lifelong recovery at Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, where he also earned his master's degree in counseling and completed treatment for bi-polar disorder and alcohol and methamphetamine use. He previously worked as a therapist in Alaska and as CEO of the Alaska Behavioral Health Association. He is a former singer and songwriter with the rock band Communist Daughter.

The Minnesota Wild open their season next week and this year, there's a new person on the team who could have an unusual job on game night. Peter Thome is the Wild's new EBUG, or emergency backup goaltender. For years, EBUGs have typically been local hockey players or fans who volunteer to suit up in the extremely unlikely event that a team loses both of its regular goaltenders. But the NHL is changing the way it handles that role this season, with every team now having a designated EBUG as part of its staff. Thome joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about how the role works, how he ended up with this very unusual job and what happens if he actually has to play.

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport may be the go-to for many Minnesotans and a hub for Delta Air Lines. But decades ago, the St. Paul Downtown Airport was the epicenter of aviation for Minnesota. It was there that the first private airmail route for the Midwest originated and where Northwest Airlines built up its operations before eventually merging with Delta. Bruce Kitt, archive manager of the Northwest Airlines History Center, joined MPR News host Nina Moini for a history tour of the St. Paul airport, which commemorates a hundred years of service Thursday.

Clean up continues in New Richland after a weekend storm flooded the small southern Minnesota town. And the Minneapolis Mobile Medical Unit has treated more than 4,000 community members in its first year of operation.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. music by Gary Meister.

Tattoos can mark a memory, honor someone we love, express something about who we are — or simply be a piece of art we like enough to put on our bodies. But choosing something permanent can bring up questions about meaning, regret and how others might see us.MPR News host Angela Davis talks with a sociologist who studies tattoo culture and a St. Paul tattoo artist about why people get tattoos, what they mean to us and how attitudes towards tattoos are changing.Guests:Jordanne Le Fae is a tattoo artist and co-owner of Weird Ink Society, a tattoo shop in St. Paul that focuses on creating a welcoming environment for clients.David Lane is a criminal justice professor and sociologist at Illinois State University. Part of his research focuses on tattooing, tattoo culture and the social world of tattoo artists. He is also the author of “The Other End of the Needle: Continuity and Change among Tattoo Workers.”

The murder trial of Lindsay Clancy in Massachusetts set off calls for more support for parents who are struggling with mental health after childbirth. For more on postpartum mental illness, MPR News host Nina Moini talked with Dr. Helen Kim, a psychiatrist and co-founder of the Hennepin Healthcare Mother-Baby Program and Redleaf Center for Family Healing in Minneapolis. Then, she spoke with Naomi Gaines-Young, a mother whose own experience of the condition led to the death of one son and more than a decade in prison.

This weekend actors in St. Cloud will take the stage to sing out scenes from a fascinating life. Eliza Lynch was an Irish woman who moved to Paris in the 1850s. There, she met Francisco Solano Lopez, the future authoritarian president of Paraguay. They returned to the South American country together. While they never married, Lynch was by Lopez's side as he led Paraguay into a catastrophic moment: a war estimated to have killed two-thirds of Paraguay's population. Eliza Lynch is the subject of “REINA: A New Musical” by Jorge Delgado. He talked to MPR News host Nina Moini about what drew him to Lynch's story and what he hopes audiences will take away from the musical.

The University of Minnesota is recognized as one of the top apple breeding and genetics research programs in the country. It developed the Honeycrisp apple and other flavors like the Big Flirt and the SuperSnap. But a warming climate makes the university's work more difficult.MPR News chief meteorologist Ben Cathey spoke with Matt Clark, the director of research at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, and Sarah Kostick, a member of the University of Minnesota Apple Breeding Program, about how climate is changing apples and the way you buy them.Click play on the audio player above to listen to this episode or subscribe to the Climate Cast podcast.

Most Americans believe college is too expensive. In a Gallup poll released this summer, only 12 percent of U.S. adults say four-year colleges and universities provide an affordable education. But at the same time, a majority of parents surveyed say they still want their children to get a degree.What's a student to do?Here in Minnesota, relatively new programs like North Star Promise aim to close the gap for low-income students. But is it enough to make a real difference when it comes to overall affordability? MPR News host Angela Davis took that question to St. Cloud on Thursday. She hosted a North Star Journey Live discussion at St. Cloud State University with financial aid experts on the front lines of helping students figure out how to pay for college — and current students — to see if the hopes about changing affordability are being felt. North Star Journey Live: College affordability 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 a soggy Sunday in Chicago, the Minnesota Vikings beat the Bears 9-3 in the rain. Meanwhile, Lynx guard Olivia Miles rained down more baskets, breaking Caitlin Clark's record to become the WNBA's highest-scoring rookie. Sports contributors Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson joined MPR News host Nina Moini for their weekly round-up of Minnesota sports.

This winter's surge of federal agents left its mark on many Minnesotans. The full scope of the impact is still being pieced together. On Tuesday, dozens of researchers, journalists and community leaders will convene at the University of Minnesota to share findings on how the events of this winter continue to affect people across the state. The gathering is called “Documenting the Impact of U.S. DHS in Minnesota.” The progressive think tank North Star Policy Action was one of the organizations behind the event. For more, MPR News host Nina Moini talked with the group's executive director, Jake Schwitzer about the types of research included and how the data will be used.

A new set of changes to federal food assistance will take effect next week. County staff have implemented the work requirements and eligibility changes to SNAP that Congress passed in the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” last year. On October 1st, they'll also take on more of the administrative costs of food aid. The federal government will provide a quarter of that funding, instead of half, a change the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families says will result in $32 million in cuts to counties. Counties are also preparing their budgets for October 2027, when they're expected to take on additional costs: a portion of the benefits people receive. Minnesota's Democratic U.S. Senators have pushed to delay the changes in the Farm Bill, a massive package of agricultural and food policy that passed out of committee last week. Scott County Social Services Director Barb Dahl is watching that debate and preparing for the cuts to federal SNAP funding. She joined MPR News host Nina Moini on Minnesota Now to talk about what the changes will mean for her county.

Minnesota truckers are feeling the pinch of soaring diesel prices. The current average statewide is still above $6. We heard from truck drivers on how they're making do and what it could mean for the industry long-term.Dozens of people looking into the impacts of this winter's immigration surge will gather Tuesday to share their findings. Plus, Mark Dayton is adding another title to his resume: author. The former U.S. senator and Minnesota governor sat down with MPR News to talk about his new memoir and his career in politics.And more changes are coming to federal food assistance. We heard how one county is preparing for what's ahead.Also, the Vikings are now 2-0 for the season after beating the Chicago Bears in the rain.The Minnesota Music Minute was “Darling” by Buffalo Galaxy and “Autumn Love” by Death Cab for Cutie was the Song of the Day.

Most Americans believe college is too expensive. In a Gallup poll released this summer, only 12 percent of U.S. adults say four-year colleges and universities provide an affordable education. But at the same time, a majority of parents surveyed say they still want their children to get a degree.What's a student to do?Here in Minnesota, relatively new programs like North Star Promise aim to close the gap for low-income students. But is it enough to make a real difference when it comes to overall affordability? MPR News host Angela Davis took that question to St. Cloud on Thursday. She hosted a North Star Journey Live discussion at St. Cloud State University with financial aid experts on the front lines of helping students figure out how to pay for college — and current students — to see if the hopes about changing affordability are being felt. North Star Journey Live: College affordability 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.   

Mark Dayton held a career in public service in Minnesota that spanned five decades. He is well known for serving two terms the state's governor, leaving office in 2019. Before that, Dayton's career included stints as a state agency official, state auditor and U.S. senator. Dayton talked with MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst to reflect on his career and discuss his new memoir, titled "Perseverance." In this conversation, Dayton recounts his personal challenges and his time as governor. He also revisits his call to increase taxes on the wealthiest Minnesotans — a campaign promise he fulfilled— and his role in legalizing gay marriage in the state. Also on this episode: election season is underway in Minnesota. On the ticket is an open governor's race, an open U.S. Senate seat and the full state legislature. Both of the state's major party chairs join the conversation to share their political lay of the land as voting begins.Guests:Mark Dayton served as the 40th governor of Minnesota. He also served as U.S. senator and Minnesota state auditor. Alex Plechash is chair of the Minnesota Republican Party. Richard Carlbom is chair of the Minnesota DFL Party. Dana Ferguson is a politics correspondent for MPR News.Peter Cox is a senior politics reporter for MPR News.Subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.

Minnesota regulators will take up a nearly two-year dispute Tuesday between a tribal nation and its electric cooperative. The Upper Sioux Community built a large solar array next to its casino near Granite Falls a couple of years ago. Minnesota Valley Cooperative Light and Power Association threatened to cut power to the casino, saying the solar project was far bigger than its policy allows.St. Paul City Council President Rebecca Noecker said in an interview this week that more permanent supportive housing is what's needed to solve the unhoused issue in the city. U.S. Senator Tina Smith says she's working to help free a Somali man arrested in Minnesota and sent to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Federal agents arrested Adam Abdullah in December. The 31-year-old asylum seeker told MPR News last week that he's one of eight Somalis there and is limited to one 10-minute phone call a day.Summit Brewing Company could lose its St. Paul brewery to foreclosure after its lender sued over more than $8 million in unpaid debt. A first court hearing on that lawsuit is set for Friday.

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

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

It's been more than a month since the City of St. Paul shut down an encampment where more than 100 people lived. Since then, seven people from the Pig's Eye encampment have made use of available shelter beds, according to a report from the city at the end of August. Many former Pig's Eye residents have moved to other, remaining encampments in the city. St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her's office said this summer it planned to clear encampments “on a rolling basis”, but it has not released a timeline for the other sites. For an update on the situation and other issues facing the capital city, including police drones and downtown development, MPR News host Nina Moini talked with St. Paul City Council President Rebecca Noecker.Minnesota Now also requested an interview with Mayor Her to talk about these issues but she was not available.

Minneapolis Public Schools has announced plans for potential school closures. As many as 16 buildings could lose K-12 programming. MPR News education reporter Elizabeth Shockman laid out the district's plan to address budget issues. And we heard from a parent in the district.We checked in with the city of St. Paul on homeless encampment closures, police drones, the budget and other issues in a conversation with City Council President Rebecca Noecker. A new report tracks the paths of high school students after graduation in greater Minnesota. And, is fall weather here to stay? MPR Chief meteorologist Ben Cathey shared the forecast. Plus, we talked to therapist Resmaa Menakem about his new Afrofuturist play, "Mothership," now showing at Penumbra Theatre.The Minnesota Music Minute was “American Midnight” by The Jayhawks and Turn Turn Turn's “Magnolia Tree” was the Song of the Day.

In a recent interview with host Sanni Brown for MPR's Carbon Sound, Minneapolis-based therapist and author Resmaa Menakem shared this advice for creatives: “Do the weird stuff. Play!” he said. “Creation springs from those types of things.”Menakem has a new creation. He teamed up with playwright Kristen Adele Calhoun to write an Afrofuturist play called “Mothership,” about five humans who flee Earth aboard a sentient spaceship. It is showing from Sept. 8 through Oct. 4 as the opening production of Penumbra Theatre's 50th anniversary season. Menakem joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about his latest work.

Minnesota's most recent high school graduates have spent this summer and fall beginning their next steps. What follows high school is different for each individual, but a new report identifies some patterns in the education and employment records of hundreds of thousands of people who graduated from 2008 to 2023 in greater Minnesota. Kelly Asche led this work for the Center for Rural Policy and Development. He joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about the findings and what lessons they may hold for educators, policymakers and rural communities facing workforce gaps.

The Minneapolis school district announced plans Tuesday night to close more than a dozen of its schools. MPR News education reporter Elizabeth Shockman joined Minnesota Now to explain the proposal. And MPR News host Nina Moini talked with north Minneapolis parent Shakiya Carter, who opposes the closures. Carter is one of the founders of the group Minneapolis Families for Public Schools.

FBI Director Kash Patel says his agency continues to work with utilities across the country to strengthen their cyber defenses. That's in the wake of cyberattacks on U.S. water systems earlier this year, including in Minnesota. And Carleton College has announced it will eliminate loans from its financial aid packages beginning next fall.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

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