MPR News with Angela Davis

Minnesota Public Radio
  • 4.6 (132)
  • 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. 

  1. 8h ago

    How to help older adults build meaningful connections

    We all need someone to talk to. But as we get older, it can be harder to find opportunities to build meaningful connections. MPR News host Angela Davis talks about programs that bring older adults and volunteers together through phone conversations, virtual coffee chats and in-person visits. Guests: Emma Lucchesi is the senior director of programs at Friends & Co, a Minnesota-based nonprofit that runs programs to create connection and belonging for older adults.Leigha Jensen has volunteered with Friends & Co since 2018. She is matched with an older adult who she calls regularly and now considers a good friend.

  2. 1d ago

    How to parent through the transition to high school

    Schools across Minnesota are starting the new school year. For families with a child entering high school, the transition can bring harder classes, changing friendships and new social pressures — along with more independence and opportunities to grow. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with her guests about how parents can support teenagers through the transition into high school. They’ll discuss how to keep communication open, when to step in and step back, and how to recognize when a child may need additional support. Guests: Sharon Powell is an extension educator with the University of Minnesota. She develops resources to help families navigate major transitions. Christine Paton is a guidance counselor at Minnehaha Academy, a private K-12 school in Minneapolis. She helps students with academic planning, personal growth, social and emotional well-being and preparation for life after high school.

  3. 2d ago

    Native entrepreneurs bring jobs and inspiration to their communities

    American Indians on tribal lands in the United States have historically faced some of the nation’s worst economic conditions. Casinos have helped improve bring jobs and development to many Minnesota tribes over the past four decades. And, now, the number of other types of businesses owned by Native entrepreneurs and tribal governments is growing — and becoming more diverse. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with MPR News senior economics contributor Chris Farrell and two Native business owners featured in the new series from MPR’s Upper Midwest Newsroom “Beyond the Bet,” exploring the diversification of Native entrepreneurship. Guests: Robert Blake is the founder and CEO of the solar development business Solar Bear. He is also founder and executive director of Native Sun Community Power Development, a nonprofit organization that is building out an electric vehicle charging network on tribal lands and promoting clean energy through education and workforce training. He lives in St. Paul and is a citizen of the Red Lake Nation of Ojibwe people in northern Minnesota. Madonna Peltier-Yawakie is co-founder and president of Turtle Island Communications, Inc. based in Brooklyn Park, Minn. The company provides engineering and technical consulting services to tribes, states and federal agencies to expand broadband internet service in reservation communities. She is a citizen of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians in North Dakota. 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.

  4. 6d ago

    Flock cameras, privacy and the limits of police surveillance

    Flock cameras can help police find stolen cars and solve crimes. But they can also create a record of where vehicles have been — raising questions about privacy and police surveillance. MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with a data privacy expert about what kind of information Flock cameras collect, who can access that information and what limits the Constitution puts on tracking our movements.

  5. Aug 12

    The big takeaways from Tuesday's primary elections

    MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with two political strategists about what Tuesday’s primary election results reveal about the future of Minnesota’s political parties, the influence of President Donald Trump and the November midterm elections.

  6. Aug 11

    Changing with the times to help Minneapolis neighborhoods thrive

    For nearly 150 years, Pillsbury United Communities has worked across Minneapolis to provide everything from youth programs and employment services to food assistance and a world class theater. Its work is rooted in a simple idea: The people who live in the neighborhood are the ones who know how to make their lives there better. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with the new president and CEO of Pillsbury United Communities about taking the helm at a time when local communities are facing so many challenges, and how the arts and connection can help people heal. Guests: Signe Harriday is the new president and CEO of Pillsbury United Communities, one of the Twin Cities’ oldest and largest nonprofits. The organization runs several community centers in Minneapolis and programs aimed at uplifting communities. She previously acted, directed and taught with Pillsbury House + Theatre before becoming the organization’s artistic producing director in 2021. Antonio Cardona is director of advancement at Pillsbury United Communities. He was previously the vice president of career readiness at Project for Pride in Living. Before that, he worked at Pillsbury for 15 years, primarily overseeing workforce development and charter schools.

  7. Aug 10

    Power Pair: Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis celebrate a Minnesota homecoming

    Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis are coming home to Minnesota for a special concert at the Minnesota State Fair. The Minnesota music legends are the award-winning songwriting and production duo behind dozens of hits for some of the biggest names in music and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with the longtime friends and creative partners about their Minnesota roots, the story behind their successful careers and the friendship that has kept them working together for more than 50 years. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis Guests: Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis are a Grammy Award-winning songwriting and production duo from Minnesota who have created hits for artists including Janet Jackson, Prince, Mariah Carey and Usher. They have been friends and creative partners for more than 50 years. Do you know a Power Pair? “Power Pairs” is a series featuring prominent Minnesotans in a close relationship. You may know of them separately but they reveal a new side of themselves when they sit down together. Listen to past interviews here and submit your idea for a future Power Pair here. 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.

  8. Aug 6

    Cyberattacks and the critical services we rely on

    State and federal authorities continue to investigate a recent coordinated cyberattack on Minnesota municipal water systems. Hackers disrupted technology controls at water towers and treatment plants in more than 30 Minnesota communities last week. And the FBI says water and wastewater companies in at least six other states have reported incidents. MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with her guests about what we can do to protect the water systems, power grids and other public services we rely on.

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About

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. 

Information

  • Creator
    Minnesota Public Radio
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    205
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Minnesota Public Radio
  • Show Website
    MPR News with Angela Davis

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