Minnesota Now

As the battle over abortion rights continues across the country post-Roe v. Wade, abortion rights activists in Minnesota saw a major victory this week. A district court ruled that many state laws restricting abortion violate the state constitution.

 Activists are planning to march to the Capitol in St. Paul this Sunday in a rally for abortion rights. Megan Peterson is executive director of Gender Justice, one of the groups behind the March for Abortion Access… and the lawsuit in district court. She joins host Cathy Wurzer to share her group’s objective behind the march.

In 2020, Qorsho Hassan was the first Somali American to win Minnesota Teacher of the Year. Her students and fellow teachers describe her as an exceptional educator and change-maker. But now, Qorsho announced she’s leaving the classroom. What happened?

She cited teachers of color, like herself, being given what she called “the impossible task” of fighting institutional racism in Minnesota schools. Qorsho, along with reporter Becky Dernbach, joined Cathy Wurzer to talk about it. Becky reported on this story for the Sahan Journal.

It was on this day 45 years ago – July 13, 1977 – that the tiny town of Kinney, Minnesota on the Iron Range sought to gain independence from the United States. Jennifer Kleinjung joined host Cathy Wurzer to share the story.

Listen to the full show here.

The World Axe and World Knife throwing leagues are hosting their US Open Tournament this weekend in Minneapolis. Mario Zelaya is the CEO of Bad Axe Throwing in Toronto, Canada, Commissioner and CEO of the World Axe Throwing League and Founder and CEO of the World Knife Throwing League. He joined host Cathy Wurzer to talk more about the spot and the tournament this weekend.

This week’s headlines on the war in Ukraine include intensified attacks on civilians in the Donetsk province, the UN’s monitoring for violations against children, and US military aid that may not be as generous as expected. To explore these stories and more, MPR reporter Tim Nelson talked with his longtime friend and colleague Brian Bonner in Ukraine.

It’s been a hot and steamy week with some surprising pop up storms.  Let’s get the detail and the forecast with MPR’s chief meteorologist Paul Huttner.

Dr. Joi is a community healer, speaker, and founder of Joi Unlimited and the Healing Justice Foundation and author of the book Healing: The Act of Radical Self-Care. Listen to her conversation with Shvonne Johnson on her new organization based in Minneapolis called Pimento Relief Services and leading Black liberation work in Minnesota. 

The new law allowing some THC edibles has been confusing to a lot of Minnesota residents and now local officials from across the state are also looking for answers. We'll find out what's confusing them.

Speaking of the new THC law — it's a game changer for some Twin Cities breweries. We'll get that story.

The COVID-19 pandemic changed a lot of things including the amount of garbage we all throw out. A new recycling plant in Rogers, Minn., hopes to help. We'll get the details.

A new sleep study is focused on the unique needs of first responders. We'll hear how experts are trying to help them get better rest.

And have you ever been to the Bell Museum? If you’re a kid from the Twin Cities, chances are good you have. A new book details its weird and complicated history.

A trip to the Bell Museum in St. Paul is practically a rite of passage for many metro area youngsters. Long known for its quaint dioramas, it's a place with a lot going on and a history that is more interesting and weirder than you thought.

A new book is capturing that history. "A Natural Curiosity: The Story of the Bell Museum" tells the story of how this intriguing collection of Minnesota's natural history came to be. MPR News reporter Tim Nelson spoke with two of the book authors, both retired from the Bell Museum, Barbara Coffin and Don Luce.

Click the audio player above to listen to their conversation.