Minnesota Now

The Trump administration is canceling $1 billion in school mental health grants. It will impact at least $17 million in funding in Minnesota.

The White House said an Education Department review of the programs found they violated the purpose of federal civil rights law.

Jessie Kember is president of the Minnesota School Psychologists Association and a faculty member in the University of Minnesota’s school psychology program. She joined Minnesota Now to explain the grants cut in Minnesota and who will be affected.  Kember spoke to Minnesota Now in the capacity of her role as the President of the Minnesota School Psychologists Association.

A video of a woman admitting she called a Black child a racial slur on a playground in Rochester has gone viral, prompting a fundraising standoff and a police investigation. We'll hear from the president of the Rochester NAACP about the impact this incident has had on the entire community.

A new mental health clinic is now open in St. Paul will provide care to more young people of color. We'll learn more about the program.

Plus, a new development is bringing 90 new low-cost housing units to Duluth. We'll hear how this project could help ease the housing shortage in the city.

And the Timberwolves are facing the Golden State Warriors in Round 2 of the playoffs! We'll get the latest from our sports guys Wally and Eric.

Our Minnesota Music Minute was “Grudge” by Gozie Ukaga and our Song of the Day was “Tidal Wave” by Garden Tigers.

Minnesota Now’s weekly sports segment begins in Houston, Texas, where late Sunday night that city's NBA playoff run came to an end. The Rockets lost 89 to 103 to the Golden State Warriors. And that means the Warriors are coming to Minnesota.

They'll play the Timberwolves in the second round of the playoffs, starting Tuesday night at Target Center.

Joining Minnesota Now with some context on this matchup, plus other sports news, are Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson.

By this time next year, the city of Duluth will have 90 more units of low-cost housing. Last week, city leaders, developers and housing advocates celebrated the construction of two new apartment buildings in the West Duluth neighborhood.

These projects will focus on providing housing for long-term homeless adults and those with disabilities.

Nancy Cashman is the executive director of Center City Housing, the developer of the projects. She talked to Minnesota Now host Nina Moini about the need for affordable housing in the area.

It’s no surprise that children and teens are reporting mental health struggles at higher rates than in the past. And nationwide, only about half of those with a mental health condition get treatment, according to the CDC.

The Wilder Foundation is working to reach more kids with the new Wilder East Clinic. The site opened on May 1. It aims to close gaps in care for young people – especially young people of color – with providers who work in multiple languages.

Joining Minnesota Now for details is Wilder Foundation vice president of community mental health and wellness Pahoua Yang.

Protesters gathered at the Olmsted County Government Center Monday to demand charges against a woman who directed a racist slur at a child last week. Rochester police said this morning they completed an investigation into a viral video of the incident. They sent their findings to the city attorney's office, which will decide whether to charge the woman.

The situation has drawn national attention and outrage.

This is the third incident of racial slurs making news in Rochester in about the last year or so. Rochester NAACP president Walé Elegbede joins MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about the situation.

May 1 is also known worldwide May Day, a day that commemorates workers' rights and achievements. In Minneapolis, it’s a colorful community celebration that has been around for 50 years.

Sandy Spieler, the founder of May Day Minneapolis, joined Minnesota Now to talk about May Day’s history in the city and the celebrations happening this weekend. Center for Healing and the Arts co-executive director Sofía Padilla also joined the program. The organization is helping with this year’s festivities.

Two deadly shootings have taken the lives of four people in the Minneapolis Native community, upending celebrations that were set for American Indian Heritage Month. We hear about how they're mourning the loss.

Minnesota State University Moorhead is jumping into the world of Artificial Intelligence, with a new institute launching this fall.

Plus, the city of Minneapolis has added several new protected classes to its civil rights ordinance.

It's time for spring planting season, we get some professional help to grow your garden.

And this year marks 50 years since the first Minneapolis May Day celebration. We talk to the founder and learn about the festivities planned for this weekend.

The Minnesota Music Minute was “Sacred Rage” by Annie Humphrey and our Song of the Day was “This Just In” by Dilly Dally Alley.

We all need a little help to get through life sometimes. From everyday questions to more complex problems, we’re asking the experts to lend us a hand.

Throughout the series Professional Help, we’ll hear some direct advice, for us not-so-direct Minnesotans.

This week, the Twin Cities experienced what was likely the last frost of the season. Minnesota Now producer Ellie Roth asked an expert for advice on spring planting.

Our ask: Help me garden

Our professional: Meg Cowden, self-taught organic gardener behind gardening blog Seed to Fork and author of “Plant Grow Harvest Repeat”

The Minneapolis City Council voted Thursday to ban discrimination based on criminal record, housing status, height and weight. The new ordinance will go into effect Aug. 1.

One result of this new ordinance is that employers and schools in Minneapolis won’t be allowed to reject applicants based on a previous arrest, conviction or incarceration.

Council member Robin Wonsley noted in the meeting that Minneapolis is the third city to pass such protections. Back in 2022, Atlanta approved a similar ordinance after a campaign led by formerly incarcerated people.

Denise Ruben was instrumental in leading that campaign in Atlanta. She traveled to Minneapolis for the city council meeting and joined Minnesota Now to talk about how the ordinance has had an impact in Atlanta.