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Health insurance is about to get more expensive for a lot of people — in Minnesota and across the country. Many older Minnesotans are scrambling to find new insurance plans after some insurers stopped offering or scaled back Medicare Advantage plans. People who buy their own insurance will see premiums jump next year as much as 26 percent on the individual market. Workers who get insurance through their employers are also looking at higher premiums. And the federal tax and spending bill signed by President Donald Trump this summer is expected to push as many as 140,000 low-income Minnesotans off Medicaid.  MPR News guest host Catharine Richert looks at how the rising costs of medical care along with changes in state and federal policies are reshaping health care in Minnesota. If you're looking for more information, here are some resources that were mentioned during the showContact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICAREMinnesota Aging Pathways (formerly known as the Senior LinkAge line) at 800-333-2433Guests:Sayeh Nikpay is a health economist and an associate professor in the Division of Health Policy and Management at the University of Minnesota's School of Public Health. Kelli Jo Greiner is a health care policy analyst for the Minnesota Board on Aging and the Minnesota Department of Human Services. 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 state of Minnesota has an office dedicated specifically to get movies made in the state. The Explore Minnesota Film office launched last year. Its staff are scouting locations across the state to help filmmakers bring their movies to life.Explore Minnesota Film Deputy Director Nell Lawrenz-Wareham joined MPR News host Nina Moini to share more about the effort.

Voters in Duluth overwhelmingly passed a ballot initiative last night dubbed “Right to Repair.” It's a first-of-its-kind law in Minnesota that allows tenants to make simple repairs to their rental units and then deduct the cost of those repairs from their rent payment. The initiative was extremely popular. It won with 69 percent of the votes. MPR News host Nina Moini talked with Chloe Holloway, one of the leaders of the campaign with the organizing group Duluth Tenants.

Today is Election Day. There are races for mayor, city council and school board in communities around the state, as well as ballot questions.A report released today flags issues related to internal controls in the governor's office. And Austin-based Hormel Foods Corporation announced it would cut around 250 jobs as part of a restructuring. Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

President Donald Trump's mobilization of the National Guard in a few U.S. cities in recent months has reignited debate about when — and whether — federal troops should be used on U.S. soil. Does a president have the authority to deploy state National Guard units against a governor's objection? If so, what does that mean for the balance of power between civilian and military authority?MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with a political scientist who studies civil–military relations and a law professor who studies national security to help us understand what's at stake — legally, politically, and for the U.S. tradition of keeping the military out of domestic affairs.   Guests:Laura Dickinson is a professor of national security law and constitutional law at the George Washington University Law School. She is also the author of “Outsourcing War and Peace.”Ron Krebs is a Distinguished McKnight University Professor and professor of political science at the University of Minnesota where he studies civil-military relations and security policy. He is also the author of “Narrative and the Making of US National Security” and “Fighting for Rights: Military Service and the Politics of Citizenship.” 

Tuesday is Election Day and polls are open until 8 p.m. across the state. On the ballot, there are a number of municipal races and referendums. Voters in a pair of Minnesota Senate districts have the potential to change party control of a closely divided chamber. Perhaps the most closely watched races are for mayor in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Incumbent mayors Jacob Frey of Minneapolis and Melvin Carter of St. Paul are both seeking a third term in office. MPR News reporters Regina Medina and Sarah Thamer were at the polls Tuesday morning and joined MPR News host Nina Moini to share what they were hearing from voters.

On Friday, the state of Minnesota ended its housing stabilization services program, which was intended to help people with disabilities find and maintain housing using federal Medicaid dollars.  In August, the Minnesota Department of Human Services announced the state would be ending the housing stabilization program after finding credible allegations of fraud.  Then in September, the Department of Justice charged eight people for their roles in what prosecutors describe as a “massive fraud scheme” tied to the program.  Now the program is entirely shut down. In Sherburne County, in central Minnesota, that means nearly 200 residents who were receiving services through the housing stabilization services program no longer have access to those resources. What happens to those residents now? Tony Masters, Sherburne County's Adult and Disability Services manager, joined MPR News host Nina Moini to share how residents have been impacted by the end of the program.

Tomorrow is Election Day for many communities across Minnesota. Most polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Minnesota offers same-day registration, as long as you have proof of residence. Open enrollment for state health care plans started Saturday, and many Minnesotans are seeing steeper prices for coverage next year.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

House Speaker Lisa Demuth is running for governor. In an interview with MPR News ahead of the announcement, the Cold Spring Republican described herself as being best positioned among a crowded Republican field to take on DFL Gov. Tim Walz, who is seeking a third term.Demuth climbed to the role of speaker earlier this year under a power-sharing deal in the tied House. Six other Republicans are in the governor's race so far. Demuth's entrance into the race is drawing sharp reaction in both political parties.Tuesday is Election Day, but voter turnout is expected to be low. For presidential elections, Minnesota typically ranks as No. 1 in voter turnout. But for local elections — even with this year's high-profile mayoral races in Minneapolis and St. Paul — fewer people will cast ballots. Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon says it's important to vote in local elections because they tend to have a more-direct impact on people's lives.As the federal shutdown continues to jeopardize food assistance programs, local nonprofits are stepping in to help low-income Minnesotans. The Greater Twin Cities United Way has launched an emergency food relief campaign. And it is asking Minnesotans to donate or volunteer.The number of grey wolves around Voyageurs National Park has dropped significantly over the past two years, according to a new report by researchers with the Voyageurs Wolf Project.

Traditionally, a college degree has been seen as a ticket to a secure future.But not today. Thanks to soaring tuition costs and weighty student loans, many people are questioning the value of college. A 2025 Pew Research poll found that only one in four U.S. adults says it's “extremely or very important to have a four-year college degree” to get a well-paying job. And many young Americans — including Black, Latino and Indigenous students — contend they can build solid careers without seeking further education. In a 2025 survey by New America, a majority of young Americans agreed “there are lots of well-paying, stable jobs that people can find with only a high school diploma or GED.”So is college still worth it — especially when it comes to low-income or first-generation students? Is college still worth it? MPR News' North Star Journey Live project teamed up with Sahan Journal Community Conversations in October to host a panel discussing the pros and cons of higher education. They also discussed other burgeoning post-secondary options, like trade schools, apprenticeships and becoming an entrepreneur. Guests: Frida Torres Macal is the founder of That Social Invite, an independent social media marketer focused on helping women-owned businesses and professionals grow.Marquan Harper is a sophomore at the University of St. Thomas, where he is double majoring in Digital Media Arts and Marketing Management. He's also the founder of Ador Hospitality, a Midwest-based hospitality group dedicated to enhancing the nightlife experience for young adults aged 18-24. Jalayah Johnson is enrolled at the Finishing Trades Institute of the Upper Midwest as a second-year glazer apprentice for the Empire House.Ali Osman is a high school counselor at South High School in Minneapolis. Jessica Yang is the senior implementation manager at the Get Ready GEAR UP Minnesota program administered through the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS. 

One year from Monday, Minnesota voters will choose a governor. Over the weekend, House Speaker Lisa Demuth declared her candidacy, which is a jolt to the Republican field. She held her first event as a candidate Monday. MPR News politics correspondent Dana Ferguson was there and joined Minnesota Now to talk about Demuth's campaign and the landscape of the governor's race.

Many Medicaid service providers have been scrambling this week to understand how a new Minnesota audit will play out. And China has agreed to buy soybeans from the United States again, ending its boycott of the American crop.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

For centuries, witches have cast their spell on our imaginations and enchanted our stories. Throughout folklore and pop culture, some pointed-hat witches have established their unforgettable characters, both evil and good, from the Wicked Witch of the West, in the 1939 “Wizard of Oz” film, and Hermione Granger in the “Harry Potter” series. So, why are witches so popular? And why can't pop culture seem to get enough? Coming up Friday at 9 a.m., MPR News host Jacob Aloi, reporter Alex V. Cipolle and editor Max Sparber spend an hour exploring witches across history and culture. With their guests, the MPR News arts team will talk about the witches in one of Shakespeare's best-known plays, as well as witches in TV, film, music and books.

Some Minnesota disability service providers are concerned about the state's plan to pause payments during an audit of Medicaid program billings.And a closely watched case involving a Minnesota gun law won't get sped up to the state's top court.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

The fall harvest is wrapping up across Minnesota. But will farmers turn a profit? Following a meeting Thursday between President Trump and China's president Xi Jinping, there is hope that China will resume buying at least some soybeans and other export crops from the U.S. But Minnesota farmers are still suffering from the fallout of the trade war. They're also grappling with inflation, tighter credit and increasingly unpredictable weather. And, the federal government shutdown has slowed access to farm loans, crop insurance, disaster aid and other programs. MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with a farmer and Minnesota's agricultural commissioner about these challenges and what's next.

A first-in-the-nation program is pairing Democratic and Republican state lawmakers together to visit each other's districts. Sponsored by the Citizens League, the program pairs lawmakers who seemingly have nothing in common in order to promote civility in politics. Rochester bureau reporter Catharine Richert attended one of these swaps for MPR News Talking Sense project, a series which helps people have hard conversations better, by telling stories of people who are bridging divides. She shared more about the story as part of a weekly regional check in with MPR News reporters covering Greater Minnesota.

On Halloween, it is said the veil between the spirit world and the living world is at its thinnest. And spirits come alive. In Minnesota, there are plenty of haunts where ghosts are said to be lurking. A local podcast is dedicated to exploring Minnesota's haunts and horrors year-round. Its hosts, Madeline Ramirez and Dan Laschansky, joined MPR News host Nina Moini to share more about “The Grim Cities” podcast.

Fourteen Medicaid programs that provide support for Minnesotans with disabilities are being audited for fraud. We talk to a care provider about the impact this may have on people who rely on these services. Election day is coming up. We hear from the mayoral candidates in Minneapolis and St. Paul who took the debate stage at MPR News. We peak inside the notebook of MPR's Rochester reporter to see how she told the story of people bridging political divides.And we get an update from a northeast Minneapolis co-op that was upturned by vandalism.Plus, are you ready for Halloween? A local podcast is looking into Minnesota's most haunted places.The Minnesota Music Minute was “Try to Sleep” by Low. The Song of the Day was “I Put a Spell on You” by Annie Lennox.

The state of Minnesota is hiring a third-party auditor to look for fraud in 14 Medicaid programs. These programs are intended to provide housing and care for people with disabilities and severe mental illnesses. Gov. Tim Walz announced Wednesday the state will temporarily stop paying providers of these services while the auditor, Optum, analyzes billing. A statement from the governor's office said this pause will last 90 days, but's not clear when it will begin. Josh Berg is director of Minnesota services and strategic growth for nonprofit Accessible Space, Inc. He's also on the board of directors of Association of Residential Resources in Minnesota, which lobbies on behalf of disability service providers. He spoke to MPR News host Nina Moini about how this pause could impact how providers can care for people with disabilities and severe mental health illnesses.

Gov. Tim Walz says his administration has hired a third-party entity to audit Medicaid programs to make sure money is being spent as intended. And TSA workers are continuing to work without pay during the government shutdown. Oct. 24 marked TSA's first pay period without a check.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Sex education in schools tends to focus on how to avoid unplanned pregnancy — but that means a lot of Americans don't learn much about fertility. One of the most common misunderstandings relates to age. A woman's fertility declines as she ages, but many people underestimate just how much harder it can be to get pregnant in their 30s and 40s. And, most people also think fertility treatments are more likely to be successful than they are.  MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with two doctors about what affects the likelihood of getting pregnant and the things people wished they'd known before trying to have a baby.Guests: Dr. Suzanne Darnell practices obstetrics and gynecology at M Health Fairview. She's also an assistant professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School.   Dr. Tana Kim is a reproductive endocrinologist and the IVF director at Reproductive Medicine & Infertility Associates (RMIA) in the Twin Cities. She is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology as well as reproductive endocrinology and infertility.  

Eight hundred Target employees who worked at the company's headquarters in Minneapolis and Brooklyn Park are in search of new jobs after the Twin Cities-based retailer announced layoffs Tuesday. On Wednesday, Cargill announced it is laying off 80 employees from its headquarters in Wayzata. The company cut 5 percent of its global workforce at the end of last year.Laid-off workers will now enter a job market that's frozen, and employers are hiring more cautiously amidst nationwide economic uncertainty.To learn more about the state of the job market in Minnesota and what it means for newly unemployed workers, MPR News host Nina Moini talked with Beth Glassman. Glassman is a senior employment counselor with Hired, a nonprofit that provides workforce development and employment services in the Twin Cities.

Minneapolis voters next week will see multiple candidates on their ballots who are endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America, or DSA. The political group's profile has climbed over the last ten years nationally and in parts of Minnesota. While the DSA is not a political party, it has members on the city councils of Minneapolis, St. Paul and Duluth and representing those cities at the state capitol. State Senator Omar Fateh is one of the most notable members in Minnesota. He is challenging Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey in a race that includes 15 total candidates.University of Minnesota Associate Professor of Political Science Dan Myers joined MPR News host Nina Moini to explain more about the DSA and its role in this political moment.

The government shutdown has lasted nearly a month now and there's no indication that Congress is any closer to resolving the budget conflicts before funding ends for several key programs on Nov. 1. Minnesota is home to 18,000 federal workers, many of whom have been told to stay home and not work, or work without pay. This week was the first where many didn't receive a paycheck. Abby, a federal worker in Minnesota, felt the impact Monday when she went to the pharmacy to pick up prescriptions. “I double checked my bank account to make sure I had enough to cover it. It was tough, and I knew I had to buy a bunch of other things as well,” she said. MPR News is not sharing Abby's last name, or the agency she works for, because she fears workplace retaliation. To understand the conversations federal workers are having around the dinner table as uncertainty grows, MPR News host Nina Moini spoke with with Ruark Hotopp. He is the national vice president of the American Federation of Government Employees District 8, a union that represents federal workers in Minnesota and other Midwest states.

A new picture book by a trio of well-known Twin Cities creatives tells the story of an American couple whose social justice writing and activism had wide-ranging influence. They were James Boggs, who was a Black union organizer in Detroit, and Grace Lee Boggs, a Chinese-American philosopher. When they got married in 1954, their interracial relationship was illegal in parts of the country.The new book about their lives is called "Revolutions Are Made of Love." It was written by Sun Yung Shin and Mélina Mangal and illustrated by Leslie Barlow. They spoke with MPR News' Emily Bright. The Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis will host a book launch Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ahead of the book's release on Tuesday.

Hundreds of Target corporate employees in the Twin Cities received layoff notices today, part of previously announced plans by the retailer to streamline its operations.And Minneapolis Public Schools educators announced overnight that they've voted to authorize a strike, as contract negotiations stall.More from today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Kelly Bleyer. Music by Gary Meister.

In its fourth week, the federal government shutdown has become the second-longest government shutdown in American history, with no resolution in sight.The funding dispute has halted paychecks for hundreds of thousands of federal workers and disrupted key services — from food assistance and small business loans to national parks and research programs.MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with a political scientist about how we got here, how the budget impasse is affecting people and what it reveals about the balance of power in Washington.Guest:Kathryn Pearson is a professor of political science at the University of Minnesota. She is also an associate dean of undergraduate education and the director of the University Honors Program.

The Loons caught a win against the Seattle Sounders in Game 1 of the playoffs at Allianz Field Monday night. The game was tied at zero goals, or nil-nil, when the clock ran out, so the game came down to penalty kicks. Minnesota United scored 3 and Seattle scored 2 – thanks partly to a save by Loons goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair.In an interview after the game, he had some love for the Wonderwall – that's a standing-room only section of the stadium full of devoted fans. St. Clair said they got loud when Seattle was shooting penalty kicks.“You feel that pressure building as those guys have to run up or walk up from the halfway line. You're walking straight into the Wonderwall. I almost feel like there's a wall behind me and the wall on the line that means no ball's going to go in,” St. Clair said.The team is headed to a second game of the playoffs Nov. 3.Meagan Weber is president of the Dark Clouds, an organized group of nearly 1,000 fans. She joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about how the team made it to the playoffs.

Minneapolis teachers have voted to authorize a strike. It is the third time in as many contract negotiation cycles the union has made moves to authorize a strike. MPR News education reporter Elizabeth Shockman joined Minnesota Now to explain more.

We've all been told that our credit scores matter — but what does that really mean?  A high credit score can open doors. It can help you get a lower interest rate on a car loan, qualify for a mortgage or even make it easier to rent an apartment. But a lower score? It can quietly cost you thousands of dollars in higher interest payments over time — money that could be going towards your savings, your home or your future. MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with a financial coach about what determines your credit score, simple steps to improve it and the smart choices that can strengthen your financial health for years to come. Guest:Demitri McGee is a financial coach, certified housing counselor and youth director at Build Wealth Minnesota, a nonprofit opportunity center dedicated to helping families through financial education, personalized coaching and community-based programs.

The World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays is tied 1-1 in a best-of-seven series. The Dodgers would be the first team to win consecutive championships since the New York Yankees won three from 1998-2000.There are several Minnesotans and former Minnesota Twins players to watch for, including two players who were let go as part of the teams fire sale in July. MPR News sports contributors Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini with who to watch. Louis VarlandLouis Varland is the relief pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays. He went to North St. Paul High School and Concordia University in St. Paul. He played for the Minnesota Twins for three-and-a-half seasons before the Twins made their roster shake up earlier this year. Ty FranceTy France is a first baseman for the Toronto Blue Jays. He played for the Minnesota Twins for half of the 2025 season before the big trade as well. France had been injured since Sept. 23, but was activated for the World Series roster last week. Alex CallAlex Call is an outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Call was born in Burnsville and went to River Falls High School in Wisconsin. He was traded to the Dodgers from the Washington Nationals at the trade deadline in 2025. David PopkinsDavid Popkins is the Blue Jay's hitting coach. He was in the same role for the Minnesota Twins for three season, but the team did not bring him back in 2025. It's unclear why they parted ways. The Blue Jays are one of the top offensive teams in the league. Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation along with more sports headlines.

Rochester is changing in many ways. City blocks are filled with construction work zones. Streets are littered with detours. Cranes tower over the skyline as a massive makeover plays out.Much of it is tied to a major medical expansion associated with the largest employer around — Mayo Clinic.  There have also been political shifts. Rochester is one of the shrinking number of places outside of the Twin Cities-area where Democrats seem to have an upper hand. It wasn't always that way.On this special broadcast of Politics Friday, MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst heads to Rochester, where he and his guests talk about what's behind the spruce-up and where the city's politics fit in the southeastern part of the state. Politics Friday in Rochester, Minn. Plus, we'll meet a candidate hoping to make his way to Congress from southern Minnesota. He's an underdog out of the gate. Then, we'll get to know more about Molly Castle Work, the newest MPR News reporter based in Rochester, and a special field production. Later, a politics panel with Dana Ferguson and Catharine Richert. Politics Friday: Voices from Rochester, Minnesota Matt Alvarez, Molly Castle Work, Lukas Levin, and Paton Whaley. On Fridays, MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst discusses Minnesota politics. The show often features a number of voices in a weekly audio postcard.In this special feature, MPR News reporter Molly Castle Work and producer Matt Alvarez ventured out to gauge the economic temperature from Minnesotans in the southeastern part of the state. Guests: Kim Norton is the Mayor of Rochester. She became the first woman to be elected Mayor of Rochester in 2018 after a prior stint in the Legislature. Patrick Seeb is the Destination Medical Center (DMC) Economic Development Agency Executive Director. Sen. Carla Nelson is a Republican representing the southeastern area of the state, now in her fifth term.  Jake Johnson is a Democrat running for election to the U.S. House of Representatives for Minnesota's 1st Congressional District. Molly Castle Work is an MPR News reporter based in Rochester. She covers health care in southeast Minnesota. Dana Ferguson is a political correspondent for MPR News. She has covered Minnesota politics and state government for Forum News Service. Catharine Richert is a correspondent based in Rochester, where she covers southeast Minnesota for MPR News. She also leads Talking Sense, a reporting project helping Minnesotans have hard conversations about politics, better.  This discussion was recorded at 125 LIVE in Rochester, Minn. on Oct. 21. Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation or subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS. 

The big picture on rural healthcare is grim. Doctors are retiring. Hospitals are closing. There's a lack of mental health care providers across the board. Plus, rural health facilities rely disproportionately on Medicaid reimbursement to stay afloat — and that program is facing $1 trillion in cuts thanks to President Trump's self-titled Big Beautiful Bill. But if you zoom in to individual communities, the picture is tinged with determination. While they admit to discouragement, leaders are trying to find new ways to pay for needed health care, and concerned citizens are stepping forward to help each other. Kerri Miller heard that and more in Owatonna, at the final Rural Voice town hall of the season. Rural Voice in Owatonna Southern Minnesotans gathered on Sept. 29 at Mineral Springs Brewery to share personal stories of long waits to see doctors, of their hometowns losing cherished hospitals, of children in crisis with no therapists available to help. But they also shared ideas about how to face the challenges ahead, like public health and the private sector forming new partnerships, and community groups innovating to make sure health care is accessible and affordable.  Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.

This week, MPR News reported Mayo Clinic Health Systems is ending labor and delivery services in Owatonna. But a few rural hospitals are bucking the trend of closing in maternity wards and have birthing centers that are thriving. Rochester reporter Molly Castle Work joined MPR News host Nina Moini to share more about this trend as part of a check in with regional reporters in Greater Minnesota.

Election Day is less than two weeks away. So the clock is ticking for voters to make decisions on local seats and ballot measures. MPR News producer Ellen Finn explored how you can make an informed choice using the MPR News Voter Guide.Our ask: Help me be an informed voterOur professional: Anika Besst, MPR News Digital Producer

From food shelves to energy assistance, we explore how different social services around the state are affected as the federal government shutdown drags on and becomes the second longest in history.A Minnesotan made a documentary about Palestinian and Israeli peacemakers who are working together. We talk to her about navigating those conversations.We check in on rural healthcare out of Rochester with MPR News reporter Molly Castle Work.And do Minnesota's upcoming municipal elections have you overwhelmed or confused? We hear from the creator of the MPR News voter guide for some clarity.And we explore bronze Cambodian sculptures in a new exhibition at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The Minnesota Music Minute was “Tjärnblom" by Nicollett Island Waltz. The Song of the Day was "817 Oakland Ave" by Charlie Parr.

A new exhibition of Cambodian bronze sculptures from the Khmer Empire and other significant pieces opens at the Minneapolis Institute of Art on Saturday. It's the first time some of these pieces have been on display in the U.S. and Mia is the only U.S. museum that will host this exhibition. The exhibition is part of a collaboration between Mia, the National Museum of Cambodia and the Guimet, the National Museum of Asian Arts, in France. Virajita Singh, Mia's chief diversity officer, and Chhay Visoth, the director of the National Museum of Cambodia, joined MPR News host Nina Moini to share more about the exhibition's significance. Royal Bronzes: Cambodian Art of the Divine is at Mia from Oct. 25 to Jan. 18, 2026.

Several government assistance programs are under threat due to the federal government shutdown. WIC, a nutrition program for mothers and young children, is funded in Minnesota through mid-November. But SNAP, a wider food benefit program, won't have funds starting Nov. 1. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which helps Minnesotans heat their homes, is also delayed. All together, these programs help hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans. Tammy Alto, Director of the Energy Assistance Program for Hennepin County, joined MPR News host Nina Moini to share how that energy program has been impacted by the shutdown.

When hearing stories about the war in Gaza, it's often filled with conflict. But in a documentary by Minnesota native Joy Sela, she's telling the stories of Israelis and Palestinians who are working together towards peace. "The Other" follows peace activists, who despite personal loss, have chosen connection with the other side. The film is showing this Sunday as part of the Twin Cities Jewish Film Festival. Director Joy Sela joined MPR News host Nina Moini to share more about the film.

The moment your last or only child leaves home can feel like both an ending and a beginning. Some parents celebrate the new freedom. Others struggle with the sudden quiet. Most experience a bit of both. MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with a psychologist and a social worker about the emotional mix of pride, grief, and rediscovery that comes with an empty nest — and how to find balance and meaning in this new stage of life.Guests:Melissa Lundquist is an associate professor in the School of Social Work and director of the undergraduate social work program at the University of St. Thomas. David Nathan is a psychologist with Allina Health in St. Paul. 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.     

Minnesota is working to stabilize its nursing home workforce, which has long struggled with high turnover, especially in rural communities. MinnPost state government reporter Matthew Blake published a series looking into the state's plan to revitalize the nursing home industry. His reporting looks at the retainment of employees, the complicated financial situations of nursing homes and labor standards. Blake joined MPR News host Nina Moini to share what he learned.

The weather has begun to feel like late fall in Minnesota. Maybe you finally took your heavier coat out of the closet or started wearing gloves to walk the dog. MPR News chief meteorologist Paul Huttner joins Minnesota Now with details on frosty temperatures ahead and an early Halloween forecast.

In an opinion released Wednesday morning, the Minnesota Supreme Court largely sided with a transgender weightlifter who sued USA Powerlifting after the organization banned her from competing in its women's division.The decision comes after a lengthy legal battle that began in 2021. Athlete JayCee Cooper alleged in her lawsuit that USA Powerlifting, a national organizer of weight lifting competitions, violated the Minnesota Human Rights Act.MPR News reporter Matt Sepic joined Minnesota Now to explain the ruling.

New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art has its first solo exhibition of work by Ojibwe artist George Morrison. On Tuesday, friends and family of Morrison gathered to honor the influential Minnesota painter. MPR News reporter Melissa Olson was there. She joined Minnesota Now to share what she learned from those who knew Morrison and how his Minnesota roots continue to inspire artists today.

A controversial proposed data center in northern Minnesota got some support last night, despite vocal community opposition. A group of people who want the state to cut financial ties to Israel held a sit-in at the Retirement Systems Building in St. Paul today. Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Elena See. Music by Gary Meister.

After an hourslong meeting, the Hermantown City Council approved a needed zoning change to advance the proposed data center that's being developed by an unnamed Fortune 50 company. MPR News host Nina Moini spoke with MPR News correspondent Dan Kraker about the meeting that lasted late into the night.

The Walker Art Center's new exhibit, “Dyani White Hawk: Love Language,” is now open and runs through Feb. 15. The show is White Hawk's largest to date, a milestone in an already distinguished career that includes MacArthur “Genius” and Guggenheim fellowships, and acquisitions by the Whitney Museum of Contemporary Art in New York and the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C.White Hawk reflected on her exhibit's opening weekend in Minneapolis with MPR News host Nina Moini.

An MPR News story published this week looks at what Eagan police described as an alleged “pattern of predatory grooming” by former high school music teacher Brett Benson. That conclusion came out of a police detective's report following a nearly two-year investigation. Its allegations include that Benson paid special attention to some girls in his class, flirted with them, found reasons to spend time alone with them and exchanged private text messages with them. When some students turned 18, the text messages became sexual, according to the detective's report. The report said one student alleged that Benson made sexual contact with her on the last day of her senior year.Police referred the case to the Dakota County Attorney's Office for possible charges. No charges were ever filed, and Benson denied doing anything inappropriate. One of the students who talked with Eagan police and MPR News has also met with officials like state representative Liz Reyer about strengthening protections for students. Reyer told MPR News sex education has a role to play. The state of Minnesota is finalizing new health standards to implement next year. One advocate who has been pushing for those standards to include more comprehensive sex education is Meg Bartlett-Chase. She is founder and executive director of the organization Honest Sex Ed Minnesota. She joined MPR News host Nina Moini to share more about what inappropriate behavior like grooming looks like and whether the new standards could help students recognize it.

A data center in Hermantown is closer to becoming a reality. The city approved a zoning change in a meeting Monday evening that lasted until nearly midnight after residents voiced opposition. MPR News Duluth reporter Dan Kraker was there and shared with MPR News host Nina Moini what happened.An investigation by Eagan police found an alleged "pattern of predatory grooming" by a local high school teacher. We learned more about what grooming is - and whether new health education standards will help keep kids safe. We learned about a new film from Twin Cities PBS that looks at 150 years of police reform efforts in Minneapolis. We got the latest about Prairie Island Indian Community's new cannabis agreement with the state. MPR News host Nina Moini talked to Native artist Dyani White Hawk about her new exhibit at the Walker Art Center.Our Minnesota Music Minute was “Sitting on the East Side” by Stone Arch Rivals and our Song of the Day was "Maze" by TABAH.

The phrase “Minneapolis police reform” may bring to mind the events of 2020. The murder of George Floyd that year made the city the center of worldwide calls to change policing. It led the city to enter a process of court-ordered reforms that are still taking shape. A new documentary looks back much further. In “Paradox: Echoes of Reform & the Minneapolis Police,” historian Yohuru Williams traces local politics, community activism and police union organizing over 150 years of Minneapolis policing history. The film by Twin Cities PBS premieres Tuesday night. Yohuru Williams, along with the film's executive producer Daniel Bergin, joined MPR News host Nina Moini to discuss the documentary.