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Live, down to earth, unscripted interviews that aim to connect, inform and entertain. Real people share real stories with MPR News host Nina Moini. It’s journalism that doesn’t take itself too seriously and puts people first.
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MPR News is continuing to follow the federal law enforcement clash with protesters in St. Paul Tuesday morning. Agents were seen using chemical irritants and less-lethal ammunition. We learned more about federal authority to use force in such situations here and around the country.Lawmakers are getting details about proposed 2026 state construction projects to decide which ones will make the cut. MPR News reporter Dana Ferguson tagged along to hear their pitches.It's mid-November. Are you surprised about our state's lack of snow? MPR chief meteorologist joined the show to talk about that and the weather forecast ahead.Plus, it's the end of a more than 230-year era. A Minnesota coin collector gave the penny a solemn goodbye.
The U.S. has stopped printing its most humble currency, the penny. After more than 230 years, the U.S. Mint ended production because it cost nearly four cents to make the one cent coin. And while most of us keep our spare pennies in junk drawers or maybe collecting dust in jars, coin collectors are holding them close. Joining Minnesota Now to talk about the history of the penny and what’s next now that it’s not printing is Jason Jenkins. He is part of the Red River Valley Coin Club in the Fargo-Moorhead area.
A federal operation in St. Paul Tuesday morning led to a confrontation between federal agents and protesters. Federal agents used chemical irritants and projectiles on the crowd. At a press conference Tuesday morning, St. Paul City Council Vice President Hwa Jeong Kim spoke in defense of people who gathered to observe and record the operation. “Concerned and caring residents were shoved, thrown to the ground. One observers’ foot was run over. This is not safety. This is not law enforcement. This is state violence,” she said. In a statement to MPR News, an ICE spokesperson said the agency and law enforcement partners conducted court-authorized law enforcement activity and served a search warrant as part of a federal criminal investigation. MPR News asked for additional information about the chemical irritants used by agents, but have not received a response. With growing ICE operations across the country under the Trump administration, advocates have called for community to respond to federal action that appears to involve ICE. It’s leading to more clashes, like the one that occurred Tuesday. For more on this issue, MPR News host Nina Moini talked with ACLU of Minnesota Legal Director Teresa Nelson.
Fall is turning into winter and Minnesota has had its fair share of darker, shorter days. But there’s one thing missing — snow! The state has barely seen flakes so far this season. MPR News chief meteorologist Paul Huttner joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about the late start to snowy season.
You likely know chef Sean Sherman's name. His restaurant Owamni is a staple in the Minneapolis restaurant scene. His commitment to spreading Indigenous foods and knowledge of Indigenous cooking has officially leveled up — not only is Sherman's restaurant expanding to a larger location at the Guthrie Theater, he’s out with a new cookbook highlighting Indigenous recipes across North America. It’s called “Turtle Island: Foods and Traditions of the Indigenous Peoples of North America.” Sherman joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about his new book and its launch at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis on Nov. 18.
The Minneapolis Police Department is facing criticism for how it handled three cases involving people of color who made multiple reports of violence to police. The city auditor is looking into the response in the cases of Davis Moturi and Allison Lussier in 2024. Last month, auditor Robert Timmerman publicly criticized MPD for missing meetings and slowing down the review. In response, assistant chief Katie Blackwell told officers to cooperate in an order reported by the Minnesota Star Tribune. Chief Brian O’Hara has also ordered an internal review of the police response to reports of domestic violence by a woman named Mariah Samuels. She was fatally shot in September and her ex-boyfriend is charged in her killing. The Minnesota Star Tribune reporter Liz Sawyer published an investigation of Samuels’ case and has been covering the others, along with her colleagues. She joined MPR News host Nina Moini to explain.
This week, three Minnesota foundations launched "Our Home State," a five-year, $20 million initiative to expand access to affordable housing and address housing instability in the state.It’s a collaboration between The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, the F.R. Bigelow Foundation and the Mardag Foundation. St. Paul-based company Ecolab has pledged an additional $3 million to the project.Alfonso Wenker is the senior vice president of community impact at the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation. He talked to MPR News host Nina Moini about the project.
Federal agents clashed with protesters in an industrial area of St. Paul Tuesday morning. We had the latest on that developing story. One of the state's largest health insurers is shutting down. We found out what that means for 300,000 people in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The Minneapolis Police Department is facing criticism for its handling of three high-profile cases. The most recent is the killing of a woman who made multiple reports of domestic violence. We talked to a Star Tribune reporter who investigated her case. Three philanthropy groups are putting up $20 million to help people find and keep affordable housing. We learned more about the project. Plus, we talked to renowned chef Sean Sherman about his new cookbook.Our Minnesota Music Minute was “Frybread” by Keith Secola and our Song of the Day was “None of my Hands” by Hiahli.
A federal law enforcement operation at a St. Paul manufacturer prompted a large response by observers and protesters on Tuesday morning.Federal agents wearing clothing marked “FBI,” “DEA” and “HSI” — Homeland Security Investigations, part of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — were seen at Bro-Tex Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of cloth and paper wipes. It was not immediately clear what prompted the operation. MPR News host Nina Moini spoke to reporter Estelle Timar-Wilcox, who was on the scene.
One of Minnesota’s largest health insurers is shutting down at the start of next year. Minnesota-based UCare announced the move in a statement issued Monday. According to officials with the nonprofit, its health insurance plans for more than 300,000 members across Minnesota and western Wisconsin will be transferred to Medica, another large nonprofit health insurer based in Minnesota. The shuttering of U-Care brings up questions about insurance options for Minnesota’s most vulnerable. Stephen Parente is a professor of finance at Minnesota Carlson and the Minnesota Insurance Industry chair of health finance. He joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about the change.
A once rarely-used process by the federal government has now been used to detain more than 200 immigrants at Fort Snelling Immigration Court in Minnesota. That's according to an immigrant advocacy group tracking the cases. We'll learn about the change. We'll learn more about eligibility changes to SNAP that took place in the background of the government shutdown and how those changes could impact Minnesotans going into the holiday season. Plus, Target is asking their employees to smile more at customers. But will this help the struggling retailer? We'll hear from a consumer behavior and psychology expert. And the Vikings, Gophers and Wolves all lost! We'll relive a forgettable Minnesota sports weekend with Wally and Eric.Our Minnesota Music Minute was “September Rain” by Jaki Blue and our Song of the Day was “Hillside Sunset” by Funk N Spuds. Use the audio player above to listen to the full show.Subscribe to the Minnesota Now podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
The Advocates for Human Rights, which is based in Minneapolis, said that its legal observers at Fort Snelling Immigration Court daily are seeing a shift in procedure.Michele Garnett McKenzie, the organization’s executive director, said its legal observers have less access to courtrooms, documents and communication with judges. One of the changes The Advocates for Human Rights have noticed is a once rarely-used practice now being used to detain more immigrants. The organization says it tracked 225 people this year who had their case dismissed by a judge at Fort Snelling Immigration Court and then were immediately arrested by ICE agents outside the courtroom. Garnett McKenzie joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to shed light on what's changed in immigration court here in Minnesota.
The federal government shutdown caused weeks of turmoil for recipients of the food assistance benefits known as SNAP. In the background, major changes to the program took effect under the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” Congress passed this summer. About 9,000 immigrants in Minnesota are no longer eligible for SNAP, according to the state. And administrators are in the process of implementing work requirements that are expected to impact 29,000 others. Sophia Lenarz-Coy, executive director of The Food Group, joined MPR News host Nina Moini to explain what’s changed in Minnesota.
For a few seconds, it looked like the Minnesota Vikings had made a comeback to beat the Chicago Bears yesterday. But right after their last-minute touchdown, the Bears scored a field goal. Chicago won the game 19 to 17.The Vikings now go on to face their division rivals, the Green Bay Packers. While the Vikings will be away at Lambeau Field, high schools football teams will be taking over U.S. Bank Stadium for the state tournament. Sports contributors Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about these stories and all things Minnesota sports.
Minnesota-based retail giant Target is encouraging its store employees to smile and interact with customers more. Target shared with MPR News that the employee training program is called “10-4.” At 10 feet within a customer, Target is guiding store employees to smile and make eye contact with customers. And at 4 feet, employees should consider a conversation. The new guidance has caused quite the conversation, with people reflecting “how do I want to be interacted with when going to a store?” Joining Minnesota Now is an expert in consumer behavior and psychology, Aaron Sackett. He’s a marketing professor at the University of St. Thomas Opus College of Business.
Ten years ago this weekend, Jamar Clark was shot and killed by Minneapolis police. His death was a turning point for the Black Lives Matter movement throughout Minnesota. We reflect on changes in policing in the city and on Clark's life with his sister.We get updated on the conflict between a Minneapolis landowner and the city about an encampment that grew on his property. MPR News reporter Kirsti Marohn joins us to talk about how battery storage plays a role in the state's shift to clean energy.Plus, we take you to a booming new Mexican market in Richfield. For some, when it gets chilly outside, it's time to turn the oven on inside. We talk with chef Amy Thielen about her favorite fall treats.The Minnesota Music Minute was “Sad Firm Handshake” by Dave King Trucking Company and “Flowers” by Dirty-930 was the Song of the Day.
For many Minnesotans, fall means it's time to get the comforting warm flavors of nutmeg, apple, cardamom and maple to fill the air in the kitchen.Minnesota-based chef and cookbook author Amy Thielen joined MPR News host Nina Moini to share what recipes she’s thinking about this fall season.
Earlier this month, Minnesota-based Xcel Energy announced it wants to double the amount of lithium battery storage it already planned to install next to its Sherco coal-fired power plant in central Minnesota. The batteries would allow Xcel to store energy produced at its wind, solar, nuclear and natural gas plants across the Upper Midwest.MPR News reporter Kirsti Marohn has been covering how batteries that store electricity on demand are becoming an increasingly important part of the transition to clean energy. She joined MPR News host Nina Moini to share more about her reporting as part of a weekly check in with MPR News reporters based in greater Minnesota.
On Thursday morning, a judge denied a motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought by the city of Minneapolis against a landlord who allowed dozens of people to camp on a parking lot he owns. The city sued Hamoudi Sabri in September to force him to close the encampment. A few days later, the city cleared the encampment after a shooting there killed one person and injured six others. Sabri’s lawyers argued the city could not move forward with the lawsuit without including the people who had been living in the encampment in the case. MPR News reporter Cari Spencer was at the courthouse during the hearing and joined MPR News host Nina Moini to explain.
This weekend marks 10 years since the police killing of Jamar Clark. Clark was 24 years old and unarmed when Minneapolis police shot and killed him. The officers said Clark reached for one of their guns during a confrontation outside a party. Some witnesses disputed that Clark reached for the officer’s weapon. No officers were charged with a crime. Clark’s death spurred protests and activism that has carried through the police killings of other Black men in Minnesota, Philando Castile in 2016 and George Floyd in 2020.MPR News host Nina Moini talked to one of Clark’s sisters, Tiffany Burns, to reflect on the 10 years since her brother’s death, which changed Minnesota’s history and her family forever.
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