The Science Museum of Minnesota is getting ready to expand. As the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics become a bigger part of our future, the museum is looking to grow its STEM footprint.

Science Museum of Minnesota President and CEO Alison Brown joined MPR News Host Cathy Wurzer to talk about the endeavor.

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For three-quarters of a century, Minnesota has been celebrating the art of auctioneering. There’s nothing quite like going to an auction and hearing a fast-paced bidding war narrated at the speed of lightning. Beginning tomorrow, the Minnesota State Auctioneers Association is commemorating its 75 years of existence as part of an annual conference and show. MPR News host Cathy Wurzer talked with auctioneer hall of famer and Executive Vice President of the association, Col. Frank Imholte. He is also the owner of Black Diamond Auctions in Stearns County.

It seems the entire Midwest has been dumped on with snow, except for much of Minnesota. In fact, this winter has been an exceptionally mild one with ice-in dates lagging behind the average. MPR Chief Meteorologist Paul Huttner joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to talk about what it all means.

Follow the Updraft for the latest details on the forecast. And listen to Climate Cast for stories of climate change research as well as its effects in Minnesota and beyond.

Under the umbrella of the Minnesota Breastfeeding Coalition, there are groups devoted to providing resources to Hmong and Indigenous families.

There could soon be a coalition to support Somali parents in breastfeeding. Shukri Jumale is the Midwest Fetal Care Center program manager at Children’s Minnesota and treasurer of the Minnesota Breastfeeding Coalition.

She was part of an effort that led Minnesota Muslim leaders in November to issue a fatwa, or religious interpretation, that encourages families to use donor breastmilk for babies when their parent’s milk is not available.

Jumale joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to talk about her work. You can learn more in a recent article from Sahan Journal.

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  Related story: Decree encourages Minnesota Muslim women to use donated breast milk for vulnerable kids
  
  

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

Subscribe to the Minnesota Now podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.   

We attempt to make transcripts for Minnesota Now available the next business day after a broadcast. When ready they will appear here.

It has been more than two weeks since Minnesota's new red flag law, which lets a judge temporarily take firearms from people who pose a threat to themselves or others, took effect. According to research from WCCO TV in the Twin Cities, in that time, at least four petitions have been filed in Minnesota courts to seize someone’s weapons.

To learn more about how advocates for the new law think it is rolling out so far, MPR News host Cathy Wurzer talked with Maggie Emory, Executive Director of gun violence prevention organization Protect Minnesota.

A Minnesota psychotherapist is sharing her story of caregiving in a new memoir. “The Unlikely Village of Eden” by Emma Nadler is about learning to adapt when life doesn’t go to plan and how even though 53 million people are caregivers in the U.S., their reality is often ignored.

MPR News’ Emily Bright sat down with Nadler to talk about her life-changing experience.

Nadler will speak at Minneapolis’ Washburn Library about her book Thursday night at 6 p.m.

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

Subscribe to the Minnesota Now podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.   

We attempt to make transcripts for Minnesota Now available the next business day after a broadcast. When ready they will appear here.

One of the big tasks of the 2024 legislative session is funding a number of public infrastructure projects around Minnesota. It’s a huge measure called a bonding bill and it touches all corners of the state. We spoke with a key lawmaker.

Republican presidential candidates who are still in the race are preparing for next week's New Hampshire primary. We talked with senior politics reporter Clay Masters for lessons from Iowa's caucus Monday night.

Nora McInerny is back. She’s the creator of the podcast, Terrible, Thanks for Asking. She joined the show to say, forget the New Year’s resolutions. You’re fine the way you are.

We’re just over two weeks into the new year. It’s a time when ads promoting diet culture and self-improvement run wild across the internet. A time that tells you whoever, you are, you need to be better. Starting now.

Nora McInerny argues that’s not how life works. McInerny is an author with roots in Minneapolis and the host of several podcasts – including ‘Terrible, Thanks for Asking.’ She joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to talk about her version of a New Year’s resolution, skepticism around New Year’s messaging, and resisting the constant need to improve oneself.

Daunte Wright was shot and killed during a traffic stop in Brooklyn Center almost three years ago. It happened during the trial of Derek Chauvin. As Minneapolis was having a racial reckoning, the death of Daunte Wright sparked one in Brooklyn Center too. Since Daunte’s Wright’s death, the city hired a new police chief, who has since retired. And Brooklyn Center has worked on proposing new policing reforms. Now it’s turning to it’s neighbor, Brooklyn Park. The two cities have launched a new initiative, “Two Brooklyn’s, One Vision.” Marcellus Davis is the Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Manager for the City of Brooklyn Park and Cordell Wiseman is the Recreation Director for the City of Brooklyn Center. They both joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to talk about how the two cities are intertwined and the goals of their initiative.

On Tuesday, Governor Tim Walz will lay out his administration's infrastructure plan and bonding proposal ahead of the legislative session. The biggest item on the legislative agenda is approving a cash-and-borrowing package for a slate of state agency and local projects. But even before the session gets going, lawmakers are hitting the ground running. On Tuesday, lawmakers part of the Capitol Investment Committee start a bonding tour, and will visit over 40 greater metro area communities over the next two days. The chair of that committee, DFL State Senator Sandra Pappas of St. Paul, joined MPR News host to talk about bonding years, site visits his committee has done, and more.