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Talking Sense

Every Monday through Thursday at 11 a.m. on Talking Sense, MPR News host Catharine Richert, her guests and callers will dig in to the big issues of the day.

Coming up next time: MPR News host Catharine Richert and her guests take your questions on the headlines everyone is talking about, whether the news is happening in Minnesota, nationally or on the other side of the world.

Join the conversation. Give us a call in the 11 a.m. hour at 651-227-6000 or 800-242-2828.

Who should Gov.-elect Klobuchar select as her successor in the U.S. Senate?

Gov.-elect Amy Klobuchar will appoint someone to fill her U.S. Senate seat. Catharine Richert and her guests talk about what qualities, experience and priorities her successor should bring to the job.
by Catharine Richert and Cari Dwyer

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Unpacking the 2026 election results

Unpacking the 2026 election results

 MPR News host Catharine Richert and her guests talk about the results of the 2026 elections and take calls from listeners.
by Catharine Richert and Cari Dwyer

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In Farmington, a data center project spurs new bonds between the left and the right

In Farmington, a data center project spurs new bonds between the left and the right

Data center development is under scrutiny across Minnesota and at the state Capitol. In Farmington, a proposed hyperscale data center is generating some unexpected bonds between residents on the left and the right.
by Catharine Richert

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Amid DEI backlash, a liberal and a conservative Minnesotan seek common ground

Amid DEI backlash, a liberal and a conservative Minnesotan seek common ground

Prince Corbett leans liberal; Kofi Montzka considers herself a conservative. They’re both Black Minnesotans who want to bridge political divides and address racial disparities. The challenge? Figuring out how to find common ground amidst their big political differences.
by Annie Baxter and Catharine Richert

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Author and activist john a. powell on 'The Power of Bridging'

Scholar and author john a. powell returned to Minnesota on Dec. 2 to talk about his new book, “The Power of Bridging.” In a deeply divided world, what can be done to create a sense of belonging for everyone?
by Catharine Richert and Kelly Gordon

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Can relationships across the political divide build more trust and better government?

Can relationships across the political divide build more trust and better government?

He’s a Republican lawmaker from the Iron Range. She’s a DFLer from Minneapolis. MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with two new state legislators about a first-of-its-kind program that’s helping build bipartisan trust.  
by Catharine Richert and Maja Beckstrom

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She’s a liberal MN legislator; he’s a conservative. A bike trip brought them together

She’s a liberal MN legislator; he’s a conservative. A bike trip brought them together

A handful of Minnesota legislators from opposite sides of the aisle are pairing up to learn more about each other's districts. This comes at a time of deep political polarization and just months after the politically motivated assassination of former House Speaker Melissa Hortman.
by Catharine Richert

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A Minnesota school's solution to student conflict: 'Stop everything' and talk it out

A Minnesota school's solution to student conflict: 'Stop everything' and talk it out

How do we prepare kids to live in a politically polarized world? At St. Paul’s Friends School of Minnesota, students are taught every day how to talk to people with whom they disagree.
by Catharine Richert

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