Minnesota Now

Have you ever gone into an art museum and wondered, “Seriously, what’s the story behind that thing?” Tim Gihring is on a mission to tell us those stories. Gihring is the host and creator of The Object, a podcast that tells the story of the Minneapolis Institute of Art through its 90,000-plus artifacts, representing 5,000 years of world history. Their fifth season launched on March 6.

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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. 

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Research shows people born in 1990 have a higher risk of colon cancer than those born in 1980. That’s quite significant for Millennials and Gen Z. Doctors are still figuring out why this is the case. Mayo Clinic Family Physician Jay Sheree-Allen joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to talk about prevention, catching it early, and treatment.

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 group of Minnesota students planned a walkout Monday in Minneapolis to call for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Khalil Azad. He was a young Black man who was found dead in Crystal Lake in July of 2022, two days after Robbinsdale police attempted to pull him over for a traffic stop. MPR News host Cathy Wurzer spoke to MPR News reporter Elizabeth Shockman to learn more.

It's deadline week for new legislation at the State Capitol. Find out what's gotten done and what is still in the works.

MPR News host Cathy Wurzer spoke with the creators of a Minnesota-made podcast pairing artists and poetry.

A statewide student walk out is planned over the potential involvement of Robbinsdale police in the death of 26-year old Kahlil Ahmad Azad. We'll get the details.

A memoir by award winning Minnesota based writer Kao Kalia Yang is premiering on Thursday as an Opera. She joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to talk about the experience.

The state Legislature is considering a bill that would make the state a “safe haven” for kids and teens seeking gender-affirming health care. What exactly does this bill do? MPR News reporter Nicole Ki and digital producer Sam Stroozas have been reporting on the bill and they joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to help explain it.

Even if you are not a fan of poetry - there’s a podcast out there about poetry that might capture your interest. It’s called Interesting People Reading Poetry. It’s created by two Minnesota brothers: Brendan and Andrew Stermer. They joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to talk poetry and podcasting.

When someone mentions opera, what comes to mind? Verdi, Puccini, maybe Mozart? Probably not Kao Kalia Yang. The St. Paul writer never set out to get into opera. In 2016 she wrote her book, “The Song Poet: A Memoir of My Father.” On March 9, that story will have its debut at the Minnesota Opera. It’s already making history as the first Hmong story to be adapted for the operatic stage. Kalia spoke with MPR News host Cathy Wurzer about her story.

Legislation in the state House and Senate would allow a terminally-ill patient to take medication to end their own life. How does this change the options for patients and their caregivers?

And 160 years ago this week the U.S. government nullified its treaties with the Dakota people, But we'll hear how Dakota sacred spaces and landmarks are well remembered by many.

The case of diabetic Minnesotan shines a light on the loose regulations surrounding THC edibles market. Reporter Tom Sheck investigates what is being done.

And we continue our series "Thank you, Stranger." All about small acts of kindness that have a big impact on the people they help. Today, a young man bums a ride that changes his life.

And we'll get all the sports news from our resident sports experts Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson.

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.   

This has been a historically bad year for the Gopher men. Tonight Rutgers plays Minnesota at the Barn — our sports guys, Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson give us a preview of that and more sports news.

Has someone ever taken you by surprise by doing something kind that made your day a little easier? Your life a little fuller? Our new series, “Thank You, Stranger,” looks at those special people and their impact. Today, we'll hear from Parker Lindo, who was an injured hiker on the Superior Hiking Trail. He got some help that inspired him to pay it forward.

MPR Producer Ellen Finn talked with him.