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 Northfield, Minn. residents whose lives have been touched by Daryl, a man they call the "Northfield Angel."

Eden Prairie-based UnitedHealth Group is suing the international news organization, The Guardian, for defamation.

The Guardian article in question explores how UnitedHealth engaged in cost-cutting tactics by paying off nurses to cut down on hospital transfers. The Guardian cited internal emails, documents and interviews with more than 20 current and former staffers.

But the health insurance company claims the paper ran information it knew to be incorrect to capitalize on the killing of CEO Brian Thompson.

Jane Kirtley, a professor of media law and ethics at the University of Minnesota, broke down the lawsuit on Minnesota Now.

This week brought another significant tornado outbreak to parts of Minnesota. The Twin Cities was spared this time, but are the Twin Cities and other downtowns safer because of urban heat islands?

Maybe not so much. Kenny Blumenfeld, a senior climatologist with the Minnesota State Climate Office, studies urban tornadoes. He did some myth-busting in a conversation with MPR News chief meteorologist, Paul Huttner.

Officials are working on plans for a funeral for Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark. We share remembrances from a vigil at the state capitol.

Plus, the Minnesota Legislature is set more regulations for data centers that are popping up around the state.

We normally assume city centers are generally safe from tornadoes, but that may be a myth. We learn more from an expert.

Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group has sued a media company for defamation. We break down what implications the case could have on press freedom.

Plus, you hear from residents of a small town whose lives were touched by a man they are calling the “Northfield Angel.”

It's Juneteenth! We hear from the latest winners of the Miss Juneteenth Minnesota Pageant.

A close colleague of Representative Melissa Hortman, DFL Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, is voicing her shock and grief over the shootings of lawmakers. Plus, we hear from a social worker about working through the collective grief and trauma of this loss.

We have the latest on a former Minnesota ISIS member granted early release after he helped terrorism investigators.

Plus, our Native News team gets us up to speed on funding threats to tribal colleges and we hear from a recent graduate.

Chief Meteorologist Paul Huttner will give us the rundown on how many tornadoes touched down earlier this week.

And Minneapolis-based drag performer and RuPaul's Drag Race winner, BeBe Zahara Benet reflects on her career.

The Minnesota Music Minute is “On My Way” by Mayyada. Our colleagues from YourClassical bring us a special Song of the Day: “When Thunder Comes'“ by Mari Esabel Valverde, performed by the choir at St. Olaf College.

This weekend legendary drag performer BeBe Zahara Benet will headline a show at the Capri Theater in north Minneapolis. Marshall Ngwa first took the stage as BeBe at a pride party in 2000, dancing alongside Cyndi Lauper. That was shortly after he moved to Minneapolis from Cameroon. A few years later, BeBe competed in the first season of RuPaul’s Drag Race and won the title of “America's Next Drag Superstar.”

The reality TV show has exploded in popularity since then. It brought more eyes to the art of drag, which LGBTQ+ people and allies have used to challenge gender norms and celebrate authentic self-expression for more than 100 years. Meanwhile, BeBe has continued to perform and release original music, with a home base in Minneapolis. BeBe joins MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about his career and upcoming show.

Our friends over at YourClassical have been celebrating Pride Month with a new series called “Classical Queery” that explores the intersection of classical music and LGBTQ+ identities.

YourClassical fellow Mya Temanson takes the mic for the Song of the Day and then joins MPR News host Nina Moini to share more about the series.

Tribal colleges are vital hubs for education, cultural preservation, and economic growth. Recent proposed budget cuts by the Trump administration and historical underfunding by Congress have placed these institutions at risk.

Native News reporter Melissa Olson spoke with tribal college administrators in Minnesota. She shares what she’s learned with Minnesota Now. And MPR News host Nina Moini talks with Red Lake Nation College graduate Summer May about how attending a tribal college influenced her life and career.

This month, the state of Minnesota has seen severe thunderstorms, tornadoes and lots of drizzly, cloudy days. June has not felt too summery, but that is beginning to change. MPR News Chief Meteorologist Paul Huttner joins Minnesota Now with details on the forecast.

Melissa and Mark Hortman’s children released their first statement since the assassination of their parents on Saturday. In that statement, Sophie and Colin Hortman said, “the best way to honor our parents’ memory is to do something, whether big or small, to make our community just a little better for someone else.”

One of the ways they said to do that is to “pet a dog. A golden retriever is ideal, but any will do.”

Melissa and Mark had a beloved golden retriever named Gilbert, who they adopted from an Eden Prairie nonprofit called Helping Paws. Officials announced Monday that Gilbert also did not survive the shooting.

Helping Paws trains service dogs for people with disabilities as well as first responders and veterans dealing with PTSD. The Hortmans were avid volunteers with the organization.

Alyssa Golob is the executive director of Helping Paws and she joined MPR News host Nina Moini on Minnesota Now.