Podcasts about mpr news

The Mississippi River has provided water, food, transportation and a place of connection for generations of Minnesotans. But its history is also marked by displacement, environmental damage and decisions that have often prioritized industry and commerce over communities and the health of the river.A new documentary, “We Are the River: How the Mississippi Shaped Minnesota,” explores the complicated history of the river and the people who have lived alongside it. Coming up at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, MPR News host Angela Davis talks with her guests about what that history can teach us about caring for the Mississippi today and in the future.Guests:Kate Beane is Flandreau Santee Sioux Dakota and Muscogee Creek. She is the executive director of the Minnesota Museum of American Art, has taught at the University of Minnesota and Minneapolis College and serves on the board of Wakan Tipi Awanyankapi, a nonprofit that oversees two Dakota sacred sites in St. Paul. Devin Ashley Brown is the founder of Sovereign Waters, a Minneapolis-based organization that creates culturally responsive pathways to water confidence, environmental connection and outdoor leadership. She works to dismantle barriers that have excluded historically underserved communities from outdoor recreation. She also attempted to be the first Black woman on record to solo the Mississippi River before flood waters ended her trip. John Anfinson is a Mississippi River historian, author and former Superintendent of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. He previously worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and is the part-time river historian at the University of Minnesota's St. Anthony Falls Laboratory. He is also a founding board member of Friends of the Mississippi River and is active in many other river-related organizations and initiatives.

Kate and Leah break down last week's atrocious shadow docket order on the President's wildly illegal executive order concerning elections and absentee ballots, which furthers the administration's effort to, as Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson warns, "foment chaos ahead of the November elections." Then, after touching on other legal news from the week, Leah speaks with former Governor of North Carolina—and current Senate candidate—Roy Cooper about the Court's gutting of election law and what he'll do about it when he's elected. Finally, we kick off Hot SCOTUS Reform September with a conversation about docket reform featuring One First's Steve Vladeck. Look out for our bonus series on Supreme Court reform every Thursday in September!Favorite things: Leah: Pumpkin spice latte season; Taylor Swift's Icon Session; Operation Metro Surge resistance takes center stage in State Fair art (MPR News); KBJ's dissent in Trump v. California Kate: Paradiso 17, Hannah Lillith Assadi; Ordinary People, Extraordinary Times, Skye Perryman; The Political Supreme Court, Rachel A. Shelden; End Times Fascism, Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor; meeting Mikey Friedman and learning about Page Break; Dolly Parton tributes Take the Strict Scrutiny survey.New Strict merch available here.You can now listen to Strict Scrutiny for CLE credits in California, New York, Texas, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Washington, and Oregon! More info at crooked.com/strict_cleGet tickets for STRICT SCRUTINY LIVE on November 6th in Washington, DC: Crookedcon.comBuy Melissa's book, The U.S. Constitution: A Comprehensive and Annotated Guide for the Modern ReaderBuy Leah's book, Lawless, now out in paperbackFollow us on Instagram, Threads, and BlueskyFor a transcript of an episode of Strict Scrutiny please email transcripts@crooked.com

Many Americans are finding it harder to stretch their budgets — and wondering when they'll feel some financial relief. Inflation, higher gas prices and difficulty keeping up with bills and other payments — like buy now, pay later loans — are straining household budgets, while tariffs and changing trade relationships, including with Canada, raise concerns about additional costs.MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about why so many people feel financially squeezed, what's driving these pressures and what they reveal about the broader economy.Guests:Chris Farrell is the senior economics contributor for MPR News and Marketplace. Catherine Rampell is economics editor at The Bulwark, an independent media company. She is also an anchor at MS NOW, formerly MSNBC, and a contributor to Marketplace. She previously worked as an opinion columnist for The Washington Post and was an economics reporter for The New York Times.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 death toll is rising in Nepal and Tibet after devastating flash floods in the Himalayan region. More than 900 people have died and more than 4,700 are still missing. In Minnesota, the Nepali diaspora is coming together for relief efforts. Deepak Chaulagai, a board member with the Association of Nepalis in Minnesota, joined MPR News host Kelly Gordon with details.

Some big changes are on the way for kids who use Instagram or Facebook. They are part of a $17-billion settlement reached last week between the tech giant Meta and 47 states, including Minnesota. The agreement mandates changes to the platforms that limit use to two-hours each day, block the use of the apps at night, and silence notifications during school hours. To sort out how this will work in the real world for families and kids, MPR News host Kelly Gordon talked with Jodi Dworkin, professor and extension specialist in family social science at the University of Minnesota.

A pair of Twin Cities writers gathered the work of 36 other poets in a young adult collection that comes out Tuesday. The anthology is called “Witness: Poems to Address the Past, Present and Future of Policing.” It includes work by celebrated Minnesota poets like Danez Smith and Kao Kalia Yang as well as big national names, like Ada Limón and Amanda Gorman. Several poets will read their work in a launch event Tuesday evening at New City Center in Minneapolis. The project's editors, Ari Tison and Ty Chapman, also contributed to the collection. They joined MPR News host Kelly Gordon to talk about it.

The Minnesota Vikings have finalized their list of 53 players for the upcoming season. Sunday was the deadline for NFL teams to do so, but their rosters could still change. The Lynx lost their second game in a row Sunday before heading into a break for the FIBA World Cup. Minnesota Now sports contributors Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson joined MPR News host Kelly Gordon to break down these sports stories, plus the latest on the Twins and Loons.

A state representative has pleaded guilty to one count of misdemeanor driving while intoxicated stemming from a traffic stop earlier this year.And the planned merger of North Memorial Health and Sanford Health is moving forward.Those stories and more from today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Todd Melby. Music by Gary Meister.

The first day of the Minnesota State Fair brings a chance to see thousands of creative works made by Minnesotans — including quilts that showcase remarkable skill, artistry and imagination.MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two quilters about what goes into making a quilt, how quilting has evolved and the community and personal stories that can be stitched into every finished piece.Guests:Brenda Lyseng is a quilter and board member of Minnesota Quilter's, Inc., a statewide quilting organization. She was the director of the organization's annual quilt show for five years until retiring from that role in 2024. Before that she was a biology professor and dean with the Minnesota State colleges and universities system.Wally Wallestad started quilting four years ago and is a member of the Minneapolis Modern Quilt Guild.Angela's guests shared these resources for beginner quilters:Melanie Ham's Beginner Quilting Tutorial VideosMinnesota Quilters Facebook Group

Over the next 12 days, Minnesotans will walk through the state fair gates to encounter animals, art and decadent food. Politicians will have a chance to meet voters face-to-face, which could be especially important in a competitive midterm election year like 2026. Democratic U.S. Sen. Tina Smith kicked off one of the year's the most significant statewide races when she announced in 2025 she would not seek reelection. DFL Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan and Republican sports broadcaster Michele Tafoya are running for the seat. Smith now has a few months left in her term, with major budget and farming legislation before Congress. She joined MPR News host Nina Moini on the MPR stage.

On Minnesota Now, we play local music every day. And when we broadcast from the State Fair, that music is live.Sophie Hiroko is from from Duluth and has been making a pretty big name for herself in the Minnesota music scene. She won the 2025 Palomino grant from the Duluth band Trampled by Turtles, she released an EP, she was picked as one of First Avenue's best new bands of 2025, and she recently headlined at the 7th St. Entry. Now, she shared with MPR News that she has secured studio space to record her first studio album. Hiroko joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about her music career and play two songs.

Thousands of Minnesota youth are bringing their animals to the State Fair this year along with their families, their 4-H clubs or FFA chapters. It's a big lift to prepare an animal to be judged for a ribbon at the fair, and the Minnesota State Fair foundation has a grant program for first-time fair goers, the BELLE grant. BELLE stands for beginning exhibitor livestock learning experience. The grant helps pay for travel, animal show supplies and feed for the animals. It also helps set up the first-timers with a mentor. 12-year-old Madelyn Donnelly and her mentor Allison Van Nurden, who is in her first year of college - and last year of 4-H. They both brought their lambs to the Minnesota Public Radio stage at the Minnesota State Fair to talk to MPR News host Nina Moini about their experience as mentor and mentee.

A federal judge today denied the state of Minnesota's attempt to keep an ICE agent in custody before the Texas governor can sign an extradition order.And Minneapolis is holding listening sessions to get residents' input on what they want in a new police chief.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Elena See. Music by Gary Meister.

A string of foodborne illness outbreaks has raised new questions about the safety of fresh produce. A major cyclospora outbreak has sickened thousands nationwide, salmonella linked to jalapeños has infected more than 100 Minnesotans and recalled alfalfa sprouts grown in the state have been connected to cases of both E. coli and salmonella.MPR News host Angela Davis talks with food safety experts about what's behind the recent outbreaks, how produce becomes contaminated and what consumers can do to reduce their risk of getting sick.Guests:Amy Johnston is a food safety expert and extension educator with the University of Minnesota. She develops education and training on safe food handling, preparation and processing for food producers, businesses and consumers. Craig Hedberg is a professor in the Division of Environmental Health Sciences at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health and co-director of the Minnesota Integrated Food Safety Center of Excellence. He studies foodborne-illness surveillance, outbreak investigations and prevention.

Harper Moyski is remembered as a fearless leader, a beloved daughter and the best big sister. She was 10 years old when she was killed in the mass shooting at Annunciation Church and School. Since her death, her younger sister Quinn has formed a new friendship with Harper's best friends. They like to go to is Harper's memorial bench to reflect, heal and have fun. It faces the colorful Lyndale Park Rose Garden in south Minneapolis and it is one of many ways the girls keep Harper's memory alive. MPR News host Nina Moini sat down with Quinn, Orla, Savannah and Astoria to talk about their new friendship and how they're remembering and honoring Harper.

In the months after a deadly mass shooting at Annunciation Church and School last year, a group of Annunciation parents turned to organizing to prevent future violence. They met with state lawmakers and supported a range of policy changes, like a ban on assault-style weapons and more funding for mental health care. The Annunciation Light Alliance also found allies in Sandy Hook parents who have built a national advocacy network since the mass shooting at their children's' elementary school in Connecticut in 2012. To learn more about the past year of organizing and what's next, MPR News host Nina Moini talked with Annunciation Light Alliance co-founder Kristen Neville, who has five children at the school, along with Sandy Hook Promise CEO Nicole Hockley, who co-founded that group after losing her son Dylan, a first-grader, in the Sandy Hook tragedy.

In the 1980s rural Minnesota was struggling with the farm crisis and the McKnight Foundation launched an experiment — the Minnesota Initiative Foundations. These six independent regional foundations across greater Minnesota were created to listen to their communities and invest in local economic development. Over four decades, they've distributed hundreds of millions of dollars in grants and loans to help address housing and child care, support entrepreneurs, train up new leaders and create a sense of belonging. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with the heads of two of the regional foundations about creative solutions to challenges facing rural Minnesota. Guests: Benya Kraus became the president and CEO in 2025 of the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, which invests for economic growth in 20 counties and one Native community in south central and southeastern Minnesota. She previously worked in advancement at Resource Rural, a national philanthropy that raised public and private funds to invest in rural and tribal communities. Brian Voerding was named president of the Initiative Foundation in 2023 after serving two years as its vice president for inclusive entrepreneurship, which is based in Little Falls, Minn. and invests in 14 counties and two Native nations in central Minnesota. He was previously editor of the Winona Daily News and executive director of Engage Winona, a nonprofit that engages and trains people to solve local problems in Winona.

Voting and election integrity has been a central issue in the Trump administration. Yesterday, the Supreme Court cleared the way for Trump's executive order that looks to restrict mail-in voting. Though it leaves the door open for more legal challenges. It's just one of many ways the Trump administration has looked to cast doubt on the voting process. A new ProPublica investigation looks at how hundreds of Homeland Security Investigators were deployed to Minnesota and across the country to try to find and prosecute noncitizen voters. But it ended up with meager results. One of the reporters behind this story, Peter Elkind, joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about his reporting.

Tuesday night marks the start of a series of community listening sessions in Minneapolis to get input on what residents want in a new police chief. Chief Brian O'Hara resigned in May over allegations he interfered with an investigation into his conduct. Now, the city is in the process of selecting a new chief. City council member Michael Rainville represents downtown Minneapolis, and is hosting a listening session Tuesday evening. Council member LaTrisha Vetaw, who represents parts of north Minneapolis will host a listening session Wednesday evening. They both joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about what they're listening and looking for in a new police chief.

Minnesotans will get a chance to hear stories collected for the Governor's Truth Council starting this week.The council was created in March to document the impacts of Operation Metro Surge and Operation PARRIS on Minnesotans. The first of four public presentations sharing the council's findings will take place Wednesday.Jennifer Prestholdt is vice chair of the council and deputy executive director of The Advocates for Human Rights. She joined MPR News host Nina Moini to discuss the council's work.

Farming isn't usually a job that puts you on stage, in front of an audience. But farmers still have stories to tell — six farmers from around the state will tell theirs at the Minneapolis Central Library Tuesday evening. The event is called “Celebrating Minnesota's Farmers: A Love Story.” It's part of a storytelling series by the global non-profit, Food Tank. Food Tank president Danielle Nierenberg joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about the event along with Anita Fondikum, owner and operator of Shining Lights Farm in Princeton, Minnesota, who is one of the event storytellers.

Thursday will mark one year since the shooting at Annunciation Church and School in Minneapolis when a shooter opened fire during a back-to-school Mass. One hundred and sixteen bullets shattered windows of the building in less than two minutes. Two children, 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski, were killed. Twenty-eight other people were injured.On Monday, MPR News host Angela Davis talked with two parents of children who attend the school about how they plan to remember Aug. 27, 2025. “It's feeling really heavy,” said Brittany Haeg, whose first-grade son was shot last August and spent several days in intensive care. “We have three kids, and they're all very different ages and stages, and they feel very different about how they want to spend the day. And so, I think our day is about contingencies and contingencies for our contingencies. So we have a loose plan and a lot of adults, and we have staffed our house with friendly faces who are going to hang out there, so that we can sort of touch in and touch out throughout the day.” Haeg co-chairs the Annunciation Light Alliance, a nonprofit founded by parents to build safer communities for children, with Kristen Neville, who founded the organization. Neville is in a blended family with five children who attend Annunciation Catholic School. Like Haeg, she plans to lean into how her children are feeling. She also said she hopes to spend time with other Annunciation families.“I think our hope is to be able to spend time together with other Annunciation families. It's a comfort, and I think it's also a part of the healing journey that we have. I have a really strong sense of desire to want to give back to the community on that day, which is very much associated with what Annunciation is asking, right? People come and they ask us, ‘What can we do on this day? What are you doing?' It's a day really focused on remembrance, but it's also focused on moving your feet and on prayer. And so, I will be doing that, kind of working in the community. There's a really beautiful event that's been planned at Pearl Park by some of our representatives, and so I'll be there packing some kits for youth that experience homelessness right now.” Annunciation families push for laws to protect kids While reflecting on the last year, Haeg and Neville also talked about continuing their advocacy for changes that keep kids safe. During the legislative session earlier this year, the Annunciation Light Alliance took a nonpartisan stance and sought a layered approach to preventing gun violence with hopes of gaining support from both sides of the aisle. Parents backed a ban on assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines, as well as more mental health support funding, funding for school safety programs and safeguards for children online. The Minnesota Senate, with its slight DFL majority, passed a comprehensive package with firearm restrictions and school safety provisions in early May. However, the state House — split 67-67 between parties — did not bring the bill to the floor for a vote. Companion bills also failed to make it out of committee. State lawmakers passed two laws the Annunciation Light Alliance says will help. One adds guardrails around social media accounts for Minnesota minors. Another requires schools to set up anonymous threat reporting systems, which allow people to report tips about potential threats and help with intervention. “I think the legislative session was disappointing for some people in terms of what got passed and that the gun violence — some of those efforts didn't get passed,” said Jillian Peterson, executive director of the Violence Prevention Project Research Center at Hamline University. Peterson said it has been “inspiring” to be part of the Governor's Statewide Safety Council, which Gov. Tim Walz established in December after the shooting to examine and reduce gun violence. Haeg and Neville are also on the council. “It's commissioners from all different state agencies, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the sheriffs, the chief of police, and it's getting all these people from different perspectives into a room once a month for like a three or four hour conversation about how complicated this is, about the root causes, about mental health and gun access and radicalization and social media, with the goal of putting together a really comprehensive package of recommendations for the legislature,” Peterson said. Peterson is hopeful that the connections forged on the council will encourage change. How to honor and help Peterson, who has studied mass shootings for years, said what stands out to her about Annunciation is that people are not focusing on the shooter. Instead, they're focusing on finding solutions to help children.“I think to take a tragedy like this and spin it into something incredibly positive about protecting children and about, ‘How do we do a better job of this? How do we hold each other up? How do we take care of each other?' To me, that's a remarkable conversation to come out of something this horrific.” As we approach Aug. 27, 2026, Haeg and Neville said they are often asked what people can do to help. “Sometimes I say just spending time with your own children and being able to be present and a part of their life, so that you can be able to help them continue to grow,” Neville said. “And nurture their environment that they're in when they go to school and are good stewards of the community and really express and represent those values that then can be presented and lived. That I think is something that is really helpful. I also think there is the element of just being engaged within your community on a broader basis, finding opportunities to take action if it's something that you feel called to.” Haeg added, “Have these conversations in your communities before tragedy strikes. Have it before your Aug. 27.” 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.    

A Republican legislator says people who live in and around Appleton have mixed reactions to the opening of a detention center there. State Rep. Paul Anderson co-hosted a town hall forum yesterday about the facility that will begin housing people detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers later this year. Anderson says he understands some people have moral objections to the detention of immigrants.This is the evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Todd Melby. Music by Gary Meister.

Police escorted several people out of a Google data center open house in Hermantown last night. And the state is shutting down Minnesota group homes run by a Liberian government official due to fraud allegations and safety risks, after an MPR News and APM Reports investigation. This is the evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Todd Melby. Music by Gary Meister.

Your local library has more to offer than a good book. A library card can connect you with job-search help, classes and events, computers, free or discounted tickets to museums and even 3D printing. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with her guests about the wide range of resources libraries provide, how to access them and how the role of public libraries is changing.Guests:Jennifer Baker is community relations manager for Metropolitan Library Services Agency, or MELSA, which supports eight public library systems across the Twin Cities. She works to connect people with the resources and services available through the region's libraries.Maureen Hartman is the director of St. Paul Public Libraries. She oversees its library branches, mobile library and online services.

An executive order Gov. Tim Walz signed Tuesday blocks copper mining near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. But whether the ban becomes permanent could depend on Walz's successor.El Niño is strengthening quickly, according to NOAA, and that could have big implications for Minnesota's upcoming winter.A federal judge will hear arguments Wednesday on a request to upend Minnesota's new law banning use of AI to create certain nude images. The law passed this year seeks to punish use of AI technology that permits creation and distribution of fake images of people naked without their consent.Minnesota and U.S. vaccination rates declined while exemptions are at a record high, according to new data from the CDC.A new MPR News and APM Reports investigation is having a political impact in Liberia.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Lindell is disputing last week's election results after House Speaker Lisa Demuth handily won the Republican primary. Lindell trailed Demuth by more than 45,000 votes, meaning there will not be a publicly funded recount. Lindell says he'll personally pay for one. The Secretary of State's office says that will cost more than $800,000, and Lindell has until Monday to make a formal request and provide the money or a surety bond.Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Klobuchar says she wants to break from the St. Paul status quo. Klobuchar has called for a full state government audit, a money-back guarantee if state permits come late, and bipartisan plans to reshape health care, housing and economic development. Gov. Tim Walz has publicly clashed with President Donald Trump, and Klobuchar says she would push back when Trump's actions hurt Minnesota. Lisa Demuth, who is running against Klobuchar, says the only way to change the status quo in St. Paul is to elect a Republican.The mayor of New Hope is calling on state lawmakers to reverse a 2024 law that stripped cities of the power to shut down group homes. Only the state has that authority now. The law came after New Hope tried to close group homes tied to Sekou Dukuly, the subject of an MPR News and APM Reports investigation. New Hope Mayor John Elder says the state does not have enough staff to adequately monitor group homes.Minnesota gas prices are currently higher than the national average, according to Triple-A. St. Thomas economics professor Tyler Schipper says the U.S. war against Iran has disrupted oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Schipper says Minnesota usually tends to be a little below the national average because the state gets more oil from Canada that is refined locally. He says he would not be surprised if Minnesota prices fall below the national average next week.

We all need someone to talk to. But as we get older, it can be harder to find opportunities to build meaningful connections.MPR News host Angela Davis talks about programs that bring older adults and volunteers together through phone conversations, virtual coffee chats and in-person visits. Guests:Emma Lucchesi is the senior director of programs at Friends & Co, a Minnesota-based nonprofit that runs programs to create connection and belonging for older adults.Leigha Jensen has volunteered with Friends & Co since 2018. She is matched with an older adult who she calls regularly and now considers a good friend.

It's the fine print of federal laws that has made — and potentially unmade — the hemp-derived THC industry. Most recently, the U.S. Senate voted to delay a nationwide ban on these products from Nov. 12 to Dec. 12. The move was part of a government funding measure the House will need to approve when it returns from recess at the end of this month. One of the businesses watching this closely is Bent Paddle Brewing in Duluth. The brewery began selling hemp-derived THC drinks in 2022 and now has a countdown clock for the ban on its website, set to the November date. Bent Paddle co-founder and CEO Bryon Tonnis joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about how he's navigating the uncertainty and what a ban could mean for breweries in the state.Correction: This story has been updated with the correct effective date of the ban, under the Senate-approved vote to delay.

Gas prices are on the rise again. According to AAA, Minnesota's average on Wednesday sat at $4.14. That's 20 cents higher than a week before and higher than the national average.University of St. Thomas economics professor Tyler Schipper said it's not likely prices will significantly fall any time soon, unless there are long-term solutions to ongoing global conflicts and issues. He joined MPR News host Nina Moini to explain.

How do teens imagine the future of our country and world? That's the question a group of youth poets will answer at a reading taking place Thursday at the Bell Museum. It's the culmination of a program that spanned several weeks where a group of teens took workshops and received mentorship from adult writers. In that time, they reflected on the 250th anniversary of the U.S. and were prompted to imagine the world they want to see. Knox Frederickson is one of the teen poets and a rising senior. Amanda Rosas is one of the mentors and a teacher at Visitation School. They talked with MPR News host Nina Moini and shared pieces of their work.

Schools across Minnesota are starting the new school year. For families with a child entering high school, the transition can bring harder classes, changing friendships and new social pressures — along with more independence and opportunities to grow.MPR News host Angela Davis talks with her guests about how parents can support teenagers through the transition into high school. They'll discuss how to keep communication open, when to step in and step back, and how to recognize when a child may need additional support.Guests: Sharon Powell is an extension educator with the University of Minnesota. She develops resources to help families navigate major transitions. Christine Paton is a guidance counselor at Minnehaha Academy, a private K-12 school in Minneapolis. She helps students with academic planning, personal growth, social and emotional well-being and preparation for life after high school.

Tuesday evening, a Twin Cities church is hosting facilitated discussions about the surge of federal immigration agents to Minnesota this winter and the increased scrutiny, arrest and detention of refugees. The federal government named these operations Metro Surge and PARRIS — terms that didn't exist a year ago and now carry specific memories, meanings and emotions for people across the state. The organizers of the event at Faith United Methodist in St. Anthony want to help people sort through what's happened across divides. It's part of the Minnesota Council of Churches Respectful Conversations project organized in partnership with the group Democracy 2076. MPR News host Nina Moini spoke to Pastor and MCC Director of Civic Dialogue Jerad Morey as well as Ade Salami more about the initiative.

American Indians on tribal lands in the United States have historically faced some of the nation's worst economic conditions. Casinos have helped improve bring jobs and development to many Minnesota tribes over the past four decades. And, now, the number of other types of businesses owned by Native entrepreneurs and tribal governments is growing — and becoming more diverse. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with MPR News senior economics contributor Chris Farrell and two Native business owners featured in the new series from MPR's Upper Midwest Newsroom “Beyond the Bet,” exploring the diversification of Native entrepreneurship. Guests: Robert Blake is the founder and CEO of the solar development business Solar Bear. He is also founder and executive director of Native Sun Community Power Development, a nonprofit organization that is building out an electric vehicle charging network on tribal lands and promoting clean energy through education and workforce training. He lives in St. Paul and is a citizen of the Red Lake Nation of Ojibwe people in northern Minnesota. Madonna Peltier-Yawakie is co-founder and president of Turtle Island Communications, Inc. based in Brooklyn Park, Minn. The company provides engineering and technical consulting services to tribes, states and federal agencies to expand broadband internet service in reservation communities. She is a citizen of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians in North Dakota.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.    

A new MPR News and APM Reports investigation reveals that the man behind a Medicaid-funded network of group homes in Minnesota is also a high-ranking government official in a country thousands of miles away from here. It's a story that raises questions about how closely the state is monitoring its group home industry — and the massive amounts of taxpayer money flowing into it. MPR News reporter Ellie Roth joined Minnesota Now to talk about her reporting.

An undercover operation by federal agents at a Minneapolis church may have violated a court order that barred immigration enforcement agents from being there. Plus, a look at the wave of Minnesota cities and counties that are ending their use of Flock cameras. A new investigation from MPR News and APM Reports takes a look at the man linked to a number of group homes in Minnesota, who is also a high-ranking government official in another country.Plus, it's been six weeks since wildfires broke out in northeast Minnesota. More ahead on how the U.S. Forest Service is trying to preserve the ecosystem while fighting the fires.And, the Vikings have a new starting quarterback. How he did in the first preseason game.Our Minnesota Music Minute was “Atmosphere of the Microcosm” by Paul Metzger and our Song of the Day was “Last Tuesday” by Chris Koza.

An Iranian-linked hacker group has claimed direct responsibility for the recent cyberattack against Minnesota water systems.And newly filed court documents show that Homeland Security agents conducted widespread surveillance of anti-ICE protesters. Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Secretary of State Steve Simon says federal election monitors did not interfere in Minnesota's primary election on Tuesday.One of the 15 Minnesota protesters the Department of Justice has charged with conspiracy says that federal law enforcement illegally spied on citizens this winter. The allegation comes in a court filing today from attorney Kevin Riach.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Flock cameras can help police find stolen cars and solve crimes. But they can also create a record of where vehicles have been — raising questions about privacy and police surveillance.MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with a data privacy expert about what kind of information Flock cameras collect, who can access that information and what limits the Constitution puts on tracking our movements.

The cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul have released their 2027 budget proposals. St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her's proposal looks to shrink a $26 million dollar budget gap by increasing property taxes by 6.8 percent. The mayor also plans to eliminate positions and reassign staff. In Minneapolis, Mayor Jacob Frey unveiled his budget Wednesday. He proposed a 11.3 percent increase in property taxes and layoffs. MPR News reporter Estelle Timar-Wilcox joined Minnesota Now to provide more details on Frey's proposal.

There's a new professional sports team in Minnesota. Announced in November, Major League Volleyball has gone from an idea to a roster to a coaching staff, and now it has an identity: Minnesota Forge. The Forge will begin playing in January 2027 at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul. Michelle Haines is president of the team, and spoke to MPR News host Nina Moini about the new team and their growing fan base.

Minnesota reported its highest ever number of ballots cast in a primary, according to unofficial numbers.That story and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with two political strategists about what Tuesday's primary election results reveal about the future of Minnesota's political parties, the influence of President Donald Trump and the November midterm elections.

Minnesota will get at least one new member in the U.S. House in November's election. The 2nd Congressional District seat is open after Angie Craig waged an unsuccessful Senate run. The mostly suburban district that stretches south into farm country is up for grabs. Republican state Senator Eric Pratt is his party's nominee and will face former state Senator Matt Little, the Democratic nominee.Pratt joined MPR News host Nina Moini and politics editor Brian Bakst to talk about his campaign.

Minnesota will get at least one new member in the U.S. House in November's election. The 2nd Congressional District seat is open after Angie Craig waged an unsuccessful Senate run.The mostly suburban district that stretches south into farm country is up for grabs. Former state Senator Matt Little is the Democratic nominee and will face Republican state senator Eric Pratt. Little joined MPR News host Nina Moini and politics editor Brian Bakst to talk about his campaign.

MPR News host Nina Moini and politics editor Brian Bakst dove into the results of top primary races, including for Governor and for Congress, and break down what you need to know for November. The top of the ticket in November will be all women, which means Minnesota will have its first woman governor. We looked at that match up and its significance with Minnesota's first female Lieutenant Governor, Marlene Johnson.Among the closely-watched races will be the second congressional district, where Angie Craig will leave her post. We heard from the two candidates now vying for the seat in the competitive district. Plus, we took a look at the razor-thin race for governor in Wisconsin.

Whether voters elect House Speaker Lisa Demuth or Sen. Amy Klobuchar in November, Minnesota's next governor will be a woman. That's never happened before. But for the last 43 years, all of Minnesota's lieutenant governors have been women. Marlene Johnson (DFL) started the trend as the state's first female lieutenant governor. She served in the role alongside former governor Rudy Perpich from 1983 to 1991. In 2024, she published a book, “Rise to the Challenge: A Memoir of Politics, Leadership and Love.” Johnson joined MPR News host Nina Moini and politics editor Brian Bakst to talk about this moment.

MPR News political analysts Chas Anderson and Todd Rapp dive deeper into the primary results and what they mean for the November midterm. Anderson, a Republican, is the CEO and senior principal at Park Street Public. Rapp is a DFL political analyst with Rapp Strategies.

For nearly 150 years, Pillsbury United Communities has worked across Minneapolis to provide everything from youth programs and employment services to food assistance and a world class theater. Its work is rooted in a simple idea: The people who live in the neighborhood are the ones who know how to make their lives there better. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with the new president and CEO of Pillsbury United Communities about taking the helm at a time when local communities are facing so many challenges, and how the arts and connection can help people heal. Guests: Signe Harriday is the new president and CEO of Pillsbury United Communities, one of the Twin Cities' oldest and largest nonprofits. The organization runs several community centers in Minneapolis and programs aimed at uplifting communities. She previously acted, directed and taught with Pillsbury House + Theatre before becoming the organization's artistic producing director in 2021. Antonio Cardona is director of advancement at Pillsbury United Communities. He was previously the vice president of career readiness at Project for Pride in Living. Before that, he worked at Pillsbury for 15 years, primarily overseeing workforce development and charter schools.

Tuesday is primary election day. The polls are open across the state until 8 p.m. MPR News reporters are out talking to voters, and will share what issues are standing out as voters choose candidates to send to the November election for governor, senator and other races. In St. Paul, voters may see a question on their November ballots about the right to repair for renters. A nurse practitioner is reconnecting with patients who were living in a homeless encampment that the City of St. Paul cleared last week. We'll hear from her about her work.Imagine 89,000 EV chargers in the Twin Cities metro. That's what's needed to keep up with demand, according to the Metropolitan Council. Is it heaven? Is it Iowa? We'll go to Major League Baseball's new “Field of Dreams.”Our Minnesota Music Minute was “Decision Day” by Field Report, and our Song of the Day was “Is It Far Or Is It Close” by Author.