Minnesota Now

This week, three Minnesota foundations launched "Our Home State," a five-year, $20 million initiative to expand access to affordable housing and address housing instability in the state.

It’s a collaboration between The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, the F.R. Bigelow Foundation and the Mardag Foundation. St. Paul-based company Ecolab has pledged an additional $3 million to the project.

Alfonso Wenker is the senior vice president of community impact at the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation. He talked to MPR News host Nina Moini about the project.

Federal agents clashed with protesters in an industrial area of St. Paul Tuesday morning. We had the latest on that developing story.

One of the state's largest health insurers is shutting down. We found out what that means for 300,000 people in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

The Minneapolis Police Department is facing criticism for its handling of three high-profile cases. The most recent is the killing of a woman who made multiple reports of domestic violence. We talked to a Star Tribune reporter who investigated her case.

Three philanthropy groups are putting up $20 million to help people find and keep affordable housing. We learned more about the project.

Plus, we talked to renowned chef Sean Sherman about his new cookbook.

Our Minnesota Music Minute was “Frybread” by Keith Secola and our Song of the Day was “None of my Hands” by Hiahli.

A federal law enforcement operation at a St. Paul manufacturer prompted a large response by observers and protesters on Tuesday morning.

Federal agents wearing clothing marked “FBI,” “DEA” and “HSI” — Homeland Security Investigations, part of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — were seen at Bro-Tex Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of cloth and paper wipes. It was not immediately clear what prompted the operation.

MPR News host Nina Moini spoke to reporter Estelle Timar-Wilcox, who was on the scene.

One of Minnesota’s largest health insurers is shutting down at the start of next year. 

Minnesota-based UCare announced the move in a statement issued Monday. According to officials with the nonprofit, its health insurance plans for more than 300,000 members across Minnesota and western Wisconsin will be transferred to Medica, another large nonprofit health insurer based in Minnesota. The shuttering of U-Care brings up questions about insurance options for Minnesota’s most vulnerable.

Stephen Parente is a professor of finance at Minnesota Carlson and the Minnesota Insurance Industry chair of health finance. He joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about the change.

A once rarely-used process by the federal government has now been used to detain more than 200 immigrants at Fort Snelling Immigration Court in Minnesota. That's according to an immigrant advocacy group tracking the cases. We'll learn about the change.

We'll learn more about eligibility changes to SNAP that took place in the background of the government shutdown and how those changes could impact Minnesotans going into the holiday season.

Plus, Target is asking their employees to smile more at customers. But will this help the struggling retailer? We'll hear from a consumer behavior and psychology expert.

And the Vikings, Gophers and Wolves all lost! We'll relive a forgettable Minnesota sports weekend with Wally and Eric.

Our Minnesota Music Minute was “September Rain” by Jaki Blue and our Song of the Day was “Hillside Sunset” by Funk N Spuds.

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The Advocates for Human Rights, which is based in Minneapolis, said that its legal observers at Fort Snelling Immigration Court daily are seeing a shift in procedure.

Michele Garnett McKenzie, the organization’s executive director, said its legal observers have less access to courtrooms, documents and communication with judges.

One of the changes The Advocates for Human Rights have noticed is a once rarely-used practice now being used to detain more immigrants. The organization says it tracked 225 people this year who had their case dismissed by a judge at Fort Snelling Immigration Court and then were immediately arrested by ICE agents outside the courtroom.

Garnett McKenzie joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to shed light on what's changed in immigration court here in Minnesota.

The federal government shutdown caused weeks of turmoil for recipients of the food assistance benefits known as SNAP. In the background, major changes to the program took effect under the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” Congress passed this summer.

About 9,000 immigrants in Minnesota are no longer eligible for SNAP, according to the state. And administrators are in the process of implementing work requirements that are expected to impact 29,000 others.

Sophia Lenarz-Coy, executive director of The Food Group, joined MPR News host Nina Moini to explain what’s changed in Minnesota.

For a few seconds, it looked like the Minnesota Vikings had made a comeback to beat the Chicago Bears yesterday. But right after their last-minute touchdown, the Bears scored a field goal. Chicago won the game 19 to 17.

The Vikings now go on to face their division rivals, the Green Bay Packers. While the Vikings will be away at Lambeau Field, high schools football teams will be taking over U.S. Bank Stadium for the state tournament.

Sports contributors Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about these stories and all things Minnesota sports.

Minnesota-based retail giant Target is encouraging its store employees to smile and interact with customers more. Target shared with MPR News that the employee training program is called “10-4.” At 10 feet within a customer, Target is guiding store employees to smile and make eye contact with customers. And at 4 feet, employees should consider a conversation.

The new guidance has caused quite the conversation, with people reflecting “how do I want to be interacted with when going to a store?”

Joining Minnesota Now is an expert in consumer behavior and psychology, Aaron Sackett. He’s a marketing professor at the University of St. Thomas Opus College of Business.

Ten years ago this weekend, Jamar Clark was shot and killed by Minneapolis police. His death was a turning point for the Black Lives Matter movement throughout Minnesota. We reflect on changes in policing in the city and on Clark's life with his sister.

We get updated on the conflict between a Minneapolis landowner and the city about an encampment that grew on his property.

MPR News reporter Kirsti Marohn joins us to talk about how battery storage plays a role in the state's shift to clean energy.

Plus, we take you to a booming new Mexican market in Richfield.

For some, when it gets chilly outside, it's time to turn the oven on inside. We talk with chef Amy Thielen about her favorite fall treats.

The Minnesota Music Minute was “Sad Firm Handshake” by Dave King Trucking Company and “Flowers” by Dirty-930 was the Song of the Day.