Minnesota Now

Governor Tim Walz is in the midst of making another solo campaign swing through cities like Dallas and Reno on Monday, and Vegas and Phoenix on Tuesday. He’ll land in more familiar territory Friday when he campaigns a second time in Eau Claire, Wis.

Eau Claire is an important region in the battleground state of Wisconsin. It’s not too far from the Minneapolis-St. Paul area and has been visited by the Harris and Trump campaigns multiple times.

There may be more visits yet to come.

For more on Eau Claire’s importance, MPR News host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Craig Gilbert. He is the former national political reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and he is now a fellow with Marquette University Law School’s Lubar Center for Public Policy Research and Civic Education.

Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz have not announced plans to try to make school meals free for all U.S. students if they’re elected to the White House. But the idea has gotten a lot of attention recently due to Walz’s rising national profile.

He signed a law in 2023 that created a universal school meals program that is now entering its second school year. The program is popular, but it’s already costing the state more money than expected — the estimated price tag is about $480 million for the first two years.

Minnesota isn’t the only state to implement a program like this, nor was it the first. Seven other states have done so, all in the last three years or so, starting with California.

MPR News host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Kalyn Belsha, who has been following their rollout as senior national reporter for Chalkbeat, a nonprofit newsroom focused on education.

She also talked with Sen. Zach Duckworth, R-Lakeville, one of four Republicans to vote for the universal school meals bill.

This summer was a decent one for paddling in area lake in a canoe or kayak. Those who are adventurous love paddling the Boundary Waters for a longer canoe experience. Two Minnesotans have taken their love of canoeing to another level. Zach Fritz and Taylor Rau have just returned after canoeing from Minnesota to Canada’s Arctic Circle. It’s a more than 2,700 mile journey they did over the course of 105 days this summer. They dubbed their trip “The Route Less Paddled.”

Fritz and Rau joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to share more on their epic adventure.

The funeral is Thursday for one of the victims in Sunday’s tragic crash at Park Tavern. After information surfaced that the driver had five DWIs on his record, some lawmakers have their eyes on tighter restrictions for driving while intoxicated. We’ll learn more.

September is healthy aging month and about one in five adults over age 55 experience some kind of mental health concern. We’ll learn about a training aimed at helping us reach out to our friends and neighbors.

An Anishinaabe author is inviting children to honor ancestral Native land in her new book.

Plus, we’ll meet a Minnesota duo who have just returned from paddling all the way to the Arctic Circle. They have plenty of adventures to share.

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

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September is Healthy Aging Month. Aging happens to all of us. But it sometimes requires extra considerations to keep us healthy and thriving, both physically and mentally.

About one in five adults over age 55 experience a mental health condition or concern, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But their needs are sometimes overlooked. And it’s hard to know how to reach out to someone who might be struggling.

The University of Minnesota Extension is offering a new type of training throughout the state teaching people exactly how to reach out.

Sam Roth is an educator with the University of Minnesota-Extension leading its Healthy Aging programming. He joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to talk about the training.

We all need a little help to get through life sometimes. From everyday questions to more complex problems, we’re asking the experts to lend us a hand.

Throughout the series Professional Help, we’ll hear some direct advice, for us not-so-direct Minnesotans.

Our ask: Help me start the home buying process.

Our professional: Dan Schneider, realtor with Vibe Realty.

Buying your first home, condo or townhome is an intimidating process. It’s one that MPR News senior producer Aleesa Kuznetsov just started herself. But the housing market is unpredictable. You never know when it will turn in your favor or maybe against you. To learn more about the first steps she turned to get some Professional Help.

Funeral arrangements have been announced for the victims of the Park Tavern tragedy. Gabe Harvey will be laid to rest Thursday afternoon. A memorial service will be held for Kristina Folkerts next Thursday.

Steven Frane Bailey has been charged in the case. Hennepin County Mary Moriarty said his blood alcohol level was four times the legal limit at the time of the crash.

He had five previous DWI convictions and for a time had his license revoked and an interlock ignition device put on his car. That’s a technology that prevents a driver from starting their car without first passing a breathalyzer test. That restriction on Bailey had expired at the time of the crash.

The recent tragedy has raised the question of whether stricter penalties or restrictions could prevent future deaths. And a couple of lawmakers have said this question will be on the agenda during the 2025 legislative session.

DFL Sen. Ron Latz represents St. Louis Park and he’s chair of the chamber's Judiciary and Public Safety Committee. He joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to explain what he hopes to see changed at the Capitol.

Minnesota-born Anishinaabe author Ashley Fairbanks had her first book published on Aug. 27. The book is for children and is titled “This Land.” It invites kids to trace the history of their home and honor the Native people who lived on the land.

It is part of a larger children’s series “Race to the Truth” that emphasizes the importance of talking about race with children. MPR News digital producer Sam Stroozas spoke with Fairbanks ahead of the release. 

A popular restaurant in St. Louis Park that was the scene of a tragic event over the Labor Day holiday weekend reopened its doors at noon Wednesday.

On Sunday, a drunk driver plowed into the Park Tavern’s outdoor patio, killing two people and injuring nine others. The driver will make his first court appearance Wednesday afternoon.

Reporter Elizabeth Shockman joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer from Park Tavern as people gathered to remember those lost and support a beloved establishment in the community.

School is back in session and can you believe it? Meteorological summer technically ended on Saturday. The weather has been absolutely lovely this week but we will start feeling those fall temperatures soon.

MPR meteorologist Sven Sundgaard joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer with a weather update.