Minnesota Now

Depending on where you are, Minnesotans have had buckets of either rain or snow in the last 24 hours. And the temperature is dropping! MPR News Host Cathy Wurzer spoke with  MPR chief meteorologist Paul Huttner about what’s coming.

Physicians at Allina Health Mercy Hospital filed a petition for representation through Doctors Council SEIU, which already represents other healthcare workers at Allina Mercy, Unity and other hospitals throughout the state. MPR News Host Cathy Wurzer talked with critical care doctor Melissa Touroutoutoudis about why the group is organizing for different working conditions.

A St. Paul restauranteur arrived in Turkey’s earthquake zone yesterday with a truckful of food, tents and propane stoves. Brian Ingram planned to set up a mobile kitchen to provide some relief to those who have survived the earthquake near the Syrian border. He joined MPR News Host Cathy Wurzer to talk about the experience.

To celebrate Black History Month, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra is teaming up with the Capri Theatre in north Minneapolis for a concert this weekend. Dennis Spears and Sherri Orr with the Capri Theatre joined MPR News Host Cathy Wurzer to talk about the program for this year’s Northside Celebration.

A group of activists and allies marched through the Philips Neighborhood in Minneapolis to recognize Minnesota’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives. Beth O’Keefe is a member of the Lower Sioux Indian Community and the Director of the Minnesota Indigenous Women’s Society. She joined MPR News Host Cathy Wurzer live from the march.

St. Paul school superintendent Joe Gothard told reporters the district is increasing police presence at some schools after the stabbing death of 15-year-old Devin Scott in the hallways of Harding High School last Friday. Then, MPR News reporter Matt Sepic talked with MPR News host Cathy Wurzer about the charges the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office filed today against a 16-year-old, who faces one count of murder in the second degree.

The superintendent of St. Paul Public Schools spoke to the press after a Harding High School student was killed Friday at the school. A group of activists marched today to remember Minnesota's missing and murdered indigenous relatives. And Minnesota's junior synchronized figure skating team just returned from representing the U.S. in Poland.

When it comes to figure skating competitions – there are singles, couples and ice dancing. But fewer people have heard of synchronized figure skating. It’s when a whole team of skaters on the ice move in sync.

The Northernettes are a junior synchronized figure skating team from Minneapolis and they are back in the state from a recent trip to Poland where they represented Team USA in a competition in Gdansk. Their coach Alana Christie and skater Sydney Schnell joined MPR News Host Cathy Wurzer about the sport and how they’re gearing up for a national competition at the end of February.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation. 

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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.

The Sanford Health and Fairview Health Services merger has been delayed. On Friday, Feb. 10, both health providers announced they will delay their proposed merger until the end of May. Originally, they planned to wrap up the deal by March 31. Together Sanford and Fairview include nearly 80,000 employees. The Minnesota Nurses Association represents thousands of those employees. It has opposed the merger since it was announced late last year. Minnesota Nurses Association President Mary Turner spoke to MPR News host Cathy Wurzer about where they might go from here.

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.

Even if you’re not a football fan, you may have heard that the 2023 Super Bowl was the the very first with two Black quarterbacks. That’s a big deal. But did you know the very first Black football player EVER in the NFL - grew up right here in Minnesota?

Back in the early 20th century Bobby Marshall played for the Minneapolis Deans. He was coach, captain and quarterback. As part of the MPR News history series, Minnesota Now and Then, MPR News host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Terry McConnell, the author of a book called “Breaking Through the Line: Bobby Marshall, the NFL’s First African American Player.” 

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.