Minnesota Now

The U.S. House has a new leader. Tuesday morning, it looked as if Minnesota Congressman Emmer had the job. By evening, Emmer had pulled himself from the running. We’ll look at how much power Emmer has in the aftermath.

Our late October weather is giving us a little of everything. We’ll look ahead to the weekend forecast which may include, dare I say, snow.

And we’ll hear about a new groundbreaking Mia exhibit by Native people, for Native people.

Plus, for Disability Employment Awareness month. We’ll talk with one woman who is playing a big role to highlight the contributions of our state workers with disabilities.

We’re talking Britney Spears with a local Britney fan who has been with her through all the ups and downs.

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This year marks the 56th anniversary of the Minnesota Human Rights Act, the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Minnesota Council of Disability and 50 years of the National Rehabilitation Act.

It was the first federal law aimed at providing equal access for people with disabilities. That included removing employment barriers. While things have certainly improved in the last 50 years there are still major inequities. In Minnesota the unemployment rate is 9.8 percent for people with one or more disabilities and 3.7 percent for those without.

October is Disability Employment Awareness month. And one woman is playing a big role in trying to highlight the contributions of our states workers with disabilities.

Sheletta Brundidge is hosting a job fair tomorrow in St. Paul for adults on the autism spectrum. She is the founder and CEO of the podcasting platform and production company Sheletta Makes Me Laugh and joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer.

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

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

Correction (Oct. 26, 2023): This segment has been updated to reflect the correct anniversary of the Minnesota Human Rights Act.

We’re getting a bit of everything this week weather wise: Severe weather Tuesday and by the end of the week parts of our state could see snow. Plus, you may need to grab a coat to zip up over your Halloween costume.

MPR News chief meteorologist Paul Huttner joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer with the latest on the forecast.

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 6th District Congressman Tom Emmer held the nomination for about four hours Tuesday before he withdrew his name. He learned that it would not be possible to win over far-right Republicans, especially after former President Donald Trump blasted him on social media.

The Minnesota Representative has kept his own public comments to social media — he has not spoken about the defeat, but posted in support of Johnson Wednesday morning. After all this, Emmer remains in a leadership position, he's the House Majority Whip.

But how much power does he have now? Kathryn Pearson, an associate professor of Political Science at the University of Minnesota and an expert on congressional politics joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to explain the situation.

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 new art exhibition at Mia in Minneapolis is breaking boundaries. It’s the museum’s first show featuring photography of exclusively Native people by exclusively Native photographers.

“In Our Hands: Native Photography, 1890 to Now” opened Sunday and runs through January 14.

Jaida Grey Eagle is a St. Paul-based documentary and editorial photographer and co-curator of the exhibit. Jill Yohe is Mia’s associate curator of Native American art. They 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 Republican Congressman Tom Emmer is closer than ever to becoming Speaker of the House. Late Tuesday morning House Republicans chose Emmer as their nominee. Correspondent Mark Zdechlik joins live from Washington with what's next.

We talk to a Minneapolis woman who shares her journey of full-time caregiving for her mother in India in a new memoir.

Plus, a network of volunteers is helping make sure farmers in Minnesota are not left behind in hard times.

Chris Farrell takes us to Duluth, where an old printing press is being turned into a vacation spot.

And a local director gives an inside look into the Somali dance tradition.

A Minneapolis photographer and director is highlighting her own community in her debut short film. “Dhaanto” follows a Somali dance troupe and their coach as they pass down knowledge of traditional dances to young Somali-Americans. Director Yasmin Yassin spoke with MPR News Host Cathy Wurzer about the film, which is playing Friday at Soomaal House of Art, though space is limited.

In the United States, more than 40 million people in the U.S. are caregivers. Savita Harjani left her job, her Minneapolis home and her husband in 2016 to take care of her mother full time in India. She stayed until her mother died nearly five years later. During that time she wrote down her emotions, thoughts and feelings. Now she has turned those moments and reflections into a debut memoir, “Postcards from Within: Random Ramblings from an Ordinary Human.” MPR News Host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Harjani about the book.

If you’ve been to Duluth, odds are you’ve had pancakes at the Duluth Grill, or maybe their wild rice burgers. Founder Tom Hanson and family now own six businesses in Duluth’s Lincoln Park Craft District, including OMC Smokehouse and Corktown Deli and Brews. Hanson’s latest venture is transforming the historic Duluth Press Building into a vacation rental property. MPR’s senior economics contributor Chris Farrell recently caught up with Tom to learn more about the project and the family’s other businesses. He joined MPR News Host Cathy Wurzer to share what he learned.

Congressional Republicans have chosen Minnesota’s Tom Emmer as their next nominee for House speaker. The nomination is not the final word, but it is a significant development as the House GOP tries to end three weeks of deadlock over who will lead the chamber. Emmer’s next challenge is to win a majority in a public rollcall vote that could happen Tuesday.

MPR’s Mark Zdechlik joined MPR News Host Cathy Wurzer from Capitol Hill with the latest news.