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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.

A Republican and a Democrat make the case for civility in politics

A Republican and a Democrat make the case for civility in politics

Former North Dakota U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, a Democrat, and former North Dakota Gov. Ed Schafer, a Republican, encourage people to break out of a cycle of cultural divisions to work toward bipartisan civil discourse.
by Cathy Wurzer and Heidi Raschke

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‘Always truth in their story’: How one author talks across political divides

‘Always truth in their story’: How one author talks across political divides

Author Mónica Guzmán says she’s the proud, liberal daughter of conservative parents. She wrote a book about how she navigates challenging political discussions — and how the rest of us can use the same techniques to preserve important relationships. 
by Catharine Richert

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Two St. Paul council members reveal how they overcame deep divisions to pass cease-fire resolution

Two St. Paul council members reveal how they overcame deep divisions to pass cease-fire resolution

Late last month, the St. Paul City Council was at an impasse over a resolution calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war. But then last week, they passed one unanimously, calling for a quote “immediate and permanent mutual cease-fire.” MPR News correspondent Catharine Richert sat down with council members Cheniqua Johnson and Rebecca Noecker to find out how the council found common ground.
by Catharine Richert

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5 tips for spotting and debunking disinformation this election year

5 tips for spotting and debunking disinformation this election year

People who study misinformation say it’s easy to fall for and spread falsehoods. MPR News host Angela Davis talked with experts about what makes us believe things that aren’t true and how to spot and debunk disinformation.
by Angela Davis, Maja Beckstrom and Catharine Richert

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In Crosslake, familiar concerns about election security take root ahead of 2024 election

In Crosslake, familiar concerns about election security take root ahead of 2024 election

With election season well underway, questions about ballot security are reemerging — and dividing — some Minnesota communities. In north-central Minnesota, Crosslake residents want the city to have more control over counting votes.
by Catharine Richert and Kirsti Marohn

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Minnesota photographer finds more civility than division in ‘Purpletown’ project

Minnesota photographer finds more civility than division in ‘Purpletown’ project

Since the 2020 election, photographer Paul Shambroom has mapped and photographed what he calls “purple towns” — communities where votes for presidential candidates Joe Biden and Donald Trump were statistically tied. Even though these communities are evenly divided politically, Shambroom says civility is often high.
by Catharine Richert

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From deep fakes to swatting, Minnesota lawmakers confront emerging threats they face

From deep fakes to swatting, Minnesota lawmakers confront emerging threats they face

Legislators are considering measures that would add additional teeth to state laws that deal with producing falsified content about elected officials and calling law enforcement to their homes on false pretenses.
by Dana Ferguson

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Through fufu and sambusas, Rochester students counter misinformed ideas about Africa

Through fufu and sambusas, Rochester students counter misinformed ideas about Africa

As part of our Talking Sense series, correspondent Catharine Richert visited John Marshall High School where the Black Student Union is using Spirit Day, movie nights and lots of food to help students expand their cultural knowledge about Africa.
by Catharine Richert

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How to have good conversations across political divides

How to have good conversations across political divides

During what promises to be a divisive election year, MPR News and the nonprofit organization Braver Angels are partnering to bring Minnesotans Talking Sense, an online and in-person platform to help people have hard conversations better.
by Angela Davis, Maja Beckstrom, Gretchen Brown and Catharine Richert

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