Minnesota Now

Minnesota’s psychedelic medicine taskforce published their first major report on Wednesday, including their recommendations on the use of psychedelic drugs like psylocibin, MDMA and LSD for medical purposes.

The taskforce has tapped into a growing body of research that suggests that these psychedelic drugs could be a game changer in the field of psychotherapy to treat conditions like addiction, PTSD, depression and bipolar disorder.

Jessica Nielson, a neuroscientist and the chair of the Psychedelic Medicine Taskforce, joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to explain the taskforce’s recommendations. 

Twenty five years ago, we weren’t just starting a new year — we were entering a new millennium. No one knew what exactly would unfold over the next few hours, let alone the next 25 years. As we begin a new quarter-century, MPR News asked Minnesota fiction writers Brian Thao Worra, Mubanga Kalimamukwento and Ben Percy to imagine the state 25 years from now, in the year 2050.

To some people, the new year is an opportunity to start a new chapter or hang a new calendar. To others, it’s just another day when rent is due. For many Somali Americans, New Year’s Day is also their birthday.

Somali refugees and other immigrant communities did not always have records of their birth date when they moved to the U.S. Some lost records while fleeing war in their home country and others never had a reason to track their age to the exact day. When filling out paperwork to resettle in the U.S., many immigrants chose or were assigned Jan. 1 as their birthday.

According to a 2013 Minnesota Law Review report, more than 200,000 immigrants and refugees in the U.S. have Jan. 1 as their date of birth.

Mahamed Cali, executive director of the Somali community radio station KALY 101.7, joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about what the day means to immigrants in Minnesota.

The start of the year also means the start of a busy time at the state capitol. Several new laws went into effect on New Year’s Day, including a new law banning junk fees and a crackdown on forever chemicals known as PFAS.

Going into session, which starts Jan. 14, the Senate will be tied and the Republicans will have a one seat majority in the House, following the passing of Sen. Kari Dziedzic and the resignation of a DFLer after a court found he did not live in the district he was elected to represent.

MPR News senior politics reporter Clay Masters joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about new law changes and the 2025 legislative session.

The city of Minneapolis and U.S. Department of Justice have tentatively agreed on a consent decree that could mandate extensive police reforms, sources confirmed to MPR News on Tuesday.

The anticipated federal consent decree follows a DOJ investigation that concluded the Minneapolis Police Department used excessive and unjustified deadly force and discriminated against Black and Native residents. The city has been under a state-level settlement agreement since 2023.

If the agreement is finalized, Minneapolis would be the first city in the nation bound to both state and federal consent decrees, mandating court-enforceable reforms. The city has been under a state-level settlement since 2023.

Mayor Jacob Frey has called a special city council meeting Monday to discuss the tentative agreement. MPR News reporter Cari Spencer joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about the potential decree.

In 2024, Minnesota Now carried the funeral services live of four first responders who were shot and killed in the line of duty.

In February, Burnsville police officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge and firefighter-paramedic Adam Finseth were killed while responding to a domestic call.

In May, Minneapolis police officer Jamal Mitchell was shot and killed while responding to a shooting.

2024 marks the most shooting deaths of law enforcement in Minnesota in 42 years.

Joining Minnesota Now now to reflect on this last year for law enforcement is Crystal police Deputy Chief Brian Hubbard, the president of the Law Enforcement Memorial Association.

And Jim Giese, president of the Minnesota chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors, or COPS.

On the final day of 2024, we look back on what happened this year on the program.

First, we remember four Burnsville first responders and a Minneapolis police officer who were killed while on duty. After a year that saw the highest number of fatal shootings of officers in Minnesota in 42 years, we learn about efforts to memorialize officers who have died and support their loved ones.

Plus, Minnesota Now producers get behind the mic to share some of their favorite interviews from the year.

President-elect Donald Trump will be sworn into office on January 20 and Congress will have a Republican majority in both chambers.

Some members of Minnesota’s congressional delegation will have influential roles. U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer will serve as the House GOP Whip. Minnesota will have a big role in shaping farm policy and nutrition programs - U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar is now the third ranking Senate Democrat and the lead Democrat on the Agriculture Committee and U.S. Rep. Angie Craig is taking on a new role as the top-ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee.

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about how the state’s congressional delegation will fit in to a second Trump presidency.

House Republicans will start the 2025 legislative session with a Minnesota House majority — at least for the purposes of organizing the chamber — now that a DFL candidate has opted against appealing a court defeat. For the first month of session, the Minnesota Senate will be tied 33-33 following the passing of former Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic.

A special election for both seats will be held at the end of next month.

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst and senior politics reporter Dana Ferguson joined MPR News host Nina Moini to reflect on the 2024 legislative session and the year ahead.

We remember President Jimmy Carter in a conversation with Minnesota civil rights leader Josie Johnson. And former Senate Minority leader Susan Kent remembers her colleague, Sen. Kari Dziedzic.

Then, we look back at a historic year in politics in Minnesota and the U.S. MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst joins us to reflect on the biggest political moments of the year, including Gov. Walz’s rise to the Democratic presidential ticket.

And the election led to a divided legislature in Minnesota, but control is in limbo.

Plus, Kelly Morrison is Minnesota’s only new U.S. representative. We talk to her about her priorities.

And with Inauguration Day coming up, we talk about what a second Trump presidency looks like for Minnesota.

Our Minnesota Music Minute was “American Dream” by Ondara.