Jearlyn Steele

Women Winning executive director Meggie Wittorf talks about the Pro-Choice reaction to the influx of state legislation restricting abortions.  Then, what camps should you look at for your kids this Summer?  Heidi Becker and Jazmyn Becker tell us about in-town options that they run.

There was news that the annual tradition of Grand Old Day wouldn't be celebrated this year.  Grand Avenue Business Association board member Brian Wagner explains how the popular event was revived.  Col. Mark Cancian (USMCR Ret.) discusses Vice President Mike Pence's commencement speech to this year's graduating class at West Point.

Michael has the holiday weekend off, so Jearlyn turns to producer Jonathan Lowe to talk about this weekend's box office.  Then, why do some parents have a problem with a billionaire that promises to pay off student loans for a graduating class at Morehouse College?  And how happy is everyone that the legislative Special Session is already done?

On this week's edition of Center Stage:

Musician Mick Sterling

Musician/restaurant owner Jeff Arundel

Minneapolis Comedy Fest co-organizer Andy Warg

In this hour, Jearlyn tackles the issue of school lunch debt and the impact that has on schoolkids.  She looks at ways to combat this problem in two ways.  Mary Cathryn Ricker, Commissioner of MN Department of Education, tells us what the state is doing.  After that, Valerie Castile discusses how the foundation named after her son (Philando) is helping those families in need.

British Prime Minister Theresa May will not be around to see Brexit come to fruition.  What does that mean for Great Britain?  What does that mean for Minnesota?  Paul Vaaler from the U of M Carlson School explains.  Then, People Serving People associate executive director Rinal Ray talks about a program that can help people pay down their college loans.

Keith Ellison tells Sheletta why he decided to leave Washington to take the role of the state's attorney general. But first, a near abduction in Texas reminds Sheletta of a frightening incident she had when a stranger followed her for several blocks in St. Paul trying to touch her 4-year old son Daniel.

For Center Stage, Sheletta, filling in for Jearlyn, chats with Star Tribune theater critic Rohan Preston about his upcoming trip to New York to see several Broadway productions. Fellow comedian Myq Kaplan joins Sheletta to talk about his upcoming shows at Acme Comedy Club.

Two Haute Mamas Podcast host Lindy Vincent reveals the results of a recent DNA test she took with AfricanAncestry.com. Why is Sheletta so tired? Her friend New York Times writer Jessica Grose says it's because she is getting fragmented sleep. Jessica chronicles that phenomenon in a new column.

Legislators at the capitol came to an agreement on the budget. WCCO News reporter Susie Jones has the latest and who the winners and losers are. Later in the show, Sheletta Brundidge (filling in for Jearlyn) chats about the kindness of strangers and calls Angela Schwesnedl with Moon Palace Books who earlier this week, did her a great favor without knowing who she was.