Minnesota Now

Earlier in the show we heard from MPR News senior politics reporter Clay Masters who is reporting from the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

DFL Congressman Dean Phillips just flew into Minnesota from the DNC. He spoke with MPR News host Cathy Wurzer from the MPR stage about the convention, his reflections on the Democratic ticket and what’s next for him.

The Minnesota State Fair began 165 years ago. There’s been a lot of interesting history at the fair during that time, so we wanted to learn a little more with the Minnesota Historical Society.

They have a booth on the fair and host a daily quiz, “History on a Schtick.”

MPR News host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Jacob Rorem, Program Associate at the Minnesota Historical Society.

There are hundreds of young people with their animals at the state fair. It is a big deal.

They come with their families, their 4-H clubs or FFA chapters. But it is no easy feat to make it to the fair.

MPR News host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Minnesota 4-H State Ambassador Henry Lemke and Minnesota State 4-H director, Jennifer Skuza.

Lemke also brought his lamb, Gladiola.

The speech Minnesota’s governor gave at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago was his introduction to much of the country, with millions of viewers turning into prime time.

MPR News host Cathy Wurzer spoke with MPR Senior Politics Reporter Clay Masters live from Chicago.

There’s a lot of excitement and enthusiasm over the Kamala Harris/Tim Walz presidential ticket. But analysts say the good vibes need to be matched by a solid policy platform. Last week, Vice President Harris unveiled a bit of her anticipated economic agenda. The high cost of living is a big voter issue. Other issues, like protecting reproductive rights or a plan to bolster the child tax credit, may sound familiar to Minnesotans.

Their strategy seems to draw, at least in part, from the platform the Minnesota DFL campaigned on back in 2023.

For more on how DFL policy priorities might scale up to the national level, MPR News host Cathy Wurzer talked with Minnesota DFL Representative Kaohly Vang Her, who is in her third term representing St. Paul.

Minnesota Democrats have formally nominated Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz as their party’s presidential ticket. Delegates from Minnesota and other states cast ceremonial votes in a roll call Tuesday night at the Democratic National Convention.

Gov. Walz’s big night in Chicago is Wednesday night. He will introduce himself to the nation during a prime time speech. MPR News correspondent Mark Zdechlik joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer with a preview from the DNC in Chicago.

The Paralympic Summer Games kicks off in Paris a week from Wednesday. Among the Minnesotans competing there is Melissa Stockwell, who grew up in Eden Prairie. At 22-years-old she was commissioned into the U.S. Army and in 2004, she was deployed in Iraq, where she got a title nobody wants. She became the first female American soldier to lose a limb in active combat and was honored with a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. That didn’t stop Stockwell from staying active and living her life. Just four years later she became the first Iraq War veteran to qualify for the Paralympic games, competing in swimming at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics.

Stockwell joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer from France as she prepares to compete in her fourth Paralympic games in the sport of triathlon.

Mashed, fried, baked: there are lots of ways to consume potatoes. You can find them all in one place in Minnesota this weekend. The city of Barnesville is hosting its 33rd Annual Potato Days Festival to celebrate the city and the root vegetable farmed across Minnesota. Barnesville is a town of about 6 thousand people just 30 miles southeast of Fargo. MPR News host talked with Potato Days Chair Missie Goheen for the latest in Minnesota Now’s summer festival spotlight series.

Besides the smoky skies, it has been a pleasant week of weather. But things could be heating up soon. MPR Chief Meteorologist joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer with details on the forecast — and when to catch the next supermoon.

There is a lot of excitement in the Democratic party about the Harris-Walz ticket. And it is a big day for Governor Walz, who will accept his nomination for VP Wednesday night at the Democratic National Convention. We hear a live report from Chicago.

But what are the Harris/Walz policy priorities? We talk to a Minnesota state representative about how their stances on the national level may mirror what Walz has done in Minnesota.

With less than 24 hours until the gates open at the Minnesota State Fair, we hear from the fair police chief about safety and check in on the fair forecast.

Minnesota Paralympian Melissa Stockwell joins us from France with the games just a week away.

The Minnesota Music Minute was “Cold Hard Truth” by Turn Turn Turn.

The Song of the Day was “Waking Hours” by Waking Hours.