Minnesota Now

Becoming a mother isn’t easy. And that’s especially true in the United States. Among wealthy nations, the U.S. has the highest rate of maternal mortality, which is defined as a death during pregnancy or up to a year afterward. Common causes include excessive bleeding, infection, heart disease, suicide and drug overdose. A recent study from the Journal of the American Medical Association found that tragedy also unfolds unequally, with Black mothers dying at the nation’s highest rates.

The CDC reports 1 in 8 women deal with postpartum depression. But many mothers have nowhere to turn. The Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health gave the U.S. a grade of “D” saying the country is failing to support mothers during and after pregnancy. Minnesota isn’t much better, receiving a “D+.” But a local clinic is trying to change that. It’s the Red Leaf Center for Family Healing and was Minnesota’s first intensive mental health program for pregnant and post partum mothers. The founder Dr. Helen Kim joined MPR News Host Cathy Wurzer to talk about the clinic’s work.

Need help? The Red Leaf Center for Family healing has a HOPE Line you can call Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at 612-873-HOPE (4673). For immediate help you can call or text the 988 for the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

State borders don’t mean much to a migrating bird. But as part of North America’s most-traveled bird migration route, known as the Mississippi Flyway, Minnesota hosts an incredible number and diversity of birds. A group in the town of Henderson is working to celebrate one species that darts and hovers through its garden near the Minnesota River.

Beth Cornish is Treasurer of Henderson Feathers, an organization with a $6,000 grant to create a plan for a National Ruby Throated Hummingbird Center, with a goal of opening in spring 2024. The first in a series of strategic planning meetings is scheduled for Thursday, Sep. 9 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Henderson Community Building.

MPR News Host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Cornish about what this bird species means to the community.

COVID cases are rising, but a new COVID-19 booster will be available as soon as next week. With cold and flu season on the way, we find out how to stay protected.

September began with quite a heat wave, followed by something more like fall. Is the cooler weather here to stay?

Maternal depression is a serious issue here in Minnesota. A local organization is trying to give struggling mothers somewhere to turn.

Plus, Minnesota hosts a brilliant variety of migrating birds and a new center hopes to celebrate one species in particular: the ruby throated hummingbird.

With kids back in school and cooler weather, cold and flu season will be here before we know it. An updated COVID-19 booster is expected to be available as early as next week and there are a few other vaccines you may want to roll up your sleeve for. CVS announced Wednesday that it will carry the new RSV vaccine for those over the age of 60. Walgreens will as well. On top of these new vaccines is the flu shot. It's a lot to keep track of to stay healthy.

Dr. Mark Schleiss is a Professor of Pediatrics who specializes in infectious disease at the University of Minnesota Medical School and on staff at Children's Minnesota. He joined MPR News Host Cathy Wurzer to help navigate the upcoming virus season.

After a Labor Day weekend heat wave, temperatures have dropped into the 60s and it doesn't look like there's any turning back. MPR Chief Meteorologist Paul Huttner joined MPR News Host Cathy Wurzer with the details on the weather as it begins to feel like fall.

For the latest weather information, follow MPR News’ Updraft blog.

It’s the first day of school for the majority of Minnesota’s K-12 students. Hundreds of thousands of kids are heading back to class in a school year that is bringing a lot of changes to public schools.

There is a lot to talk about with the new school year. MPR education reporter Elizabeth Shockman joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to break it all down. Shockman visited a high school in Oakdale Tuesday morning.

This Labor Day weekend, 14 million people headed to America's airports. Many of us know the terminals, especially on a holiday weekend, are a high-stress environment that can sometimes be hard to navigate. So imagine what it's like for travelers with dementia or another cognitive impairment.

Right now, most airports in the U.S. are behind the curve in serving travelers with dementia. But a local organization has been working with airports nationwide for several years to change that. It's called the "Dementia-Friendly Airports Working Group." The founder of that group, Sara Barsel, spoke with MPR News host Cathy Wurzer.

Most K-12 students in Minnesota are back in school today. We' find out how students are coping with this heat. And we'll find out which new laws will affect students’ lives this school year.

We visit the nation's first East African Magnet School in St. Paul and hear how that district is trying a new approach to boost enrollment.

Airports can be a nightmare for people living with dementia. We find out what a Minnesota-based group is doing to help.

We meet a potter who turned an old Duluth bank building into an art studio. And we talk to an author who wrote a book partly inspired by the Parent Trap and partly pulled from her own life.

Duluth is best known for its port, its history as an industrial center, and the aerial lift bridge which anchors Canal Park.

Less well-known is its growing “craft economy” scene. Craft beer. Handmade camping gear. Farm-to-table restaurants.

Among these creative businesses is Duluth Pottery, located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood in West Duluth. MPR’s senior economics contributor, Chris Farrell, recently met with potter Karin Kraemer in her studio.

The first day of school means new beginnings. Today, hundreds of elementary school students in St. Paul are going to class for the first time at the nation's first East African magnet school.

A handful of schools have closed in St. Paul over the last several years as the district faces sharp enrollment declines. So this school's success was far from certain.

Sahan Journal education reporter Becky Dernbach has been covering this story from the beginning — she talked with MPR News host Cathy Wurzer about it.