"Big Data" centers are coming to Minnesota, with companies such as Amazon planning massive facilities.  But as the industry expands, residents are weighing the long-term economic benefits against their concerns about the possible strain on the state’s electrical grid and water resources.

In this month's conversation with WTIP’s News Director Kalli Hawkins, we discuss their interview with Rima Dael, CEO of the National Federation of Community Broadcasters (NFCB) about the work of the organization and challenges for small rural stations during a period of uncertainty for federal funding.
Produced by Victor Palomino.

Katie Thune, the founder of Mad Hatter Wellness, is on a mission to empower individuals with disabilities through crucial education on healthy relationships, consent, and personal boundaries. With her background in health and special education, Katie left her teaching career to address the alarming issue of sexual assault among her students with intellectual disabilities. She created "Sexuality for All Abilities," a guidebook designed to help educators teach sexual health in special education settings, as well as teaching courses on the subject herself. Katie's dedication to teaching healthy sexuality and advocating for the autonomy of individuals with disabilities is creating a safer world for those living with intellectual disabilities.
 Produced by Katharine DeCelle.

An art center in the Rondo and Frogtown communities is committed to spreading joy within the Twin Cities, starting with their black history month celebration. North Star Stories' Jamad Jama interviews Mercedes Yarbrough and Nehemiah Jett of 825 Art, giving listeners insight into their three upcoming events and how they connect to their mission as an art center.
 Produced by Jamad Jama.

Minnesota Department of Health Laboratories use state-of-the-art equipment to analyze bacterial genomes. Sara Vetter, director of the Public Health Lab at the Minnesota Department of Health, talks about the high-tech ways they track diseases in an effort to limit and prevent outbreaks.
 Produced by Victor Palomino

Barbershops are a multi-generational space where people from the Black community come together for a fresh cut, storytelling, and a sense of connection. North Star Stories' Jarrett George-Ballard interviews St. Paul's Kali Kutz owner June Hunter for more.

Producer:  Jarrett George-Ballard 

An all-girls robotics team from St. Paul, Minnesota is leading the way for girls in STEM. The "Bucket Cats," along with hundreds of other young engineers gathered in Burnsville, Minnesota to compete in the FIRST LEGO League state competition. Teams come from around the state with robots they have built from LEGOs and compete to win points in robot missions. With a focus on underwater exploration, each team must also create an innovation project that showcases their problem-solving skills and passion for science, technology, engineering, and math. As an excellent example of girls in STEM, the Bucket Cats demonstrate the impact that programs like FLL can have on building confidence and providing essential skills for girls to pursue careers in these fields.

Producer: Katharine DeCelle

Reporter Andrea Duarte-Alonso shares her family’s journey to finding a home in Worthington, Minnesota, a small town that has undergone significant demographic and cultural changes over the past few decades.
 Producer: Andrea Duarte-Alonso.

Highland Popcorn, a small popcorn shop in St. Paul, has made a significant impact on its community in just one year by providing meaningful job opportunities for individuals with developmental and physical challenges. Under the leadership of General Manager Goog Applebaum, the store partners with Midwest Special Services to employ staff who face barriers in the job market, helping them excel in various roles from popping to packaging popcorn. The employees express joy and pride in their work, creating a strong sense of community and belonging. Through this commitment to empowerment and inclusion, Highland Popcorn is not only transforming the lives of its employees but also reshaping perceptions about the capabilities of individuals with disabilities. Producer:  Katharine DeCelle.

What is a "third place," and why are they key to maintaining strong communities in rural Minnesota and beyond? Sampaguita is a multidisciplinary art space in Aitkin, Minnesota, that was created to give people somewhere to come and "just be." AMPERS is joined by Sampaguita co-owner Richard Lupu to discuss what he has learned from creating Sampaguita, and what community organizers and members might take with them to their own public spaces.
 Produced by Maija Hecht.