Minnesota Now

Stocks plunged around the world Monday morning in response to a trade war and potential economic downturn. In the U.S., stocks zigzagged up and then back down again after a false report that President Donald Trump was considering hitting pause on his tariff plans.

MPR’s senior economics contributor Chris Farrell joined MPR News host Nina Moini to break down what all this turmoil could mean for Minnesotan’s wallets.

Shannon Doyle also joined Minnesota Now with advice on how individuals can respond to this financial moment. She’s a financial education program manager with LSS Financial Counseling at Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota.

A dedicated journalist at MPR News is retiring on Friday after nearly 40 years in the newsroom.

Euan Kerr is an editor for our regional team, that covers greater Minnesota. He's worn many hats during his time in our newsroom. MPR News reporter Kirsti Marohn sat down with him to reflect on his career. 

Sweeping tariffs from the Trump administration are creating new trade war and recession fears. We talk to an economist at St. Olaf College about what the new policy means for you when you're out shopping and also how it could impact Minnesota businesses.

In Minnesota, an investigation found that when criminal suspects with mental illness can't go to trial, it can lead to tragic consequences. Now it's been a year since a board was created to address the problem.

Plus, we hear about a new film documenting past sexual abuse at the Children's Theatre Company.

It's opening day at Target Field for the Twins. We learn about a new facial recognition technology being implemented.

And we honor one of MPR's own, Euan Kerr, who is retiring after nearly 40 years.

The Minnesota Music Minute today was “Little Trouble” by The Roe Family Singers and the Song of the Day was “Pony to Ride” by Erik Koskinen.

Thursday marks the Twin’s home opener at Target Field. This season, fans will have an option to get into the stadium hands-free, with facial recognition technology.

The new technology is called “Go-Ahead” entry. The Twins are one of nine MLB teams using the technology. Manjeet Rege, the director of the Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence at the University of St. Thomas, joined Minnesota Now to explain how the new technology works.

A film documenting sexual abuse during the 1970s and 80s at the Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis is making its debut next week. The documentary ‘Magic & Monsters’ follows the survivors who broke their silence.

The film will be premiering at the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival on Monday. Director Norah Shapiro joined Minnesota Now to talk about the film.

Minnesota has a 24-hour statewide domestic and sexual violence hotline. You can call Minnesota Day One at (866) 223-1111 or text (612) 399-9995.

Stocks took a dive Thursday morning after President Donald Trump outlined his plans for widespread tariffs.

Beginning Saturday, the U.S. is set to charge a 10 percent tax on imports across the board with “reciprocal rates” starting next week. Those include a 34 percent tariff on Chinese goods and 20 percent on those coming from the European Union. China’s government has said it will retaliate.

Allison Luedtke, department chair of economics at St. Olaf College, joined Minnesota Now to break down what this could mean for Minnesota consumers and businesses.

During the 2022 legislative session, the Legislature established what’s called a competency attainment board and a program of forensic navigators. The program, which aims to connect people found mentally incompetent to stand trial with services, has now been in effect for a year. 

The board was created following a KARE 11 investigation that revealed thousands of people charged with a crime were found mentally incompetent to stand trial but did not receive mental health treatment. Many of these people would go on to commit more violent crimes. 

Ryan Flynn, the chair of the Competency Attainment Board, and Kim Larson, who oversees the forensic navigator program, joined Minnesota Now to talk about what they’ve learned in the first year of the program.

Two international students studying at Minnesota universities have been detained by immigration officials. Experts say the circumstances around the cases are unusual. We learn more about legal trouble international students are facing under the Trump administration.

Minneapolis police say they have prevented 17 homeless encampments from forming in the last three months. We hear from Chief Brian O'Hara about what police are doing differently.

MPR Chief Meteorologist Paul Huttner has snow totals from the latest storm.

Plus, we learn about the personal story behind a local play about organ donation.

And after a more than year-long legal battle, the Timberwolves and Lynx will have new ownership. We get the latest on the sale.

The Minnesota Music Minute was “ashes” by Sophie Hiroko and the Song of the Day was “Paul’s Ark” by Morris Wilson Beau Bailey Quintet.

A play exploring the process of organ donation is opening at the Historic Mounds Theater in St. Paul on Friday.

"The Tin Woman" is being produced by 100 Percent Human Theatre and explores themes of heartbreak, closure and unanswered questions.

One Hundred Percent Human Theater is partnering with Life Source, an organization in the Midwest that helps connect donors with recipients.

“The Tin Woman” director Joy Donley joins MPR News host along with Susan Mau Larson, chief administrative officer of Life Source.

Prince said it best: “Sometimes it snows in April.”

Winter weather is dragging on into the new month. Several inches of snow have fallen in the Twin Cities and storms have hit parts of central and northern Minnesota even harder.

MPR News chief meteorologist Paul Huttner joins MPR News host Nina Moini with a look at snow totals and the forecast.