Minnesota Now

Paul Huttner and Cathy Wurzer discuss the 2-Part storm system moving across the state and looks forward to milder temps this weekend. Plus, Huttner explains how people can become severe weather spotters for the National Weather Service.

The Minneapolis Division of Race and Equity is charged with bettering the city’s government culture and connections to BIPOC residents. But in the past year, 8 of their 9 staff members have quit. Jay Boller, cofounder and editor of the online news source "Racket" explains what happened.

Abby Schuft joins host Cathy Wurzer to discuss the implications of the avian flu outbreak and how chicken owners can keep their flocks safe.

Every Tuesday, KAXE/KBXE radio in the Grand Rapids-Bemidji area airs nature reports as observed by local students. Phenologist John Latimer shares some of their latest updates.

Over the next several months, MPR News will bring you stories on the radio and on our website that reflect the culture and history of communities in our state.

Stark disparities around health, income, housing and education are entrenched in Duluth’s geography and history. The divisions come clearly into focus at the city’s two remaining high schools. Education offers a path toward closing the gaps, but change won’t come easily.

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Txongpao Lee is the Hmong Cultural Center’s director. He joins host Cathy Wurzer to talk about the center’s reopening and share the latest updates.

Youa Vang has been a music and culture writer for years in the Twin Cities. This week on Minnesota Now, she brings us three women artists to know in Minnesota’s music scene.

The finalists for the Minnesota Book Awards were announced earlier this month and Native author Chris Stark’s book “Carnival Lights” is a finalist. Chris Stark is Anishinaabe and Cherokee. The book is a blend of fact and fiction driving deep into the history of Minnesota. Host Cathy Wurzer invited Allison Waukau, a Native woman and a librarian in Minneapolis, on to the show to talk with Chris Stark.

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In early April, the founder of Black Girl Advocate, Shamaria Jordan, will be traveling with four Black high school students -- all girls -- to visit five colleges and universities in Nashville. It's a trip Jordan has been planning since November, a way to introduce these young woman to life -- and opportunity -- outside of Minnesota.

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The residents renting apartments at HavenBrook in the Twin Cities are living in 'dangerous conditions' according to a lawsuit filed by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. Last month his office brought suit against the mega-landlord, which owns more than 600 rental properties in Minnesota.

“Systematically understaffing and under resourcing the upkeep of their properties and leaving many tenants in homes that are uninhabitable is a deliberate strategy to extract profit from Minnesota families they rent to,” Ellison said in a press conference. “Tenants like Miss Crocket have reported to HavenBrook, often repeatedly, often over the course of years that they have real problems, such as no heat, backed up sewer systems, doors and windows that do not close, even live wild animals in the home.”

Tenants have been sounding the alarm on HavenBrook for years now, including the local organization United Renters for Justice. Brianna Lofton is a HavenBrook Homes tenant, and Chloe Jackson is an organizer with United Renters for Justice. They both joined host Cathy Wurzer to talk about their work.

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