Minnesota Now with Cathy Wurzer

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MPR News

Minnesota Now with Cathy Wurzer is journalism that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s reporting that puts people first with live, down-to-earth, unscripted interviews that aim to inform and entertain. Tune in to Minnesota Now weekdays at noon on the radio or the live audio stream at mprnews.org.

Listen: Missed the show? Want to hear a specific conversation? Check out past episodes and segments on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

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.

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Minnesota Now series

Thank You, Stranger | Connect the Dots | Vital Signs

Skip Jamie Sinclair of St. Paul won her second consecutive national title.

US Olympic trials for curling get underway on the Iron Range

October 26, 2021 1:08 PM

By Sara Meyer and Cathy Wurzer

MPR News curlers Matt Mikus and Euan Kerr tell Cathy Wurzer about the sport of curling as the U.S. Olympic Curling Trials get underway in Eveleth, Minn.

St. Benedict's Mission Church and rectory, around 1885.

The Order of St. Benedict apologize to White Earth Nation for Native boarding school

October 26, 2021 1:03 PM

By Cathy Wurzer

Earlier this year, the Sisters of the Order of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, Minn., formally apologized to the White Earth Nation for harm caused to generations of Native Americans at church-run boarding schools. It’s led to the start of a journey toward truth and reconciliation.

Benno Black and his wife, Annette

Exhibit tells the story of 'Kindertransport' rescuing children from Nazi Germany

October 25, 2021 2:17 PM

By Sara Meyer and Cathy Wurzer

Susie Greenberg of the Jewish Community Relations Council tells about the exhibit at the American Swedish Institute, "Kindertransport: Rescuing Children on the Brink of War." And we hear the words of Minnesotan Benno Black, who at age 13 was transported from Nazi Germany to Great Britain in 1939.

Song of the Day: 'Lay' by Sleeping Jesus

October 25, 2021 1:28 PM

By Cathy Wurzer and Kelly Gordon

Monday’s Song of the Day on Minnesota Now came from Isaac Yanta, the program director at KQAL in Winona.

Centenarian Tom Swain and a younger U professor kick off a climate change series

October 25, 2021 1:20 PM

By Sara Meyer and Cathy Wurzer

Tom Swain celebrated his 100th birthday asking for serious efforts to find solutions to the climate crisis. He and professor Gabe Chan of the University of Minnesota speak with Cathy Wurzer on Minnesota Now about the task ahead.

a man wearing a mask among trees

A look at one Afghan family's resettlement journey

October 25, 2021 1:11 PM

By Cathy Wurzer

Muhammad Nishat and his family are among nearly 100 Afghans who have arrived in Minnesota following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August. Until then, Muhammad Nishat performed humanitarian work in his home country. Now, he lives with his wife and eight kids in a Twin Cities hotel room.

Three students ask questions as moderators.

How a group of Minnetonka High School students are evaluating school board candidates

October 25, 2021 11:12 AM

By Cathy Wurzer

School board members have faced increased debate around everything from mask mandates to critical race theory. The clashes have led to dozens of resignations and an increase in district special elections. In Minnetonka, a group of high school students took it upon themselves to vet the candidates who are seeking to lead their school.

A border patrol agent stands to the right of people sitting on the ground.

Rochester sisters sue U.S. government over treatment at border detention center

October 22, 2021 2:50 PM

By Cathy Wurzer and Lindsay Guentzel

The two were traveling from Honduras to Minnesota to reunite with their mother in June 2019 when they were detained. The lawsuit alleges mistreatment from border agents that includes physical abuse, being held in cages and inadequate access to food and water. The sisters also allege guards forced children to compete over leftover food.

A man speaks in front of blue sky reflected in a building.

Cathy Wurzer interviews Gov. Tim Walz on Minnesota Now

October 22, 2021 1:41 PM

By Cathy Wurzer

To top the last show of the first week of Minnesota Now, Cathy Wurzer interviewed Gov. Tim Walz.

A man wearing a baseball cap.

Q&A: Minneapolis mayoral candidate Jerrell Perry

October 22, 2021 1:34 PM

By Cathy Wurzer and Sara Meyer

MPR’s Cathy Wurzer concludes her week-long series of interviews with candidates for mayor of Minneapolis. On Friday: Jerrell Perry of “For the People.”