Minnesota Now

The second half of a monster storm is on its way Wednesday - MPR Chief Meteorologist Paul Huttner has the details.

Two big bills are their way to the Governor's desk. One allows more people to get drivers licenses and one expands voting rights to more Minnesotans.

Many school districts are either online or closed this week. It's a decision that's bound to make someone unhappy. Cathy Wurzer spoke with a superintendent about trying to read the weather tea leaves and make that hard call.

Minneapolis based Artist Joe Davis is having a break out moment. Cathy Wurzer spoke to him about his new book, new music and upcoming concert.

43 years ago the U.S. men’s hockey team made history with “The Miracle on Ice".” One player from that team talked about what it was like to be a part of history.

By one count, 39 school districts in Minnesota have cancelled school or moved to e-learning on Wednesday, and more could join them as we get more information about this wallop of a storm. Weather is a science, but calling a snow day is not. Often, you're darned if you do, darned if you don't. Rochester Public Schools superintendent Kent Pekel knows that from experience. He joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to talk about how he decides when to call a snow day.

Part two of the two-part snow system Minnesota is facing this week is fast approaching. While there’s a lull for much of the day Wednesday, meteorologists predict that the next snowfall will likely fall in the top snowfall events for the Twin Cities. MPR News’ Chief Meteorologist Paul Huttner joined MPR Host Cathy Wurzer to provide more details plus a look at the weekend’s weather.

If you’ve ever driven by the Buffalo Ridge in Southeastern Minnesota, you’ll see the horizon dotted with wind turbines. It’s been that way since 1994, when the first turbines were built. What makes that part of Minnesota the ideal location for harnessing the wind? And what is the Buffalo Ridge atop which the turbines do their work? Jim Cotter is professor of Geology at the University of Minnesota – Morris. Every month on Minnesota Now, Professor Cotter tells the story of our state through geology. He joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to talk about what makes the ridge such a notable place.

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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.

Potentially more than twenty inches of snow are coming to Minnesota this week. That, combined with forty five to fifty mile an hour winds, will create a storm that some are calling historic. MPR Meteorologist Sven Sundgaard joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to talk about the blizzard.

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 impending winter storm is going to be a whopper. Meteorologist Sven Sundgaard joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer with the latest.

We'll hear from a lawmaker spearheading the efforts to legalize sports betting and recreational cannabis in Minnesota.

At the peak of the pandemic, the number of people living through domestic violence was surging and its rise has yet to drop. MPR News host Cathy Wurzer spoke with a physician about how she tries to help.

We continue our series on how to have fun in winter with a conversation about curling! Is it the winter sport for you? Our guest will take us on the ice.

The creative force behind the comic strip "Curbside" has a new graphic novel out about his relationship following the legalization of gay marriage. Cathy Wurzer spoke to Rob Kirby about his insights.

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.   

If you wanted to legally bet on the Super Bowl this year, you would have had to cross the border to make your bet in Wisconsin, Iowa or South Dakota. Sports betting is not legal in Minnesota. But the House Commerce Committee will considered a bill on Feb. 21 that would legalize sports betting in Minnesota. DFL Representative Zack Stephenson is chief author of the bill and he spoke with MPR News host Cathy Wurzer about why he’s for legalizing sports betting. Stephenson and Wurzer also spoke about his latest bill to legalize cannabis in Minnesota.

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.

At this point, we all know that there are countless effects of the pandemic that started in 2020. Have you heard of what experts are calling the “shadow pandemic”? It’s the sharp rise in domestic violence that’s taken place all over the country the past few years. And it’s a real safety concern. Mayo Clinic Family Medicine physician Dr. Jay Sheree-Allen spoke with MPR News host Cathy Wurzer about how she talks to patients who may be dealing with violence at home, red flags, and when to seek help.

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.

On Minnesota Now this season, we’re finding joy in winter with our series “Winter Play.” We are sharing stories about what brings Minnesotans delight during these long, snowy and freezing winter months.

We can’t talk about winter in Minnesota without talking about curling. Some call Minnesota the home of curling in this country. There are at least 23 curling clubs, and the sport is continuing to grow across the state.

Jason Botterill understands the draw of the sport. He’s the board president of the Dakota Curling Club in Lakeville. Botterill joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to talk about his love of the sport and how curious new curlers can get started.

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.

How does marriage define a relationship?

St. Paul-based cartoonist Rob Kirby wrestles with this question in a new graphic memoir, “Marry Me a Little,” about his experience marrying his longtime partner, John. The two got hitched in 2013, just after gay marriage was legalized in Minnesota.

Rob is best known for his comic strip “Curbside,” which ran in dozens of LGBTQ and alternative papers in the US and Canada from 1991 to 2008.

His new book is out on February 21.

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.