Minnesota Now

Minnesota will only have one new member in its congressional delegation when Congress reconvenes next month. Former State Sen. Kelly Morrison won the 3rd Congressional District seat by double digits in November’s election and will be sworn in on Friday, Jan. 3. She joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about her priorities for the upcoming term.

In the final days of 2024, Minnesota Now is looking back at some of the year’s most significant moments in politics. At the top of the list is Gov. Tim Walz’s rise to become the Democratic vice presidential nominee alongside Kamala Harris.

MPR News host Nina Moini and politics editor Brian Bakst revisit Walz’s journey to the VP nomination and the months of campaigning that followed. Plus, they talk about what’s in store as he begins another year as Minnesota’s governor.

Flags are at half-staff in Minnesota and across the country to honor President Carter, who died Sunday at 100 years old. President Joe Biden announced a national day of mourning for the funeral of the former president to be held Jan. 9.

Carter is being remembered as an advocate for human rights and international peace. He is also remembered as changing the relationship between president and vice president. His VP was Minnesota’s own Walter Mondale.

Another Minnesotan who had a special relationship to Carter is Josie Johnson, who is known as the state’s first lady of civil rights. In 1980, she served as deputy campaign manager for Carter in Tennessee. She joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about Carter’s legacy and share a letter she wrote to him in 2015.

Former Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic has died at the age of 62. She represented Minneapolis in the state Legislature for more than ten years. In 2023, she led a narrow Senate DFL majority through the passage of a number of major party priorities, including universal school meals and cannabis legalization.

Dziedzic stepped down from leadership early this year after learning her ovarian cancer had returned.

For more on her legacy, MPR News host Nina Moini talks with former Sen. Susan Kent, who worked with Dziedzic in the state Legislature.

Coming together to solve social challenges in today’s divisive environment sometimes feels impossible. But it doesn’t have to be.

Mariah Levison and Rob Fersh describe dozens of examples in their new book “From Conflict to Convergence: Coming Together to Solve Tough Problems.” They both spent decades working in conflict resolution and have helped hundreds of groups build trust and create consensus solutions on issues ranging from healthcare to prison reform.

Minnesota Now with Nina Moini shares a conversation Levison and Fersh had with MPR News correspondent Catharine Richert at an event on Nov. 25 at the Capri Theater in Minneapolis. The discussion was jointly organized by the Citizens League and the MPR News Talking Sense initiative, which aims to help Minnesotans have tough political conversations better.

If you’ve paid any attention to politics in recent years you’ve likely heard one word a lot: polarization. Merriam-Webster even made “polarization” its word of the year.

It’s a problem that’s been getting worse over time. A Pew Research Center report last year, found that an overwhelming majority of adults, 84 percent, said political debate has become less respectful over the last several years.

MPR News felt like there was a role for media to help bridge political divides. MPR News correspondent Catharine Richert took on that role by launching Talking Sense.

Minnesota Now brings you a special program, highlighting a year of work from Talking Sense.

Thursday much of the state is getting its first major snow event. MPR News meteorologist Mandy Thalhuber talks about snow totals and a MnDOT official shares what commuters and holiday travelers can expect on the roads.

Local artists are working on a first-of-its kind project to create public art for parks around the state.

The 40th and final run of the Steele family Christmas show is happening the weekend of Dec. 21-22. We talk to a Steele sibling about the legacy the beloved show will leave behind.

Plus, a Minnesota mother is making the best of her remaining time with her son with a memorable road trip.

And we get into the Hanukkah spirit and celebrate the 75th anniversary of St. Paul’s Cecil’s Deli.

Our Minnesota Music Minute was “I’ll Be You” by the Replacements, in honor of late guitarist Bob “Slim” Dunlap and our Song of the Day was “Getting to Know You” by Thomas and the Shakes.

The first night of Hanukkah is on Dec. 25, which means Cecil’s Deli in St. Paul will fry up thousands of latkes in the next couple of weeks. The Jewish institution is Minnesota’s oldest deli and this year it is celebrating 75 years in business.

MPR News host Nina Moini talks with two people who are part of the family business that spans four generations: Becca Kvasnik, the granddaughter of Cecil and Faye Leventhal, Cecil’s founders, and Becca’s daughter, Evana Hershkowitz.

To see photos of the family and their restaurant, visit mprnews.org.

The weekend of Dec. 21-22 will be Minnesota’s last chance to experience the longstanding and beloved holiday show, A Christmas Celebration with The Steeles.

After 40 years, the Minnesota gospel group is wrapping up their run of Christmas concerts. Siblings J.D., Fred, Jearlyn, Jevetta and Billy Steele have brought their joyful holiday harmonies to Minnesota audiences since 1984 and plan to do so one last time at the Pantages Theatre Saturday and Sunday.

The Steeles are an integral part of the Minnesota sound and have recorded and performed with Prince, Donald Fagen, Morgan Freeman and others throughout their career. The family traveled the world in the acclaimed musical The Gospel at Colonus and contributed to several soundtracks.

Jevetta Steele takes a break from rehearsals to talk with MPR News host Nina Moini about the band’s final Christmas shows.

In our series Thank You, Stranger, we hear about small acts of kindness that have a big impact.

After a difficult diagnosis, a mother is facing a heartbreaking loss and making the best of her remaining time with her son. MPR News producer Ellen Finn talks with New Brighton’s Elizabeth Naylor about a last trip with her son, who is nicknamed “G.”