Minnesota Now

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.

The presidential nomination race is shifting ahead to New Hampshire after former President Donald Trump’s convincing win in Iowa Monday night. The Republican field continues to shrink. Minnesota voters will soon have their turn but there could be very few candidates still standing by the time Minnesota ballots get counted. MPR News reporter Clay Masters has his eyes on the race and was in Iowa as the results rolled in Monday night. He joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer live from Des Moines.

Twin Cities Uber and Lyft drivers are going on strike in the next hour. We’ll learn about the demands of the metro area’s diverse rideshare driver population.

Plus, MPR has a new senior politics reporter. We'll get to know him better.

After a merger deal between healthcare providers Sanford and Fairview fell apart last year, a state taskforce is pushing for a new deal. We'll hear the latest from the taskforce chair.

The University of Minnesota is also working on returning artifacts taken from Native American gravesites. We’ll hear about how the process is going.

And let’s just say the Vikings didn’t have their best season, luckily we've got The Timberwolves and the undefeated PWHL to root for. More on that from our sports contributors.

That’s a wrap on the Vikings season and the team is looking ahead — to London. The NFL announced Thursday morning that Minnesota is one of four teams set to play internationally next season.

Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson joined MPR News Host Cathy Wurzer to talk about the Vikings' prospects in 2024, the continued success of Minnesota's new women's hockey team, and other sports news.

Wally is the founder of Minnesota Score Sports Magazine and co-host of the sports talk show Ten Thousand Takes. Eric is the other host of that show and Vikings reporter for CBS Sports radio's Eye on the NFL.

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.

A group of Uber and Lyft drivers will begin a one-day strike on Thursday. Drivers will shut off their rideshare apps and won’t take riders to or from the airport and the Twin Cities. Up to 2,000 independent drivers across the state are expected to go offline from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., ending the day with a rally.

Sahan Journal reporter Alfonzo Galvan has been covering this story and joined MPR News Host Cathy Wurzer with more perspective on what’s happening today and what’s at stake.

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  From Sahan Journal Ahead of planned strike, Lyft announces it will give Twin Cities drivers a minimum fare
  
  

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.