Minnesota Now

Over the last 30 years, there have been several official bodies within the Minneapolis city government tasked with overseeing the police and handling complaints about law enforcement.

This week, the chairperson of the Minneapolis Police Conduct Oversight Commission (PCOC), Abigail Cerra, resigned after stepping into the position last summer. Cerra joined host Cathy Wurzer to discuss how the lack of staffing, independence, and access to data prompted her to leave.

Members of Minnesota’s Asian American community are marking one year since a gunman opened fire at an Atlanta spa. Six of the eight killed were women of Asian descent.

Chong Yang, a St. Paul teacher, mother and an advocate for young Asian American women, spoke with host Cathy Wurzer about what the one-year anniversary has meant to her and how she is continuing the conversation with young people in her community.

It’s been 10 days since Minneapolis teachers and staff began their strike, and kids in Minneapolis have missed eight days of school.

School board chairwoman Kim Ellison has said negotiations have made good movement, but there’s no deal yet. The pressure is mounting, and one school board member, Josh Pauley, resigned Tuesday citing broken trust between the board and the teacher’s union.

Some parents aren’t happy about the disruption to their children’s education. John Champe is the has two daughters in middle school in the Minneapolis district. He joined host Cathy Wurzer to talk about what the strike has been like for his family.

She also spoke with Shaun Laden, an educational support professional in Minneapolis and the president of the educational support professionals chapter of the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers.

A large portion of the Minnesota justice system could come to a screeching halt as early as next week as 470 public defenders and 200 support staff consider a potential strike. The group rejected the state’s latest contract offer last Thursday and voted to authorize a strike that could start next week. Jared Mollenkof, a Hennepin County public defender, along with Rep. Jamie Becker-Finn joined host Cathy Wurzer to give some insight into what led the public defenders to this point.

More than a half-century after construction of I-94 tore through the predominantly-Black Rondo neighborhood of St. Paul, various community members are pitching redesigns meant to repair the harm. The aging highway infrastructure is now in need of upgrades.

This time when the state decides how to move forward with the freeway, Black residents tell Nina Moini they will make sure they are included and centered in the discussion.

Moini’s story is part of the new MPR News’ reporting project called North Star Journey. These are stories exploring the history and culture of Minnesota communities and the series is made possible in part by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

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A handful of Democrats in the Minnesota House have proposed a gas tax holiday that would suspend the gas tax — which is currently 28.5 cents per gallon — from Memorial Day to Labor Day this year.

Carl Davis is the research director at the Institute of Taxation and Economic Policy. He joined host Cathy Wurzer on Minnesota Now to talk about the potential impact a gas tax interruption could have on Minnesota's revenue.

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

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The Minnesota State High School League wrestling tournament looked a little different this year. That's because, for the first-time ever, there was a girls division.

Edison High School senior Nari Miller took home the championship title in the 152lb. weight class and joined host Cathy Wurzer to talk about her path to the tournament and what's next for her after she graduates this spring.

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.

Art tells us the story of who we are. At least that’s what Tim Gihring believes. He is the host of the Minneapolis Institute of Art’s award-winning podcast called The Object. The fourth season launched yesterday. It’s about the surprising true stories behind the artwork in the museum’s collection. One listener described the podcast as being like a private tour of Mia that is both lighthearted and informative. Tim Gihring joined host Cathy Wurzer on the show to let listeners know what they can look forward to this season.

Youa Vang has been a music and culture writer for years in the Twin cities and she talks with Cathy Wurzer about a gig honoring Grant Hart, a new recognition for Annie Mack and a new song from Annie Enneking.

Dr. Peter Hayden's return to the United States after serving in Vietnam is, sadly, a tale many have heard before. The young man said he found himself back in Minneapolis without a home, no plan for his future and a drinking problem. And then, as Dr. Hayden says, God took over. A drinking-and-driving accident in front of a police station found him in treatment and while the 12 steps worked for him, he also noticed he was always the only person of color in the room. He wanted to change that.  

The Veteran now had a path forward. Dr. Hayden said used the G.I. Bill to help pay for his undergraduate degree and went to receive a master's in public administration and a doctorate in psychology. Then in 1976 he started Turning Point, an African American agency that focuses on providing culturally-specific substance use disorder treatment as well as housing and support services in North Minneapolis.

To date, Turning Point has helped more than 24,000 people.

Last month, the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers announced that moving forward, the Diversity, Inclusivity and Racial Equity Award will bear his name. He joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer on Minnesota Now to talk about the honor.

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.