Minnesota Now
1,280 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 8 hours ago - ★★★★★ - 35 ratingsLive, 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.
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Minnesota Now: April 24, 2024
April 24, 2024 19:14 - 55 minutes - 50.9 MBThe largest school district in the state broke through an impasse over diversity efforts in its budget. We talked with Anoka-Hennepin’s superintendent about what happened in a meeting that stretched for more than five hours last night. A suite of newspapers serving the southwest suburbs and nearby communities will shut down in the coming days, leaving a void in local coverage. We talked to a past reporter at Shakopee Valley News about the impact. We met a kayaker who is about to p...
9 local papers closing after over 150 years, expanding the suburban news desert
April 24, 2024 19:12 - 8 minutes - 7.97 MBThe local news landscape is shrinking. On Thursday, the Chaska Herald, Chanhassen Villager and Jordan Independent will print final editions. On Saturday, Shakopee Valley News, Prior Lake American, Savage Pacer and Southwest will shutter. The group of papers encompasses Southwest News Media. And their sister publications in Hutchinson and Litchfield will also shut down. The result? A news desert. And southwest Minnesota isn’t the first. Research by Northwestern University finds ...
Anoka-Hennepin school board OKs plan to avoid budget showdown
April 24, 2024 19:01 - 12 minutes - 5.71 MBAnoka-Hennepin school board members reached an agreement early Wednesday to avoid a budget showdown over objections raised by one board member about district equity initiatives. “The budget needed approval so we can keep the basic, fundamental core operations happening,” said Cory McIntyre, the district superintendent. He said the board agreed to consider equity initiatives separately from the budgeting process. Anoka-Hennepin students walk out, defend diversity measures ...
Spring planting tips from a green-thumbed gardener
April 24, 2024 18:35 - 7 minutes - 6.87 MBGardeners—and their parched yards—are looking forward to the rain this weekend. We brought in our resident gardening expert Meg Cowden to share some wisdom, like when to reseed your patchy lawn and how to maximize a small garden space. Cowden is the author of the book “Plant Grow Harvest Repeat " and founder of the website Seed to Fork and the gardening advice group — Modern Garden Guild.
Windy weather continues with chances of rain
April 24, 2024 18:33 - 5 minutes - 4.62 MBApril showers will continue this weekend, along with the blustery winds that have become characteristic of this spring. MPR News chief meteorologist Paul Huttner joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer with some wind mileage numbers, rain forecast for later this week and severe weather chances next week.
Minnesotan plans to be the first Black woman to kayak the Mississippi from source to sea
April 24, 2024 14:38 - 9 minutes - 8.54 MBAt the end of May, a Minneapolis kayaker will embark on a journey from the source of the Mississippi River at Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico. Devin Brown would be the first Black woman to solo the length of the river. She’ll be talking about the journey in a panel discussion on Thursday alongside Eddy Harris, an author and adventurer who has paddled the entire river twice. He wrote a memoir called “Mississippi Solo” reflecting on his first trip, which he made in the mid-1980s. ...
Timberwolves face the Suns as A-Rod eyes team control
April 23, 2024 21:00 - 8 minutes - 3.99 MBThe Minnesota Timberwolves take on the Phoenix Suns Tuesday night in Game 2 of the NBA playoffs. The Wolves won convincingly on Saturday as Alex Rodriguez sat courtside for Game 1 of the best-of-seven series. Rodriguez, the former baseball star, and his business partner Marc Lore, the former CEO of Walmart, are fighting to gain majority control of the team from Glen Taylor after a deal between the three of them fell through. ESPN reports that a mediation session has been set betwee...
Playoffs & ownership tussle: Timberwolves face the Suns as A-Rod eyes control
April 23, 2024 21:00 - 8 minutes - 3.99 MBThe Minnesota Timberwolves take on the Phoenix Suns Tuesday night in Game 2 of the playoffs. The Wolves had an explosive start to the series, winning their first game on Saturday. And sitting courtside, was none other than Alex Rodriguez. A-Rod, the former baseball star, is in a fight for majority ownership of the team with Marc Lore, the former CEO of Walmart. Currently, Minnesota native Glenn Taylor has control of the team and a deal between the three of them fell through pretty...
Minnesota Now: April 23, 2024
April 23, 2024 19:40 - 55 minutes - 51.3 MBStudent protests have erupted at the University of Minnesota over the Israel-Hamas war. MPR News talked to an expert about student free speech. The multigenerational home is gaining traction. We learned about one Winona facility that has the elderly and students living together. Saturday is national Independent Bookstore Day. Listen for how you can get involved with a special bookstore passport. The Timberwolves are finally a winning team. They take on the Suns in the second game...
Minnesota book stores celebrating Independent Book Store Day with passport
April 23, 2024 18:43 - 9 minutes - 8.34 MBThis Saturday is National Independent Bookstore Day, and small bookstores in the Twin Cities are celebrating in a special way this week. Rain Taxi, a local literary magazine, is putting on their annual Independent Bookstore Passport. Starting on Wednesday, you can pick up the passport at one of the 28 participating stores. Each visit earns a stamp, and there are some pretty neat rewards for book lovers. Black Garnet Books in Saint Paul’s Midway neighborhood is one of the partic...
At a Winona assisted living facility, elderly are co-living with students
April 23, 2024 18:35 - 8 minutes - 8.23 MBThe multigenerational home — several generations living together — is increasingly popular. So are residential communities designed to bring multiple generations together. These intergenerational communities largely exist on the tributaries of the housing market. Yet they are gaining traction. We’re continuing our conversation on intergenerational living with MPR News’ senior economics contributor Chris Farrell. In his second report, Farrell visited an assisted living center in Wi...
Addressing free speech concerns amid University of Minnesota student encampment
April 23, 2024 18:31 - 9 minutes - 8.67 MBStudents at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus are being urged to walk out of class Tuesday afternoon. An encampment set up was quickly torn down by police on the University mall Tuesday morning. It mirrors encampments at college campuses across the country. Encampment organizers want the university to sever financial ties with companies that do business with the Israeli military, including Lockheed Martin, Honeywell and General Dynamics. According to a statement from ...
Sammy McDowell, fixture of the Black community in Minneapolis, remembered as a ‘treasure of wisdom’
April 22, 2024 20:06 - 4 minutes - 2.12 MBUpdated: 5:16 p.m. The owner of a restaurant staple in north Minneapolis died suddenly on Sunday. Sammy McDowell owned Sammy’s Avenue Eatery, which opened on the north side in 2012. He collapsed during church service as first reported by WCCO and later died at the hospital. In a social media post, Bishop Richard D. Howell Jr., pastor of Shiloh Temple International Ministries, said McDowell “made his transition yesterday during a moment of high praise and worship.” Howell added...
Anoka-Hennepin students to march in defense of diversity programs
April 22, 2024 19:52 - 4 minutes - 4.43 MBStudents from the largest school district in the state are standing up to their school board. A march and rally are planned ahead of the Anoka-Hennepin school board meeting on Monday night. This comes after a school board member backed by a conservative parents rights group said he plans to force a budget showdown if the district does not scrap all programs aimed at racial and gender equity. Education reporter Becky Dernbach has been covering the controversy for Sahan Journal an...
Documentary about a family’s journey to Minnesota for gene therapy premieres in Minneapolis
April 22, 2024 19:47 - 10 minutes - 9.76 MBThe Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival is currently underway, and Monday night a documentary called “Sequencing Hope” will premiere. The film, directed by Lindsey Seavert and Maribeth Romslo, follows an Alabama family who came to Minnesota to get their young daughter life-saving gene therapy for a rare disease called metachromatic leukodystrophy. Celia Grace Hamlett was 4 years old when she came to M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital in 2021 and became the...
New south Minneapolis vinyl pressing plant aims to make records for local artists and labels
April 22, 2024 19:35 - 9 minutes - 8.79 MBSaturday was record store day, a day meant to drive people to the independent stores where records are sold and recommended around the country. But this is a story about the places where records are made. A new vinyl pressing plant is set to open in the Phillips neighborhood of South Minneapolis this year. It’s called Outta Wax. Sara Pette and Alex Stillman are two of its three founders. They joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about the impact of the vinyl boom on independent ...
This Earth Day, a scientist shares tips for building climate action into everyday life
April 22, 2024 19:29 - 9 minutes - 8.85 MBMonday is Earth Day, an event created in 1970 to raise awareness about protecting the environment. Back then, climate change wasn’t a household term. But this past winter was the warmest on record in the U.S., according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association. The global problem may be more visible in people’s lives than it was a few years ago, but that has not made it clearer how they can help solve it. University of Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership Direct...
Minnesota Now: April 22, 2024
April 22, 2024 19:20 - 56 minutes - 52.2 MBGovernor Walz is appointing two new justices to the Minnesota Supreme Court. And Anoka-Hennepin students are protesting Monday after a school board member says he plans to force a budget showdown over diversity programs. Monday is Earth Day. A climate scientist joins with some tips for people who want to help out but don’t know where to start. An Alabama family came to Minnesota to get their daughter lifesaving gene therapy. They’re featured in a new documentary. We heard from her...
Learn about Minnesota‘s newest Supreme Court Justices, Judges Theodora Gaïtas and Sarah Hennesy
April 22, 2024 17:57 - 5 minutes - 4.94 MBMinnesota’s Supreme Court will soon welcome two new justices — the 97th and 98th to hold the title since statehood. Late Monday morning, Gov. Tim Walz introduced the associate-justices-in-waiting, Judges Theodora Gaïtas and Sarah Hennesy. They will replace two retiring justices and in the process return the state’s highest court to a majority of women. MPR News’ politics editor Brian Bakst joined MPR News host Nina Moini with details on the selections.
Minnesota Now: April 18, 2024
April 18, 2024 18:35 - 59 minutes - 54.1 MBA northwestern Minnesota hospital is downsizing to offer only emergency care. We learn what it could mean for rural healthcare practices across the state. And we talk weather — on the surface of the sun. One Minnesota scientist is preparing for the pitfalls of solar storms. A new documentary is out about Minnesota’s iconic professional wrestler, dubbed the Clawmaster. We talk to him and his son, the creator of the film. If you have seen the stage production of the Lion King, you...
Catch up with all the latest Minnesota sports news
April 18, 2024 18:16 - 8 minutes - 7.4 MBThe Minnesota Timberwolves have two more days to prepare for their rematch against the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. They had a great season but they have yet to beat the Suns this year. Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to talk about the Wolves and all the week’s top sports news. Wally is the founder of Minnesota Score Sports Magazine and Eric is the Vikings reporter for CBS Sports. Together, they host the sports talk show 1...
‘He’s such a nice guy’: New film shares two sides of pro wrestling’s legendary villain Jim ‘The Baron’ Raschke
April 18, 2024 17:06 - 14 minutes - 13.4 MBMinnesotans who watched professional wrestling on television in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s may remember a gruff-voiced, goose-stepping, bald guy who went by the name Baron Von Raschke. The Baron was a villain, known as a “heel” in the wrestling business, but fans loved him. In the early days of his career, he had something called a Prussian sleeper hold he’d put on opponents before pinning them to win — but not before beating up that opponent and taunting fans who were ringside. The ...
Facing financial problems, Mahnomen hospital cuts in-patient care
April 18, 2024 16:40 - 8 minutes - 8.06 MBIt may sound strange, but the hospital in Mahnomen, Minnesota won’t have hospital stays for its patients anymore. The tiny hospital is converting to a rural emergency hospital, leaving many rural Minnesotans far from in-patient care. It’s the first to do so in Minnesota after the option was created in at the start of 2023, but probably won’t be the last. These kinds of hospitals have emergency department services and observation care — however, that care cannot exceed an annual ave...
Preparing agriculture for severe weather — not on Earth, but on the Sun
April 18, 2024 16:20 - 10 minutes - 9.63 MBMinnesotans love to talk about the weather. And that includes the weather wherever it’s happening, like on the surface of the sun. The northern lights are a good example. Bursts of energy from the sun pull on the earth’s magnetic field and cause the neon green, purple and yellow waves we see in the sky. For a long time, that was the only way the sun’s geomagnetic storms were noticeable to life on this planet. But severe solar weather can also upset technologies we now depend on, li...
Lion King performance appeals to theater fans with sensory sensitivities
April 18, 2024 15:38 - 6 minutes - 5.57 MBThe theater production of the Lion King is many things: iconic, awe-inspiring, exciting and overwhelming for people with sensory differences and disabilities. Hennepin Theater Trust partnered with Fraser, a local non-profit for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, to put on a sensory-friendly version of the show. Its changes include lower sound levels, freedom to get up and move around the theater, sensory rooms and trained staff. The performance is Saturday at...
Ricky Cobb II’s family sues two state troopers for excessive use of force
April 17, 2024 17:08 - 5 minutes - 4.97 MBThe family of Ricky Cobb II announced on Wednesday that they’re filing a lawsuit against two state troopers who were on the scene when he was shot and killed in July 2023. State trooper Ryan Londregan shot Cobb during an attempted arrest at a traffic stop, and his partner trooper Brett Seide was with him. MPR News reporter Estelle Timar-Wilcox has been following the situation. She joined MPR News guest host Emily Bright for a debrief on the situation.
Mayo Clinic study asks Black and brown youth about racism in health care
April 17, 2024 16:22 - 8 minutes - 7.58 MBThe American Academy of Pediatrics says racism can negatively impact the health of children and adolescents, and the doctor’s office is one of the places where kids may experience racial bias. A team of Minnesota doctors asked Black and brown kids aged 11 to 18 about their experience in a recent study. Then, the researchers talked to their parents. Dr. Emily McTate is a pediatric psychologist with the Mayo Clinic and one of the authors of a study published earlier this year. She j...
Minnesota lawmakers propose mandatory cellphone policy in schools
April 17, 2024 15:27 - 12 minutes - 11.6 MBLawmakers are pushing to include a mandatory cellphone policy for Minnesota schools as part of the 2024 education policy bill. The bill is heading back to the Minnesota Senate after passing the House last week. The policy aims to curb student cellphone use in state high schools, citing a toxic culture around cellphones, distractions and deterring human interaction. DFL state Rep. Sandra Feist co-authored the bill after reading about how cellphones are severely affecting the developm...
More rain is on the way — but will it make a difference on drought numbers?
April 17, 2024 14:19 - 5 minutes - 4.79 MBMPR News Chief Meteorologist Paul Huttner joined MPR News guest host Emily Bright to give us the latest on Minnesota weather. He shared the latest rainfall numbers and whether it’ll make a dent in the weekly drought monitoring. The forecast seems to be brightening up, but with a bite—frost might be on the way. Plus, the possibility of adding a Category 6 to the hurricane scale.
Men’s mental health hits the runway for Minnesota Fashion Week
April 17, 2024 14:02 - 9 minutes - 8.53 MBIt’s Minnesota Fashion Week, and men’s mental health is hitting the runway on Thursday night. The show is called MAN DOWN, and curator Gayle Smaller Jr. is partnering with local nonprofits to raise awareness — and funds — for men’s mental health, which often flies under the radar. According to the American Psychological Association, over 30 percent of men will suffer from depression at some point in their life, and stigma around men’s mental health means many won’t seek treatment. ...
Minnesota Now: April 17, 2024
April 17, 2024 13:15 - 52 minutes - 48.5 MBThe family of a man who was shot and killed by a state trooper during a traffic stop is suing. We heard about the federal lawsuit from the family of Ricky Cobb II against two state troopers. A bill at the State Capitol would require school districts to create rules for cell phone use. Meanwhile, some young people raised in the age of smartphones are giving them up all on their own. We spoke with a college student who took that leap about what it’s like on the other side. Chief Me...
Minnesota Now: April 16, 2024
April 16, 2024 19:18 - 56 minutes - 51.3 MBA study found Saint Paul is vulnerable to extreme heat and poor air quality, and Ramsey County is adopting a Climate Equity Action Plan with goals to keep residents safe and healthy. The county’s Climate Action Planner joined the show to talk about it. We talked to an expert about why students in special education classes are missing school at alarming rates. There’s a rise in multigenerational families living together in Minnesota. Senior economics contributor Chris Farrell join...
A disproportionate number of Minneapolis students in special education classes are chronically absent from school
April 16, 2024 19:15 - 11 minutes - 10.4 MBWe all know the pandemic disrupted education — but we’re still uncovering just how much it affected students here in Minnesota. Recent data showed a severe issue with absenteeism throughout the state. And those who are chronically absent in Minneapolis are disproportionately special education students. Since the start of the pandemic, the number of students with disabilities who are chronically absent from Minneapolis Public Schools has doubled or nearly doubled in more than a thi...
Ramsey County covers transportation, buildings, land use in new Climate Equity Action Plan
April 16, 2024 19:13 - 7 minutes - 7.19 MBOn Tuesday morning Ramsey County formally adopted its Climate Equity Action Plan, which was finalized earlier this spring. It includes a list of goals meant to help reduce the county's role in creating greenhouse gases and help it adapt to the impacts of climate change. An earlier report found that downtown St. Paul and areas along highways would be especially vulnerable to extreme heat and poor air quality. It also identified factors that could make people more vulnerable to stress...
Home prices, caregiving demands drive influx of intergenerational living
April 16, 2024 19:09 - 8 minutes - 8.23 MBThe multigenerational home was the typical living arrangement in mid-19th century America. A century later the multigenerational home was the exception rather than the norm. Yet, almost unremarked, several forces have combined over the past half century to reinvigorate the idea that multiple generations living together is a financially smart and emotionally rewarding choice. In the first of a two-part series for Minnesota Now, MPR senior economics contributor Chris Farrell examine...
Minnesota Lynx Coach Cheryl Reeve speaks on newest teammates post-WNBA draft
April 16, 2024 17:40 - 7 minutes - 3.47 MBTwo young athletes are starting a fresh chapter in their basketball careers as the newest members of the Minnesota Lynx following Monday night’s WNBA Draft. Thanks to the Caitlin Clark effect — along with other star players like Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso — this was one of the most anticipated women’s basketball drafts in years. “For those of us that have been doing this for the better part of 25 years, this is the movement that we’re experiencing, that we all thought was pos...
Minnesota Now: April 15, 2024
April 15, 2024 20:03 - 53 minutes - 48.6 MBThere’s a growing debate surrounding something called historical horse race betting in the state. A racetrack leader weighed in. During routine checkups, some doctors are asking patients about gun safety. We learned more about whether it’s an effective strategy for preventing gun violence. Understaffed school districts across Minnesota are turning to international teachers to fill open positions. We learned about the influx of Filipino teachers and hear from one. The historic St...
Minnesota school districts look to visa program to avoid teacher shortage
April 15, 2024 19:15 - 8 minutes - 8.08 MBThere are more 5,000 active job postings in Minnesota schools, according to St. Cloud State University’s EdPost listings. There’s one school district you won’t see on that list: Red Lake Public Schools. The district is fully staffed, thanks to teachers it has hired from abroad, specifically from the Philippines. Red Lake has hired 11 educators from the Philippines. Back in 2022, MPR News reported on Willmar doing the same. Fridley Public Schools has hired 33 educators from the Ph...
Looking ahead to the Minnesota Timberwolves post-season with the co-host of The Boy Lynx
April 15, 2024 18:51 - 10 minutes - 9.99 MBThe most successful Timberwolves season in 20 years ended with a turn for the worse last night. They quickly fell behind in a game against the Phoenix Suns and never recovered. Now they are third in the Western Conference and set to play the Suns, a team they have yet to beat this season, this coming Saturday in the NBA playoffs. Anna Knutsen is a huge Timberwolves fan. She co-hosts a podcast all about the team called The Boy Lynx. She joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to talk ab...
What do guns and cigarettes have in common? Some doctors ask about firearm safety
April 15, 2024 18:30 - 9 minutes - 8.98 MBIn wellness visits, primary care doctors have a few minutes with patients to check in about various issues related to their health, including smoking, drinking, medications and exercise. Some physicians have added gun safety to the list. The move stems from the perspective, shared by the Minnesota Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and other groups, that gun violence is a public health crisis. Dr. Thomas Kottke has been surveying doctors about their experience...
Running Aces CFO says historical horse betting is a ‘lifeline’ for Minnesota race tracks
April 15, 2024 16:02 - 9 minutes - 8.8 MBThere’s some turmoil at the state capitol over something called historical horse racing, also called instant racing, where betters pick a horse in a digital horse race that has been run in the past. The state’s horse racing tracks, Canterbury Park in Shakopee and Running Aces in Columbus, say historical horse racing is a critical revenue source for them. Lawyers for tribal nations in Minnesota say historical horse racing is too similar to slot machines, which tribes have exclusive ...
Minnesota Now: April 11, 2024
April 11, 2024 16:43 - 54 minutes - 50.1 MBThe Biden administration just set the first-ever federal limit on forever chemicals, which leaves 22 cities in Minnesota over the limit. We hear about what’s being done to protect residents’ health. A new book celebrates the life of Duluth civil rights activist Ethel Ray Nance, in the words of her granddaughter. As a Minnesota runner prepares for the Boston Marathon on Monday, she is fighting at the state capitol for rights for those who use prosthetic legs. We hear about an ambi...
Frozen Four compete in St. Paul, NBA steers clear of Timberwolves dispute and other sports news
April 11, 2024 16:24 - 8 minutes - 7.57 MBFrozen Four celebrations begin Thursday afternoon in downtown St. Paul. The NCAA men’s hockey semifinalists are facing off at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Xcel Energy Center. The University of Minnesota Gophers are not among them, this time. MPR News Host Cathy Wurzer talked with sports contributors Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson about what to expect in the championship and other news from the week in Minnesota sports.
Guthrie Theater presents three Shakespearean history plays in one day
April 11, 2024 16:07 - 5 minutes - 5.08 MBThe Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis is opening an ambitious project Saturday that has been nearly seven years in the making. Three of William Shakespeare’s plays open in a marathon day of shows. They tell an epic, interconnected story. MPR News arts reporter Jacob Aloi has been following the project since the beginning of the year. He joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to talk about why the bard’s stories are still relevant to actors and audiences.
Civil rights leader Ethel Ray Nance to be honored in Duluth and in new biography
April 11, 2024 15:49 - 10 minutes - 9.6 MBSaturday in Duluth will be Ethel Ray Nance Day, the birthday of a Duluth-born civil rights activist who would have been 125 years old. Her father established the Duluth branch of the NAACP in 1920 after three Black men were lynched in the city. Ethel carved her own path, becoming the first Black woman to work as a stenographer at the Minnesota Legislature, an executive secretary for W.E.B Du Bois and one of the first Black policewomen in Minnesota. She has been an unsung hero un...
Boston Marathoner works to make running prosthetics accessible to all who need them
April 11, 2024 15:26 - 9 minutes - 9.02 MBA bill moving through the state legislature would mandate private health insurance to cover orthotic and prosthetic devices, supplies and accessories. Right now insurance covers the minimum for an amputee to be able to function. But it doesn’t cover prosthetics such as running blades for athletic activities, which can cost thousands of dollars out-of-pocket. A Minnesotan has made it her life’s work to promote equitable access to equipment and care that make physical activity pos...
Hastings among the communities with PFAS above the new federal limit for drinking water
April 11, 2024 15:15 - 10 minutes - 9.4 MBMPR News host Cathy Wurzer talked with Hastings public works director, Ryan Stempski, about the city’s plans to treat the water and how to pay for it. The city is not part of a multi-billion dollar settlement with chemical manufacturer 3M.
Minnesota high schools rank last for computer science course offerings
April 10, 2024 19:56 - 6 minutes - 5.57 MBMinnesota teachers who are interested in computer science are meeting online this coming weekend for the MNCodes Educator Summit. Among the speakers is Andrea Wilson Vazquez, the state Department of Education’s computer science specialist. She was hired last year as part of the legislature’s efforts to build up computer science education in Minnesota. The effort is much needed, according to a report published last year by the Code.org Advocacy Coalition. Minnesota ranked last in...
Local poet Bao Phi recognized for bringing BIPOC voices into the spotlight
April 10, 2024 19:21 - 8 minutes - 8.04 MBBao Phi is a highly acclaimed poet and author who’s never forgotten his roots. Last week, he won the Kay-Sexton Award for his contributions to the literary arts community in Minnesota. He worked at the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis for over two decades, and his leadership opened doors into the literary scene for over 500 writers and artists, many of whom are Black, Indigenous or people of color (BIPOC). One of his most successful projects is Equilibrium, a spoken word serie...
Minneapolis officials push for 2 month delay as the rideshare crisis continues
April 10, 2024 18:54 - 5 minutes - 5.4 MBThe future of rideshare services like Uber and Lyft in the Twin Cities is once again in limbo. The Minneapolis City Council is considering delaying the start date of new policies on rideshare driver pay. City Council President Elliott Payne, along with members Katie Cashman and Aurin Chowdhury, announced that on Thursday, they will vote to extend their requirement for minimum pay for rideshare drivers to July 1. The original start date was May 1. The council president joined MPR N...