Minnesota Now

Native Americans have the highest suicide rate out of any racial and ethnic group in the U.S. Yet there aren’t many screening tools available that are tailored to Indigenous communities. A Bemidji State University professor wants to change that.

Mark Standing Eagle Baez, Ph.D., has created the Indigenous SAFE Screening tool, a suicide screening tool specifically for Indigenous people. Baez is a member of the Tap Pilam Coahuiltecan, Mission Indian. He is the co-director of the Indigenous Students in the Psychology Training program at Bemidji State.

Baez spoke to MPR News host Nina Moini about how this tool was created to be culturally sensitive for Indigenous communities.

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Call or text 988 to get connected with trained counselors. The 988 suicide and crisis lifeline is available 24/7.

The Department of Justice announced federal charges for eight people who allegedly defrauded Minnesota's Housing Stability Services out of millions of dollars. The top prosecutor said it's “like staring into a bottomless well of fraud.” We dive into it.

A nationally recognized podcast out of Minneapolis is back after a break. We talk to Jonathan Goldstein, the host of Heavyweight.

Farm Aid is coming to town for it's 40th concert. We learn about the history of the 1980s farm crisis here in Minnesota.

Plus, road rage doesn't usually result in a heart-to-heart over breakfast. We hear that story in our Thank You, Stranger.

And the Dakota Jazz Club is celebrating 40 years with a block party in Minneapolis. We talk to the club's founder.

The Minnesota Music Minute was "Son de la Loma" by Salsa Del Sol. Our Song of the Day was "Hands of Time" by Margo Price.

Performers are lined up to celebrate 40 years of the Dakota Jazz Club in Minneapolis for its Anniversary Block Party this Saturday.

The Dakota has featured thousands of acts, from celebrated jazz musicians to local up-and-coming bands, and even beyond the jazz genre. Dakota founder, Lowell Picket, joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about the venue’s legacy.

Minnesota Now’s series called “Thank You, Stranger” explores the small acts of kindness that make a big impact.

MPR News producer Ellen Finn talked to Perry Le’Peri in Minneapolis about a road rage incident turned around.

In our series Thank You, Stranger, we hear the stories of how strangers can make our lives a little brighter, or lift us up in a difficult moment. If you have a story to share about a stranger who made your life a little brighter, we want to hear it.

Contact us at [email protected] or ‪(612) 361-1252‬.

This Saturday, the 40th annual Farm Aid concert will take place at the Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. It will feature artists that kicked off the original Farm Aid concert back in 1985 including Willie Nelson, Neil Young, and John Mellencamp.

The concert fundraiser was a response to an economic crisis farmers faced across the U.S. during that time. The agricultural financial struggle of that period hit Minnesota’s workers hard.

University of Minnesota applied economics professor Marc Bellemare joined MPR News host Nina Moini to explain the history of the farm crisis and how it’s changed farming today.

Roughly 10 years ago, a podcast host named Jonathan Goldstein and his friend Gregor flew to Los Angeles. Goldstein was there to help his friend confront the famous musician, Moby, over a set of CDs he’d borrowed and never returned.

Goldstein created a hit show through these types of interactions, helping people talk through troubling moments from their pasts. The podcast called Heavyweight was released in 2016.

Goldstein now lives in the Twin Cities. On Thursday, he and his team launched a new season. He joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about it.

Eight people are now facing federal charges related to housing stabilization fraud. Acting U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson announced the charges on Thursday.

Matt Sepic was at the news conference and joined MPR News host Nina Moini to share more about the charges and the fraud, which prosecutors call a "massive" scheme.

A shooting at a Minneapolis homeless encampment that left seven people injured is renewing questions about housing solutions and safety. We talk to a city leader in charge of homeless response.

Annunciation students are back at school this week after a mass shooting. We talk to a parent about what it looks like to go back after a tragedy.

Plus, we talk to two people who are looking at extremism in a new way: from a public health perspective.

Chief meteorologist Paul Huttner joins us with a look at when this heat wave will end.

And you may have heard of the StudBudz. They are two Minnesota Lynx players making waves with their pink hair. We learn all about them.

Wednesday night the Minnesota Lynx will play the Golden State Valkyries in Game 2 of the WNBA playoffs. As the playoffs heat up, MPR News’ Emily Reese is reaching out a hand from the Lynx bandwagon and sharing everything new fans may want to know.

First, we learned about the revenge tour: the Lynx are motivated to become champions this year after a loss attributed to a bad call last year. Then, we got to know the team’s starters.

This time, Reese joins Minnesota Now to talk about the StudBudz, Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman, and why their viral, but very real friendship means so much to fans.

A team of researchers at American University in Washington D.C. has shifted their approach to look at domestic extremism as a public health problem.

The researchers work with the Polarization and Extremism Research and Innovation Lab, or PERIL.

Minnesota is no stranger to these types of incidents, with the shooting of two lawmakers and their spouses in June and the recent mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School.

Hala Furst, PERIL’s director of strategic partnerships and Rabbi Seth Limmer, director of public affairs, join MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about their work.