Minnesota Now

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.

Author, speaker, and Holocaust survivor Dora Eiger Zaidenweber has died at the age of 99. Dora was born in Radom, Poland. She and her family were forced into a ghetto there before she was sent to the Auschwitz and later Bergen-Belsen concentration camps. She was at Bergen Belsen when she was liberated by allied soldiers.

After moving to the United States in 1950, she earned a master’s degree in economics and dedicated her life to telling her story so others would not forget. As just one example, she testified earlier this year before lawmakers in support of a bill that now requires middle schools and high schools to teach about genocide.

MPR News Host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Dora and her daughter Rosanne Zaidenweber on Holocaust Remembrance day in 2006.

It is that time of the year where the leaves are starting to turn and Minnesota’s natural landscape really starts to show off. According to the DNR fall color finder, much of northern Minnesota is 50 to 75 percent peak color.

And it can be a small window of time to see the glory of fall foliage.

One local blogger is helping Minnesotans make the most of fall and all the state has to offer. Her name is Kristen Glazer and she runs a blog called Expedition Kristen. She 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.

When you turn the dial up several frequencies to 100.7 FM or 104.5 FM, you could hear anything from Indie Pop to Japanese post-rock and everything in between. And that is the beauty of college radio.

On Oct. 1, the University of Minnesota’s student-run station, Radio K is turning 30 years old.

MPR News Host Cathy Wurzer spoke to some of the people who were there from the beginning. Jim Musil is the founder of Radio K and Ali Lozoff was the station’s first marketing manager.

Radio K is having a Birthday Party at First Avenue Thursday night.

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.

The Blue Earth County Sheriff's office is the first law enforcement agency to reinstate school resource officers. We'll hear from the Sheriff and superintendents of those districts on the decision to bring officers back.

A newly discovered shipwreck in Lake Superior. We talk to one of the people who found the sunken Henry Steinbrinner.

The best runners from the around the world and in Minnesota will be lacing up their shoes for the Twin Cities Marathon this weekend, but possible hot weather has officials putting runners on alert.

Plus, it's a local stand up comedy show without the hangover.

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.   

Earlier this month, Jerry Eliason and Ken Merryman found the Henry Steinbrenner about 750 feet deep in Lake Superior, south of Isle Royale. It's the latest in what has been a remarkable series of Great Lakes discoveries by the two men, going back decades.

Ken Merryman joined MPR News Host Cathy Wurzer to talk about the find.

Here’s a fact you may not know: Minnesota is home to the oldest continuously-operating Alano Club in the world. It’s a space for addiction recovery meetings and fellowship, and it’s a beautiful building, too — a historic mansion in South Minneapolis.

It’s also the setting for a comedy show next week featuring four Minnesota comedians. It’s called “Recovery Riot: A sober night of stand-up comedy.” All proceeds will benefit the Alano Club.

Patrick Strait is one of the organizers behind the show. He talked with MPR News host Cathy Wurzer.