Monday · 14 min
MN
News
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.
- 70 episodes
- Updated Thursday
Episodes70
- MNJuly 24 · 13 min
On the street where Alex Pretti was killed, the neighborhood remains united around his memory
Friday is six months since federal immigration agents fatally shot Alex Pretti on a busy corridor of local businesses in south Minneapolis. Many of those businesses became a refuge for protesters and reporters who needed a break from the freezing temperatures and tear gas outside. Flowers, ribbons and artwork still encircle the place where Pretti was shot. It’s become one of several public-made memorials to people killed by law enforcement in the city. MPR News host Nina Moini talked with two business owners and a neighborhood resident about how their lives have changed and what the memorial means to them, six months on.
- MNJuly 23 · 53 min
Minnesota Now: July 23, 2026
Vance Boelter, who shot Minnesota lawmakers last year, will be sentenced for murder Thursday. Prosecutors are urging he serve two life sentences, which Boelter seeks to serve in a Florida prison. Alex Pretti was killed by federal immigration agents on a busy Minneapolis street six months ago. We heard more about how that block has changed since. Congresswoman Angie Craig and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan are battling to become the Democratic nominee for a U.S. Senate seat. We got an analysis on their race ahead of their MPR News debate set for Monday. And the Northside of Minneapolis is hosting its first ever jazz festival! The Minnesota Music Minute was “If I Don't Have You” by Monique Blakey. The Song of the Day was “HIGHER!” by Dijon.
- MNJuly 23 · 9 min
First ever jazz festival in north Mpls. looks to celebrate cultural legacy of the neighborhood
This Sunday, music will fill the Mississippi riverfront in north Minneapolis for the first ever Northside Jazz and Heritage Festival. The daylong event brings together musicians, artists and vendors to celebrate the rich musical and cultural history of north Minneapolis. Kristel Porter heads the organization behind the festival, West Broadway Business and Area Coalition. She shared more about the significance of the event on Minnesota Now.
- MNJuly 23 · 10 min
'A coin flip': The tight Democratic race for Senate between Craig and Flanagan
On Monday, MPR News will host a debate in one of the most closely watched primary races in the state: the Democratic race for U.S. Senate. Congresswoman Angie Craig and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan are the top contenders. The two of them will be in-studio on Monday at 11 a.m. in a debate hosted by MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst ahead of the Aug. 11 primary. Larry Jacobs, a political science professor at the University of Minnesota, gave us a preview of the debate and this race.
- MNJuly 22 · 54 min
Minnesota Now: July 22, 2026
A plan to clear St. Paul’s largest homeless encampments is facing stiff opposition. The city council held a public hearing Wednesday afternoon. We spoke to the leader of one nonprofit raising concerns about the mayor’s plan. As wildfires continue to burn in northeastern Minnesota, we talked to an expert about how climate change is playing a role in wildfire season. Plus, it’s been six months since Minnesota was the center of federal immigration enforcement. What’s changed inside the Department of Homeland Security? And, we’re finally getting a break from the heat. But it won't last long. Chief meteorologist Ben Cathey shares the forecast. And the Twin Cities Caribbean community is coming together this weekend for Carifest, a cultural celebration marking Carnival. The Minnesota Music Minute was “Achin' to Be” by The Replacements. The Song of the Day was “On My Way Down” by Jon Sullivan Band.
- MNJuly 22 · 7 min
Caribbean community prepares to celebrate Carnival with Carifest
Caribbean music, food and culture will take over part of the Mississippi riverfront on Saturday as Carifest returns to Minneapolis. This year, the annual festival also includes a special screening of a documentary exploring the meaning of the traditional celebration known as Carnival. James Byron, an organizer of the Twin Cities’ annual Carifest, shared more about the festivities with Minnesota Now host Nina Moini.
- MNJuly 22 · 11 min
Six months since federal surge, immigration enforcement has become less visible but more active
Six months ago, it was the height of Operation Metro Surge and Minnesota was at the center of President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement campaign. Observers were sharing videos daily of violent arrests and confrontations. Since then, there’s been a shift in leadership and optics — and immigration enforcement has become less visible. Nick Miroff covers immigration and the Department of Homeland Security for The Atlantic. He's been tracking the shift nationwide and shared more of his reporting with MPR News host Nina Moini.
- MNJuly 22 · 9 min
The links between climate change and wildfires in Minnesota
The wildfires in northeastern Minnesota are an immediate issue that point to a more abstract one. Scientists say by pumping the air with greenhouse gases, humans are causing the land to be hotter, drier at times, and more likely to burn. Sam Potter, an atmospheric scientist with the University of Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership, joined Minnesota Now to help us better understand the links.
- MNJuly 22 · 10 min
Advocates raise concern over St. Paul mayor's plans to clear encampments
On Wednesday, the St. Paul city council will hold a public hearing on plans to clear homeless encampments starting in August. Mayor Kaohly Her recently announced her office is working with the county to close three encampments due to public health and safety concerns. The city says around 120 people are staying at the largest of these sites, which is in Pig's Eye Park near the Mississippi River. Advocates estimate there are 400 people between all three encampments. The city plans to close that encampment on Aug. 5. The council has received more than 100 written comments, mostly urging the city to halt its plans. Justin Lewandowski is among those asking for a pause. He's director of Open Hands Midway, which provides free meals, groceries and supplies to community members. He shared more about his concerns on Minnesota Now.
- MNJuly 22 · 54 min
Minnesota Now: July 21, 2026
A series of shootings in Minneapolis have killed one person and injured more than a dozen since Sunday. City leaders are preparing to hold a public meeting on the situation. We heard from City Council member Elizabeth Shaffer, whose ward is near where the shootings happened. Wildfires are deflating summer travel to northeast Minnesota. We head up the North Shore to Cook County to find out how the tourism industry is doing. Plus, we heard more about how Canadians are feeling about traveling south, with tariffs coming from the U.S. And we learned more about the public health response to cyclospora. We also got reaction on the new Little House on the Prairie series from Minnesota's Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum. The Minnesota Music Minute was “Wascott Waltz" by “Between Howls.” The Song of the Day was “Stoned Soul Picnic” by 5th Dimension.
- MNJuly 21 · 10 min
In Cook County, where 80 percent of economy relies on tourism, wildfires prove devastating
Wildfires in northeast Minnesota have firefighters and volunteers rushing to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. But it also has people avoiding and canceling trips to the region as well. This is a big problem for the large tourism industry in Cook County. There, North Shore destinations like Grand Marais and recreation destinations like the Gunflint Trail, attract people from all over the country. The county, farther east of the fires, is urging people to still visit the region. Executive director at Visit Cook County and the Cook County Chamber of Commerce, Linda Jurek, joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about the effort to bring tourists to northern Minnesota and the wildfire’s impact on the region’s tourism industry.
- MNJuly 21 · 8 min
Little House on the Prairie reboot brings beloved series to a new generation
Netflix has rebooted the 1970s television adaptation of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House on the Prairie. It was released this month and the streamer announced it’s renewing the show for a second season that will be set in Walnut Grove in southwestern Minnesota. Wilder’s family lived there in the 1870s and she channeled their time there into her writing. Julien Nolan, director and curator of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum in Walnut Grove, joined Minnesota Now to talk about the new series.
- MNJuly 21 · 10 min
What to know about the cyclospora outbreak and the risks
For weeks, the U.S. has been dealing with an unpleasant public health mystery. The cyclospora parasite has infected thousands of people across the country. The largest cluster of cases is in Michigan and other midwestern states, not including Minnesota. The Food and Drug Administration tracked the outbreak to a lettuce farm that supplies Taco Bell. Taylor Fresh Foods, the lettuce company, recalled several of its salad mix products. But the case isn’t closed, exactly. MPR News host Nina Moini spoke with Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, about the parasite and the public health response.
- MNJuly 21 · 10 min
Mpls. city leaders search for answers after a string of shootings
Minneapolis community leaders will gather Tuesday for a meeting to address a string of gun violence. Thirteen people were shot and one person was killed within 24 hours over the weekend. The shootings took place outside Reign nightclub in Uptown and near the intersection of 19th and Nicollet Avenue in the Steven’s Square neighborhood just south of I-94. Monday night, another person was shot at the same intersection. Tuesday’s meeting will include Minneapolis city council member Elizabeth Shaffer, Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt, members of Minneapolis police and staff from the mayor’s office. Council member Shaffer talked to MPR News host Nina Moini ahead of the meeting.
- MNJuly 20 · 54 min
Minnesota Now: July 20, 2026
Wildfires are burning more than 60,000 acres and hundreds of firefighters from around the country have come to northeastern Minnesota to try and contain the flames. We got the latest from Ely and spoke to one crew that's helping to contain the fires. The Boundary Waters is a sanctuary to many Minnesotans. One writer shared more about the mental toll of seeing the area go up in flames. Plus, wildfires aren't the only thing impacting the border with Canada. We heard from some border businesses about deteriorating economic conditions. And Spain has won the World Cup! A local soccer reporter talked about the game and how the U.S. did as host. Also, if you're itching for more soccer, Minnesota United is back in action. The Minnesota Music Minute was “Leave No Trace” by Jerry Vandiver. “Call It What It Is” by Beginner's Luck was the Song of the Day.
- MNJuly 20 · 8 min
Loons return to action after World Cup break
If there’s a World-Cup shaped hole in your heart this week, you might turn your attention to Minnesota’s professional soccer team. This week, the Loons are headed to Kansas City, which is also getting back to the regular MLS season after hosting some World Cup games. Minnesota Now sports contributors Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson joined to talk more about this and much more.
- MNJuly 20 · 7 min
Soccer reporter on excitement around sport in the U.S. after World Cup
Spain is the winner of the World Cup 2026, defeating Argentina 1-0 in Sunday’s game that both delighted and frustrated many. Here in Minnesota, hundreds of people gathered to watch the game at the North Loop Green. There, they sported jerseys for their favorite teams, even if they weren’t playing. It wasn’t the climactic end to the World Cup many wanted, but it did draw the eyes of the world, and it introduced many Americans to the excitement of soccer. Minnesota soccer reporter Jon Marthaler joined Minnesota Now to talk about the World Cup’s final game and its impact on Americans.
- MNJuly 20 · 10 min
As wildfires burn, Minnesota writer reflects on grief from seeing impacts of flames
As wildfires continue to burn across northeastern Minnesota, many people are worried about the smoke and air quality, as well as the danger to communities and the damage left behind. But for many who love the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and the north woods, there's another overwhelming feeling: grief. Grief over watching a place filled with memories, traditions and a sense of peace change before their eyes. And not knowing when, or how, it will recover. Duluth-based nature writer Stephanie Pearson experienced that firsthand. She was forced to evacuate a canoe trip in the Boundary Waters because of the fires. She just published an essay about it in Outside Magazine. Pearson spoke to Minnesota Now host Nina Moini about her piece.
- MNJuly 20 · 10 min
Conservation Corps members help fight fires in northeastern Minnesota
All hands have been on deck to contain more than a dozen wildfires across northeastern Minnesota. That includes young adults who are members of the Conservation Corps of Minnesota and Iowa, who usually spend their service term restoring habitat and managing natural resources in the region. Brian Miller, field programs director with the Conservation Corps, joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about what the Conservation Corps crew is up to and how they’re managing this difficult time in northern Minnesota.