MPR News with Angela Davis

For centuries, witches have cast their spell on our imaginations and enchanted our stories. Throughout folklore and pop culture, some pointed-hat witches have established their unforgettable characters, both evil and good, from the Wicked Witch of the West, in the 1939 “Wizard of Oz” film, and Hermione Granger in the “Harry Potter” series. So, why are witches so popular? And why can’t pop culture seem to get enough? Coming up Friday at 9 a.m., MPR News host Jacob Aloi, reporter Alex V. Cipolle and editor Max Sparber spend an hour exploring witches across history and culture. With their guests, the MPR News arts team will talk about the witches in one of Shakespeare’s best-known plays, as well as witches in TV, film, music and books.

The fall harvest is wrapping up across Minnesota. But will farmers turn a profit? Following a meeting Thursday between President Trump and China’s president Xi Jinping, there is hope that China will resume buying at least some soybeans and other export crops from the U.S. But Minnesota farmers are still suffering from the fallout of the trade war. They’re also grappling with inflation, tighter credit and increasingly unpredictable weather. And, the federal government shutdown has slowed access to farm loans, crop insurance, disaster aid and other programs. MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with a farmer and Minnesota’s agricultural commissioner about these challenges and what’s next.

Sex education in schools tends to focus on how to avoid unplanned pregnancy — but that means a lot of Americans don’t learn much about fertility. One of the most common misunderstandings relates to age. A woman’s fertility declines as she ages, but many people underestimate just how much harder it can be to get pregnant in their 30s and 40s. And, most people also think fertility treatments are more likely to be successful than they are.  MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with two doctors about what affects the likelihood of getting pregnant and the things people wished they’d known before trying to have a baby.Guests: Dr. Suzanne Darnell practices obstetrics and gynecology at M Health Fairview. She’s also an assistant professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School.   Dr. Tana Kim is a reproductive endocrinologist and the IVF director at Reproductive Medicine & Infertility Associates (RMIA) in the Twin Cities. She is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology as well as reproductive endocrinology and infertility.  

In its fourth week, the federal government shutdown has become the second-longest government shutdown in American history, with no resolution in sight.The funding dispute has halted paychecks for hundreds of thousands of federal workers and disrupted key services — from food assistance and small business loans to national parks and research programs.MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with a political scientist about how we got here, how the budget impasse is affecting people and what it reveals about the balance of power in Washington.Guest:Kathryn Pearson is a professor of political science at the University of Minnesota. She is also an associate dean of undergraduate education and the director of the University Honors Program.

We’ve all been told that our credit scores matter — but what does that really mean?  A high credit score can open doors. It can help you get a lower interest rate on a car loan, qualify for a mortgage or even make it easier to rent an apartment. But a lower score? It can quietly cost you thousands of dollars in higher interest payments over time — money that could be going towards your savings, your home or your future. MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with a financial coach about what determines your credit score, simple steps to improve it and the smart choices that can strengthen your financial health for years to come. Guest:Demitri McGee is a financial coach, certified housing counselor and youth director at Build Wealth Minnesota, a nonprofit opportunity center dedicated to helping families through financial education, personalized coaching and community-based programs.

The big picture on rural healthcare is grim. Doctors are retiring. Hospitals are closing. There’s a lack of mental health care providers across the board. Plus, rural health facilities rely disproportionately on Medicaid reimbursement to stay afloat — and that program is facing $1 trillion in cuts thanks to President Trump’s self-titled Big Beautiful Bill. But if you zoom in to individual communities, the picture is tinged with determination. While they admit to discouragement, leaders are trying to find new ways to pay for needed health care, and concerned citizens are stepping forward to help each other. Kerri Miller heard that and more in Owatonna, at the final Rural Voice town hall of the season. Rural Voice in Owatonna Southern Minnesotans gathered on Sept. 29 at Mineral Springs Brewery to share personal stories of long waits to see doctors, of their hometowns losing cherished hospitals, of children in crisis with no therapists available to help. But they also shared ideas about how to face the challenges ahead, like public health and the private sector forming new partnerships, and community groups innovating to make sure health care is accessible and affordable.  Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.

The moment your last or only child leaves home can feel like both an ending and a beginning. Some parents celebrate the new freedom. Others struggle with the sudden quiet. Most experience a bit of both. MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with a psychologist and a social worker about the emotional mix of pride, grief, and rediscovery that comes with an empty nest — and how to find balance and meaning in this new stage of life.Guests:Melissa Lundquist is an associate professor in the School of Social Work and director of the undergraduate social work program at the University of St. Thomas. David Nathan is a psychologist with Allina Health in St. Paul. Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.     

In the last couple of years, at least a dozen data centers have been proposed across Minnesota. These are the facilities that power artificial intelligence, store medical data and save your family photos to the cloud. Data centers have promised jobs and investment in local communities, ranging from Twin Cities suburbs like Rosemount and Farmington, to small rural towns like Cannon Falls and Hermantown. But there are concerns about how they could impact the local electrical grid and water supply. MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with her guests about the resources these centers use and what that means for Minnesota communities.Guests: Gabriel Chan is an associate professor at the University of Minnesota studying policy and institutions related to clean energy transitions and the environment. He’s also the co-director of the Center for Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy and the Electric Cooperative Innovation Center at the University of Minnesota. Kathryn Hoffman is the CEO of Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy. She leads a group of lawyers who take cases around the state to protect Minnesota’s environment. Currently her team has lawsuits against the cities of Faribault, Lakeville and North Mankato for a lack of transparency around data centers. Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.   Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.  

In October 2023, Rural Voice co-founder and host Kerri Miller traveled to Little Falls to talk about social isolation in greater Minnesota. Community members said it’s easy to feel disconnected and alone, especially if they struggle with some kind of mental health challenge. This September, Miller took the same question to Wadena. Social isolation is when a person objectively doesn’t have relationships or contact with others. It’s similar to loneliness, which is when people subjectively feel isolated. Both are rampant in rural communities, especially among older residents. And because social isolation is tied closely to other health outcomes, it has implications for all. Rural Voice in Wadena Wadena residents swapped stories of recognizing isolation in their community. They also shared ideas for combatting it, which ranged from systemic overhauls, like bringing in more therapists, to more personal interventions, like how churches and community organizations can respond to neighbors who seem alone.  Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.

Drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro were first developed to treat diabetes. They turned out to be so effective at helping people lose weight that new versions were approved for weight loss. And now, their use has skyrocketed. One in every eight American adults has taken what are known as GLP-1 drugs. They not only lead to health benefits associated with weight loss, like lower risk of heart attack and stroke, they also seem to tame addictive cravings and boost sleep. Coming up at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with a doctor and a dietitian about the exploding popularity of GLP-1 drugs, side effects and how to use them responsibly.

Sue Abderholden is retiring after more than two decades leading NAMI Minnesota, the state's chapter of the National Alliance for Mental Illness. As one of the state’s most influential voices for mental health, she’s helped raise awareness, change laws and expand access to care. MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with Abderholden about how far Minnesota has come — and what work still lies ahead.

Communities, tribal nations and cities across Minnesota celebrated Indigenous Peoples Day on Monday, Oct. 13. MPR News editor and guest host Leah Lemm talks with reporters from our Native News team about how they cover Minnesota’s Native communities, tribal nations and people every day. From cannabis to land return, cultural events and arts, they’re steeped in Native journalism all year long.Guests:Melissa Olson is an award-winning reporter for MPR’s Native News team. She is a member of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe.Chandra Colvin is a citizen of the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa and a member of MPR’s Native News team. She started at MPR News as an intern and now covers Native American communities in Minnesota for us through Report for America, a national service program that places journalists into local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues and communities. 2025 How to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day around Minnesota 2025 Center for Indian Country Development hosts data summit, looks to future of tribal economies 2025 National conference brings together Native scientists, engineers and educators 2023 What is Indigenous Peoples Day? A day of celebration, protest and reclaiming history 2023 Meet our new team working to strengthen coverage of Native communities Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

From shrinking newsrooms to less news coverage, local journalism faces many challenges.Since 2005, more than 3,200 print newspapers have vanished, according to Northwestern University’s 2024 report on the state of local news.But one thing that still makes local journalism powerful is when reporters live in the places they cover. MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with reporters who do just that. They’ll talk about what it means to report on their own communities and why that connection matters. Guests: Tadeo Ruiz Sandoval is an MPR News reporter based in the Fargo-Moorhead area. He covers the region with a focus on agriculture. Tadeo started his journalism career as an intern at KMUW, the NPR Station in Wichita, Kan. In 2024, he interned at The Wall Street Journal where he produced and hosted a miniseries on Gen Z’s debt. Molly Castle Work is an MPR News reporter based in Rochester. She covers health care in southeast Minnesota. Prior to joining MPR News, Molly worked as an investigative reporter at the Rochester Post Bulletin and later as a correspondent for KFF Health News in California. Dan Kraker is an MPR News correspondent based in Duluth where he covers the people, economy and environment of northeast Minnesota. Before joining MPR News, Dan worked at KNAU Arizona Public Radio for 11 years. He covered northern Arizona’s Native nations and then served as news director. He also contributes regularly to National Public Radio programs and Marketplace.

Since it was launched 20 years ago by Minnesota Public Radio, The Current has grown into much more than your average music radio station. It’s become a cultural hub for music lovers across Minnesota.It’s where local artists are played alongside national names, and for many musicians, hearing their song on The Current isn’t just exciting — it’s a career milestone.MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with some of The Current’s staff. They’ll pull back the curtain on The Current’s sound and how it all comes together.Guests:Lindsay Kimball is the program director of The Current. She started her career at The Current as an intern in 2005.Amber Hoback is the music director of The Current. She curates the station’s playlist and works to shape the sound of The Current.Gannon Hanevold is a weekend host at The Current. You can hear him every Saturday and Sunday from 3 to 7 p.m.   Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.    

MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with MPR President Duchesne Drew about the future of local journalism and public media in the wake of government funding cuts. They talk about how MPR News is adapting, what’s at stake for communities and what he thinks it will take for public media to survive and thrive.Guest:Duchesne Drew is senior vice president at American Public Media Group and president of Minnesota Public Radio. He leads the teams that produce MPR News, The Current, APM Reports and YourClassical MPR.Editors note: MPR receives money from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. When reporting on the business of MPR and public media, we do so independently from news executives and do not let them review material before it runs. 

Willmar, Minn., is one of the most diverse cities in greater Minnesota. More than 25 different languages are spoken in its school system, and immigrants hailing from east Africa, Mexico, Myanmar and central America have revitalized its downtown. So on Sept. 8, Kerri Miller took the Rural Voice town hall series to Foxhole Brewhouse in Willmar to talk with community members about how they’ve successfully built an inclusive city. Rural Voice in Willmar The conversation focused on how the region evolved over the last few decades to include immigrations from Africa, Mexico and other countries and discuss the positive impact that integration has had on the local culture and economy. Participants also discussed ongoing challenges, like political representation for newcomers and institutional discrimination. Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.

In 2023, Minnesota passed a law requiring free menstrual products in all public school bathrooms for grades four through 12.But when the law went into effect last year, some schools weren’t sure how best to put it into practice.MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with two graduate students who created the Minnesota Menstrual Products in Schools Toolkit to help school staff navigate implementing the law.They shared what they learned about the needs inside schools and why they believe their toolkit can make a difference for students and educators alike.

The Federal Reserve recently cut its key interest rate for the first time since December 2023. The move marked a shift in monetary policy as the central bank responds to what Fed Chair Jerome Powell described as a “really cooling off” labor market, while continuing to monitor inflation.MPR News guest host Catharine Richert and senior economics contributor Chris Farrell talk about the reasoning behind the Fed's decision and what the rate changes could eventually mean for your credit cards, mortgage, savings account or investments. Guest:Neel Kashkari is president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. It’s one of the Federal Reserve System’s 12 regional banks with a district that includes Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Northern Wisconsin, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.