All Things Considered

Tom Crann
Tom Crann
Evan Frost | MPR News

All Things Considered, with Tom Crann in St. Paul and NPR hosts in Washington, is your comprehensive source for afternoon news and information. Listen from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. every weekday.

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Survivor tells story of fatal night in human smuggling trial
The jury in the federal trial for two men accused of human smuggling heard dramatic testimony Wednesday from a man who crossed the U.S. Canadian border in a snowstorm on Jan. 19, 2022. He was in a group which included the Patel family of four who froze to death that night.
Turning pages through time: St. Paul’s Red Balloon Bookshop celebrates its 40th year
The Red Balloon Bookshop in St. Paul celebrates 40 years as a beloved community hub for children’s books, storytimes and local literary events, weathering challenges like eBooks, Amazon and the pandemic.
Border agents lay out a day of horror leading to the discovery of a frozen family
Tuesday in the Federal Courthouse in Fergus Falls prosecutors began laying out their case against two men accused of human smuggling which resulted in the death of an entire family.
First phase of massive Sherco Solar project now generating electricity
The first phase of the $1.1 billion Sherco Solar project was connected to the electrical grid in late October. When the next two phases are completed over the next two years, the project will produce enough energy to power about 150,000 homes.
Opening statements delivered in federal human smuggling trial in northern Minnesota
The family froze to death in a snowstorm in January 2022 after getting separated from a larger group trying to cross illegally from Canada into the U.S.
What’s ahead for abortion access in Minnesota under a Trump administration 
While detailed plans have yet to emerge, health and legal experts, practitioners and advocates in Minnesota are closely monitoring the new administration for hints about what federal changes to abortion could mean for the state.
Mash-up ideas to try at home: Dulce de leche french toast and ceviche tacos
They’re unexpected combinations that can be very tasty: culinary mash-ups. Think taco burgers, Greek egg rolls or Buffalo chicken anything. Cookbook author Amalia Moreno-Damgaard said they are a modern trend — not to be confused with fusion cuisine — and she shared recipes for mash-ups you can try at home.
Xcel Energy asks for a 13 percent rate increase to fund infrastructure investments
The demand for electricity in Minnesota is growing, and that means costs are going up, too. Xcel Energy has requested a 13 percent rate increase over the next two years and plans to increase capital spending by $11 billion over the next five years. Walker Orenstein, a reporter at the Minnesota Star Tribune, said the utility plans to make major infrastructure investments.