Minnesota Now with Cathy Wurzer

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Minnesota Now with Cathy Wurzer is journalism that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s reporting that puts people first with live, down-to-earth, unscripted interviews that aim to inform and entertain. Tune in to Minnesota Now weekdays at noon on the radio or the live audio stream at mprnews.org.

Listen: Missed the show? Want to hear a specific conversation? Check out past episodes and segments on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

Minnesota music: One of the pillars of Minnesota Now is featuring great Minnesota-based music. Here’s this year’s playlist of songs heard on the show.

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December 2, 2021 2:40 PM

How students and families have responded to St. Paul's school closure plan

The St. Paul School Board voted Wednesday night to close six schools in the district, with plans to eventually reopen four of them. Sarita Toledo, a student at one of three schools that was saved from closure, and Becky Dernbach, a reporter who’s been covering the story for Sahan Journal, told host Cathy Wurzer how students and parents have responded to the district’s plan.

by Cathy Wurzer and Melissa Townsend

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December 2, 2021 2:30 PM

MN sports roundup: Jerry Kill will return; Win-nesota?

Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson are back with another update on Minnesota sports for host Cathy Wurzer. This week: Jerry Kill is set to return to the Gopher football stadium after swearing never to set foot in it again, and Nelson displays a sign of delirium: optimism about Minnesota sports.

by Cathy Wurzer

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December 2, 2021 2:17 PM

Reporter Catharine Richert with the latest on Minn.'s first case of omicron

Minnesota has its first reported case of the omicron variant of the coronavirus. Reporter Catherine Richert joined host Cathy Wurzer to share the latest details on the case from the Minnesota Department of Health.

by Cathy Wurzer

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December 1, 2021 1:20 PM

Song of the Day: 'What Cha Gonna Do With My Lovin'' by Stephanie Mills

Wednesday’s Song of the Day comes to us from Freddie Bell at KMOJ.

by Cathy Wurzer and Kelly Gordon

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December 1, 2021 1:14 PM

Cookbook author and cancer survivor finds soup is a balm

Caroline Wright was so touched by offerings of soup when she was fighting a brain tumor that she’s become a de facto soup lady. It inspired her most recent cookbook, “Soup Club,” which features all plant-based soups.

by Cathy Wurzer and Kelly Gordon

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December 1, 2021 11:55 AM

Deer are catching the COVID-19 virus. What does that mean for humans?

Earlier this month, researchers announced that a stunning number of deer in Iowa had been found to be infected with the coronavirus. Jeff Bender, a veterinarian and public health expert, told host Cathy Wurzer more about the findings and what they mean for humans and the COVID-19 pandemic.

by Cathy Wurzer and Alex Cheng

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December 1, 2021 11:53 AM

A tough case for the MN Supreme Court: Voting rights for those on probation, supervised release

More than 50,000 Minnesotans — many of them Black, Indigenous and people of color — are kept from voting while on probation or supervised release after incarceration. The Minnesota Supreme Court is hearing a case about their voting rights; MPR’s Brian Bakst brought host Cathy Wurzer the story.

by Cathy Wurzer

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December 1, 2021 11:49 AM

How to deal with the uncertainty surrounding the omicron variant

The discovery of the new omicron variant was first reported to the WHO last week, so researchers haven’t learned much about it yet — but, understandably, some people are worried. Science journalist Maggie Koerth joined host Cathy Wurzer to talk about how we can approach the uncertainty surrounding omicron as individuals and as a society.

by Cathy Wurzer and Alex Cheng

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November 30, 2021 1:20 PM

Song of the Day: 'Reven' by Beret Finken

A Southern Minnesota-based composer, musician and vocalist with Nordic sensibilities is highlighted in Tuesday’s Song of the Day.

by Cathy Wurzer and Kelly Gordon

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November 30, 2021 12:33 PM

As many businesses cut hours, why is this North Shore eatery open in winter for the first time?

As businesses around the country struggle to attract and keep employees, one popular restaurant on the North Shore is changing its business model to keep its staff satisfied and working. Barb LaVigne, co-owner of the Angry Trout Cafe in Grand Marais, told host Cathy Wurzer why.

by Cathy Wurzer and Kelly Gordon

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