Minnesota Now

Interest in the outdoors continues to climb—camping has significantly increased in popularity over the past few years. That means lots of people spending time outdoors, maybe for the first time. Clare Shirley from Sawbill Canoe Outfitters in Tofte shares what first-timers should know.

MPR News Meteorologist Paul Huttner gives an update on when we’ll expect some seasonally appropriate warmer weather.

Today Dr. Joi is with Sean Kershaw. He is the Director of Public Works at the City of St Paul but they aren't talking about manholes or sewer systems. Instead, Dr. Joi shares how she’s learned to treat herself gently as she grapples with her own surprising bias. This is an extended version of their conversation.

Today Dr. Joi is with Sean Kershaw. He is the Director of Public Works at the City of St Paul but they aren't talking about manholes or sewer systems. Instead, Dr. Joi shares how she’s learned to treat herself gently as she grapples with her own surprising bias.

Leaders of the state's biggest healthcare systems just declared gun violence a public health crisis. So what happens next? Host Cathy Wurzer talks with two advocates on both sides of the issue.

The flooding along Minnesota's northern border is a slow-motion disaster. We'll hear what's happening with residents there.

Temperatures are cooler than normal. How's that affecting wildlife at the start of this meteorological summer? We'll find out.

Frontline workers who were on the job during the pandemic lockdown can finally apply for extra pay. We'll tell you how.

What's it take to run a newspaper serving Minnesota's African immigrants — we'll talk with the founder of Mshale.

And Twin Cities actor Greta Oglesby is here to talk about her latest play and how it breaks down stereotypes of women of a certain age.

Women over the age of 50 are often overlooked in entertainment roles. PRIME Productions is trying to change that: they celebrate women in their second act and produce plays with substantial roles for women over 50.

Their latest play called “The Roommate” is a two-woman show that tells a darkly comedic story of an unlikely pair and their self re-invention in Iowa City. Actor Greta Oglesby plays Carol, a newly divorced Midwesterner. She is best known for her ground-breaking role in Tony Kushner’s Caroline or Change, and has performed at the Guthrie and Penumbra Theatres as well as Chicago’s Goodman Theatre and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. She is a recent McKnight Theater Artist Fellow. Oglesby joined host Cathy Wurzer to talk about her show.

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MPR reporter Dan Kraker has been following flooding in northern Minnesota and joined Cathy Wurzer for an update.

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We are a week into meteorological summer and yet the temperatures are still a little chilly for this time of year. So how is that affecting the wildlife right now? Let’s find out. John Latimer is back to give us the latest on what buds are bursting and birds are signing this week across Minnesota. He is retired postal workers and full time phonologist. Welcome back to Minnesota Now, John.

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When Tom Gitaa moved from Kenya to Minnesota for college, he planned on returning home. Instead he founded a digest of news from Africa he called Mshale. Twenty-five years later, Mshale is Minnesota’s longest running newspaper serving African immigrants. Tom Gitaa joined host Cathy Wurzer to talk about his work and the impact his publication has had on Africans in Minnesota.

This story was first reported by Sahan Journal — an online news outlet serving BIPOC and refugee communities across Minnesota. You can read that story 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.