Out to Lunch

On Minnesota Now, we get to hear from so many different people in Minnesota over the phone and in the studio. But we don’t often meet them in the community, where news — and life — happens.

In a new series we are calling Out to Lunch, Nina Moini sits down for a meal with people from Minnesota news and culture to get to know them better.

More from Minnesota Now with Nina Moini

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November 12, 2025 4:35 PM

Out to Lunch: Activist T Williams shares lessons from an ‘oversized’ table

We have all been witnesses to moments in history. But there are people in every community who go a step further by working to shape what happens next. MPR News host Nina Moini recently met up with longtime activist T Williams at Soul Bowl.

by Nina Moini and Alanna Elder

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September 3, 2025 3:30 PM

Out to Lunch: Mankato East High School principal works to center student voices

Akram Osman was a graduate of Mankato East High School, the school he now leads. He credits his own principal at the time for valuing his voice as a student and pushing him to pursue a path in education.

by Nina Moini and Aleesa Kuznetsov

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August 29, 2025 3:34 PM

Out to Lunch at the State Fair with Princess Kay of the Milky Way

You could say butter is in the blood of this year’s Princess Kay winner. Malorie Thorson is in college so she can become the sixth generation to work on her family’s dairy farm. And Thorson’s mother was on the Princess Kay court back in 1996.

by Nina Moini and Aleesa Kuznetsov

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July 30, 2025 1:53 PM

Out to Lunch: The Kris Lindahl beyond the billboards

In his new memoir, “Arms Out,” real estate CEO Kris Lindahl shares about growing up in poverty and not always stable housing, his father’s struggles with addiction, and navigating high school after his father was murdered.

by Nina Moini and Ellie Roth

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July 2, 2025 2:27 PM

‘The beauty of sports is there‘s no script:’ Out to Lunch with MPR News sports contributors

In this installment of our series Out to Lunch, we go out to the ballgame with two longtime broadcasters to find out what drives their passion for sports.

by Nina Moini and Alanna Elder

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May 21, 2025 3:38 PM

Out to Lunch: Billy Sushi chef is unapologetically 'crazy' for Minnesota

Chef Enkhbileg “Billy” Tserenbat is the owner of the wildly popular Minneapolis North Loop restaurant, Billy Sushi. He reflected on starting his business during the pandemic, growing up in Mongolia and why he’s Minnesota’s biggest hype man.

by Nina Moini and Ellen Finn

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May 7, 2025 2:12 PM

Out to Lunch: MPR News host Tom Crann has guided Minnesotans through two decades of headlines

From the 35W bridge collapse to election night, All Things Considered host Tom Crann has been a steady voice on the airwaves for 20 years. He sat down for lunch with Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to reflect on his departure from MPR News and his return to his classical music roots.

by Nina Moini, Ellie Roth and Aleesa Kuznetsov

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April 23, 2025 3:10 PM

Out to Lunch: Anton Treuer has found healing in learning to love all parts of his identity

Anton Treuer is a professor of Ojibwe language, history and culture at Bemidji State University. His most recent book, “Where Wolves Don't Die,” won the 2025 Minnesota Book Award for young adult literature.

by Nina Moini and Alanna Elder

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March 26, 2025 2:24 PM

Out to Lunch: Lindsay Whalen is ready to have joy back in basketball

Lindsay Whalen was off the court for 18 months after her departure as head coach of the Gopher's Women's basketball team. When she went out to lunch with MPR News host Nina Moini, Whalen said it was a much-needed break, but that she's excited to be part of a team again.

by Nina Moini and Aleesa Kuznetsov

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March 12, 2025 2:11 PM

Out to Lunch: Bishop Richard Howell leads north Minneapolis with forgiveness and love

Bishop Richard Howell has been a pastor at Shiloh Temple International Ministries in north Minneapolis for more than 40 years. He spends nearly all of his time listening to and helping community members in the area. And he’s led the ministry through a difficult five years since the COVID-19 pandemic and the murder of George Floyd.

by Nina Moini and Ellen Finn

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