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Minnesota Now

Minnesota Public Radio

Live, down to earth, unscripted interviews that aim to connect, inform and entertain. Real people share real stories with MPR News host Nina Moini. It’s journalism that doesn’t take itself too seriously and puts people first.

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  • 181 episodes
  • Avg 19 min
  • English

Episodes 181

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  • Yesterday · 59 min

    Minnesota Now: Oct. 6, 2026

    A group of Twin Cities elected and law enforcement officials are calling for a regional task force to address recent shootings that they say involved Somali youth, and Somali leaders are pushing back on hateful comments that followed those events. A national exhibit debuting in St. Paul this month confronts the Catholic Church's role in slavery in the U.S. We'll talk with a descendant of one of the more than 300 people enslaved by the Jesuits, who's now helping share the story. We'll hear the story of a family navigating more than 10 months of separation due to ICE detention. A well-known Twin Cities chef competed on the Food Network show, “Bobby's Triple Threat.” MPR News host Nina Moini spoke with Yia Vang before his episode airs Tuesday evening.

  • Yesterday · 9 min

    National exhibit exploring Jesuit history with slavery debuts at University of St. Thomas

    A new immersive exhibit opening at the University of St. Thomas this week is asking visitors to confront a painful chapter in the history of the Catholic Church and U.S. slavery. “What We Inherit: Truth, Repair, and a Promise to the Future” tells the story of more than 300 Black people who were enslaved by the Jesuits and sold in 1838 to help pay the debts of Georgetown College. The exhibition, which runs through Nov. 7, centers the voices and experiences of their descendants, including Monique Trusclair Maddox, president and CEO of the Descendants Truth & Reconciliation Foundation. She spoke to MPR News host Nina Moini about the exhibit’s debut at St. Thomas and what she hopes visitors get out of the experience.

  • Yesterday · 8 min

    'One of the hardest things I've done:' Chef Yia Vang competes on 'Bobby's Triple Threat'

    Tuesday night on Food Network, Minnesota chef Yia Vang will compete for $25,000 on the cooking competition show “Bobby’s Triple Threat.” The show, hosted by chef Bobby Flay, pits a challenger against three of Flay’s “titans,” or chefs selected by Flay. Vang will face each chef in a three-round competition, with the winner determined by a judge in blind taste tests. Vang, who has competed on cooking shows before, spoke to MPR News host Nina Moini about his strategy for the competition, what it’s like to cook on a Food Network set and what viewers can expect from Tuesday evening’s episode, which airs on Food Network at 7 p.m. CST.

  • Monday · 54 min

    Minnesota Now: Oct. 5, 2026

    Lawyers of Minnesotans being held in immigrant detention say ICE is using a new tactic to keep people in detention. We'll hear more about two men who were arrested again by ICE after they were supposed to be released. Minnesota's agriculture commissioner was at a conference with some of the state's most important trade partners last week. We'll hear what he discussed with representatives from Canada and Mexico about trade, animal disease and high diesel prices. Plus, you may know about Minnesota's forests and prairies. But did you know our state has one of the most diverse peatlands in the world? We'll learn more about it and the important connections between peatlands and climate change. Our Minnesota Music Minute was “Stormy Monday Blues” by Shirley Witherspoon. Our Song of the Day was “Hey Bud” by Charlieboy.

  • Monday · 8 min

    New book explores Minnesota's vast peatland ecosystem and climate change

    In northern Minnesota, the largest stretch of peatlands in the contiguous U.S. can be found. This wet terrain has taken thousands of years to form. And draws scientists and experts from around the world. That includes our Jennifer de Mooy, who spent quite a bit of time there researching for her new book: "Water, Carbon, Time: Exploring Peatlands in a Warming World." Minnesota Now host Nina Moini spoke to de Mooy about these important ecosystems.

  • Monday · 9 min

    State agriculture commissioner looks to strengthen North American trade amid tensions

    From trade wars, to animal disease, and high diesel prices, there is a lot going on in the agriculture world. Minnesota's Department of Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen just returned from a conference where all of that was discussed with some of Minnesota's most important trade partners: Canada and Mexico. Commissioner Petersen spoke to Minnesota Now host Nina Moini with more on what he learned 35th annual Tri National Agricultural Accord.

  • Thursday · 53 min

    Minnesota Now: Oct. 1, 2026

    Becca Good has spoken publicly for the first time since her partner, Renee Good, was killed by an ICE agent in January. We learned more about her family’s lawsuit against the agent and federal officials. Also, St. Paul has released the full sexual harassment investigation of its mayor, Kaohly Her. And Minnesota band Wild Horses has a new album. We got a first listen.

  • Thursday · 13 min

    'Very troubling': St. Paul City Council member Molly Coleman on full report of Mayor Her probe

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

  • Thursday · 9 min

    New album from Wild Horses explores the 'in between' of living your dreams

    For some musicians, quitting your day job to start a band might sound like a pretty big gamble. But for Jed and Ariana LaPlant of Grand Rapids, it was the beginning of a new life on the road — and the start of Wild Horses. The group draws on bluegrass, old-time and country traditions that run deep in Jed’s family. Five years after forming the band, they’re releasing a new album Friday called “The In Between.” Jed LaPlant gave Minnesota Now a sneak peak of the album.

  • September 30 · 55 min

    Minnesota Now: Sept. 30, 2026

    The Justice Department filed a misconduct claim against federal judges in Minnesota for speaking to the press about Operation Metro Surge. Plus, we broke down statewide student test scores released Wednesday. The University of St. Thomas law school is looking back on Operation Metro Surge and how states can hold the federal government accountable when they break the law. Plus, we talked to the journalists behind a new media platform telling stories of the Somali community. And Chief Meteorologist Ben Cathey shared the fall forecast. Plus, The Heights movie theater in Columbia Heights is celebrating 100 years of showing everything from classic films to blockbuster hits. The Minnesota Music Minute was “The Resurrection” by Andre Cymone and “This Just In” by Dilly Dally Alley was the Song of the Day.

  • September 30 · 9 min

    A century of cinema: The Heights Theater to celebrate 100 years with a film for each decade

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

  • September 30 · 10 min

    'A sense of obligation': Minnesota journalists launch new outlet focused on Somali Americans

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

  • September 30 · 8 min

    Event gathers legal experts in Minnesota to discuss state powers to challenge federal actions

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

  • September 30 · 9 min

    Minnesota test scores stagnate as schools roll out new reading curriculum, standards

    The Minnesota Department of Education has released the results of this year’s Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments. Fewer than half of students statewide who were tested met math and reading standards. MPR News education reporter Elizabeth Shockman joined Minnesota Now to explain. Then, MPR News host Nina Moini talked with MDE Assistant Commissioner Bobbie Burnham about the test results as well as changing literacy standards and curriculum in the state.

  • September 29 · 54 min

    Minnesota Now: Sept. 29, 2026

    A northwestern Minnesota school board voted Monday night to roll back a ban on rainbow stickers after being sued by the ACLU. The board's now considering a new policy. Fargo-Moorhead reporter Harshawn Ratanpal joined Minnesota Now with the latest from Detroit Lakes. One Minnesota university was the first to offer a master’s degree in artificial intelligence and another is now joining them. We met two professors who championed these programs. A local author grew up hearing stories of the 1934 Minneapolis Teamsters strike from his dad. His effort to learn more about what happened led to a new book. We talked to a Minneapolis runner who's uplifting other Native women in her sport and organizing a remembrance run on Wednesday. Our Minnesota Music Minute was "spitball girl" by the band ditch pigeon, and our Song of the Day was "I Will Dare" by The Replacements.

  • September 29 · 9 min

    A violent 1934 strike helped launch Minneapolis' middle class. A new book tells its story

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

  • September 29 · 9 min

    Minneapolis-based running group remembers Native boarding schools

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

  • September 29 · 11 min

    AI is changing the workforce. Minnesota schools are responding with new degree programs

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

  • September 29 · 5 min

    Detroit Lakes school board advances new policy amid rainbow sticker fight

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

Showing 1–20 of 181 episodes