MPR News with Angela Davis

Minnesota Public Radio

4.6 (129)
Daily News
Updated Daily

Conversations about life in Minnesota and how the state is changing, weekdays from MPR News. Programming note: Our colleague Angela Davis is taking a leave of absence after a recent breast cancer diagnosis. Thank you to all who have checked in and shared kind words. Angela is touched by your support as she focuses on her recovery.

22h ago

The U.S. is turning 250: Looking back, looking forward

Next week, the United States marks a unique milestone: the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. For some Americans, the semiquincentennial is a moment to celebrate the nation’s achievements and ideals. For others, it is an opportunity to reflect on the gaps between those ideals and the realities of American history. For many, it is both. MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about what the anniversary means for the U.S.

48 min
1d ago

Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold is betting on the future of downtown St. Paul

Craig Leipold may be one of downtown St. Paul’s biggest boosters. He’s the owner of the Minnesota Wild, and his company manages the venues that bring two million people downtown every year for games, concerts and other events: the Grand Casino Arena, the Saint Paul RiverCentre and Roy Wilkins Auditorium. This year, he expanded his sports franchises to include a new women’s volleyball team that he hopes will attract even more fans to downtown. And he just became majority owner of the historic St. Paul Hotel, the century-old hotel overlooking Rice Park where he stays on the top floor when he isn’t home in Racine, Wis. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Leipold about his career, the business of sports, being a dad of five sons and what’s ahead for downtown St. Paul.

48 min
2d ago

What are you reading this summer?

Summer is a great time to get lost in a good story, discover a new author, or tackle that book on your nightstand. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two booksellers about their recommendations and what Minnesotans are reading.

47 min
3d ago

Subscription fatigue? How to take control of those monthly fees

Many people underestimate how much they spend on subscriptions and memberships. Consumers think they spend around $90 a month, according to one survey. But when asked to actually add up those recurring fees, the average came to $220 a month — more than twice as much. MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about the rise of the subscription economy, why recurring fees have become so common and how consumers can get a better handle on what they’re paying for. Guests: Demitri McGee is a financial coach, certified housing counselor and youth director at Build Wealth Minnesota, a nonprofit opportunity center dedicated to helping families through financial education, personalized coaching and community-based programs. Akshay Rao is a professor of marketing at the University of Minnesota, where he holds the General Mills chair at the Carlson School of Management. Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS. Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

47 min
Jun 18

When Father’s Day feels complicated

From missing a father to mourning a changed relationship or grieving the dad you never had, Father’s Day isn't joyful for everyone. On Thursday, MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about the complicated emotions the day can bring and strategies for coping.

47 min
Jun 17

A Woodbury man's race to survive after cardiac arrest

Each minute after someone’s heart stops is a countdown towards death — nine in 10 people die if they experience a cardiac arrest outside a hospital. Dave Ogle beat the odds. The Woodbury man’s heart stopped seven years ago while he was at home watching TV. His wife Kris Patrow was able to perform CPR until paramedics arrived. And then he was rushed to one of the few hospitals in the world that was pioneering new techniques that could restore blood flow to his lifeless body. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Ogle and Patrow about his recovery, and with a cardiologist about the importance of CPR and why Minnesota has some of the best cardiac arrest survival rates in the country.

46 min
Jun 16

Three commencement speakers share the advice they gave the Class of 2026

Commencement speeches are meant to mark an ending and a beginning. And the best ones offer wisdom that lasts beyond graduation day. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with three Minnesotans who were commencement speakers this year about the messages they shared with graduates and what the rest of us can learn from them. Guests: Myles Frueh earned his associate’s degree from Alexandria Technical and Community College in May and was a student speaker at the school’s 2026 commencement ceremony. He double-majored in business management and sales marketing, was vice president of the student senate and was a campus tour guide. He also serves as a vice president for Collegiate DECA, an international nonprofit that prepares high school and college students for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management.Maria Reeve is the executive director of culture and careers at The Minnesota Star Tribune. Prior to her current role, she was a managing editor for the newsroom. Before that, she was the executive editor for the Houston Chronicle. And she was a reporter and editor at the St. Paul Pioneer Press for 19 years. She delivered the 2026 commencement address for the Philip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland. Della Schall Young is the CEO and principal hydrologist of Young Environmental Consulting Group, a Minnesota-based environmental consulting firm specializing in water resources, stormwater management, and environmental planning. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences at the University of Minnesota and was invited back this year to give the undergraduate commencement address.

47 min
Jun 15

Why Minnesota needs more Black teachers

Minnesota's student population has grown significantly more diverse over the past few decades. Today, nearly 40 percent of the state's K-12 students identify as students of color. But, according to the Minnesota Department of Education, just 7 percent of the state’s teachers identify as teachers of color. The gap is even wider for Black educators. While Black students make up about 12 percent of Minnesota's student population, Black teachers account for just 1.4 percent of the state's teaching workforce. And Black men make up only 0.5 percent of all K-12 teachers in the state. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with leaders of Black Men Teach, a Twin Cities organization that’s working to recruit, prepare and support Black male elementary school teachers in Minnesota. Guests:  Markus Flynn is the CEO of Black Men Teach, a nonprofit committed to increasing the number of Black male elementary school educators in the Twin Cities. He used to teach fifth and sixth grade science at Prodeo Academy in Minneapolis. Devon Minke teaches third grade at North Park School for Innovation in Columbia Heights. Keondre Lewis teaches second grade at North Park School for Innovation in Columbia Heights.

48 min

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4.6

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129 Ratings

Urban animals

Apr 14

Marigold135

Great podcast. I learned so much and improved my understanding of local animal behavior. Thanks! Love this podcast
Good

02/17/2024

Jhfhdjfjjfjfdn

You have to losing to it
Are you a victim?

06/27/2024

Night Soul Train

If you are, npr will bend head over heels to share your story, never willing to examine the other side of such stories, narratives. It makes for easy reporting, news gathering, but leaves us all less informed at the end of the day
Appointment listening

11/18/2023

Pocketfullofpocketsand

Angela Davis is a wonderful interviewer with a lovely voice and pace. She keeps the conversation moving and the topics discussed vary but are always interesting and informative.

Conversations about life in Minnesota and how the state is changing, weekdays from MPR News. Programming note: Our colleague Angela Davis is taking a leave of absence after a recent breast cancer diagnosis. Thank you to all who have checked in and shared kind words. Angela is touched by your support as she focuses on her recovery.