Minnesota Now

Minneapolis community leaders will gather Tuesday for a meeting to address a string of gun violence. Thirteen people were shot and one person was killed within 24 hours over the weekend.

The shootings took place outside Reign nightclub in Uptown and near the intersection of 19th and Nicollet Avenue in the Steven’s Square neighborhood just south of I-94. Monday night, another person was shot at the same intersection.

Tuesday’s meeting will include Minneapolis city council member Elizabeth Shaffer, Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt, members of Minneapolis police and staff from the mayor’s office.

Council member Shaffer talked to MPR News host Nina Moini ahead of the meeting.

Wildfires are burning more than 60,000 acres and hundreds of firefighters from around the country have come to northeastern Minnesota to try and contain the flames. We got the latest from Ely and spoke to one crew that's helping to contain the fires.

The Boundary Waters is a sanctuary to many Minnesotans. One writer shared more about the mental toll of seeing the area go up in flames.

Plus, wildfires aren't the only thing impacting the border with Canada. We heard from some border businesses about deteriorating economic conditions.

And Spain has won the World Cup! A local soccer reporter talked about the game and how the U.S. did as host.

Also, if you're itching for more soccer, Minnesota United is back in action.

The Minnesota Music Minute was “Leave No Trace” by Jerry Vandiver. “Call It What It Is” by Beginner's Luck was the Song of the Day.

If there’s a World-Cup shaped hole in your heart this week, you might turn your attention to Minnesota’s professional soccer team.

This week, the Loons are headed to Kansas City, which is also getting back to the regular MLS season after hosting some World Cup games.

Minnesota Now sports contributors Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson joined to talk more about this and much more.

Spain is the winner of the World Cup 2026, defeating Argentina 1-0 in Sunday’s game that both delighted and frustrated many.

Here in Minnesota, hundreds of people gathered to watch the game at the North Loop Green. There, they sported jerseys for their favorite teams, even if they weren’t playing.

It wasn’t the climactic end to the World Cup many wanted, but it did draw the eyes of the world, and it introduced many Americans to the excitement of soccer.

Minnesota soccer reporter Jon Marthaler joined Minnesota Now to talk about the World Cup’s final game and its impact on Americans.

As wildfires continue to burn across northeastern Minnesota, many people are worried about the smoke and air quality, as well as the danger to communities and the damage left behind.

But for many who love the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and the north woods, there's another overwhelming feeling: grief. Grief over watching a place filled with memories, traditions and a sense of peace change before their eyes. And not knowing when, or how, it will recover.

Duluth-based nature writer Stephanie Pearson experienced that firsthand. She was forced to evacuate a canoe trip in the Boundary Waters because of the fires. She just published an essay about it in Outside Magazine. Pearson spoke to Minnesota Now host Nina Moini about her piece.

All hands have been on deck to contain more than a dozen wildfires across northeastern Minnesota. That includes young adults who are members of the Conservation Corps of Minnesota and Iowa, who usually spend their service term restoring habitat and managing natural resources in the region.

Brian Miller, field programs director with the Conservation Corps, joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about what the Conservation Corps crew is up to and how they’re managing this difficult time in northern Minnesota.

Wildfires burn on in parts of northeast Minnesota. The resulting smoke has reached much of the state, creating hazardous air quality for millions. We have the latest on the fires, plus the smoke forecast for the rest of Thursday and Friday.

Minnesota is home to thousands of immigrants from all over the continent of Africa. A new coalition is working to unite the African diaspora in the region.

Plus, residents of St. Paul's west side neighborhood are working on a new name for César Chavez Street after women alleged he sexually assaulted them. We learned about the renaming process.

And the Minnesota Orchestra is diving into a wide-ranging festival. We listened to some music with an organizer.

The Minnesota Music Minute was “Never Right” by Faith Boblett. And “This Just In” by Dilly Dally Alley was the Song of the Day.

Four months ago when a New York Times investigation alleged that César Chavez – an icon of the Latino civil rights movement – had sexually assaulted young girls, the Latino community began to contend with his legacy.

In St. Paul’s West Side, which is a vibrant Mexican neighborhood, that means renaming César Chavez Street.

Some of that work begins Thursday. The West Side Community Organization is hosting its first of three community input sessions to rename the street.

West Side Community Organization Executive Director Monica Bravo spoke to Minnesota Now host Nina Moini about the renaming process.

If you think an orchestra only plays Beethoven and Brahms, think again. The Minnesota Orchestra's festival called "Summer at Orchestra Hall" opens Thursday night with a lineup that stretches far beyond the classical canon — from Grammy winning bluegrass musician Chris Thile to jazz singer John Holiday to movie scores from Star Wars and E.T.

Grant Meachum is the orchestra's director of productions and engagement and joined MPR News host Nina Moini with details on the festival.

Many Minnesotans woke up to a smoky sky Thursday morning with much of the state blanketed under unhealthy levels of wildfire smoke. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has categorized most of the state’s air quality as hazardous and unhealthy. To cope, some people are wearing N-95 masks or breaking out air filters to circulate fresh air.

But is that enough? Should we avoid going outside? And how much smoke is too much for the body? For more on the best ways to handle the smoke, MPR News host Nina Moini talked with Dr. Dylan Wyatt, chair and medical director of the emergency department at Aspirus St. Luke’s in Duluth.