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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70 episodes
Updated Thursday

Episodes70

Newest first

Thursday · 54 min
Minnesota Now: July 30, 2026
Several new state laws around domestic violence will take effect Saturday. We talked about rules on warrants, guns, and survivor support with a domestic violence prevention expert. Plus, a new facility for young people who are homeless will open its doors in North Minneapolis. Many families who were in hiding during the ICE surge are facing a new hurdle. After losing income during the surge, some can’t afford to renew their permits to work here. We heard more from a reporter who’s been following their stories. Also, the Como Zoo is helping to keep a special species of toad afloat. And we heard about a cultural exchange between Minnesota and South Korea — through choral music. The Minnesota Music Minute was “Dead Oaks” by Now, Now. The Song of the Day was “Los Angeles” by A Piano In Every Home.
Thursday · 5 min
'It's Wyoming's toad': Inside a multi-state effort to save a humble species from extinction
In several zoos across the Midwest, there are staff dedicated to feeding and breeding a rare toad. They hope to keep the species alive and support its recovery, despite threats like climate change and a deadly fungus. Next week, the zookeepers will head west to see the toads in the wild. Minnesota Now producer Alanna Elder reports on the effort to save a species that happens to share her hometown.
Thursday · 8 min
Minnesota choir set to head to South Korea for choral cultural exchange
On July 31, the music of Korea will be showcased in a special performance by the Oratorio Society of Minnesota and the University of Minnesota School of Music. But it doesn’t stop there. Members of the choir will then travel to South Korea for a choral cultural exchange in August. Matthew Mehaffey, professor of music at the U of M and artistic director of the Oratorio Society of Minnesota, spoke to MPR News host Nina Moini about the concert and trip.
Thursday · 9 min
Months after surge, some families struggling to pay for DACA, work permit fees
When federal immigration enforcement ramped up in Minneapolis earlier this year, many immigrant families went into hiding, afraid to leave home for work, school or even the store. Months later, some of those families are facing a new challenge: they’re struggling to pay hundreds of dollars in fees to renew their DACA protections and work permits because they lost income during the surge. Chabeli Carrazana is an economy and childcare reporter for The 19th who recently reported on how these financial pressures are affecting some immigrant parents in Minneapolis. Carrazana shared more about the issue on Minnesota Now.
Thursday · 10 min
Slate of new laws aimed at addressing domestic violence in Minnesota take effect Aug. 1
A number of new state laws will take effect Aug. 1 and several of them relate to domestic violence. One details the process for giving up guns to law enforcement, when domestic violence offenders are required to do so. Another gives police more time to arrest alleged abusers without a warrant. Lawmakers also approved funding for organizations that serve domestic violence survivors. Jess Palyan is policy program manager for Violence Free Minnesota, a coalition of such groups. He spoke to Minnesota Now host Nina Moini about the changes.
Thursday · 9 min
New shelter space and apartments for youth experiencing homelessness opens in north Minneapolis
North Minneapolis is getting a new space for youth experiencing homelessness. Twin Cities organization Avenues for Youth is celebrating the site’s grand opening Thursday. It includes shelter space, emergency beds and apartments. It will also be the head offices of Avenue staff like executive director Katherine Meerse, who shared more about the new space on Minnesota Now.
Wednesday · 58 min
Minnesota Now: July 29, 2026
St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her is under investigation over allegations of sexual harassment of city employees. MPR News reporter Estelle Timar-Wilcox shared the latest. Plus, Elon Musk is suing Minnesota over its AI nudification ban, saying it violates the First Amendment. An expert broke down the case. After the death of a longtime Twin Cities paramedic, we took a look at the mental health challenges facing EMS providers. We learned about the troubling trend of resident-on-resident altercations in dementia care facilities turning deadly. And a break from the heat is finally in the forecast. We talked with Chief Meteorologist Ben Cathey. Plus, Minnesota's professional women's tackle football team, the Vixen, won their first championship! We heard from the head coach.
Wednesday · 10 min
Death of Twin Cities EMS provider sheds light on mental health challenges for first responders
EMS workers are mourning the loss of one of their own. Longtime paramedic and inventory technician Chuck Brady died by suicide earlier this month. He worked with Allina Health EMS for 17 years. Paramedics are one of the many professions that experience unique mental health challenges. EMS providers are 1.39 times more likely to die by suicide than the public according to the CDC. Joining Minnesota Now to remember Chuck and talk about the mental health challenges EMS providers face is Brett Hopper. He is a paramedic and union president for the International Association of EMTs and Paramedics Local 167.
Wednesday · 8 min
'We put in the time:' Minnesota Vixen head coach celebrates national women's football title
Minnesota finally has a professional football champion. The Minnesota Vixen captured their first Women's Football Alliance national title over the weekend, defeating the Pittsburgh Passion 42-14 in Ohio. The game ended a championship drought for the country's longest continuously-operating women's tackle football team. The Vixen had reached four previous title games but had never won. Head coach Connor Jo Lewis joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about what it’s been like to bring the title back to Minnesota.
Wednesday · 8 min
First Amendment questions at center of lawsuit against Minnesota's AI nudification ban
Elon Musk is taking Minnesota to court. A lawsuit by Musk's artificial intelligence company, X.AI, argues the state's new so-called "nudification ban" set to take effect Saturday violates the First Amendment. The ban targets technology that allows users to create and post deepfake pornographic videos or images of people without their consent. Companies that violate the law could face a hefty fine. The state Legislature passed the law almost unanimously this year. Incoming University of Minnesota law professor and First Amendment expert Jeff Kosseff joined MPR News host Nina Moini to help explain the case and what it means for the state’s law.
Wednesday · 10 min
Violence repeatedly erupts in dementia care despite warnings, inspections show
Gladys Lynch was a retired accountant who moved into the memory care unit at Harbor Crossing in White Bear Lake, Minnesota in September 2025 after developing dementia. Only a few weeks later, she died from injuries caused by being pushed by another resident in an altercation. According to a new KFF Health News investigation, what happened to Gladys is just one example of situations where resident-to-resident incidents in dementia care facilities have turned deadly. KFF Health News reporter Jordan Rau joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about the investigation. And gerontologist Eilon Caspi shared what he’s learned from researching resident-to-resident altercations.
Tuesday · 57 min
Minnesota Now: July 28, 2026
The Forest Service is opening parts of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area for overnight use. It could be a reprieve for the region's economy, which has stalled because of wildfires. We'll check in with the mayor of Ely, where most nearby entrances remain closed. Wildfires in Canada have forced several First Nations communities to evacuate. We'll hear what a group in Thunder Bay is doing to help. A small town on the North Shore of Lake Superior is losing its health clinic. We'll talk with two people working to improve healthcare access in the area. Have you heard of cryptocurrency kiosks? They'll soon be banned in the state. We'll find out why. Napheesa Collier returns to the Lynx home court Tuesday. We'll hear how her return is being received by fans. Our Minnesota Music Minute was "Charlie" by Cowboy Thoughts. Our Song of the Day was "Calling Time" by The People Brothers Band.
Tuesday · 11 min
A ban on crypto kiosks in Minnesota begins Aug. 1. What are these machines?
A new state law taking effect Aug. 1 aims to put a stop to scams that have caused Minnesotans to lose nearly a million dollars over the last few years. The schemes involve tricking people into depositing large sums of money into ATM-like machines called cryptocurrency kiosks. State lawmakers passed a ban on these kiosks this past legislative session in light of these scams. It was signed into law by Gov. Tim Walz in May 2026. MPR News host Nina Moini spoke to Sara Payne, assistant commissioner of enforcement with the Department of Commerce, and Cathy McLeer, state director of AARP Minnesota, about the law and how it works.
Tuesday · 8 min
As wildfires burn along U.S.-Canada border, First Nations communities take refuge in Thunder Bay
The land just across Minnesota's border with Ontario, Canada, looks a lot like northern Minnesota. It has a similar landscape of remote forest, water, and, right now, wildfire. There are more than 100 fires burning in Ontario and they've destroyed two First Nations communities, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Others have had to evacuate, including the Gakijiwanong Anishinaabe Nation, which has ties to the nearby Bois Forte Band of Chippewa in Minnesota. Many evacuees are staying in Thunder Bay, where local organizations are working to support them. To learn more, MPR News host Nina Moini spoke with Cora McGuire-Cyrette, a member of the Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek First Nation and CEO of the Ontario Native Women's Association. For the last couple weeks, her organization has shifted focus to helping people displaced by wildfires.
Tuesday · 9 min
Silver Bay clinic closure highlights rural healthcare challenges
On Tuesday evening, the Minnesota Department of Health will hold a hearing on the closure of a primary care clinic along the North Shore. The Aspirus Health Lake View Silver Bay Clinic is set to close at the end of the year, leaving Silver Bay residents to travel at least 30 miles for primary care. A nonprofit will be carrying a virtual option for the hearing for those who can not drive to Two Harbors, where the hearing is being held. The closure is part of a growing trend of shrinking access to healthcare in rural Minnesota. MPR News host Nina Moini spoke with two people studying rural healthcare access and potential solutions. David Beard is a professor at the University of Minnesota Duluth who is working with the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission on rural health transportation. Beverly Sidlo-Tolliver is the principal planner and mobility manager at the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission.
Tuesday · 11 min
As parts of the Boundary Waters reopen, Ely businesses remain in limbo
Forest Service officials have announced that parts of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area will reopen for overnight trips on Thursday, marking the first time visitors have been allowed back since the entire wilderness closed two weeks ago because of wildfires. The partial reopening includes nearly 40 percent of the BWCA, primarily near the Gunflint Trail. Entry points near Ely remain closed, leaving many businesses that depend on wilderness tourism waiting for more access to reopen. MPR News host Nina Moini spoke with Ely Mayor Heidi Omerza about the latest wildfire response, communication with officials and the ongoing economic impact on the community.
Monday · 54 min
Minnesota Now: July 27, 2026
MPR News hosted a debate between Congresswoman Angie Craig and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan has just wrapped. We'll get analysis on what happened and how the Democratic primary race for the U.S. Senate is shaping up, with about two weeks left until election day. Golden Valley is looking to change its zoning laws to build more duplexes and triplexes. It's a part of a wider trend to fill in the so-called "missing middle" across the Twin Cities. And two Minnesotans are now the first in the nation to get a law degree while incarcerated. We'll have more on the historic milestone. Plus, we'll recap how several Lynx players made their mark on the WNBA All-Star Weekend and remember the life of John Anderson, a longtime former University of Minnesota baseball coach. Our Minnesota Music Minute was “Runnin Around” by Saltydog and our Song of the Day was “It Had to be You” by Motion City Soundtrack.
Monday · 8 min
Remembering legendary Gopher baseball coach John Anderson
John Anderson, a celebrated former University of Minnesota baseball coach, died Sunday. He was 71 years old. Anderson became the head coach at age 26 and played a big role in putting Minnesota baseball on the map, despite the region’s cold weather. Sports contributors Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about Anderson's legacy.
Monday · 10 min
Twin Cities suburbs look to address 'missing middle' with more dense, affordable housing
Golden Valley is the latest Twin Cities suburb considering zoning changes that could make it easier to build duplexes, triplexes and other dense housing. The idea is gaining momentum across the metro as communities look for ways to increase the housing supply without building large apartment complexes. Laura Russ is Executive Director of the Shenehon Center for Real Estate at the University of St. Thomas. She joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to share more about the changing landscape in housing.
Monday · 10 min
Two incarcerated Minnesotans become first in nation to graduate law school
Two Minnesotans have made history by becoming the first people in the country to earn a law school degree from an accredited program while incarcerated. Maureen Onyelobi and Jeffery Young’s graduation from Mitchell Hamline School of Law marks the latest milestone in a yearslong effort to expand access to legal education into prisons. Mitchell Hamline School of Law professor Jared Mollenkof helped Onyelobi Young navigate their studies in the first of its kind program. He joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about it.

Minnesota Now

Minnesota Now: July 30, 2026

'It's Wyoming's toad': Inside a multi-state effort to save a humble species from extinction

Minnesota choir set to head to South Korea for choral cultural exchange

Months after surge, some families struggling to pay for DACA, work permit fees

Slate of new laws aimed at addressing domestic violence in Minnesota take effect Aug. 1

New shelter space and apartments for youth experiencing homelessness opens in north Minneapolis

Minnesota Now: July 29, 2026

Death of Twin Cities EMS provider sheds light on mental health challenges for first responders

'We put in the time:' Minnesota Vixen head coach celebrates national women's football title

First Amendment questions at center of lawsuit against Minnesota's AI nudification ban

Violence repeatedly erupts in dementia care despite warnings, inspections show

Minnesota Now: July 28, 2026

A ban on crypto kiosks in Minnesota begins Aug. 1. What are these machines?

As wildfires burn along U.S.-Canada border, First Nations communities take refuge in Thunder Bay

Silver Bay clinic closure highlights rural healthcare challenges

As parts of the Boundary Waters reopen, Ely businesses remain in limbo

Minnesota Now: July 27, 2026

Remembering legendary Gopher baseball coach John Anderson

Twin Cities suburbs look to address 'missing middle' with more dense, affordable housing

Two incarcerated Minnesotans become first in nation to graduate law school