Minnesota Now

The good news? No one was hurt or killed when a set of tornadoes blew through Forada, Eagle Bend and Plato Minnesota earlier this week.

The bad news: likely hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of damage in this area in central Minnesota.

Mary Huntley knows exactly what lies ahead for these communities. She is mayor of Taopi, Minnesota which suffered an EF2 tornado last month.

Dr. Joi Lewis is a visionary community healer, speaker, author of the book “Healing: The Act of Radical Self-Care” and founder of Joi Unlimited and the Healing Justice Foundation.

She helps us practice holding heartbreak, joy and healing all at once. On Wednesday, she interviewed T. Mychael Rambo, an Emmy-award winning actor, vocalist, educator and community organizer about taking a pause.

Use the audio player above to listen to their conversation.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz talks about gun control legislation and winners and losers after the legislature failed to act on big spending and tax bills.

Dr. Joi is here with Twin Cities favorite T Mychael Rambo. They talk about joy and grief, plus lead us through a favorite quick meditation.

Cathy talks to two medical students about what's motivating them to mentor young adults facing steep challenges in their lives.

Paul Huttner is here with perspective on our recent severe weather.

And today's June first, the first day of LGBTQ Pride Month. How do they celebrate in Pine City Minnesota? We'll find out.

It’s finally June. That means the true kick off of summer, as well as LGBTQ Pride. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Twin Cities Pride. Since that first Minnesota Pride in 1972, Pride has spread to every corner of Minnesota. Pine City was one of the first small towns to celebrate Pride.

On June 4, Pine City will host East Central Minnesota’s 17th annual Pride Celebration. Julie Redpath lives in Chisago City and has been a core member of the Pride team for many years. She also founded the first East Central Minnesota lesbian and queer women’s social group, Purple Circle.

MPR’s meteorologist Paul Huttner reflects on this week’s tornadoes and impending severe storm warnings.

So much learning happens outside the classroom. The connections we make in the community can be equally as powerful.

Michael Kelly and Emmanuel Fale know this. They’re students at the University of Minnesota Medical School and co-presidents of a new student-run club called the MD Link — which connects med students with higher-risk youth.

The program aims to both get students connected in their community and offer mentorship and guidance to youth who are at higher risk of or are already experiencing homelessness, foster care, sex trafficking or are in the juvenile justice system.

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

Dr. Joi Lewis is a visionary community healer, speaker, author of the book “Healing: The Act of Radical Self-Care” and founder of Joi Unlimited and the Healing Justice Foundation.

She helps us practice holding heartbreak, joy, and healing all at once. On Wednesday, she interviewed T. Mychael Rambo, an Emmy-award winning actor, vocalist, educator and community organizer about taking a pause.

Use the audio player above to listen to their conversation.

The stage is set for a Fall race between incumbent governor Tim Walz and GOP challenger former state senator and physician Scott Jensen. Candidate filings closed yesterday. Third party candidate Cory Hepola and GOP candidate Rich Stanek both ended their campaigns for governor on Tuesday.

It’s not certain whether lawmakers will return to the Capitol for a special session. They left a major tax cut bill on the table at the end of the regular session along with funding for nursing homes and other areas of state government. Governor Tim Walz joined host Cathy Wurzer to discuss funding and a special session.

Host Cathy Wurzer interviews Dr. Brooke Cunningham from the Minnesota Department of Health’s Racial Equity Bureau.

Listen to the full show here.