Jeanette Rupert, Jeanelle Austin and Butchy Austin grew up around 38th Street and Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis and all took action in different ways following the murder of George Floyd. They shared with MPR News how their activism has impacted them and their communities in the time since.

The prairie is teeming with such a wide diversity of living things that it’s on par with tropical rainforests. But it often doesn’t get the same attention or concern.  

In a new book, a pair of Minnesota journalists document the story of North American grasslands as well as efforts to protect and restore them.

Dave Hage and Josephine Marcotty are the authors of “Sea of Grass: The Conquest, Ruin and Redemption of Nature on the American Prairie.” They joined Minnesota Now to talk about their book.

The first recreational cannabis dispensary off tribal land in Minnesota is expected to open as early as this weekend. White Earth Nation’s cannabis company, Waabigwan Mashkiki, will run the store in Moorhead. 

This comes after White Earth and the state signed an agreement earlier this week. It’s the first of its kind in the United States, because it recognizes the authority of a tribal nation to regulate dispensaries off reservation land.  

Mary Jane Oatman is executive director of the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association. She’s an enrolled member of the Nez Perce Tribe and a descendant of the Delaware Tribe. Oatman spoke to Minnesota Now We about how the deal fits into the wider scope of tribal cannabis agreements around the country.

The first recreational cannabis dispensary outside of tribal land in Minnesota is set to open this weekend. We'll learn about the historic partnership between the White Earth Reservation and the state, that will lead the tribe to set up shop off the reservation.

Did you know that Minnesota's grasslands have as much biodiversity as tropical rainforests? And North America is destroying a million acres of that land every year. Two local journalists have a new book about an unsung ecological hero: the American prairie.

Plus, we'll hear from three siblings who grew up next to George Floyd Square. They all responded to Floyd's death in different ways. They went in depth about their journey as activists over the past five years.

The Department of Justice wants to drop an agreement that would have mandated police reforms for the city of Minneapolis and the police department. We learn what that means for the path to change in policing and how local officials are responding to the move.

And a business owner at George Floyd Square shares his perspective about how five years after Floyd’s murder, his business is being impacted.

Plus, we learn how an insect may have helped contribute to the fast spread of wildfires in northern Minnesota.

How much rainfall did Minnesota get this week? Chief Meteorologist Paul Huttner joins us with the answer.

And we go Out to Lunch with the chef and owner behind Billy Sushi to learn about his unique path to becoming a successful restauranteur.

Our Minnesota Music Minute was "Buckets of Rain” by Bob Dylan and our Song of the Day was "Magnolia Tree” by Turn Turn Turn.

On Minnesota Now, we hear from many different people in Minnesota over the phone and in the studio. But we don’t often meet them in the community, where news and life happens. In our “Out to Lunch” series, MPR News host Nina Moini sits down for a meal with people from Minnesota news and culture to get to know them better.

Enkhbileg “Billy” Tserenbat is the owner of the trendy Minneapolis restaurant, Billy Sushi. If not for his popular restaurant, Billy is known for his outrageous viral social media videos and for often sitting courtside at Minnesota Timberwolves games. He's got a big personality - and he talked about how he uses it to be Minnesota's biggest hype man.

Edwin Reed owns Sincere Detailing Pros at 38th and Chicago in south Minneapolis. He said his business took a dramatic downward turn after the murder of George Floyd. He reflected with MPR News host Nina Moini on the five years that followed.

Parts of the state needed this wet week to soothe drought conditions. As another bonus, the air quality improved. But the rain, wind and cold meant weather whiplash for anyone who experienced last week’s heat.

MPR News Chief Meteorologist Paul Huttner joins MPR News host Nina Moini with details on the rainfall and a Memorial Day forecast.

The U.S. Department of Justice signaled Wednesday that it is not interested in pursuing an agreement with the city of Minneapolis designed to mandate policing reforms. The DOJ filed a motion Wednesday morning to dismiss the government’s consent decree with the city.

In January, the city and President Joe Biden’s justice department reached an agreement to address alleged discriminatory policing particularly affecting Black and Native residents. But the agreement needed a federal judge’s approval to move forward.

Matt Sepic joins MPR News host Nina Moini from Minneapolis after city leaders responded to the news.

The murder of George Floyd five years ago led to a court order that requires the Minneapolis Police Department and the city to fix a pattern of racial discrimination in policing. A new report outlines the reforms made so far, where progress has been slow and what's next.

Minneapolis Council member Andrea Jenkins' district includes the block where Floyd was killed. We talked to her about George Floyd Square and why five years later, its future is still unclear.

A Minnesota author grew up near an immigration detention center in California. His new book imagines the stories of Chinese immigrants who were there 100 years ago.

Minnesota sports teams are racking up wins, but how far can they go? We got the latest from our sports contributors.

Our Minnesota Music Minute was "This Joy" by VocalEssence and our Song of the Day was "Sweet Willow Tree" by The Nunnery.