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.

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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January 31, 2022 4:44 PM

MN State High School League doesn't have enough referees. Want to get involved?

There’s a shortage of high school sports referees, and organizers are putting out the call for people to get trained on how to do the job. The coordinator of officials for the Minnesota State High School League joined host Cathy Wurzer with more on the reasons for the shortage and what it’s like to be an official.

by Cathy Wurzer and Lindsay Guentzel

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January 31, 2022 2:28 PM

Politics reporter Brian Bakst analyzes legislators' plans for budget surplus

The 2022 session at the Minnesota Capitol has gaveled to order, and legislators are making plans for the state’s $7.7 billion budget surplus. MPR News politics reporter Brian Bakst joined host Cathy Wurzer to examine statements from Republican Senate Majority Leader Jeremy Miller and DFL Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman.

by Cathy Wurzer, Melissa Townsend and Brian Bakst

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January 31, 2022 12:49 PM

Two-time Minnesota Book Award winner back with a new fantasy world to get lost in

If you have family members — especially kids — who like to read fantasy, take heed: Two-time Minnesota Book Award winner Brian Farrey is publishing a new novel on Tuesday. He told host Cathy Wurzer about "The Counterclockwise Heart" and his writing process.

by Cathy Wurzer and Kelly Gordon

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January 27, 2022 5:00 PM

Intimate portraits of Iraqi Minnesotans confronting the idea of home

"Home of Memories" at the Hennepin History Museum tells the stories of Iraqi Minnesotans through portraits and words. Ahmed Alshaikhli, one of the photographers behind the exhibit, took producer Lindsay Guentzel for a tour.

by Cathy Wurzer and Lindsay Guentzel

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January 27, 2022 4:30 PM

St. Louis Park City Council member on climate emergency declarations across MN

The outbreak of tornadoes in December, the major drought in the summer — Minnesota has never seen a weather year like 2021. A St. Louis Park City Council member told host Cathy Wurzer more about why cities across Minnesota are declaring climate emergencies.

by Cathy Wurzer and Kelly Gordon

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January 27, 2022 1:42 PM

Looking back on the first week of testimony in federal trial of 3 ex-cops

The federal trial of three former Minneapolis police officers who were present during the murder of George Floyd started Monday. As the arguments of the prosecution and defense took shape, MPR reporter Jon Collins called host Cathy Wurzer from the courthouse with an update.

by Cathy Wurzer and Melissa Townsend

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January 27, 2022 12:53 PM

MN sports roundup: Going long on the new Vikings GM

The Vikings have hired an Ivy League-educated data expert with Wall Street experience as their new general manager — how will Kwesi Adofo-Mensah fare? That and more in another Minnesota sports round-up with Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson.

by Cathy Wurzer and Lindsay Guentzel

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January 27, 2022 12:22 PM

History exhibit features the untold stories of Rochester's Black elders

An exhibit at the History Center of Olmsted County shines a light on the development of the Black community in Rochester in the 1960s and 1970s. Pastor Andre Crockett told host Cathy Wurzer about the powerful stories Rochester’s Black elders shared with him for “Community Connections: African Americans in Rochester.”

by Cathy Wurzer and Alex Cheng

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January 26, 2022 4:08 PM

State program supports firefighters facing cancer, cardiac issues, emotional trauma

Thanks to the new $4 million Hometown Heroes Assistance Program, firefighters now have a safety net for mental and physical health issues. The executive director of the Minnesota Firefighter Initiative joined host Cathy Wurzer with more.

by Cathy Wurzer and Lindsay Guentzel

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January 26, 2022 3:40 PM

A doctor answers questions on omicron plateauing, breakthroughs, N95s, kids at school

As omicron continues to race through greater Minnesota, we’re collecting your questions about the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Melanie Swift of Mayo Clinic returned to answer more listener questions with host Cathy Wurzer.

by Cathy Wurzer and Melissa Townsend

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