Minnesota Now

Golden Valley is the latest Twin Cities suburb considering zoning changes that could make it easier to build duplexes, triplexes and other dense housing.

The idea is gaining momentum across the metro as communities look for ways to increase the housing supply without building large apartment complexes.

Laura Russ is Executive Director of the Shenehon Center for Real Estate at the University of St. Thomas. She joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to share more about the changing landscape in housing.

Two Minnesotans have made history by becoming the first people in the country to earn a law school degree from an accredited program while incarcerated. Maureen Onyelobi and Jeffery Young’s graduation from Mitchell Hamline School of Law marks the latest milestone in a yearslong effort to expand access to legal education into prisons.

Mitchell Hamline School of Law professor Jared Mollenkof helped Onyelobi Young navigate their studies in the first of its kind program. He joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about it.

MPR News hosted a debate in one of the most closely watched primary races in Minnesota, the U.S. Senate Democratic primary.

U.S. Rep. Angie Craig and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan are the front runners vying for the seat that will be vacated by U.S. Sen. Tina Smith’s retirement.

University of Minnesota political scientist Larry Jacobs joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini in the studio after listening to the debate and provided analysis.

Friday is six months since federal immigration agents fatally shot Alex Pretti on a busy corridor of local businesses in south Minneapolis. Many of those businesses became a refuge for protesters and reporters who needed a break from the freezing temperatures and tear gas outside. Flowers, ribbons and artwork still encircle the place where Pretti was shot. It’s become one of several public-made memorials to people killed by law enforcement in the city.

MPR News host Nina Moini talked with two business owners and a neighborhood resident about how their lives have changed and what the memorial means to them, six months on.

Vance Boelter, who shot Minnesota lawmakers last year, will be sentenced for murder Thursday. Prosecutors are urging he serve two life sentences, which Boelter seeks to serve in a Florida prison.

Alex Pretti was killed by federal immigration agents on a busy Minneapolis street six months ago. We heard more about how that block has changed since.

Congresswoman Angie Craig and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan are battling to become the Democratic nominee for a U.S. Senate seat. We got an analysis on their race ahead of their MPR News debate set for Monday.

And the Northside of Minneapolis is hosting its first ever jazz festival!

The Minnesota Music Minute was “If I Don't Have You” by Monique Blakey. The Song of the Day was “HIGHER!” by Dijon.

This Sunday, music will fill the Mississippi riverfront in north Minneapolis for the first ever Northside Jazz and Heritage Festival.

The daylong event brings together musicians, artists and vendors to celebrate the rich musical and cultural history of north Minneapolis.

Kristel Porter heads the organization behind the festival, West Broadway Business and Area Coalition. She shared more about the significance of the event on Minnesota Now.

On Monday, MPR News will host a debate in one of the most closely watched primary races in the state: the Democratic race for U.S. Senate.

Congresswoman Angie Craig and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan are the top contenders. The two of them will be in-studio on Monday at 11 a.m. in a debate hosted by MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst ahead of the Aug. 11 primary.

Larry Jacobs, a political science professor at the University of Minnesota, gave us a preview of the debate and this race.

A plan to clear St. Paul’s largest homeless encampments is facing stiff opposition. The city council held a public hearing Wednesday afternoon. We spoke to the leader of one nonprofit raising concerns about the mayor’s plan.

As wildfires continue to burn in northeastern Minnesota, we talked to an expert about how climate change is playing a role in wildfire season.

Plus, it’s been six months since Minnesota was the center of federal immigration enforcement. What’s changed inside the Department of Homeland Security?

And, we’re finally getting a break from the heat. But it won't last long. Chief meteorologist Ben Cathey shares the forecast.

And the Twin Cities Caribbean community is coming together this weekend for Carifest, a cultural celebration marking Carnival.

The Minnesota Music Minute was “Achin' to Be” by The Replacements. The Song of the Day was “On My Way Down” by Jon Sullivan Band.

Caribbean music, food and culture will take over part of the Mississippi riverfront on Saturday as Carifest returns to Minneapolis. This year, the annual festival also includes a special screening of a documentary exploring the meaning of the traditional celebration known as Carnival.

James Byron, an organizer of the Twin Cities’ annual Carifest, shared more about the festivities with Minnesota Now host Nina Moini.

Six months ago, it was the height of Operation Metro Surge and Minnesota was at the center of President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement campaign. Observers were sharing videos daily of violent arrests and confrontations.

Since then, there’s been a shift in leadership and optics — and immigration enforcement has become less visible.

Nick Miroff covers immigration and the Department of Homeland Security for The Atlantic. He's been tracking the shift nationwide and shared more of his reporting with MPR News host Nina Moini.