Native Americans have a lower life expectancy than other racial and ethnic groups. And a report from earlier this year showed the COVID-19 pandemic made this disparity even worse.

At the same time, many tribal nations led the way in terms of the vaccine rollout. This is just one window into why public health experts say it’s important to understand Indigenous communities and health systems in order to treat patients effectively.

As the pandemic took hold, the University of North Dakota was working to launch the first Indigenous Health Ph.D. program in the world. And the first graduates finished their degrees this summer.

Melanie Nadeau directs and helped create that program and she spoke to MPR News host Cathy Wurzer about it.

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

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More than 800,000 Minnesotans have begun paying back federal student loans worth $27 billion for the first time in three years. According to the state’s Office of Higher Education, the median debt for a Minnesotan with a bachelors degree is just under $24 thousand.

In late June, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness program, which would have cancelled loans for millions across the country. Now those with debt need to rearrange tight budgets to make room for new large payments.

MPR News Host Cathy Wurzer brought a few questions from borrowers to Lutheran Social Services financial counselor Kim Miller.

The Twin Cities Marathon was canceled for record-breaking heat. We talk to an organizer to find out what’s next for the annual event. And we hear from a local running group about their hopes to find somewhere else to race.

Hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans have begun repaying student loans. A financial counselor helps answer your questions about adapting your budget.

A report came out Tuesday morning tracking intimate partner violence in the state. We talk about potential solutions to relationship abuse.

And we may not all like insects, but they are essential to our survival. We find out why they are at the center of this year's Nobel Conference at Gustavus.

Tens of thousands of disappointed runners are figuring out next steps today, after organizers of the Twin Cities Marathon and ten mile race canceled it yesterday due to unseasonably hot and humid weather. The marathon is a qualifying race for the Boston Marathon and the Olympic trials, so Boston and Olympic hopefuls have to figure out another way to qualify this year.

The Twin Cities Marathon's parent organization, Twin Cities in Motion, is facing continued pushback following their decision to cancel the race two hours before its scheduled start time. For more on the decision, MPR News Host Cathy Wurzer talked with Twin Cities in Motion President Dean Orton. And Andrea Haus, community and marketing manager at Mill City Running and Saint City running, shared how runners are moving forward.

Nationally, about two out of every five female murder victims are killed by an intimate partner. Last year in Minnesota, at least 24 people were killed in intimate partner homicides, according to a report released Monday morning by Violence Free Minnesota.

The coalition of nearly 100 violence prevention groups across the state has published similar reports every year since 1989.

MPR News host Cathy Wurzer talked with Joe Shannon, who runs communications for Violence Free Minnesota, to find out what the numbers say about how to prevent these crimes.

If you or someone you know is in a dangerous situation with their partner, there is a 24-hour statewide domestic violence hotline. You can call (866) 223-1111 or text (612) 399-9995.

Every year, the Nobel Foundation of the Nobel Peace Prize holds a conference at Gustavus Adolphus college in St. Peter, Minn. It is the only event in the U.S. authorized by the Nobel Foundation and brings the brightest scientific minds from across the world to the state. Each year has a different theme. For the Nobel Conference 59 kicking off Tuesday, the theme is “Insects: Little Body, Big Impact.”

For more on why scientists say insects are “essential to the future of humanity,” MPR News Host Cathy Wurzer talked with Shannon Olsson, Global Director of sustainability organization “The Echo Network” and the Special Scientific Envoy to India for the Danish Academy of Technical Sciences.

Anyone can participate virtually in the conference at no cost. Links will be posted to the conference webpage.

We are just days away from a possible federal government shutdown. While so-called "essential" government services, like airport security, will still be running in the case of a shutdown, some federal programs could be affected. Minnesota's food shelves are bracing for increased business -- worried that a shutdown could impact Minnesota's supplemental nutrition program, also known as WIC. More than 100,000 Minnesotans rely on the WIC nutrition program for women, infants and children.

Millions of Americans could lose their food assistance in a federal government shutdown. But the Minnesota Department of Health says it has money to continue providing benefits — for now. We learn more.

The latest drought monitor map had some bright spots. A state climatologist gives the details.

And we turn the dial to celebrate Radio K, the University of Minnesota’s Public Radio Station, which turns 30 Sunday, with the founder and the first marketing manager.

Fall in Minnesota is beautiful and fleeting. We talk with a blogger who wants to help people soak up the season.

And we talk Twins, Vikings, and the Twin Cities marathon with resident sports guys Wally and Eric.

The Minnesota Twins played a third game against Oakland Thursday after two wins this week. The playoffs are just around the corner but history shows the postseason can be a struggle for this team. To check in on the Twins and all things Minnesota sports, MPR News Host Cathy Wurzer talked with Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson, co-hosts of the “10,000 Takes” sports talk show. Wally is also the creator of Minnesota Score Magazine and Eric is the Minnesota Vikings reporter for CBS Sports radio's “Eye on the NFL”.

We've had quite a bit of rain over the past few days, and it's helped ease drought that, to this point, has withered crops and lawns throughout much of the state. But while today's drought monitor report contained good news, we're not quite out of the woods yet.

MPR News host Cathy Wurzer talked with Assistant State Climatologist Pete Boulay.