A large encampment of unsheltered people in south Minneapolis was cleared Thursday for a third time. But residents have said they do not want to go into shelters. We talk to an official on the state level that hopes to be part of a solution to this complex problem.

It has been 6 months since marijuana became legal. The top boss in charge of implementation of the law shares the path ahead.

Plus, it's World Hijab day. We talk to a top luxury hijab designer based in Minnesota.

And in a new Thank You, Stranger, a black widow bite could have turned deadly for a Rochester man, but a nurse's special attention saved his life.

Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards is facing a $40,000 fine. Our sports guys weigh in on whether he deserved it.

The National Hockey League's All-Star weekend kicks off today in Toronto. The Wild's Kirill Kaprizov is there—he's the first Minnesota player to be chosen to play in the games for three seasons in a row.

Back home in Minnesota, the Timberwolves won over the depleted Dallas Mavericks. The same night, Anthony Edwards was fined $40,000 for publicly criticizing officials after Monday’s game in Oklahoma City.

Our favorite sports guys, Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson, joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to talk about the latest in Minnesota sports news. Wally is the founder of Minnesota Score Sports Magazine and Eric is the Vikings reporter for CBS Sports radio. Together they host the sports talk show 10,000 Takes.

Police evicted residents of a homeless encampment in south Minneapolis Thursday for the second time in a few days. The encampment was the fourth iteration of Camp Nenookaasi, which was shut down Tuesday by the City of Minneapolis due to “imminent public safety concerns.“

A city hearing on the encampments Wednesday night ended in a shouting match, with council members divided over how to approach the encampments. The city’s operations officer, Margaret Anderson Kelliher, reiterated the city’s stated core values — that every unsheltered person deserves dignity and respectful treatment.

“Every effort has to be made to connect people to housing, shelter, and services,” Kelliher said. “Encampments are a serious public health risk to safety, including and centering on people staying in the encampment itself. They are not a dignified form of shelter.”

The city has offered shelter for the residents, but people in the camp say they would rather be at Camp Nenookaasi. Josh Leopold, a Senior Advisor on Health, Homelessness and Housing at the Minnesota Department of Health joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer for more perspective.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correctly state the number of times Camp Nenookaasi has moved to a new location.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation. 

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In the latest episode of Thank You, Stranger, our series where Minnesotans get to tell stories of strangers that brightened their lives, producer Ellen Finn talked to a Rochester rock climber who had a near-death experience.

Today is World Hijab Day. It is the annual celebration of the millions of women who wear the Muslim head covering and was started in 2013 to educate those who don't about why it is worn. The hijab is also at the heart of style for thousands of Minnesotans. And a Minnesotan happens to be the founder of one of the top luxury hijab brands in North America. Hilal Ibrahim is the CEO and founder of Henna and Hijabs. MPR News host Cathy Wurzer talked with Ibrahim about her work.

Six months ago Thursday, marijuana was legalized in Minnesota. Since then, only tribal nations have been able to sell it legally. But more and more hemp-derived edibles and THC drinks have begun to dominate the market. And the Office of Cannabis management is deep in the trenches of creating rules and regulations so selling of cannabis flower can start as soon as possible. Interim director of the Office of Cannabis Management Charlene Briner joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to talk about the road ahead. Briner said she expects Governor Tim Walz will appoint an official regulatory leader by summer 2024.

Jim Morrison, owner of Sapsucker Farms in Mora, drilled a hole and tapped his maple trees Wednesday morning to see if they are ready to flow. According to the Minnesota Grown website, there are more than 100,000 taps in the state producing roughly 35,000 gallons of syrup. MPR News host Cathy Wurzer talked with Morrison about the impact of this warm weather on maple syrup producers.

Get out your sun glasses and maybe even shed your winter coat — we are in for possibly record-breaking heat.

Plus, we learn about the effects of the warm winter on the upcoming Birkebeiner ski races and maple syrup production here in Minnesota.

The State of Minnesota is about to roll out a new housing justice plan, with a first-of-its-kind approach. We get the details on Minnesota's goals to slow the rate of homelessness.

Plus, we have some local music for you. Musician Laamar joins us to talk about his latest tunes.

A Minneapolis-based musician is a rising star in the music scene. Known as Laamar, he was named one of 2023’s Best New Bands by First Avenue and recently played with other Minnesota greats such as the Cactus Blossoms and Dan Wilson of Semisonic. Geoffrey Lamar Wilson joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to talk about his music and inspiration.

The number of Minnesotans experiencing homelessness on a single night in January is upwards of 8 thousand people, according to a 2023 survey. The problem is persistent and complex, as shown in Tuesday’s eviction of the Nenookaasi encampment in south Minneapolis.

This all comes as the State of Minnesota is about to roll out a new housing justice plan, with a first-of-its-kind approach. The state hired people who have lived experience of homelessness to lead the way, shaping policy with their firsthand experiences. The goal is to reduce homelessness statewide by 15 percent by 2026.

MPR News host Cathy Wurzer talked with Executive Director of the Minnesota Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Cathy ten Broeke and Mason Persons, a justice consultant hired to help the state form the new plan.