Minnesota Now

It’s hot and steamy. Heat puts a demand on the power grid that, this summer, could result in rolling blackouts. We’ll examine that problem.

You might want to cool off in a lake or pool this summer but there are things you should know first.

Gas prices are high and that’s affecting lots of folks but we’ll find out why small-scale farmers have a unique story.

And we continue our conversations with Minnesota’s hottest musicians. Today Nur-D talks about his music and his musical inspirations.

An excessive heat warning was issued in Minnesota on Tuesday with temperatures reaching over 95 degrees in parts of the state. With these hot temps, a sunny day at the lake or pool can be a great way for many families to cool off. But Dr. Jay Sheree-Allen says before you head out, it’s good to have a safety plan in place.

Step one: get a life jacket. (Those floatie devices aren’t as safe as you may think.)

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

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NUR-D burst onto the stage in 2018 and has become one of Minnesota’s fastest rising music stars. If you’re a Minnesota Now listener, you know we love music. NUR-D joined host Cathy Wurzer to talk about his music and what is inspiring him lately.

In Minnesota there will be Juneteenth events being held across the state. One of them is the Twin Ports Juneteenth celebration put on by community members in Duluth and Superior, WI. ChaQuana McEntyre is one of the organizers of Twin Ports Juneteenth. She joined host Cathy Wurzer to talk more about the event and its significance.

Gas prices and inflation take a toll on small Minnesota Farms. Angela Dawson is a fourth-generation farmer in Sandstone, Minnesota and co-founder and president of 40 Acre Cooperative. She joined host Cathy Wurzer to talk more about the impact.

Big parts of the country are sweating thanks to early summer heatwaves. The electricity grid Minnesota belongs to — the Midcontinent Independent Systems Operator — has warned Wisconsin power companies about the potential for blackouts this summer due to high demand.

So, is Minnesota prepared? Host Cathy Wurzer talks to Kevin Lee, Deputy Commissioner for Division of Energy Resources at the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

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. 

On this episode of Minnesota Now, are the state’s loons in trouble? We’ll learn more about the latest research from MPR reporter Kirsti Marohn. Then we’ll hear about the latest production from Teatro del Pueblo, Real Women Have Curves, catch up on business news including jobs, housing and those hefty gas prices and much more during the show.

Monday was the second day of the Jan. 6 House Select Committee hearings, David Schultz is a Minnesota Based Political Scientist who teaches at Hamline University and the University of Minnesota. He joined host Caty Wurzer to talk more about the hearings and what listeners can expect to come.

Teatro del Pueblo’s Real Women Have Curves reflects the coming of age experience of many Latinas in the United States. Co-directors Adlyn Carreras and Lelis Brito joined host Cathy Wurzer to talk more about their work.

A Wisconsin study found the state’s loon population is declining. New research from Crow Wing County, Minnesota could find out whether Minnesota's loon population is facing similar trouble too.