Minnesota Now

Thousands of federal employees have been fired under the Trump administration, including people in Minnesota. We talk to a leader of the Small Business Association in Minnesota whose career is in limbo after he received a termination letter.

Senator Amy Klobuchar has authored a bill to fund domestic violence training for cosmetologists. We talk to a local advocate about how the salon chair can be a resource.

Plus, Green Book sites were known as safe destinations for African American travelers during segregation. We look back on their history in Minnesota.

And Minnesota United kicks off their season this weekend. We talk to their longest running fan club, the Dark Clouds, about soccer fandom, community and the season ahead.

The Minnesota Music Minute was Brian Raphael Nabors’ composition “Pulse”, performed by the Minnesota Orchestra, and “So Much Here” by Dan Lawonn was the Song of the Day.

If you have ever been to a Minnesota United FC match at Allianz Field in St. Paul, the Oasis song “Wonderwall” may come to mind. After the Loons win a game, the stands fill with singing led by the Dark Clouds. With nearly a thousand members, the Dark Clouds are Minnesota United FC’s largest group of organized fans.

Ahead of the team’s season kickoff Saturday against Los Angeles FC, Dark Clouds Vice President Nick Moore joins MPR News host Nina Moini with a season preview.

During the era of Jim Crow laws and racial segregation, 87 locations in Minnesota were listed in the Green Book, a guidebook that helped Black travelers find lodgings, businesses and gas stations that would serve them.

But less than a quarter of these sites in Minnesota remain standing today. Most of the state’s Green Book sites were in the Twin Cities and many were demolished to make way for the construction of I35-W and I-94.

Nieeta Presley is a native of the historic Rondo neighborhood, which was one of those demolished by highway construction. She published research on Rondo Green Book sites with the Ramsey County Historical Society and joins MPR News host Nina Moini to share what she found.

Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar is looking to push forward bipartisan legislation that would provide federal funding for domestic violence awareness training for cosmetologists and beauty professionals.

Minnesota saw a record number of domestic violence homicides in 2023 and nearly 53,000 survivors received domestic violence services the same year, according to the most recent available data from Violence Free Minnesota.

Jake De Vera is Associate Director of Women’s Advocates, an organization that in 1974 founded the nation’s first domestic violence shelter in St. Paul, Minn. He joins MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about the legislation.

If you or someone you know is in a dangerous situation with a partner, you can call Minnesota Day One’s 24-hour statewide domestic and sexual violence hotline at (866) 223-1111 or text (612) 399-9995.

As the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency looks to drastically downsize the government, many federal workers have begun to receive layoff notices. Thousands of probationary employees who have not been in their jobs long enough to qualify for certain protections have been terminated by federal agencies around the country, including in Minnesota.

MPR News host Nina Moini talks with one federal employee who was recently laid off. For the last 8 months, Chris Wicker has worked as the Deputy Director of the Minnesota District Office for the U.S. Small Business Administration. He received an official termination letter on Feb. 11.

Minnesota has been sitting in a deep freeze for weeks now, but a major warm up is on the way. MPR Meteorologist Sven Sundgaard joins MPR News host Nina Moini with details on the forecast.

21 passengers were injured when a Delta flight from Minneapolis crash-landed in Toronto on Monday. It's the fourth American plane accident in less than a month. Many are questioning the safety of flying. A reporter on the aviation beat joined Minnesota Now to talk about what he’s seeing.

Burnsville is remembering three first responders who were killed in the line of duty a year ago Tuesday. Leaders of the city's police and fire departments joined the show to reflect back on their years.

Olympic skier Jessie Diggins is joining a Minnesota-based treatment center in raising awareness about eating disorders and recovery. She talked to MPR News host Nina Moini about what it took for her to get help.

We dove into the world of competitive ethics with two Minnesota college students who are headed to nationals.

The Minnesota Music Minute was ‘Like the Sea’ by Wild Horses and the Song of the Day was ‘Fear Met Me’ by LaSonya Natividad.

Two teams from Minnesota colleges are headed to Norfolk, Va., to battle it out over topics like tipping in restaurants or whether or not it is ethical to put weapons in space.

Those are just two of 17 ethical dilemmas the students from Macalester College and University of Minnesota-Morris will debate in the Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl through the Association of Practical and Professional Ethics.

Two members of the Morris team, Muthu Meenakshisundaram and Will Marsan, joined MPR News host Nina Moini about the innerworkings of competitive ethics.

Hosted by Nina Moini, produced by Alanna Elder.

Eating disorders affect the lives 28.8 million Americans. Researchers have found that education is the first step to reducing stigma around disordered eating and getting life saving treatment.

The Emily Program, based in Minnesota, will launch an extensive webinar series on all aspects of eating disorders for people struggling, their loved ones and care providers. One of their first sessions, “Asking for Help Is Hard – But Recovery Is Worth It!” will feature three-time Olympian and World Cup Champion cross country skier Jessie Diggins.

Diggins and Jillian Lampert, the vice president of communications at The Emily Program, joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about reaching out for help and the prevalence of disordered eating in athletes.

Anyone looking for help with an eating disorder can call The Emily Program at 888-272-0730.

Hosted by Nina Moini, produced by Ellen Finn.

Tuesday marks one year since Burnsville lost three first responders in the line of duty.

Police officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge and firefighter-paramedic Adam Finseth were killed while responding to a domestic violence call. On Tuesday, the city held a memorial to honor and remember the first responders.

Burnsville Police Deputy Chief Matt Smith and Burnsville Fire Chief BJ Jungmann joined MPR News host Nina Moini to reflect on the year since the tragedy.

Hosted by Nina Moini, produced by Aleesa Kuznetsov.