Podcasts about mpr news

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Most Americans are eating and drinking far more sugar than is good for us. It's easy to do. Sugar is added to everything from breakfast cereals and flavored coffee creamers to salad dressings and pasta sauces. And all of that sugar can add up. Americans consume an average of 17 teaspoons of sugar a day with some estimates as high as 34 teaspoons a day. That's about three times the daily limit recommended by the American Heart Association.U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently said, “Sugar is poison,” and recommends that Americans consume “zero” added sugar. So how much is too much? MPR News host Angela Davis talks with a doctor and a dietitian about what sugar does to our bodies and ways to cut back to improve our health.  Guests: Dr. Allison Estrada is an endocrinologist at Hennepin HealthCare.    Alex Larson is a registered dietitian nutritionist based near Duluth.  Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.   Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.     

The late Minnesota House DFL Leader Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark will lie in state at the Capitol on Friday.And a Hennepin County judge today sentenced the woman who pleaded guilty to unintentional murder and assault for driving her automobile into a group last fall. Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

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

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

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

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

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

Juneteenth has long been celebrated in Black communities to remember June 19, 1865, the day that enslaved African Americans in Texas learned they were free. After becoming a federal holiday in 2021, broader community celebrations began in cities around the country, including the Minnesota Orchestra's annual Juneteenth concert tonight at Orchestra Hall in downtown Minneapolis. MPR News host Angela Davis talked with the guest conductor of the Juneteenth concert and one of its organizers about the contributions of Black American composers and how classical music is being shaped by Black American music traditions, including gospel, jazz and the blues. Tickets to the 7 p.m. concert were still available as of Thursday morning. The concert will also stream live on YourClassical MPR with host Melissa Ousley. Guests:   Jonathan Taylor Rush returns to guest conduct this year's Juneteenth concert with the Minnesota Orchestra after conducting the concert in 2024. Now based in North Carolina, Taylor Rush was associate conductor of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra from 2020 to 2023 and is in demand as a guest conductor around the world.  Grant Meachum is director of the Minnesota Orchestra's Live at Orchestra Hall season, which includes the Juneteenth concert and more than twenty other special programs every year featuring film presentations, holiday celebrations and collaborations with popular artists. Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.  

Minnesota Now's series called "Thank You, Stranger” explores the small acts of kindness that make a big impact. MPR News producer Ellen Finn talked to Northfield, Minn. residents whose lives have been touched by Daryl, a man they call the "Northfield Angel."

This week brought another significant tornado outbreak to parts of Minnesota. The Twin Cities was spared this time, but are the Twin Cities and other downtowns safer because of urban heat islands? Maybe not so much. Kenny Blumenfeld, a senior climatologist with the Minnesota State Climate Office, studies urban tornadoes. He did some myth-busting in a conversation with MPR News chief meteorologist, Paul Huttner.

Brooklyn Park police are investigating a break-in at the home of DFL leader Melissa Hortman, and her husband Mark. The incident comes days after the Hortmans were shot and killed in their home in what authorities are calling a politically motivated attack. Police say they discovered pried-off plywood that was covering the home's rear window, but nothing appeared to be missing.Also, state Rep. Kristin Bahner confirmed that her home was one of the targets of the man suspected of the shootings last Saturday. This is the MPR News evening update, hosted by Emily Reese. Theme music by Gary Meister.

The last few days have been heavy in Minnesota. Many people are experiencing a collective sense of grief in the wake of the targeted fatal shootings of Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband. MPR News host Kelly Gordon talks with her guests about the shared sadness, anger and anxiety — and how people can heal, together.Guests: Rabbi Marcia Zimmerman is the senior rabbi at Temple Israel in Minneapolis.  Fiyyaz Karim is co-director of graduate studies and a senior lecturer who teaches addiction counseling and integrated behavioral health at the University of Minnesota. 

This weekend legendary drag performer BeBe Zahara Benet will headline a show at the Capri Theater in north Minneapolis. Marshall Ngwa first took the stage as BeBe at a pride party in 2000, dancing alongside Cyndi Lauper. That was shortly after he moved to Minneapolis from Cameroon. A few years later, BeBe competed in the first season of RuPaul's Drag Race and won the title of “America's Next Drag Superstar.” The reality TV show has exploded in popularity since then. It brought more eyes to the art of drag, which LGBTQ+ people and allies have used to challenge gender norms and celebrate authentic self-expression for more than 100 years. Meanwhile, BeBe has continued to perform and release original music, with a home base in Minneapolis. BeBe joins MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about his career and upcoming show.

Our friends over at YourClassical have been celebrating Pride Month with a new series called “Classical Queery” that explores the intersection of classical music and LGBTQ+ identities. YourClassical fellow Mya Temanson takes the mic for the Song of the Day and then joins MPR News host Nina Moini to share more about the series.

Investigators are still trying to figure out what motivated a man to allegedly target Democratic elected officials in a series of shootings early Saturday morning. Meanwhile, candlelight vigil to honor top state House DFLer Melissa Hortman is planned for Wednesday night on the steps of the state Capitol. In other news, the Superior National Forest will charge people more to enter the Boundary Waters.This is the MPR News evening update, hosted by Emily Reese. Theme music by Gary Meister.

Federal authorities posted murder and stalking charges against Vance Boelter Monday, saying he went to the homes of two other state lawmakers early Saturday morning between shooting state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, and killing DFL House leader Melissa Hortman and her husband. Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson said more than 45 Minnesota state and federal officials were on Boelter's target list — all of them Democrats. The shootings are part of a string of high-profile political violence across the country in recent years.MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about the rise in sharp polarization in the U.S. and the threat of political violence. Guests:  Lilliana Mason is a professor of political science at Johns Hopkins University. She is the author of “Uncivil Agreement: How Politics Became Our Identity.” And she is the co-author of “Radical American Partisanship: Mapping Violent Hostility, Its Causes, and the Consequences for Democracy.” Kathryn Pearson is a professor of political science at the University of Minnesota. She is also the associate dean of undergraduate education and the director of the University Honors Program.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.     

Melissa and Mark Hortman's children released their first statement since the assassination of their parents on Saturday. In that statement, Sophie and Colin Hortman said, “the best way to honor our parents' memory is to do something, whether big or small, to make our community just a little better for someone else.” One of the ways they said to do that is to “pet a dog. A golden retriever is ideal, but any will do.” Melissa and Mark had a beloved golden retriever named Gilbert, who they adopted from an Eden Prairie nonprofit called Helping Paws. Officials announced Monday that Gilbert also did not survive the shooting. Helping Paws trains service dogs for people with disabilities as well as first responders and veterans dealing with PTSD. The Hortmans were avid volunteers with the organization. Alyssa Golob is the executive director of Helping Paws and she joined MPR News host Nina Moini on Minnesota Now.

A group of former foster youth are calling for children in foster care to have better support and more control over their lives. The Minnesota Promise Report released in early June by the group Foster Advocates draws from the experiences of 120 teens and adults with experience in foster care. It includes common struggles as well as proposed solutions. The state of Minnesota has an office dedicated to investigating concerns from foster youth and proposing policy to make the state program better. The Office of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson launched in 2024. It's led by Misty Coonce. She joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about her work.

Minnesota was rocked over the weekend by the politically targeted shootings of two state lawmakers. State Rep. Melissa Hortman, a former DFL House Speaker, was fatally shot along with her husband, Mark. DFL State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, are still recovering after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds. Political leaders and many Minnesotans are still trying to make sense of it all. In the hours after the suspect in those shootings was arrested, MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst, Minnesota Now host Nina Moini and politics reporter Clay Masters spoke with three of the state's top political leaders. Guests: Gov. Tim Walz is a former Democratic vice presidential candidate and second-term DFL governor of Minnesota.House speaker Lisa Demuth is a Republican from Cold Spring.Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan is a DFLer, a former state representative and a candidate for the U.S. senate.Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation. Subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.   

State and federal prosecutors today outlined charges filed against the man suspected of killing Minnesota House DFL leader Melissa Hortman and her husband.That story and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Jacob Aloi. Music by Gary Meister.

Minnesota House Democratic Leader Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were fatally shot at their home in Brooklyn Park early Saturday. A second Democratic lawmaker, state Sen. John Hoffman, and his wife Yvette, were also shot and wounded at their home in Champlin. Gov. Tim Walz said the shooting “appears to be a politically motivated assassination.” On Sunday, he pleaded for civility in American life. “This cannot be the norm,” he said. “It cannot be the way we deal with our political differences.”Angela Davis and her guests talk about how Minnesotans are processing the news, the history of political violence in the United States and how it's changing. Guests: Yohuru Williams is a distinguished university chair, professor of history and founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas. Larry Jacobs is a political scientist and founder and director of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance at the University of Minnesota. He is also the author of “Democracy Under Fire: Donald Trump and the Breaking of American History.”  Ryan Sabas, Mayor of Champlin, Minn.Steve Simon, Minnesota's Secretary of State.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.     

Among the state leaders who are mourning the loss of DFL House Leader Melissa Hortman is Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan. She became lieutenant governor in 2019, the same year Rep. Hortman took up the gavel as Speaker of the House. Before that, Flanagan worked with Hortman and DFL Senator John Hoffman as fellow lawmakers. Flanagan joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about the devastating events of the weekend and her relationships to Rep. Hortman and Sen. Hoffman.

Gov. Tim Walz called Rep. Melissa Hortman, who was fatally shot Saturday, his “closest ally” and praised her bipartisanship as a model for a divided country. Walz told MPR News he has asked his staff to prepare for the possibility of Hortman and her husband to lie in state at the Capitol.

Students interrupted a University of Minnesota Board of Regents meeting today — protesting a sale of university land to an aerospace company that works with the U.S. Department of Defense.And the homes of several members of the University of Minnesota Board of Regents were vandalized yesterday.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Elena See. Music by Gary Meister.

The Trump administration's immigration crackdown is extending to people who want to study at colleges and universities in the U.S.MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about how halting interviews for new student visa applications and banning travel from some countries could affect higher education in Minnesota. Guests:Shahzad Ahmad is associate vice president for global and multicultural engagement at St. Cloud State University. Scott Olson is the chancellor of Minnesota State — the fourth largest system of state colleges and universities in the U.S. and the largest in Minnesota. He was president of Winona State University from 2012–2023. Before that, he was provost and vice president for academic and student affairs at Minnesota State University Mankato. 

An effort to open up a big swath of federal land near the Boundary Waters to copper-nickel mining has been stripped from the massive budget bill moving through Congress. Several dozen people protested outside the Sherburne County Jail in Elk River today in support of a St. Paul woman arrested for alleged actions during a raid in Minneapolis last week.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Bright. Music by Gary Meister.

When people think about lifting weights, they often picture building a lot of muscle or see it as a way to “bulk up.” But weight training can be a powerful tool for long-term health — helping strengthen your bones and improve your balance and mental well-being.  MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about how weight training can boost your health — physically and mentally — at any age. Guests: Angela Nguyen is a certified mobility, strength and nutrition coach for American Strength Training Center in Maplewood, Minn. She is also a three-time bodybuilding “posing and presentation” winner.  Hegel Brandes is the manager of outpatient occupational therapy and physical therapy rehabilitation services for Hennepin Healthcare. He oversees physical therapists who create exercise treatment plans to help people recover from injuries.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.     

Donald Trump's presidency has been a busy time for Democratic attorneys general across the country.  President Trump started his term with a flurry of executive orders. In response, many state attorneys general, often working together, filed their own barrage of federal lawsuits to put the brakes on what the president is trying to do.  In January, 22 states and the District of Columbia challenged an executive order to freeze federal funding. In February, attorneys general from three states, including Minnesota, sued to stop a presidential order that would have restricted health care for transgender youth. In April, a dozen states sued to halt many of the tariffs that President Trump imposed without approval from Congress.  And on Tuesday, California state officials continued to push back on President Trump's decision to deploy Marines and state National Guard troops to immigration protests in Los Angeles. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison about why he thinks President Trump is stepping over the legal limits of the constitution. New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin joins them later in the hour. Guests: Keith Ellison has served as Minnesota's attorney general since January 2019. Before that, he spent 12 years representing Minnesota's 5th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Matthew Platkin was appointed as New Jersey's attorney general in 2022. He has also worked in private practice and served as chief counsel to New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy. 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 special session has been underway today at the state Capitol to pass a budget. Of the 14 bills that are up for a vote, one bill that would remove adult immigrants without legal status from MinnesotaCare passed the House by a small margin.That story and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Jacob Aloi. Music by Gary Meister.

MPR News host Angela Davis talks with her guests about how smoke from Canadian wildfires could continue to affect our air quality this summer and what we can do to stay healthy when skies are smoky. Guests:Jessie Carr is the supervisor of environmental epidemiology in the environmental health division of the Minnesota Department of Health. Matt Taraldsen is a meteorologist and supervisor of the team that issues air quality conditions, alerts and forecasts at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.   Dr. Dylan Wyatt is an emergency medicine physician with Aspirus St. Luke's health care system in Duluth.AirNow.gov allows you to check current air quality conditions. You can also download the AirNow mobile app and sign up to receive air quality alerts and forecasts via email.MPCA current air quality conditions: Current air quality conditions | Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (state.mn.us)MDH air quality and health website: Air Quality, Climate and HealthMDH Wildfire Smoke web page: Wildfire Smoke - MN Dept. of Health (state.mn.us)Minnesota Outdoor Air Quality Guidance for Schools and Child CareDIY Air Cleaner to Reduce Wildfire Smoke Indoors

Five years after George Floyd's murder sparked nationwide protests, the legacy of that movement is still being written in Minneapolis and America writ large—even as some attempt to erase it. Guest:   Marcia Howard, president of the teacher chapter of Minneapolis Federation of Teachers Brandt Williams, senior editor covering race, class and communities for MPR News.   Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen. Podcast production by Ethan Oberman, Elena Schwartz, Paige Osburn, Anna Phillips, Madeline Ducharme, Isabel Angell, and Rob Gunther. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Five years after George Floyd's murder sparked nationwide protests, the legacy of that movement is still being written in Minneapolis and America writ large—even as some attempt to erase it. Guest:   Marcia Howard, president of the teacher chapter of Minneapolis Federation of Teachers Brandt Williams, senior editor covering race, class and communities for MPR News.   Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen. Podcast production by Ethan Oberman, Elena Schwartz, Paige Osburn, Anna Phillips, Madeline Ducharme, Isabel Angell, and Rob Gunther. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Five years after George Floyd's murder sparked nationwide protests, the legacy of that movement is still being written in Minneapolis and America writ large—even as some attempt to erase it. Guest:   Marcia Howard, president of the teacher chapter of Minneapolis Federation of Teachers Brandt Williams, senior editor covering race, class and communities for MPR News.   Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen. Podcast production by Ethan Oberman, Elena Schwartz, Paige Osburn, Anna Phillips, Madeline Ducharme, Isabel Angell, and Rob Gunther. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices