Shows

How do school closures affect kids' mental health?
Almost two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re starting to learn more about the toll distance learning takes on kids' mental health. To talk about findings from a new study review in JAMA Pediatrics, host Cathy Wurzer was joined by Dr. Jay-Sheree Allen.
Updates on the shooting outside a Richfield school from reporter Matt Sepic
On Tuesday a 15-year-old student was killed in a shooting outside a Richfield, Minn., alternative school. Matt Sepic joined host Cathy Wurzer with the latest details from city officials Wednesday morning.
Minneapolis police kill man while serving search warrant
Minneapolis SWAT officers serving a warrant Wednesday morning connected to a St. Paul homicide encountered a man with a handgun as they entered a downtown apartment. An officer shot and killed him, the city’s interim police chief said.
Jensen tops GOP straw poll, and 2021 fundraising
Former state Sen. Scott Jensen bested a field of half a dozen Republicans running for governor in a straw poll of precinct caucus-goers Tuesday night. He also raised more money than his GOP rivals in 2021. 
Even if he gets sick, don't serve Aron Woldeslassie soup
MPR News producer and comedian Aron Woldeslassie recently came down with what was thankfully a mild case of COVID-19. But he had to deal with an unexpected issue: an overabundance of soup served by concerned loved ones.
Why Du Nord's founder says 2020 and 2021 were both the worst and best years of his life
Du Nord Social Spirits in south Minneapolis was the first licensed Black-owned distillery in the United States. Chris Montana, Du Nord’s co-founder and CEO, joined host Cathy Wurzer for a conversation about his story, the story of Du Nord and why he created a foundation in the wake of the murder of George Floyd.
A doctor answers questions on vaccines for kids, natural immunity, omicron symptoms
Vaccines for the youngest among us may be on the way while confusion remains around natural immunity, omicron and more. With answers to more of your questions about the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Melanie Swift of Mayo Clinic joined host Cathy Wurzer.
A student pilot's death leads to efforts to combat mental health stigma at flight school
In October 2021, student pilot John Hauser died by suicide in a plane crash, sparking an effort to combat the stigma around mental health counseling in his flight school at the University of North Dakota. Dean Robert Kraus told host Cathy Wurzer about the effort.
‘It’s a part of me’: In a podcast, Rochester students tell their hijab stories
The most recent episode of “The Invisible Backpack,” developed by Rochester, Minn., school staff, focuses on the experiences of students who wear hijabs — how it makes them feel, their favorite ways to style it and how they dispel misconceptions about the tradition.
Jon Ruzek left his job to help his kids during the pandemic. He's not planning to go back.
Record numbers of Americans have left their jobs during the pandemic as part of the Great Resignation — many of whom are parents who needed more time to help their kids. Jon Ruzek told host Cathy Wurzer how leaving his job changed his perspective on work-life balance.