Minnesota Now

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MPR News

Journalism that doesn’t take itself too seriously and puts people first. Live, down to earth, unscripted interviews that aim to inform and entertain. Tune in weekdays at noon mprnews.org.

Listen: Missed the show? Want to hear the individual conversations? Check out the podcast.

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 year’s playlist.

Thank You, Stranger: Has someone ever taken you by surprise by doing something kind that made your day a little easier? Your life a little fuller? Our new series, “Thank You, Stranger,” looks at those special people and their impact. Read the stories here.

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Ever been stuck trying to fix a phone or appliance? A new 'right to repair' law may help

June 5, 2023 2:00 PM

By Cathy Wurzer and Alanna Elder

If you’ve ever tried to tinker with your phone or called a local mechanic to fix an appliance, you may have run into a brick wall. Many products require specific parts or directions that companies only give out to licensed repair shops.

a gloved hand holds test tubes

U of M expert warns of increasing likelihood of CWD transmission to humans

June 5, 2023 1:30 PM

By Cathy Wurzer and Gretchen Brown

Minnesota scientists have watched chronic wasting disease (CWD) — a fatal, neurological illness — kill deer and elk. Now, they’re studying its potential to jump to humans.

Minnesota Now podcast art

Minnesota Now: June 5, 2023

June 5, 2023 12:48 PM

By Cathy Wurzer, Alanna Elder, Emily Bright, Ellen Finn, and Gretchen Brown

Listen to the full show here.

A woman holds the reins and stands next to a horse

Experiental equine therapy comes to Canterbury Park to help heal mental health struggles

June 5, 2023 12:32 PM

By Cathy Wurzer and Ellen Finn

Abijah’s is a brand new non-profit in Minnesota that pairs former racehorses with the same people who have taken care of them. Its mission is to address what’s long been an issue in the stable area at racetracks across the country: stable hands who are dealing with addiction, mental health challenges and trauma.

Minnesota Now podcast art

Minnesota Now: June 1, 2023

June 1, 2023 1:33 PM

By Cathy Wurzer, Britt Aamodt, Emily Bright, Gretchen Brown, Alanna Elder, and Ellen Finn

Listen to the full show here.

Donovan Solano

Lynx face Connecticut, Twins v. Cleveland: What's ahead in Minnesota sports

June 1, 2023 1:27 PM

By Cathy Wurzer and Ellen Finn

The Lynx are still looking for the first win of their season. The Minnesota Aurora pre-professional women’s soccer team has had a dazzling start to theirs. The Twins? They’re doing okay.

Books seen are on display at Other Skies Weird Fiction

Independent bookstores on the rise in Minnesota, each with a story of their own

June 1, 2023 11:50 AM

By Emily Bright

For every independent bookstore that has closed since 2020, more than three new ones have opened, according to the American Booksellers Association.

Windom braces for impact as HyLife plans to close hog slaughtering plant

June 1, 2023 11:41 AM

By Cathy Wurzer and Ellen Finn

More than a thousand workers at the Windom hog slaughtering plant, Hylife, face their last day of work Friday. MPR News Host Cathy Wurzer talked with Gabby Nelson and Maria Guerrero, who are helping workers affected by the Windom Hylife plant layoffs.

A person holds their hand

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara on his first six months on the job and what's next

June 1, 2023 11:19 AM

By Cathy Wurzer and Gretchen Brown

As the first chief appointed after George Floyd died under a Minneapolis police officer's knee, O'Hara is entrusted with changing the culture within MPD as the world watches.

Lavender Magazine's First Military Recruitment Ad

June 1, 2023 10:49 AM

By Cathy Wurzer and Britt Aamodt

It has been over a decade since Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was repealed. The policy was issued under President Clinton in 1993, and it prohibited openly gay, lesbian and bisexual recruits from serving in the military. MPR News Host Cathy Wurzer talked with Lavender CEO Stephen Rocheford and Major General Shawn Manke about the first national guard recruitment ad to be printed in a publication for the LGTBQ+ community.