Minnesota Now

Minnesota Public Radio
  • 4.7 (43)
  • BUSINESS NEWS
  • UPDATED DAILY

Live, down to earth, unscripted interviews that aim to connect, inform and entertain. Real people share real stories with MPR News host Nina Moini. It’s journalism that doesn’t take itself too seriously and puts people first.

  1. 1D AGO

    Wisconsin reporter gives insight on country’s most expensive judicial race

    Spending in a Wisconsin Supreme Court race that could determine the court’s ideological majority has surpassed $90 million. The two candidates, conservative Judge Brad Schimel and liberal Judge Susan Crawford, will face off on April 1. Both candidates have raised millions of dollars and garnered attention from some prominent names in politics, including Elon Musk, whose Department of Governmental Efficiency has slashed funding for government projects and cut thousands of federal jobs.  Matt Smith, the politics director of WISN 12 News in Milwaukee, Wis., joined Minnesota Now to talk about the race and how it could have impacts in Minnesota and around the country.

    8 min

  2. 2D AGO

    Minnesota Now: March 27, 2025

    Federal COVID-19 funds to states, including Minnesota, are being cut by the Trump administration. It erases $266 million in grants to the state. We’ll learn what impact that has from the Minnesota Department of Health commissioner. Voters in Wisconsin will head to the ballot box next week in a state Supreme Court race. A Wisconsin reporter will share why people like Elon Musk are spending money on that election. Plus we'll learn about a new partnership between three Twin Cities colleges that hopes to reenroll people who didn't finish their degree. In our Thank You, Stranger we learn about a Minneapolis music fan known as "Front Row Paul." And a fundraiser is supporting Minnesota Korean adoptees who want to learn about their past. Our Minnesota Music Minute was “Just Like That” by Harlow and our Song of the Day was “Spandrel” by Jacob Pavek.

    57 min

  3. 2D AGO

    ‘Seoul searching’: Korean adoptee celebrates 50th by raising awareness, funds for travel

    A landmark report in South Korea has concluded the government bears responsibility for facilitating a corrupt foreign adoption program, peaking in the 1970s and 80s. A commission in the country Wednesday released the findings after a nearly three-year investigation.   The adoption program left thousands of Korean adoptees with questions and grief about their origin. More than 20,000 of those adoptees live here in Minnesota. It's the state with the highest number of Korean adoptees in the country.   David “Chilly” Caufman, a Korean adoptee, has been a part of the Twin Cities music scene for 20 years and is helping to organize a music festival called Heart & Seoul Connection. Money raised during the festival will support adoptees to visit their birth country. Caufman is working with Adoptee Hub, a Minnesota-based organization that supports Korean adoptees, to put the concert on. He joined Adoptee Hub founder and CEO Ami Nafzger to talk about the concert and the recent report on Minnesota Now.

    11 min

  4. 2D AGO

    Thank You, Stranger: ‘Front Row Paul’ gave the Twin Cities music scene his all

    This week's episode of “Thank You Stranger” honors a Twin Cities music scene legend. He was well known by local musicians and show-goers as “Front Row Paul”, or Paul Engebretson. Paul passed away earlier this week after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. MPR News producer Ellen Finn talked to local musician and talent buyer Christy Costello about how Paul went from stranger to friend for hundreds of musicians. A celebration of life for Paul is being planned at Palmer’s Bar in Minneapolis at the end of May.

    6 min

  5. 2D AGO

    New partnership hopes to reenroll 600,000 Minnesotans who never finished college

    A new partnership is helping Minnesotans get their college degrees, if for some reason they couldn’t finish. Minneapolis College, St. Paul College and Metro State University are working with a ReUp Education, a national organization that helps reenroll people in college.   According to data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, the state of Minnesota has more than 600,000 residents who have some college but no credential. Greg Mellas, dean of Liberal and Fine Arts at St. Paul College, and Katy VanVliet, ReUp Education’s senior vice president of Learner Services, joined Minnesota Now to share more about the program.

    11 min

  6. 2D AGO

    MDH commissioner: $226 million cuts to federal COVID-19 grants ‘shortsighted’

    State health leaders say the federal government is canceling $226 million in public health funding in Minnesota. The cuts are part of an $11.4 billion cut to COVID-19 related grants nationwide. In a statement, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said, “The COVID-19 pandemic is over.” The department also called the grants a waste of taxpayer money. Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Brooke Cunningham joined Minnesota Now to talk about how the cuts will impact services in Minnesota.

    10 min

  7. 3D AGO

    Minnesota Now: March 26, 2025

    The state of Minnesota is asking more than 50,000 employees to return to the office for 50 percent of the time beginning in June. The governor wants more in-person collaboration. We hear from a union leader who disputes the move and its timing. A Minneapolis charter school is facing two lawsuits questioning the school administration's conduct after two teachers were accused of sexual abuse. We get the latest on a leadership change. Plus, a sloppy spring storm could be on the way. MPR Chief Meteorologist Paul Huttner has an update. And we go out to lunch with basketball legend Lindsay Whalen! She is back with the Lynx as an assistant coach after taking an 18-month break from basketball. Today’s Minnesota Music Minute is “Late Bloom” by Zippy Laske and the Song of the Day is “Girl from the North Country” performed by Timothee Chalamet and Monica Barbaro.

    56 min

  8. 3D AGO

    Out to Lunch: Lindsay Whalen is ready to have joy back in basketball

    It’s time for another edition of Out to Lunch. We’re getting out of the studio and meeting different members of our community over a meal, at a restaurant of their choice. Today we’ll hear a conversation MPR News host Nina Moini had with Lindsay Whalen. She’s a Minnesota basketball legend with a storied playing career with the Gopher’s and Lynx. Now she’s coaching and gearing up for her first season as an assistant coach with the Lynx. Moini and Whalen met up at The Freehouse in the north loop neighborhood of Minneapolis for lunch.

    16 min
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    4.7
    out of 5
    43 Ratings

    About

    Live, down to earth, unscripted interviews that aim to connect, inform and entertain. Real people share real stories with MPR News host Nina Moini. It’s journalism that doesn’t take itself too seriously and puts people first.

    Information

    • Creator
      Minnesota Public Radio
    • Years Active
      2021 - 2025
    • Episodes
      81
    • Rating
      Clean
    • Copyright
      © Copyright 2025 Minnesota Public Radio
    • Show Website
      Minnesota Now

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