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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

Minnesota Now full show and segments | Thank You, Stranger | Connect the Dots | State of Democra-Z | Professional Help

Out to Lunch: Chef Ed Porter uses food and music as vehicles for connection

Out to Lunch: Chef Ed Porter uses food and music as vehicles for connection

Chef and musician Ed Porter blends his culinary talents with his skills in the studio. He released an album and paired it with a 12-course menu. He has a podcast where he talks with guests about food and music.
by Nina Moini and Alanna Elder

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

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

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

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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Out to Lunch: The Kris Lindahl beyond the billboards

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

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

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

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

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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