Minnesota Now with Nina Moini

Minnesota Now with Nina Moini 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.

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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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January 10, 2023 11:38 AM

What is causing poor air quality and what does it mean for your health?

Minnesota’s air has been smoggy the past few days. Most of the state is under an air quality alert, which means people with lung disease, asthma, heart disease, and children and older adults may experience side effects. Host Cathy Wurzer talked with meteorologist Sven Sundgaard about what is causing the gloom and what it means for your health.

by Cathy Wurzer and Melissa Townsend

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January 10, 2023 11:05 AM

Violent crime is declining but federal prosecutor still focused on carjackings and guns

Violent crime dropped measurably in Minneapolis in 2022. While the numbers are still high compared to the years before the pandemic, the city reported far fewer homicides and carjackings than in 2021. Reporter Matt Sepic talked with Minnesota’s top federal prosecutor Andy Luger about his initiative on violent crime. He talks with host Cathy Wurzer about what he learned.

by Melissa Townsend and Cathy Wurzer

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January 10, 2023 10:07 AM

Osterholm: Newest COVID variant could drive hospitalizations higher here

Minnesota’s averaging about 560 weekly COVID hospitalizations and 180 deaths a month. “Those numbers could change substantially if XBB1.5 does show up” here in a big way, University of Minnesota epidemiologist Michael Osterholm tells MPR News host Cathy Wurzer.

by Cathy Wurzer, Gretchen Brown and Amy Felegy

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January 9, 2023 3:44 PM

MN House panel weighs driver's licenses for unauthorized immigrants

House members will hear a bill on Tuesday that would allow Minnesotans lacking permanent legal status here to get a driver's license. “It is critical to our economy to get this passed,” one advocate tells MPR News host Cathy Wurzer.

by Cathy Wurzer, Gretchen Brown and Sam Stroozas

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January 9, 2023 2:42 PM

Minnesota National Guard Major Katie Lunning honored with highest award for aerial achievement

Air Force Major Katie Lunning was in Kabul, Afghanistan last year as part of the largest evacuation airlift in U.S. military history. Over the weekend, she was awarded the highest medal awarded for aerial achievement.

by Cathy Wurzer and Melissa Townsend