Minnesota Now

A woman in front of a microphone — MPR News host Cathy Wurzer
MPR

Live, down to earth, unscripted interviews that aim to connect, inform and entertain. Real people share real stories with Cathy Wurzer. It’s journalism that doesn’t take itself too seriously and puts people first. Tune in weekdays at noon.

Minnesota music: One of the pillars of Minnesota Now is featuring great Minnesota-based music. Each month, we put together a playlist of the songs heard on our show so you can enjoy them, too. Here's this month’s playlist.

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Phrenologist John Latimer

Phenomenal phenology reports from young reporters around Minn.

January 18, 2022 4:04 PM

By Cathy Wurzer and Melissa Townsend

Every Tuesday, KAXE/KBXE radio in the Grand Rapids-Bemidji area airs nature reports from local students. John Latimer runs the show on phenology — that’s the study of changes in nature over the seasons. He told host Cathy Wurzer more.

Capitol Riot Images of the Day

The big picture: A conversation about the future of democracy

January 18, 2022 3:30 PM

By Cathy Wurzer and Kelly Gordon

This week, as we step into a new year, we’re looking to the future of big issues in America. Tuesday, host Cathy Wurzer talked with anthropologist and Metropolitan State University associate professor of social science Jose Santos about truth and the future of democracy.

a nurse layers PPE in a hospital

Amid another COVID wave, rural nurses face severe staffing challenges

January 18, 2022 3:25 PM

By Cathy Wurzer

The omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus continues to spread rapidly throughout Minnesota, health care providers are swamped, and at Sanford Health, nurses are bearing the brunt of staffing challenges. Erica DeBoer, chief nursing officer for Sanford Health, joined host Cathy Wurzer with more.

a student speaks at a press conference

A St. Paul school walkout organizer calls for COVID-19 safety measures

January 18, 2022 12:02 PM

By Cathy Wurzer and Alex Cheng

Tuesday afternoon, a number of St. Paul high school and middle school students walked out of class, demanding the city’s public school district do more to keep them safe as COVID-19 case numbers spike.

A road on a frozen lake fades into the distance.

Northwest Angle ice road is back open for a second winter

January 16, 2022 3:55 PM

The slickest way to get from Warroad to the Northwest Angle in far northern Minnesota is back this winter. It’s a 37-mile ice highway to the northernmost point in the contiguous United States.

Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer

MN sports roundup: Who will be the next general manager, head coach of the Vikings?

January 13, 2022 11:12 AM

By Cathy Wurzer

This week, the sports duo of Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson take on the hottest question in Minnesota sports: Who will the Vikings pick to fill vacancies at general manager and head coach after firing Rick Spielman and Mike Zimmer?

portraits of four students

What's it like to be in high school during the omicron surge?

January 13, 2022 10:48 AM

By Cathy Wurzer, Alex Cheng, and Melissa Townsend

As COVID-19 sweeps through schools and some return to distance learning, we heard first-hand accounts of what life is like in school during the pandemic from high schoolers around the Twin Cities.

Sigurd Olson

Remembering environmentalist Sigurd Olson, 40 years after his passing

January 13, 2022 10:28 AM

By Cathy Wurzer and Alex Cheng

Forty years ago, on Jan. 13, 1982, environmentalist icon Sigurd Olson passed away in Ely, Minn. To remember Olson, host Cathy Wurzer was joined by biographer David Backes, who recalled how Olson changed his life.

A long line of people standing while waiting with masks on.

Your COVID and omicron surge questions, answered by a doctor

January 13, 2022 9:55 AM

By Cathy Wurzer and Kelly Gordon

Amid a record-breaking surge of COVID-19 infections, Dr. Susan Kline of the University of Minnesota Medical School took audience questions about the pandemic.

A woman and teenager look at a laptop as they sit in a classroom.

As omicron surges, Osseo superintendent faces school staff absences of up to 25 percent

January 12, 2022 1:16 PM

By Cathy Wurzer and Melissa Townsend

Freezing temperatures, staff shortages and skyrocketing COVID-19 case numbers have pushed school leaders to move to distance learning in a number of Minnesota districts, including Osseo Area Schools. Superintendent Cory McIntyre says sending students home isn’t ideal, but that it wasn’t sustainable to continue in person.