Minnesota Now

On Monday, state health officials confirmed Minnesota's first case of avian influenza this year, in a flock of chickens, ducks and geese in Le Sueur County.

Last year, the disease led to the deaths of more than 4 million birds in Minnesota, and 58 million nationwide.

Poultry farmers say they're working hard to avoid an outbreak, but also adjusting to a new normal of living with the virus' presence.

Host Cathy Wurzer got the latest from reporters Dan Gunderson and Kirsti Marohn.

Temperatures will start to warm up this weekend, so no better time to think about playing outside in warmer weather.

This might be the year you try something new in the great outdoors — say, fly fishing, sailing or perhaps pickleball.

Those are all things our next guest tried for the second season of his Twin Cities PBS show.

Host Cathy Wurzer talked with Chance York — a yogi, rapper, outdoor enthusiast and host of “Outside Chance.”

North Dakota Department of Transportation plows are out today, trying to clear parts of I-94 that have been clogged with snow since Tuesday west of Fargo. The Fargo/Moorhead area and parts of northern Minnesota are also digging out after yet another snow and ice storm.

As much as a foot was added to an already hefty snowpack that remains, and it's loaded with moisture. Next week, sandbagging efforts will start in Fargo to prepare for high water on the Red River.

Amanda Lee is a hydrologist for the National Weather Service in Grand Forks. She's on the line to give us a picture of what to expect as the snow melts.

The Minnesota Now sports experts Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to talk all things Gopher Hockey, the Wild, the Twins, the Timberwolves, and Minnesota United.

Wally is the founder of Minnesota Score magazine and the cohost of "10,000 Takes" sports talk show. Eric is the other host of "10,000 Takes" and is also the Minnesota Vikings reporter for CBS Sports Radio "Eye on Football."

Students across the state are gearing up for standardized tests this month. But in some districts, more and more students are opting out of taking the tests. MPR News Host Cathy Wurzer talked with University of Minnesota Dean of Education and Human Development Michael Rodriguez about what data the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments are meant to collect and why some students are reluctant to participate.

It's the time of year when some students are taking state standardized tests. But many in one suburban district are opting out. We found out why.

We revisit the 1970 Minneapolis teachers’ strike in our Minnesota Now & Then history segment.

College students in Central Minnesota have been digging into the story of discriminatory housing policies in their community. We heard what they uncovered.

Chief meteorologist Paul Huttner will give us the latest on this week's round of rain, snow, and ice.

Master gardener Meg Cowden spoke with MPR News host Cathy Wurzer all things spring gardening.

Another storm dropped rain, snow, and everything in-between around the state this week. And it has been gusty, with some communities up north seeing extreme winds overnight. Paul Huttner, MPR's Chief Meteorologist joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to talk about the latest warnings, how high the wind will go up, and flood risks coming up.

You may remember when thousands of Minneapolis teachers went on strike last March. That strike was their first in 50 years. Back in April 1970, public school teachers in Minneapolis went on an illegal, twenty-day strike. A new book recounts those days. Bill Green, professor emeritus at Augsburg College and former superintendent of Minneapolis Public Schools, joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to talk about his new book, Strike!, which is expected this summer.

Meg Cowden joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to talk about how spring snow is affecting her garden, the unusual seeds, grains, and spices she’s growing this year, her garden flower lineup, tapping her black walnut trees for syrup, and tips for starting a spring garden.

University of Minnesota President Joan Gabel is taking a new job. Some of her key constituents share what they want in a new president.

A reporter shares findings from a new investigation on train accidents across the U.S.

It is Autism Acceptance Month. We hear how to support people with autism in our lives.

Plus south Minneapolis raised musician Joe Rainey talks about his latest album before he takes off on a European tour.