Minnesota Now

Thursday is the second day of the federal government shutdown. We learn how Minnesotans could be impacted.

There are now 18 measles cases confirmed in Minnesota. We talk to an infectious disease expert with the state health department about efforts to stop the dangerous disease.

We learn about the Lower Sioux Indian Community's work building homes out of hemp.

Since the U.S. started a trade war with China, making magnets in the U.S. has been difficult. A new plant in Minnesota could change that.

We hear how a woman was comforted after a huge loss in our “Thank You, Stranger” series.

Plus, we go to MPR’s archives for a conversation with the late Jane Goodall.

And it's the 75th anniversary of Charles Shulz's “Peanuts” comics! We look back at the St. Paul cartoon that changed the world.

Minnesota Now’s series called “Thank You, Stranger” explores the small acts of kindness that make a big impact.

Minnesota Now producer Ellen Finn spoke to Becky Miest in Northfield. A stranger helped pick her back up after an emotional journey with her cat.

In our series Thank You, Stranger, we hear the stories of how strangers can make our lives a little brighter or lift us up in a difficult moment. If you have a story to share about a stranger who made your life a little brighter, we want to hear it.

Contact us at [email protected] or ‪(612) 361-1252‬.

The Minnesota Department of Health has confirmed 10 new cases of measles since Monday, bringing the total to 18 cases in the state.

Meanwhile, national health officials reported there is a total of more than 1,500 cases across the country. That’s the highest number since the disease was declared eliminated from the U.S. in 2000.

Jessica Hancock-Allen, the director of the Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Division at the Minnesota Department of Health, joined MPR News host Nina Moini to explain the situation.

It’s been 75 years since Charles Schulz’s beloved comic strip “Peanuts” debuted on October 2, 1950, in St Paul.

Charlie Brown, Snoopy and their friends have had a huge impact on culture in Minnesota and around the world. Kate Roberts, senior exhibit developer at the Minnesota Historical Society and self-proclaimed “Peanuts” superfan, joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about the comic’s legacy.

Most magnets are made from rare-earth elements imported from China, and access to these elements has become a bargaining chip in the U.S. trade war with China. But the magnet supply could become less of a concern, if a Minnesota company is successful in its bid to replace rare-earth magnets.

Niron Magnetics held an official groundbreaking of its new manufacturing plant in Sartell last week. MPR News correspondent Kirsti Marohn joined Minnesota Now to share what she’s learned, as a part of a regular check-in with reporters in Greater Minnesota.

The Lower Sioux Indian Community has been leading the charge in Minnesota in building homes out of hemp. The tribe has its own facility that makes a home insulation material known as “hempcrete," which is safer and healthier than conventional materials.

Lower Sioux’s innovation has led it to host the 13th International Hemp Building Symposium this weekend. It’s the first time the conference has been held in the United States.

Danny Desjarlais, a member of the Lower Sioux Indian Community and the industrial hemp construction project manager for the tribe, joined MPR News host Nina Moini to share more about the symposium and his work.

State leaders outlined some of the potential impacts of the federal budget shutdown Thursday. Gov. Tim Walz and other state budget officials said thousands of federal employees are at risk of being furloughed and funding for nutrition programs and clean energy projects are in limbo.

MPR News politics correspondent Dana Ferguson joined MPR News host Nina Moini with details.

The U.S. government is shut down after President Donald Trump and Congress failed to strike a deal to keep government programs and services running. We talk to Democratic U.S. Senator Tina Smith about why she voted against the bill and what's next.

An annual report is out sharing how many people died in Minnesota from intimate partner abuse. We talk to Violence Free Minnesota about efforts to make that number zero.

A new series from MinnPost is looking at how Minnesota is a leader in school-based mental health care.

There is a chance of 90 degree temperatures this week. Chief meteorologist Paul Huttner shares a detailed forecast.

Plus, we talk to a member of the Minneapolis rock band Gully Boys about their debut album.

One of Minneapolis' most recognizable rock bands this decade will release their long-awaited debut album on Friday. Gully Boys have been playing grunge-infused pop songs on local and national stages for more than nine years.

The upcoming self-titled album contains songs their superfans know and love, plus many new releases. Gully Boys guitarist Mariah Mercedes joins MPR News host Nina Moini to share some of those songs and talk about the band.

Beginning at 9 a.m. Thursday, MPR News’ sister station The Current will play the full album with commentary from the band.

On Wednesday morning, a statewide coalition working to stop domestic violence released its annual homicide report. It names 24 people who were killed last year due to intimate partner abuse in Minnesota, plus three others whose deaths are listed as suspicious.

For more about what these cases reveal about intimate partner violence, MPR News host Nina Moini talks with Nikki Engel, interim co-executive director of Violence Free Minnesota. The group has published a version of this report every year since 1989.

If you or someone you know is in a dangerous situation with a partner, there is a 24-hour statewide domestic and sexual violence hotline. You can call Minnesota Day One at (866) 223-1111 or text (612) 399-9995.