Podcasts about mpr news

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. Watch the prosthetic knee in action here: https://youtu.be/ZQCVmuirYSI?si=kFp0VCUwyVvEt1jq News sources for this episode: Madeline Ashley, Erica Cerutti, “CDC names acting director: 7 notes,” August 28, 2025, https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/hospital-management-administration/cdc-names-acting-director-7-notes/, Becker's Hospital Review. Lauren Dubinsky, “Alphabet's Verily shuts down medical devices program, cuts staff,” August 28, 2025, https://www.modernhealthcare.com/medical-devices/mh-alphabet-verily-layoffs-medical-devices-ai/, Modern Healthcare. Kirsti Marohn, “Health care provider CentraCare to lay off 535 employees,” August 12, 2025, https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/08/12/health-care-provider-centracare-to-lay-off-535-employees, MPR News.  Jakob Emerson, “27 payers cutting jobs | 2025,” August 20, 2025, https://www.beckerspayer.com/workforce/5-payers-cutting-jobs-2025/, Becker's Payer Issues. Tom Murphy, “Expect health insurance prices to rise next year, brokers and experts say,” https://apnews.com/article/health-insurance-drug-costs-2026-rates-c4d865ec09c7088ecc6b55dc520f3566, Associated Press.  Becker's Hospital Review, Commerce Bank, “Progress amid uncertainty: A mid-year update on 2025 healthcare finance trends.,” August 18, 2025, https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/finance/progress-amid-uncertainty-a-mid-year-update-on-2025-healthcare-finance-trends/?origin=CFOE&utm_source=CFOE&utm_medium=email&utm_content=newsletter&oly_enc_id=8018I7467278H7C.  Alice Burns et. al, “How Will the 2025 Reconciliation Law Affect the Uninsured Rate in Each State?,” August 20, 2025, https://www.kff.org/uninsured/how-will-the-2025-reconciliation-law-affect-the-uninsured-rate-in-each-state/, Kaiser Family Foundation. NIH Medline Plus Magazine, “Prosthetics through the ages,” May 11, 2023, https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/article/prosthetics-through-the-ages.  Andy Corbley, “This New Bionic Knee Is Changing the Game for Lower Leg Amputees,” August 21, 2025, https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/this-new-bionic-knee-is-changing-the-game-for-lower-leg-amputees/, Good News Network. Rural Health Today is a production of Hillsdale Hospital in Hillsdale, Michigan and a member of the Health Podcast Network. Our host is JJ Hodshire, our producer is Kyrsten Newlon, and our audio engineer is Kenji Ulmer. Special thanks to our special guests for sharing their expertise on the show, and also to the Hillsdale Hospital marketing team. If you want to submit a question for us to answer on the podcast or learn more about Rural Health Today, visit ruralhealthtoday.com.

The Cheat Sheet is The Murder Sheet's segment breaking down weekly news and updates in some of the murder cases we cover. In this episode, we'll talk about cases from Minnesota, South Carolina, Indiana, New York, and Mexico.CBS News's report on Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty's decision to overturn the murder conviction of Bryan Hooper Sr., who was convicted of murdering Ann Prazniak, after a confession from original case witness Chalaka Young: https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/mary-moriarty-murder-conviction-1998-vacate/MPR News's report on Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty's decision to overturn the murder conviction of Bryan Hooper Sr., who was convicted of murdering Ann Prazniak, after a confession from original case witness Chalaka Young: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/08/12/jailhouse-confession-in-1998-murder-speeds-request-to-vacate-mans-convictionWRDW's report on a complain from Ty'Ran Dixon against the Barnwell County Sheriff's Office over his arrest in the Jasmine Roach murder case, which involved a different man named Ty'Ren Dickson: https://www.wrdw.com/2025/08/14/football-player-files-second-lawsuit-over-wrongful-murder-accusation-barnwell-county/A press release on the Federal Bureau of Investigation's recent discovery around the papers of Hernán Cortés: https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/fbi-returns-historic-manuscript-to-the-mexican-governmentWHSV's report on the charges against Franklin Elmore Jr. and Cheyenne Elmore in the death of Elmore's six-year-old son: https://www.whsv.com/2025/08/12/father-accused-beating-6-year-old-death-his-playroom-stepmother-also-charged/Check out our upcoming book events and get links to buy tickets here: https://murdersheetpodcast.com/eventsPre-order our book on Delphi here: https://bookshop.org/p/books/shadow-of-the-bridge-the-delphi-murders-and-the-dark-side-of-the-american-heartland-aine-cain/21866881?ean=9781639369232Or here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Shadow-of-the-Bridge/Aine-Cain/9781639369232Or here: https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Bridge-Murders-American-Heartland/dp/1639369236Join our Patreon here! https://www.patreon.com/c/murdersheetSupport The Murder Sheet by buying a t-shirt here: https://www.murdersheetshop.com/Check out more inclusive sizing and t-shirt and merchandising options here: https://themurdersheet.dashery.com/Send tips to murdersheet@gmail.com.The Murder Sheet is a production of Mystery Sheet LLC.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Summer is in its waning weeks and weather at the Great Minnesota Get-Together has been fair — for the most part. MPR News meteorologists Paul Huttner, Sven Sunggard and Mandy Thalhuber hosted their annual Climate Cast conversation in front of an audience at the Minnesota State Fair. Together, they reflected on weather patterns from all four seasons. Audience members shared their questions, too, about Minnesota's changing climate and shifting climate patterns.This discussion was recorded at the Minnesota State Fair on Aug. 27. To hear the full conversation, click play on the audio player above or subscribe to the Climate Cast podcast.

Beyond the two children who were killed during the attack at Annunciation Catholic Church Wednesday, 18 people were wounded. Fifteen were children as young as six and three parishioners in their 80s were shot. First responders took the injured to HCMC and Children's Minnesota for treatment. Dr. Tom Wyatt is the chair of emergency medicine at HCMC. He joins MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about what he and his colleagues have been dealing with at the hospital.

The grieving process is just beginning for families, friends and community members of Annunciation Catholic Church and School. Even for people who aren't close to the victims, hearing of a tragedy this close to home can be difficult to process. Cara Mearns-Thompson, clinical director and co-founder of The Grief Club of Minnesota joins MPR News host Nina Moini with guidance and resources for healing.

After Wednesday's mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis, parents are now grappling with how to talk to their children about grief.MPR News health reporter Erica Zurek spoke with a psychologist at Children's Minnesota just a few hours after the mass shooting. Erica joined Minnesota Now to share more about their conversation.

A shooter opened fire on a Wednesday morning mass at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in south Minneapolis. Minneapolis police say two children were killed and 17 other people were injured. Minneapolis police chief Brian O'Hara told reporters the shooter died by suicide.MPR News host Nina Moini talks with reporters on the scene and several others, including:U.S. Sen. Tina SmithState Rep. Emma Greenman (DFL) State Sen. Zaynab Mohamed (DFL)Stacy Remke, licensed clinical social worker Bradley Schmeling, senior pastor at Gloria Dei Lutheran ChurchVincent Francoual, parent of Annunciation student Continuing coverage: 2 kids dead, 17 hurt, gunman dead in mass shooting at Minneapolis Catholic church, schoolUse the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.Subscribe to the Minnesota Now podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

West Nile virus cases are increasing across the state. The Minnesota Department of Health reports 20 cases of West Nile virus so far this year. Two of the affected people have died. Monday's daily attendance at the Minnesota State Fair hit a record. The daily attendance creeped just past 145,000 people yesterday -- about 500 more people than the record set in 2017.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Students are getting ready to head back to school next week. Some have already started classes.As teachers kick off the new school year, they may ask themselves, “Will I be able to reach that one struggling student? Will I make the difference they need?”MPR News host Angela Davis talks with a former secretary of the U.S. Department of Education who says teachers saved his life. Join Angela when she talks with John B. King Jr., who says the best teachers didn't just teach him subjects — they taught him that he mattered, that his voice had value and that his dreams were worth pursuing. Guest:John B. King Jr. is the chancellor of the State University of New York. He was secretary of the U.S. Department of Education during President Barack Obama's administration. He has been a high school social studies teacher, a middle school principal and a college professor. He served as New York State Education Commissioner and was the president and CEO of the Education Trust, a national education civil rights organization. And he is the author of "Teacher By Teacher: The People Who Change Our Lives.”

The city of Minneapolis is at odds with a property owner who is allowing people to stay on his land in an encampment. We heard how politicians are considering their own safety at the State Fair, following the shootings of two lawmakers. Under a budget bill that Congress passed this summer, it could soon be easier for families to send their kids to private schools. We'll learn about the shifting environment of school choice in Minnesota. St. Paul and Nagasaki were the first sister cities in the U.S. and Japan. The mayor of Nagasaki was recently in St. Paul to commemorate 70 years of this relationship, and he joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about his visit.We got a football season preview from our sports contributors.Our Minnesota Music Minute was “Molly's Tune” by Steam Machine and our Song of the Day was “Dental Implant” by The Steve Kenny Quintet.

It's possible this school year is one of the last before a federal program changes the face of public and private schools in Minnesota. President Donald Trump's sprawling budget bill that passed in July included a program that amounts to school vouchers that can be used for private schools. It signals a new era of the school choice movement. While legislation like this usually originates in conservative circles, nonprofit advocates in traditionally Democratic-leaning states, like Minnesota, have a new opportunity to strengthen their movement. Here to explain how the bill could change things for school choice in Minnesota is one such advocate. Ricky Austin is the president of the Aim Higher Foundation in St. Paul. He joined MPR News host Nina Moini to explain what his organization does and how the federal tax credit works.

On the south end of Como Lake in St. Paul, there's a street called Nagasaki Road. And in Nagasaki, Japan, there's a street named after St. Paul. They are sister cities, an official relationship that began in December 1955. That was only 10 years after the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki, 80 years ago this month. Nagasaki's current mayor, Shiro Suzuki, recently visited Minnesota for the first time. His grandfather was mayor of Nagasaki when the sister-city relationship was formed. MPR News host Nina Moini talked to Mayor Suzuki at the Minnesota History Center about his visit.

Critics of Minneapolis policies around encampments for unhoused people spoke out Tuesday morning. A property owner said allowing people to stay in tents on his private land in south Minneapolis should be allowed. On Wednesday, Mayor Jacob Frey is expected to brief the city council on possible legal action against the encampment and property owner. MPR News reporter Cari Spencer was at a press conference with the property owner and joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini from Minneapolis.

There's a chill in the morning air, the air feels drier and the evenings are getting darker. These are some of the first signs of football season. The Vikings are making changes to their roster in the gap between the preseason and their opening game on Sept. 8. The University of Minnesota Gophers and Minnesota high school teams will start their seasons in just a couple days. Minnesota Now sports contributors Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about what to expect.

Child care is one of the biggest expenses families face — and here in Minnesota, it's among the highest in the nation.Infant care in the state averages nearly $1,900 a month — that's more than most families pay for a mortgage and is more than the cost of in-state tuition at some public colleges. And Minnesota isn't alone. In more than 40 states, parents say child care is the single biggest expense in their households. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with leaders in early childhood education and child care policy to help us understand what's behind these rising costs and what families are doing to make it work. Guests:Angela Clair is the director of early childhood services for the Wilder Child Development Center in St. Paul, an early childhood facility that provides care, education and family support to families across the Twin Cities. Clare Sanford serves as Government Relations Chair on the board of the Minnesota Child Care Association. She is also vice president of government & community relations for New Horizon Academy, a family-owned, Minnesota-based child care provider.    Here are some more resources that were mentioned during the show:Kids Count on Us CoalitionKids Count on Us Newsletter Sign Up

Will Gov. Tim Walz run for a third term? That's still up in the air. That story and more in today's evening news update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

We've all been there — you get the invitation for dinner at a friend's place. Maybe it's a backyard barbecue, a holiday gathering or a spur-of-the-moment picnic.Because you're a thoughtful guest, you ask, “What can I bring?” And then you freeze. You wonder what you can pull off that everyone will love and will disappear from the table first.So, what will you bring?MPR News host Angela Davis talks with a cookbook author who shares recipes designed to travel well, taste amazing and win you the title of ‘best guest ever.'Guest:Casey Elsass is a food writer, recipe developer and cookbook author whose writing has appeared on Tasty, Epicurious, Food Network Kitchen, Delish, and Food52. His first solo cookbook is “What Can I Bring? Recipes to Help You Live Your Guest Life.” 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 Now is live from the MPR stage at the corner of Judson and Nelson. The state fair has become synonymous with politics. This year is not a major election year, so we check in with the MPR News politics team about the stories they're covering on a busy beat.We put your Minnesota state fair history to the test with the Minnesota Historical Society's history on a stick. Among the many animals you can see at the fair are stunt dogs! We meet an impressive jump-roping chiweenie. Plus, we bring you live music on our state fair stage from local musician Dylan Salfer. He is about to release his debut album.

It has been quite the year for politics in Minnesota. In the last 12 months, we saw a historic presidential ticket with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a chaotic start to the legislative session with a boycott and tragedy this summer with the shootings of two lawmakers. MPR News' politics team has been through it all and joins Minnesota Now live from the state fair. Reporters Dana Ferguson, Clay Masters and Peter Cox give a peek behind the curtain of what it's like to cover politics in Minnesota.

The Minnesota State Fair began more than 165 years ago, enough time for a lot of interesting stories to accumulate. What better way to sort through it all than with trivia? Minnesota Historical Society program associate Jacob Rorem puts MPR News staff and audience members to the test with a history quiz, live from the fair.

On Minnesota Now, we play music every day. When we broadcast from the State Fair, that music is live!Dylan Salfer is a blues guitarist who grew up in River Falls, Wisconsin and now lives in the Twin Cities. You may have seen him around town at Art-a-Whirl, Icehouse, or other local gigs. He and his band are busy recording their debut album. Salfer joins MPR News host Nina Moini from the fair to talk about his music and plays two songs, “Crooked Hand” and “I'll Be Gone.”

People have traveled from every corner of Minnesota and beyond to the state fair to show their animals, from fancy pigeons to dairy cows. But there are also animals that put on a show, three times each day. One of these hard-working performers is WeeWee the Chi-Weenie. WeeWee joins MPR News host Nina Moini live from the fair along with her trainer, Abby Cline and Chris Perondi, founder of the touring company, Stunt Dog Productions. They are part of the team that puts on the show All-Star Stunt Dogs Splash on the Northwoods Stage. It happens each day of the state fair at 11, 2 and 4:30 p.m.

Republican state representative Kristin Robbins announced today that she is running for Minnesota governor.And for the first time in more than a decade, there will soon be a change in leadership atop Minnesota retail giant Target.Those stories and more from this evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Do you feel like your phone is always in your hand, or that your laptop never really closes? Well, you aren't alone. More people are looking for ways to step back from constant notifications, endless scrolling and that feeling of always being “on.”  MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two experts about digital detoxing — what it means, why it's so hard to unplug and how taking a break from our screens can help us feel more present, focused and connected.Guests:  Erin Walsh is the co-founder of the Spark & Stitch Institute, a Minneapolis-based organization that helps families, schools and communities navigate the connection between child development, technology and relationships. She is also the author of “It's Their World: Teens, Screens, and the Science of Adolescence.”  Tyler Rice is the co-founder and CEO of the Digital Wellness Institute, an educational and training organization that helps people and organizations build more mindful and balanced relationships with technology. He is also the author of “Tactical Disconnection,” a book about rethinking how we use technology in our daily lives. 

A committee on Capitol area security met for the first time Wednesday morning since two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses were shot in their homes in June.Security around the Capitol has come under intense scrutiny since the shootings and after a man gained entry to the Capitol after hours by placing a wooden wedge in an external door. Members discussed proposals to add metal detectors, ban firearms and take other safety measures.MPR News senior politics reporter Clay Masters was at the meeting this morning and joined the show to share more about the role of the Advisory Committee on Capitol Security.

Wednesday morning, a committee on Capitol area security met for the first time since the shootings of two state lawmakers. MPR News politics reporter Clay Masters was at the meeting and joined the show to share what he learned about proposed safety improvements. As more immigrants in Minnesota are getting arrested to be deported, what happens to their cases after they're sent out of the country? An immigration lawyer joined us to explain. Can you believe the Minnesota State Fair starts Thursday? And the weather is looking good! We got a full forecast with MPR News meteorologist Paul Huttner. And four women are believed to be the first publicly documented all-women crew to portage a route from Lake Superior to Hudson Bay, Canada.Our Minnesota Music Minute was "Never Right" by Faith Boblett and our Song of the Day was "Living the Meme" by Lost Island Society.

MPR News chief meteorologist Paul Huttner joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about the forecast for opening weekend of the Minnesota State Fair, how recent rainfall in fire zones could impact air quality in the state and how cricket chirps can help us understand the weather.

Four women have returned to the United States after an 80-day, 1,380-mile canoe journey from Lake Superior to Hudson Bay in Canada. The group, who call themselves the “Hudson Bay Girls,” believes they are the first publicly documented all-women crew to complete the historic route.But the trip was about more than just paddling. The crew aimed to raise awareness about environmental stewardship and encourage more women to reclaim space in paddle sports.Two members of the team, Abby Cichocki and Helena Karlstrom, joined MPR News host Nina Moini to share their experience.

President Trump's campaign to deport thousands of immigrants has had significant impacts for the Southeast Asian community in Minnesota. At a news conference last weekend by MN8, an advocacy group helping Southeast Asian immigrant communities, co-founder and executive director Montha Chum told reporters that five Hmong Minnesotans in federal detention were transferred to Louisiana and are currently awaiting deportation to Laos. Sahan Journal reports that, as of early June, at least 15 Hmong Minnesotans with criminal convictions were arrested to be deported. Ana Pottratz Acosta, a visiting professor at the University of Minnesota Law School and the Binger Center for New Americans — and a former immigration attorney — joined MPR News host Nina Moini to discuss the issue and explain what happens to immigrants' cases after they're sent out of the country.

If you've heard a young person say someone has “rizz” or something is “mid,” you might've nodded along — all while secretly wondering … what on earth were they talking about? Every generation has its own way of speaking, but Gen Z slang is unique. Influenced heavily by social media trends, it's shaped by internet culture and can spread at lightning speed. MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests break it all down. Where does this generation's slang come from? What does it say about how young people connect, express themselves and even challenge the way we use language?Guests:  Tish Jones is a poet, emcee and hip-hop theater artist from St. Paul. She's the founder and executive director of TruArtSpeaks, a St. Paul arts and culture organization that provides mentorships, workshops and other opportunities for artists and art leaders.Alayo Tripp is a linguist and cognitive scientist studying language development. They are also an assistant professor of computational language science at the University of Florida. Was there any slang you're curious about that we missed in the show? Check out the list below for more words and phrases.100 Current Slang Terms Teens and Gen Z Use Daily

Fourteen homeless veterans in Minnesota will soon have a roof over their heads in the city of Robbinsdale, a suburb just outside the Twin Cities. The Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans converted the nearly 125-year-old Robin Hotel into 14 units for low-income and homeless veteransA ribbon-cutting was held last week and in about two weeks, people will start moving in. Sara Riegle, the chief housing officer for The Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans spoke to MPR News host Nina Moini about the project.

Ten years ago, when you needed a ride across town or to the airport, you might have called a taxi. Now, you're more likely to open an app on your phone. Ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft have been growing at breakneck speed. But the fast growth — and increased focus on profits — has changed the experience for some drivers and riders. It's also prompted some states, including Minnesota, to pass minimum wage guarantees for drivers. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with her guests about how rideshare works and how it's changing. Guests:  Sergio Avedian is senior contributor for The Rideshare Guy, a driver advocacy blog and YouTube channel. He drives for multiple ridesharing and food delivery services in Los Angeles.Said Mohamed has been a rideshare driver for nine years and is a former taxi driver. Since moving to the Twin Cities from southern California three years ago, he's driven over 11,000 rides. He's also an organizer for SEIU Local 26, a union that wants to represent rideshare drivers.

The man accused of killing former DFL House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark is facing new state charges of first-degree premeditated murder. And the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board announced today it will reduce the historic Hiawatha Golf Course from 18 to nine holes. The course, which has ties to the Twin Cities Black Community, has experienced major flooding over its century long history.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

When we think about what makes a strong community, it often comes down to one thing — people showing up for each other. Across Minnesota, thousands of volunteers are showing up every day — to stock food shelves, tutor students, plant community gardens, organize donation drives and more.And the way we serve is changing.Today, it's easier than ever to sign up for one-time events, find projects that line up with your skills or passions and even volunteer virtually from your computer.  MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about why volunteering matters, how it strengthens communities and how you can find opportunities that fit your interests and schedule. Guests: Niila Herbert is the executive director of the Minnesota Alliance for Volunteer Advancement.Melissa Wilson is the senior director of engagement at Greater Twin Cities United Way. She leads the United Way's Volunteer United program, which promotes volunteer opportunities and events.  

As the state's first nontribal cannabis businesses are preparing to open, Governor Walz appointed an official director of the Office of Cannabis Management. Eric Taubel joins Minnesota Now to talk about the issues he's confronting.We head to the factory floor of a speaker company with an executive who says federal tariffs that are meant to help them are making it harder to keep their business in the U.S.Plus, a common practice of barricading lakeshores with large rocks comes with an environmental cost. MPR News correspondent Kirsti Marohn explains.Can you believe the start of school is right around the corner? We get tips on how be thrifty with school supplies.And the USA Wheelchair Softball World Series is in full swing.

Business owners have been on a rollercoaster this year from tariff battles between President Donald Trump and leaders of China, Canada, Mexico and other countries. Some businesses are pushing back against the tariffs that are meant to help them, including one here in Minnesota. Dan Digre is the CEO of MISCO Speakers, which has been making loudspeakers in the Twin Cities for 75 years. They sell their speakers to customers who make everything from airplanes to video games to fast food drive-throughs. MPR News senior economics contributor Chris Farrell met Digre at the MISCO Speakers headquarters in St. Paul.

Have you ever noticed how many lake homes have large rocks lining their shorelines? Those layers of rocks, known as riprap, are often meant to fight erosion and keep soil from crumbling into the lake due to waves or high water. But rock riprap brings a whole raft of other problems with it.Kirsti Marohn has been reporting extensively on the subject and joined Minnesota Now to share what she's learned as a part of a check-in with MPR News reporters in Greater Minnesota.

The smoky summer of 2025 has produced a near record number of air quality alerts for Minnesota. Most of this summer smoke has drifted in from these massive Canadian wildfires where more than 16 million acres of forest has burned in Canada this year.MPR News chief meteorologist Paul Huttner talked with Matthew Taraldsen, a meteorologist with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), about poor air quality and reason behind the state's smoke-filled summers.The following has been lightly edited for clarity. Listen to the full conversation by clicking the player button above or subscribe to the Climate Cast podcast. First, some good news. The smoke has drifted away, and there's the possibility of rain in some Canadian wildfire zones. Can that possibly limit our smoke over the next week or two? Yes, it definitely can. The areas that have been on fire have also been extremely dry, and so it likely isn't enough to put out the fires, but it will definitely kind of dampen down the fire activity and limit the amount of smoke that the fires do emit. This has been quite a summer when it comes to air quality alerts. How close is the state to hitting record? We've had 19 alerts this year so far. Our current record is 53, so we're not quite to record, but we're above record pace. We're higher than we were at 2023 at this point in the season. No matter how you cut it, it's a very high-impact wildfire season. Most of our smoke this year is coming from Canada. That was also the case in 2023 when over 45 million acres burned in that country. What can we say about wildfire trends in the U.S. and Canada, and smoke in Minnesota, in the past few decades? The short answers is, it's definitely on the rise. There's been plenty of research out there in the western U.S. that the wildfire trends are growing as our climate warms. In Canada, the data until last year was a little bit more ambiguous. But there's definitely a signal that what we're seeing is likely being influenced with climate change.I think what what we're seeing this year is likely still going to be an outlier. But I do think going forward, we're likely to see at least some smoke impacts every year. We've also been having volatile, organic compounds inside the smoke that have also been serving as a pretty powerful base for ozone formation and seeing higher ozone days in ways we haven't seen before. It's kind of a one-two-punch. We hear a lot about climate change and wildfires versus forest management and fire suppression. How do you extinguish fire in 1.2 billion acres of boreal forest in remote areas with few roads?You don't, is the short answer. In Minnesota, we think of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area as being remote, and it is to an extent. But Canada takes it to a whole new level.Canada has remote areas the size of the state of Texas and when you get a fire that starts there, there is no easy way to put that fire out, unless you air drop in firefighters who will then hand dig fire lines. This year, you have fires that are burning roughly the size of the state of South Carolina — think of how long it would take to hand carve fire lines around an entire U.S. state. On the other side, when those people are out, far away from civilization, if something were to happen more locally, they're no longer on the field and you have to bring them back. So they're letting them burn just because they don't have the manpower to extinguish them all. It's a multifaceted problem, but I think people lose sight of just how incredibly large this area is with no roads, no water lines, nothing out there. Your tools to control those fires are very limited. I know you're in the air quality business and not in politics, but people are complaining about forest management, both the build up of fuels by suppressing fires and the let-it-burn approach. Now people are blaming Canada for not putting out fires. So what is it?The other point is that this is not just impacting the U.S. In Flin Flon, Manitoba, the air quality last month was over 500 for the entire month. So this is impacting people in Canada as much as it's impacting people the United States, and no one's happy with it. What's your overall message to Minnesotans about our summer air quality and climate change going forward? I think the big thing to take away is to be vigilant. We've heard from a lot of people that checking the air quality has really become of part of their daily routine — just like you would check the normal weather forecast.That's probably the most prudent thing. Check the air quality, have a plan to deal with smoke, wear a mask. It will protect you. Be prepared if you are outside in the smoke, and listen to your body.

The Minnesota Twins are not for sale after all. The Pohlad family announced Wednesday they will keep their majority ownership of the team. The Pohlads have been searching for months for a buyer after revealing their plans to sell last October. The family has owned the team since 1984. Twins Executive Chair Joe Pohlad spoke for the family in a written statement issued Wednesday morning. He said, “This ownership group is committed to building a winning team and culture for this region, one that Twins fans are proud to cheer for.” Minnesota Now sports contributor Wally Langfellow joins MPR News host Nina Moini to help explain the reversal.

The McKnight Foundation has named its Distinguished Artist of 2025, one of the largest and most prestigious awards in the state. The recipient is Carolyn Holbrook, an author and arts advocate who has founded three arts organizations over the years, all designed to create space for writers and amplify the voices of writers of color. MPR News' Emily Bright spoke with Holbrook.

A statewide air quality alert has ended, but the northern part of the state is still being impacted by smoke from Canadian wildfires Wednesday. MPR News chief meteorologist Paul Huttner joins Minnesota Now host Nina Moini with the latest on the most recent bout of poor air quality and a preliminary state fair forecast.

Wednesday morning, hundreds of business and civic leaders gathered at an event called “Compete 25” to talk about the state of the Minneapolis and St. Paul economy. The group Greater MSP unveiled the MSP Regional Indicators Dashboard, which looks at economic, social and environmental benchmarks and compares it to other metropolitan cities to see how the Twin Cities stacks up. Some of those other cities include Chicago, Boston and Seattle. Greater MSP president and CEO Peter Frosch joins MPR News host Nina Moini to share where the Minneapolis-St. Paul economy stands.

The City of St. Paul has a new council member. Molly Coleman will represent Ward 4, which includes all or parts of five neighborhoods in the northwest part of the city. Coleman is filling the vacancy created by former St. Paul City Council president Mitra Jalali's resignation in January. She is the co-founder of an advocacy group, a graduate of Harvard Law School and the latest in her family to secure an elected position. She joins MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about her plans for office.

From TikTok trends to Hollywood mergers, the media world is evolving fast. Most Americans — 83 percent of U.S. adults — use streaming services, according to the Pew Research Center.Social media is competing with traditional outlets for our attention and trust.  And mergers are reshaping who creates, distributes and profits from the content we watch, read and listen to.  MPR News host Angela Davis talks with a media analyst and a pop culture critic about how technology, business and culture are transforming the media landscape and what it means.Guests:Eric Deggans is TV critic, media analyst and guest host at National Public Radio. Next month, he begins teaching as the Knight Professor of Journalism and Media Ethics at Washington and Lee University in Virginia. His book on how media outlets use racial issues to draw audiences is “Race-Baiter: How the Media Wields Dangerous Words to Divide a Nation.”Neal Justin is the pop culture critic for the Minnesota Star Tribune. He is also an adjunct instructor at the University of St. Thomas. 

Since 2018, the Association on American Indian Affairs, based in Washington, D.C., has tracked potentially sensitive Native items sold at auctions around the world. Many of these items hold spiritual or cultural significance for tribes across the United States.The organization has found an ally in Revere Auctions, a St. Paul-based auction house believed to be the only one in the country with a formal process for repatriating Native American items. The process provides a pathway for returning items of spiritual importance to tribal governments.Shannon O'Loughlin, a citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and the CEO and attorney for the Association on American Indian Affairs, and Sean Blanchet, co-founder of Revere Auctions, joined MPR News host Nina Moini to discuss this work.

Minnesota-based company Target has been in the headlines in 2025. Target's sales have missed expectations, its stock has tumbled, and some customers boycotted the company after it announced it would cease its company DEI efforts. Amid the challenges its facing, the company is getting ready to choose a new CEO.Associate editor of Twin Cities Business Erik Tormoen wrote about the state of the company in a story headlined “Off the Mark: What's Gone Wrong With Target?” It looks at metrics and morale inside the retail giant. He joined MPR News host Nina Moini to explain.

A new book is helping Muslim women take control of their personal finances while adhering to their values. It's called “Prosperity with Purpose: A Muslim Woman's Guide to Abundance and Generosity.” Its author is Nausheena Hussain, a Minnesota nonprofit leader and consultant. She joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about coming from a philanthropic legacy, economic empowerment among Muslim women and investing.

MPR News is following the story of a nursing mother who is in ICE detention, even though a judge approved her bond. We got the latest on Tuesday's hearing in her case.Hennepin County commissioners voted Tuesday on whether to dissolve the board of the county hospital, which is in financial trouble. Times are tough for Target. The company's sales and stocks are down as it looks for a new CEO. We got the details from a Twin Cities Business reporter. Across the country, items that are important to tribal nations get sold at auction. A St. Paul auction house is working with the Association on American Indian Affairs to return those items to tribes.We talked with the author of a personal finance guide for Muslim women.Our Minnesota Music Minute was “by my side” by SoulFlower and our Song of the Day was “Fabric” by Rogue Valley.

A federal judge in St. Paul is set to hear the case of a 25-year-old Salvadoran mother who has been in ICE detention for more than two weeks. Antonia Aguilar Maldonado, who lives in Lake Elmo with her husband and two U.S. citizen children, was detained by Homeland Security agents in July while heading to work. An immigration judge granted her release on a $10,000 bond, but ICE blocked it using a policy aimed at restricting bond for individuals who entered the U.S. without inspection. Her attorneys argue the policy shouldn't apply to her, given her age at entry and full compliance with immigration proceedings.MPR News senior reporter Sarah Thamer has been following the story and joined MPR News host Nina Moini with the latest on the case.Read more: Minnesota mother remains in ICE custody despite judge's release order

If you've been on the fence about whether to get an electric vehicle, now might be a good time to buy or lease one. A federal tax credit that lowers the cost of EVs is set to expire at the end of September — much earlier than planned. The change is part of President Donald Trump's major tax and spending bill, which eliminated several incentives for electric vehicles. EVs have come a long way in the last few years. They made up nearly 8 percent of new cars sold last year in Minnesota and more than 100 electric vehicle models are now for sale in the U.S. (A side-by-side comparison of models can be found here.) MPR News host Angela Davis talks with her guests about how public funding changes could affect the shift to electric, if now is a good time to swap the pump for a plug, and how far you can really go on a charge. Guests: Jukka Kukkonen is the founder of Shift2Electric, a Minnesota-based electric vehicle consulting and training company. He's also an instructor at the University of St. Thomas where he teaches courses about the EV market and technologies.  Katelyn Bocklund is the facilitator of Drive Electric Minnesota, a coalition that works to make electric vehicles more mainstream and easier to use in Minnesota. She's also a senior program manager of transportation at the nonprofit policy organization Great Plains Institute.