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The start of 2025 means new laws going into effect in the state. We get a rundown of those, plus two special elections this month.
The federal government wants to require reform at the Minneapolis Police Department.
And the Vikings are taking an exciting step towards the Super Bowl. They are vying for the top spot in the playoffs on Sunday night.
A taskforce is recommending the state decriminalize psychedelic drugs for therapeutic purposes.
Plus, for many Somali Americans, New Year’s Day doubles as a birthday. We learn about why so many Somali refugees celebrate their birth on Jan. 1.
Our Minnesota Music Minute was “Compression” by Monica LaPlante.
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On Sunday, the Minnesota Vikings have the chance to become the number one seed in the NFC playoffs for the first time since 1998 in a primetime game against the Detroit Lions.
Both teams are entering the game with identical 14-2 records. The top seed guarantees home-field advantage throughout the postseason and a first-round bye. The loser, despite finishing the regular season with 14 wins, would fall to the number five seed, forcing them to play on the road in the opening round due to the NFL’s playoff structure.
It’s unprecedented for two teams with records this good to meet so late in the season. To talk about the dominant NFC North Division and the highly anticipated matchup, sports contributors, Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson joined Minnesota Now.
Langfellow is the founder of Minnesota Score Sports Magazine and co-host of the sports talk show 10,000 Takes. Nelson is the other host of 10,000 Takes and Minnesota Vikings NFL reporter for CBS’ Eye on Football and Sirius XM.
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Minnesota’s psychedelic medicine taskforce published their first major report on Wednesday, including their recommendations on the use of psychedelic drugs like psylocibin, MDMA and LSD for medical purposes.
The taskforce has tapped into a growing body of research that suggests that these psychedelic drugs could be a game changer in the field of psychotherapy to treat conditions like addiction, PTSD, depression and bipolar disorder.
Jessica Nielson, a neuroscientist and the chair of the Psychedelic Medicine Taskforce, joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to explain the taskforce’s recommendations.
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To some people, the new year is an opportunity to start a new chapter or hang a new calendar. To others, it’s just another day when rent is due. For many Somali Americans, New Year’s Day is also their birthday.
Somali refugees and other immigrant communities did not always have records of their birth date when they moved to the U.S. Some lost records while fleeing war in their home country and others never had a reason to track their age to the exact day. When filling out paperwork to resettle in the U.S., many immigrants chose or were assigned Jan. 1 as their birthday.
According to a 2013 Minnesota Law Review report, more than 200,000 immigrants and refugees in the U.S. have Jan. 1 as their date of birth.
Mahamed Cali, executive director of the Somali community radio station KALY 101.7, joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about what the day means to immigrants in Minnesota.
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The start of the year also means the start of a busy time at the state capitol. Several new laws went into effect on New Year’s Day, including a new law banning junk fees and a crackdown on forever chemicals known as PFAS.
Going into session, which starts Jan. 14, the Senate will be tied and the Republicans will have a one seat majority in the House, following the passing of Sen. Kari Dziedzic and the resignation of a DFLer after a court found he did not live in the district he was elected to represent.
MPR News senior politics reporter Clay Masters joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about new law changes and the 2025 legislative session.
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The city of Minneapolis and U.S. Department of Justice have tentatively agreed on a consent decree that could mandate extensive police reforms, sources confirmed to MPR News on Tuesday.
The anticipated federal consent decree follows a DOJ investigation that concluded the Minneapolis Police Department used excessive and unjustified deadly force and discriminated against Black and Native residents. The city has been under a state-level settlement agreement since 2023.
If the agreement is finalized, Minneapolis would be the first city in the nation bound to both state and federal consent decrees, mandating court-enforceable reforms. The city has been under a state-level settlement since 2023.
Mayor Jacob Frey has called a special city council meeting Monday to discuss the tentative agreement. MPR News reporter Cari Spencer joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about the potential decree.
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In 2024, Minnesota Now carried the funeral services live of four first responders who were shot and killed in the line of duty.
In February, Burnsville police officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge and firefighter-paramedic Adam Finseth were killed while responding to a domestic call.
In May, Minneapolis police officer Jamal Mitchell was shot and killed while responding to a shooting.
2024 marks the most shooting deaths of law enforcement in Minnesota in 42 years.
Joining Minnesota Now now to reflect on this last year for law enforcement is Crystal police Deputy Chief Brian Hubbard, the president of the Law Enforcement Memorial Association.
And Jim Giese, president of the Minnesota chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors, or COPS.
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On the final day of 2024, we look back on what happened this year on the program.
First, we remember four Burnsville first responders and a Minneapolis police officer who were killed while on duty. After a year that saw the highest number of fatal shootings of officers in Minnesota in 42 years, we learn about efforts to memorialize officers who have died and support their loved ones.
Plus, Minnesota Now producers get behind the mic to share some of their favorite interviews from the year.
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President-elect Donald Trump will be sworn into office on January 20 and Congress will have a Republican majority in both chambers.
Some members of Minnesota’s congressional delegation will have influential roles. U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer will serve as the House GOP Whip. Minnesota will have a big role in shaping farm policy and nutrition programs - U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar is now the third ranking Senate Democrat and the lead Democrat on the Agriculture Committee and U.S. Rep. Angie Craig is taking on a new role as the top-ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee.
MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about how the state’s congressional delegation will fit in to a second Trump presidency.
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House Republicans will start the 2025 legislative session with a Minnesota House majority — at least for the purposes of organizing the chamber — now that a DFL candidate has opted against appealing a court defeat. For the first month of session, the Minnesota Senate will be tied 33-33 following the passing of former Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic.
A special election for both seats will be held at the end of next month.
MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst and senior politics reporter Dana Ferguson joined MPR News host Nina Moini to reflect on the 2024 legislative session and the year ahead.
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We remember President Jimmy Carter in a conversation with Minnesota civil rights leader Josie Johnson. And former Senate Minority leader Susan Kent remembers her colleague, Sen. Kari Dziedzic.
Then, we look back at a historic year in politics in Minnesota and the U.S. MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst joins us to reflect on the biggest political moments of the year, including Gov. Walz’s rise to the Democratic presidential ticket.
And the election led to a divided legislature in Minnesota, but control is in limbo.
Plus, Kelly Morrison is Minnesota’s only new U.S. representative. We talk to her about her priorities.
And with Inauguration Day coming up, we talk about what a second Trump presidency looks like for Minnesota.
Our Minnesota Music Minute was “American Dream” by Ondara.
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Minnesota will only have one new member in its congressional delegation when Congress reconvenes next month. Former State Sen. Kelly Morrison won the 3rd Congressional District seat by double digits in November’s election and will be sworn in on Friday, Jan. 3. She joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about her priorities for the upcoming term.
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In the final days of 2024, Minnesota Now is looking back at some of the year’s most significant moments in politics. At the top of the list is Gov. Tim Walz’s rise to become the Democratic vice presidential nominee alongside Kamala Harris.
MPR News host Nina Moini and politics editor Brian Bakst revisit Walz’s journey to the VP nomination and the months of campaigning that followed. Plus, they talk about what’s in store as he begins another year as Minnesota’s governor.
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Flags are at half-staff in Minnesota and across the country to honor President Carter, who died Sunday at 100 years old. President Joe Biden announced a national day of mourning for the funeral of the former president to be held Jan. 9.
Carter is being remembered as an advocate for human rights and international peace. He is also remembered as changing the relationship between president and vice president. His VP was Minnesota’s own Walter Mondale.
Another Minnesotan who had a special relationship to Carter is Josie Johnson, who is known as the state’s first lady of civil rights. In 1980, she served as deputy campaign manager for Carter in Tennessee. She joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about Carter’s legacy and share a letter she wrote to him in 2015.
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Former Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic has died at the age of 62. She represented Minneapolis in the state Legislature for more than ten years. In 2023, she led a narrow Senate DFL majority through the passage of a number of major party priorities, including universal school meals and cannabis legalization.
Dziedzic stepped down from leadership early this year after learning her ovarian cancer had returned.
For more on her legacy, MPR News host Nina Moini talks with former Sen. Susan Kent, who worked with Dziedzic in the state Legislature.
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Coming together to solve social challenges in today’s divisive environment sometimes feels impossible. But it doesn’t have to be.
Mariah Levison and Rob Fersh describe dozens of examples in their new book “From Conflict to Convergence: Coming Together to Solve Tough Problems.” They both spent decades working in conflict resolution and have helped hundreds of groups build trust and create consensus solutions on issues ranging from healthcare to prison reform.
Minnesota Now with Nina Moini shares a conversation Levison and Fersh had with MPR News correspondent Catharine Richert at an event on Nov. 25 at the Capri Theater in Minneapolis. The discussion was jointly organized by the Citizens League and the MPR News Talking Sense initiative, which aims to help Minnesotans have tough political conversations better.
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If you’ve paid any attention to politics in recent years you’ve likely heard one word a lot: polarization. Merriam-Webster even made “polarization” its word of the year.
It’s a problem that’s been getting worse over time. A Pew Research Center report last year, found that an overwhelming majority of adults, 84 percent, said political debate has become less respectful over the last several years.
MPR News felt like there was a role for media to help bridge political divides. MPR News correspondent Catharine Richert took on that role by launching Talking Sense.
Minnesota Now brings you a special program, highlighting a year of work from Talking Sense.
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Thursday much of the state is getting its first major snow event. MPR News meteorologist Mandy Thalhuber talks about snow totals and a MnDOT official shares what commuters and holiday travelers can expect on the roads.
Local artists are working on a first-of-its kind project to create public art for parks around the state.
The 40th and final run of the Steele family Christmas show is happening the weekend of Dec. 21-22. We talk to a Steele sibling about the legacy the beloved show will leave behind.
Plus, a Minnesota mother is making the best of her remaining time with her son with a memorable road trip.
And we get into the Hanukkah spirit and celebrate the 75th anniversary of St. Paul’s Cecil’s Deli.
Our Minnesota Music Minute was “I’ll Be You” by the Replacements, in honor of late guitarist Bob “Slim” Dunlap and our Song of the Day was “Getting to Know You” by Thomas and the Shakes.
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The first night of Hanukkah is on Dec. 25, which means Cecil’s Deli in St. Paul will fry up thousands of latkes in the next couple of weeks. The Jewish institution is Minnesota’s oldest deli and this year it is celebrating 75 years in business.
MPR News host Nina Moini talks with two people who are part of the family business that spans four generations: Becca Kvasnik, the granddaughter of Cecil and Faye Leventhal, Cecil’s founders, and Becca’s daughter, Evana Hershkowitz.
To see photos of the family and their restaurant, visit mprnews.org.
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The weekend of Dec. 21-22 will be Minnesota’s last chance to experience the longstanding and beloved holiday show, A Christmas Celebration with The Steeles.
After 40 years, the Minnesota gospel group is wrapping up their run of Christmas concerts. Siblings J.D., Fred, Jearlyn, Jevetta and Billy Steele have brought their joyful holiday harmonies to Minnesota audiences since 1984 and plan to do so one last time at the Pantages Theatre Saturday and Sunday.
The Steeles are an integral part of the Minnesota sound and have recorded and performed with Prince, Donald Fagen, Morgan Freeman and others throughout their career. The family traveled the world in the acclaimed musical The Gospel at Colonus and contributed to several soundtracks.
Jevetta Steele takes a break from rehearsals to talk with MPR News host Nina Moini about the band’s final Christmas shows.
- Visa fler
