Mayors from up and down the Mississippi River are gathering in the Twin Cities this week for their annual conference. The event, organized by the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative, brings together local leaders from 107 cities across 10 states that border the river.

It marks the first time these mayors have met in person since federal funding cuts reduced support for disaster mitigation and assessment, which are tools many river communities rely on as they face more frequent flooding, drought and other climate-related threats.

Colin Wellenkamp, the executive director of the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative, and Red Wing Mayor Gary Iocco joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about what’s on the agenda for mayors who lead cities along the Mississippi River corridor.