Shows

Klobuchar says Senate is close to approving next U.S. attorney for Minnesota
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar says Minnesota will soon have a permanent U.S. attorney in place. Klobuchar told MPR’s Morning Edition that former U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger is on the verge of Senate approval to fill that role again.
Worthington's growing communities of color work to gain political power
Over the next several months, MPR News will bring you stories on the radio and on our website that reflect the culture and history of communities in our state. People of color recently became the majority in Worthington, Minnesota. Yet politics in the city and across Nobles County remain nearly all white and male. Reporter Hannah Yang introduces us to some residents who are trying to change that.
The U.S. house, led by Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar, just passed the Crown Act last week. It will outlaw racial discrimination against people based on their hairstyle and texture. Fourteen states across the country have passed the Crown Act. Crown stands for “Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair.” Why pass legislation dealing with hair? It’s a workplace issue for many Black Americans. Lori Tharps, a journalist and educator, has written about this in her book “Hair Story - untangling the roots of black hair in America."
Celebrating Gordon Parks' legacy through theater
Gordon Parks was a celebrated photographer, filmmaker, musician and artist. Originally from Fort Scott, Kansas, Parks moved to St. Paul as a teenager and lived with his sister until he was forced to leave. He worked as a staff photographer at local black-owned newspapers, the St. Paul Recorder and the Minneapolis Spokesman, and he shot the latest fashions for Frank Murphy’s Department Store in downtown St. Paul. Parks rose to become a powerful storyteller and activist, with much of his work centering around Black life. A new play at the History Theatre in St. Paul honors his legacy. Robin Hickman-Winfield is Parks’ great-niece and a media creator, producer and community advocate in her own right. She joined host Cathy Wurzer to talk more about the play called Parks: A Portrait of a Young Artist. Robin, welcome to Minnesota Now.
From the archives: Novelist Yaa Gyasi explores addiction, immigration and family ties
As we await Friday’s show, which dives into a book about life at the southern U.S. border, enjoy a discussion Kerri Miller had in 2020 with author Yaa Gyasi which also touches on themes of identity and culture.
Minnesota native evacuated from Ukraine to Poland
Host Cathy Wurzer follows up with Joe Whitcomb, a Minnesota native who has been living and working in Kyiv, Ukraine. As Russian forces continue to attack the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol, Whitcomb has evacuated to Poland.
Only 21 percent of U.S. workers have access to paid family leave through their employer, so some states — including Minnesota — are looking at creating state-funded paid leave programs.
Meet the Candidates: Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Jensen
As Gov. Tim Walz seeks another term, more than a half dozen Republicans are competing for the chance to run against him. MPR News host Mike Mulcahy talks with the GOP frontrunner Dr. Scott Jensen, a family physician who served one term in the Minnesota Senate and got national attention for criticizing the state’s handling of COVID-19.
Creative older workers shine on stage, in offices and on the radio
If the Super Bowl halftime show taught us anything it’s that artists over 50 deserve a stage, too. The all-star, hip-hop lineup got the entire crowd on their feet. Entertainers are not the only ones still ready to shine in middle age; America’s Baby Boomers and aging Gen Xers want a chance to contribute. On Monday, guest host Chris Farrell spoke with a business professor and a writer doing their best work after 50.
Equity issues at stake in the Minneapolis teacher strike
The Minneapolis NAACP is calling on the city’s public school district to raise wages for Education Support Professionals. They’re also asking the union to put more protections from layoffs for teachers of color in its contract.