MPR News with Angela Davis

Minnesota Public Radio

4.6 (132)
Daily News
Updated Semiweekly

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.

1d ago

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.
2d ago

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.
6d ago

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.
Aug 5

Addressing the mental health strain on public leaders

Public office has always been demanding, but the stress of leadership seems to be taking a bigger toll on elected officials’ mental health. Several city council members in Minnesota recently shared their struggles with mental health, including a Minneapolis council member who took a break to attend to depression and anxiety. Earlier this year, St. Paul’s city council president resigned, citing “the “constant stressors of public leadership.” At a national level, a U.S. representative from New Jersey disclosed in June that he was being treated for depression after a four-month absence from Congress. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with a therapist and a city council member about burnout and stress among elected officials and what to do about it. Guests: Aurin Chowdhury is a member of the Minneapolis City Council representing Ward 12 in southeastern Minneapolis. She was elected in 2023 after serving as manager of constituent services for a state senator and a policy aide for two Minneapolis council members. She recently shared her struggles with her mental health in a newsletter with constituents. Noel Nix is a therapist with Vibrant Life Therapy working toward a professional clinical counseling license. He has a master’s degree in counseling psychology from the University of St. Thomas and previously worked for more than a decade in municipal government as a city council aide and in public engagement for the City of St. Paul.
Aug 4

Trust, accountability and the behavior we expect from political leaders

Public trust is essential to effective leadership, but it can be difficult to build and easy to lose. Recent allegations of sexual harassment involving St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her have prompted conversations about workplace conduct, accountability and the responsibilities that come with public office. MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about the standards we hold elected officials to and how power, race, gender and politics shape how we think about allegations against public figures.
Aug 3

Making sense of student loan changes

If you have student loans, keeping up with the rules hasn’t been easy. Over the past few years borrowers have navigated payment pauses, loan forgiveness efforts, court challenges and the return of monthly payments. Now, another major change has arrived. As of July 1, new federal rules have reshaped parts of the student loan system, restricting repayment options for many borrowers and borrowing rules for future students. MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about what these changes mean for borrowers, how they affect monthly payments and how people can make informed financial decisions about their student loans. Guests: Chris Farrell is a senior economics contributor for MPR News and Marketplace. Shannon Doyle is a certified financial counselor and program director of partnerships and education with LSS Financial Counseling. Here are some resources that were mentioned during the show: Federal Student AidFederal Student Aid Estimator 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.
Jul 30

Fraud and funding delays are threatening Medicaid in Minnesota

The Trump administration last week put a new freeze on Medicaid funding for Minnesota, citing concerns over fraud. The nearly $200 million in frozen payments follows previous funding pauses, for a total of nearly $550 million. While federal authorities insist they are protecting taxpayer money, Minnesota state officials argue that the move is punitive and harms vulnerable people who rely on Medicaid programs. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with the head of the state’s Medicaid programs about how the state department is responding to Medicaid fraud cases and the impact of funding freezes on providers and patients. If you suspect fraud in a program run by the Minnesota Department of Human Services, you can find information on how to report it on the DHS fraud reporting website. The Minnesota Department of Human services also has information on what people can do to find a new provider if their provider has been disenrolled from the Medicaid program. Guest: John Connolly is temporary commissioner and state Medicaid director for the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Before being appointed as interim head of the department in 2026, he was a deputy commissioner.
Jul 29

Breaking down barriers to dental care

For many people, going to the dentist is easy to put off — until something hurts. Millions of Americans don’t get regular dental care because of cost, lack of insurance, difficulty of finding a provider or fear of the dentist. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two experts about why oral health matters, the barriers that keep people out of the dentist’s chair and what’s being done to make dental care more accessible. Guests: Dr. Elmi Abdulkadir Elmi is a dentist and co-founder of All About Dentistry, a general dental practice with locations in Burnsville and West St. Paul. He was also selected as a 2026 Bush Fellow, recognized for his work expanding access to oral health care. Dr. Sheila Riggs is an associate professor of dental public health in the School of Dentistry at the University of Minnesota and chair of the Association of Critical Access Dental Providers of Minnesota. Here are some of the resources that were discussed on the show: Dental Clinics and Services - Help Me ConnectPublic Resources | Minnesota Dental AssociationUniversity of Minnesota Dental Clinics 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.

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4.6

out of 5

132 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.