Minnesota Now

The Minnesota Timberwolves get a do-over after losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Minneapolis late Sunday, 123 to 130. The two teams will play again Monday on the Thunder's home court.

Oklahoma City is the top-ranked team in the Western Conference and Minnesota is missing multiple starters due to injuries. Contributors Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson join MPR News host Nina Moini with the latest on the Wolves, plus Twins spring training and other sports news.

The Muslim holy month of Ramadan starts on Friday. During this time, Muslims observe a strict fast from dawn until sunset. That means the breaking of the fast at sunset, known as iftar, is a special event. The fast is usually broken with dates and a drink, depending on the culture.

Since August, Muslim deli Holy Land in northeast Minneapolis has been prepping for an influx of customers. The deli has imported more than 26 kinds of dates from at least eight different countries.

Majdi Wadi is the CEO of Holy Land. He joined MPR News host Nina Moini in studio to talk about Ramadan and preparations for the holiday.

Monday marks three years since Russia invaded Ukraine. It has become Europe’s largest conflict since World War II. Tens of thousands have been killed, entire cities have been reduced to ruins and millions of Ukrainians became refugees.

In Minnesota, a clinic has been helping those who have lost limbs in the war. The Protez Foundation, based in Oakdale, has provided hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians prosthetics.

Dr. Yakov Gradinar is the chief medical officer of the organization and Ukrainian-American. He joined MPR News host Nina Moini to reflect on the last three years.

Federal employees filed a lawsuit over an email telling them to list their accomplishments from the last week and a warning from Elon Musk that if they do not respond, they could lose their jobs.

The lawsuit was filed in a California federal court after the Office of Personnel Management sent a mass email Saturday giving employees a deadline of 11:59 p.m. ET Monday to respond. Also on Saturday, Musk posted to X saying no response would be considered a resignation.

The situation is causing confusion and several agencies have told their staff not to respond, according to NPR.

For perspective on the lawsuit, MPR News host Nina Moini talks with Nick Bednar, an associate professor of law at the University of Minnesota who specializes in the executive branch of the federal government.

There are people using AI to create fake nude images of other people. State lawmakers are looking at ways to stop them by holding technology companies accountable. We from the bill's author, DFL Sen. Erin Maye Quade.

Minnesota's teachers are wondering what to tell their students about the country’s polarized political climate. We listen to their conversations.

We also hear from organizers who are working to address racial economic inequality in Duluth.

Have you ever debated with a family member about getting a cat or dog? We get some advice on how to make the decision.

A history exhibit highlighting the voices of hundreds of LGBTQ+ Minnesotans is travelling around the state.

The Minnesota Music Minute was “Unguided” by ten thousand lakes. The Song of the Day was “Payer” by Brute.

A new Minnesota history exhibit featuring the recorded voices of hundreds of LGBTQ+ Minnesotans kicked off its journey around the state Thursday.

The exhibit, “We Live On: Stories of Radical Connection” is a first for the organization Telling Queer History, which has spent eleven years gathering Minnesotans for events to remember the past and create community.

It also will be their last project. The organization is closing after it visits cities including Red Wing, Duluth and Moorhead this year. The founder of Telling Queer History, Rebecca Lawrence, joined Minnesota Now to reflect on Minnesota’s colorful history and the exhibit.

The Duluth NAACP is hosting its annual Freedom Fund Dinner on Saturday. Donations from the dinner will go to the Duluth NAACP as well as a newer organization called Ignite Empower Transform.

Through its Economic Empowerment Center started last year, the nonprofit’s single employee is working to address economic and racial inequality in Duluth, one community member at a time. In Duluth and across the state, there are racial disparities in income. Black and Native American households in northeast Minnesota made $30,000 less on average than white households in 2022, according to a state analysis of Census data.  

Ignite Empower Transform’s Community Coordinator Tiffany Fenner and one of the organization’s board members, Amanda Linquist, joined Minnesota Now to share more about the new nonprofit.

Minnesota social studies teachers will gather in St. Cloud for the Minnesota Civics Summit on Saturday. Put on by the League of Women’s Voters of Minnesota, it brings together teachers and civics organizations to support teachers in engaging students during a polarizing time in politics. 

Amy Anderson, the executive director for the YMCA Center for Youth Voice, and Crystal Johnson, a 12th grade government and economics teacher in Osseo and a Minnesota Council for Social Studies board member, joined Minnesota Now to talk about the summit.

It's that time of year when you may be feeling cooped up, spending more time at home, and thinking it would be nice to have some company.

As nice as it sounds, getting a dog or a cat means a significant change to your lifestyle and your budget. It's a big change for the animal, too. So how do you know you're ready to give them a good life? When is the right time?

Our ask: Help me know when it’s the right time to get a pet

Our professional: Azure Davis, the founder of Ruff Start Rescue

Artificial intelligence has made it easier to create realistic photos and videos that don't represent real life.

A bill in the state Senate would ban apps and websites from allowing people to make fake nude photos or pornography. The bill’s author, DFL Sen. Erin May Quade, joined Minnesota Now to talk about the impacts this bill would have.