Minnesota Now with Cathy Wurzer

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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, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

Minnesota music: One of the pillars of Minnesota Now is featuring great Minnesota-based music. Here’s this year’s playlist of songs heard on the show.

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December 15, 2021 12:37 PM

How nurses in greater Minnesota are faring as COVID surges

Health care professionals in greater Minnesota met virtually Wednesday to discuss the dire effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in their respective parts of the state. Andrea Roberts, president of the Minnesota Association of Nurse Anesthetists, told host Cathy Wurzer more about the pandemic’s impact on nurses and rural communities.

by Cathy Wurzer and Alex Cheng

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December 15, 2021 12:25 PM

Potential thunderstorms and tornadoes in December? MN weather is changing

Southern Minnesota is facing a threat of high winds, tornadoes and maybe an inch of rain Wednesday afternoon, while northern Minnesota could be looking at snow. To talk about the timing and details, MPR News chief meteorologist Paul Huttner joined host Cathy Wurzer.

by Cathy Wurzer

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December 15, 2021 12:15 PM

This astronaut is from Minnesota — and set to break a record in space

Mark Vande Hei and fellow NASA astronaut Tom Marshburn spoke with host Cathy Wurzer, live from space on the International Space Station, about life in zero gravity. The two are set to break the record for longest stay in the ISS. Watch their conversation.

by Cathy Wurzer and Melissa Townsend

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December 15, 2021 12:04 PM

MPR News reporter Brian Bakst on Chauvin's guilty plea in federal civil rights case

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was in federal court Wednesday morning for a half-hour hearing in which he pleaded guilty to violating George Floyd's civil rights. MPR News reporter Brian Bakst was in the courtroom and joined host Cathy Wurzer with more.

by Cathy Wurzer

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December 14, 2021 5:35 PM

Behind the scenes of the Guthrie's 'A Christmas Carol,' back on stage after a year away

“A Christmas Carol” has returned to the Guthrie stage, and for many of the actors, it’s their first time back on stage — with a live audience — since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Minnesota Now went behind the curtain to listen in on an intimate conversation between two of the actors, Regina Marie Williams and Rajané Katurah, about what it’s like to be back.

by Cathy Wurzer and Lindsay Guentzel

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December 14, 2021 5:25 PM

Civics lessons for adults — on Instagram? Sharon Says So

Sharon McMahon, a Duluth, Minn.-based former history teacher, went viral when she began debunking myths about how government works on Instagram under the handle @SharonSaysSo.

by Cathy Wurzer and Kelly Gordon

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December 14, 2021 5:23 PM

Everything you need to know about rapid COVID-19 tests

As people gear up for holiday gatherings, experts have recommended using rapid tests before get-togethers as a measure to prevent the spread of the coronavirus — but the tests are hard to find and expensive. The director of clinical virology at Mayo Clinic told host Cathy Wurzer why.

by Cathy Wurzer and Kelly Gordon

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December 14, 2021 5:10 PM

A gift guide for all of the plant parents in your life

A plant lover and stylist, Shayla Owodunni joined host Cathy Wurzer for a crash course on what you should keep in mind when purchasing a plant as a gift and offered up some suggestions on her favorite places to shop for plants and plant-focused gifts in the Twin Cities.

by Cathy Wurzer and Lindsay Guentzel

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December 14, 2021 3:30 PM

Why has a wave of carjackings hit the Twin Cities?

A wave of carjackings has hit the Twin Cities and many other parts of the country, and no one is entirely sure why. Host Cathy Wurzer sat down with a researcher who has dug deep into recent police data and says there are no simple answers.

by Cathy Wurzer and Alex Cheng

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December 13, 2021 3:17 PM

Raging against the indignities of holiday gift-giving

With 12 days until Christmas, has holiday shopping sent your blood pressure soaring to eye-popping new highs? If so, maybe you'll relate to these thoughts from MPR News producer and working comedian Aron Woldeslassie.

by Cathy Wurzer and Aron Woldeslassie

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