The summer growing season is coming to an end. But that doesn’t mean you can’t start planning for next year.

Meg Cowden, our resident gardener, talked with MPR News host Cathy Wurzer as Cowden celebrates the goodbyes in the garden and looks ahead to spring.

It's an unprecedented moment in history at the U.S. House of Representatives: A vacant speaker of the House. But a Minnesota lawmaker could in contention to take Kevin McCarthy's spot.

And we look at the bigger picture of Target closing stores and claiming crime was the problem.

Plus, what has been going on with this record-breaking heat? Chief Meteorologist Paul Huttner joins us to answer that question.

And the Twins are back on the baseball diamond for game two in the wildcard round Wednesday afternoon. We break down their historic win and what they need to do to keep their postseason alive.

Minneapolis-based retailer Target announced last week it will close nine stores in four states because of organized theft.

The closures represent a small fraction of Target's nearly 2,000 stores across the country. But they leave questions about Target's vitality in the retail market.

Target issued this statement: “We know that our stores serve an important role in their communities, but we can only be successful if the working and shopping environment is safe for all."

For more, Professor George John is on the line. He is the marketing chair at the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota.

On Tuesday, the Twins beat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-1 at Target Field — pulling off their first post-season win since 2004. Eric Nelson joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to talk about that moment and what to expect in game two Wednesday afternoon.

Nelson is co-host of the “10,000 Takes” sports talk show, and the Vikings reporter for CBS Sports’ “Eye on the NFL.” He's also a regular contributor for Minnesota Now.

The U.S. House of Representatives is without a leader for the first time in history after Speaker Kevin McCarthy was removed from his post. And less than 24 hours later, multiple lawmakers are already vying for his replacement.

Some Republicans have suggested that GOP Whip Tom Emmer, of Minnesota, should be up for consideration or be in line for another promotion.

MPR News Politics reporter Dana Ferguson spoke with host Cathy Wurzer about the shake-up.

MPR News Chief Meteorologist Paul Huttner went through the details with host Cathy Wurzer.

Renovations of the Minnesota Governor’s mansion are projected to go over budget. We'll find out why, and what lawmakers are saying about it.

And many clean energy options are only really options for people with money. We'll learn about efforts to make going green more affordable.

A University of North Dakota Ph.D. program focused on Indigenous Health is the first of its kind. And the first graduates have just earned their degrees. We’ll talk with the director.

We’ll talk with the Twin Cities market’s first Somali-American TV News Reporter.

The Twins are famous for losing post-season games. We’ll talk to the fan behind a two-hour YouTube video with the mathematical argument for hope.

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

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

The Twins begin their postseason journey Tuesday afternoon.

They take on the Toronto Blue Jays in the wild card round. And if history repeats itself, there isn’t a lot of hope.

The Twins are 0-18 in the post season, the worst record in MLB history and actually the longest post-season losing streak in North American professional sports history. So will this year be different?

One fan believes the Twins can defy the odds. Chris Hanel made a nearly two hour video to prove why you should hold out hope. He joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer.

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.

Minnesota has the largest Somali population outside of Somalia. Yet it isn’t until now that the Twin Cities has had its first Somali-American reporter on a local TV station.

Ubah Ali has started as a reporter at WCCO television. She joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer for a conversation about her career in journalism.

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.

Another state government building project is causing political blowback. This time, it’s an in-progress renovation of the Minnesota governor’s residence.

Governor Tim Walz and his family moved out this summer so work on the state-owned residence could begin. Now the anticipated project costs have grown substantially. Brian Bakst has been running down the details and joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer.

• 
  
  Costs spike for Minnesota governor’s mansion upgrades
  
  

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.