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by Minnesota Public Radio
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.
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- Today59 min
Minnesota Now: July 29, 2026
St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her is under investigation over allegations of sexual harassment of city employees. MPR News reporter Estelle Timar-Wilcox shared the latest. Plus, Elon Musk is suing Minnesota over its AI nudification ban, saying it violates the First Amendment. An expert broke down the case.After the death of a longtime Twin Cities paramedic, we took a look at the mental health challenges facing EMS providers. We learned about the troubling trend of resident-on-resident altercations in dementia care facilities turning deadly.And a break from the heat is finally in the forecast. We talked with Chief Meteorologist Ben Cathey. Plus, Minnesota's professional women's tackle football team, the Vixen, won their first championship! We heard from the head coach.
- Today10 min
Death of Twin Cities EMS provider sheds light on mental health challenges for first responders
EMS workers are mourning the loss of one of their own. Longtime paramedic and inventory technician Chuck Brady died by suicide earlier this month. He worked with Allina Health EMS for 17 years. Paramedics are one of the many professions that experience unique mental health challenges. EMS providers are 1.39 times more likely to die by suicide than the public according to the CDC. Joining Minnesota Now to remember Chuck and talk about the mental health challenges EMS providers face is Brett Hopper. He is a paramedic and union president for the International Association of EMTs and Paramedics Local 167.
- Today8 min
'We put in the time:' Minnesota Vixen head coach celebrates national women's football title
Minnesota finally has a professional football champion. The Minnesota Vixen captured their first Women's Football Alliance national title over the weekend, defeating the Pittsburgh Passion 42-14 in Ohio. The game ended a championship drought for the country's longest continuously-operating women's tackle football team. The Vixen had reached four previous title games but had never won. Head coach Connor Jo Lewis joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about what it’s been like to bring the title back to Minnesota.
- Today8 min
First Amendment questions at center of lawsuit against Minnesota's AI nudification ban
Elon Musk is taking Minnesota to court. A lawsuit by Musk's artificial intelligence company, X.AI, argues the state's new so-called "nudification ban" set to take effect Saturday violates the First Amendment.The ban targets technology that allows users to create and post deepfake pornographic videos or images of people without their consent. Companies that violate the law could face a hefty fine. The state Legislature passed the law almost unanimously this year. Incoming University of Minnesota law professor and First Amendment expert Jeff Kosseff joined MPR News host Nina Moini to help explain the case and what it means for the state’s law.
- Today10 min
Violence repeatedly erupts in dementia care despite warnings, inspections show
Gladys Lynch was a retired accountant who moved into the memory care unit at Harbor Crossing in White Bear Lake, Minnesota in September 2025 after developing dementia. Only a few weeks later, she died from injuries caused by being pushed by another resident in an altercation. According to a new KFF Health News investigation, what happened to Gladys is just one example of situations where resident-to-resident incidents in dementia care facilities have turned deadly. KFF Health News reporter Jordan Rau joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about the investigation. And gerontologist Eilon Caspi shared what he’s learned from researching resident-to-resident altercations.
- Yesterday57 min
Minnesota Now: July 28, 2026
The Forest Service is opening parts of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area for overnight use. It could be a reprieve for the region's economy, which has stalled because of wildfires. We'll check in with the mayor of Ely, where most nearby entrances remain closed.Wildfires in Canada have forced several First Nations communities to evacuate. We'll hear what a group in Thunder Bay is doing to help.A small town on the North Shore of Lake Superior is losing its health clinic. We'll talk with two people working to improve healthcare access in the area.Have you heard of cryptocurrency kiosks? They'll soon be banned in the state. We'll find out why.Napheesa Collier returns to the Lynx home court Tuesday. We'll hear how her return is being received by fans.Our Minnesota Music Minute was "Charlie" by Cowboy Thoughts. Our Song of the Day was "Calling Time" by The People Brothers Band.
- Yesterday11 min
A ban on crypto kiosks in Minnesota begins Aug. 1. What are these machines?
A new state law taking effect Aug. 1 aims to put a stop to scams that have caused Minnesotans to lose nearly a million dollars over the last few years.The schemes involve tricking people into depositing large sums of money into ATM-like machines called cryptocurrency kiosks. State lawmakers passed a ban on these kiosks this past legislative session in light of these scams. It was signed into law by Gov. Tim Walz in May 2026.MPR News host Nina Moini spoke to Sara Payne, assistant commissioner of enforcement with the Department of Commerce, and Cathy McLeer, state director of AARP Minnesota, about the law and how it works.
- Yesterday8 min
As wildfires burn along U.S.-Canada border, First Nations communities take refuge in Thunder Bay
The land just across Minnesota's border with Ontario, Canada, looks a lot like northern Minnesota. It has a similar landscape of remote forest, water, and, right now, wildfire. There are more than 100 fires burning in Ontario and they've destroyed two First Nations communities, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Others have had to evacuate, including the Gakijiwanong Anishinaabe Nation, which has ties to the nearby Bois Forte Band of Chippewa in Minnesota. Many evacuees are staying in Thunder Bay, where local organizations are working to support them. To learn more, MPR News host Nina Moini spoke with Cora McGuire-Cyrette, a member of the Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek First Nation and CEO of the Ontario Native Women's Association. For the last couple weeks, her organization has shifted focus to helping people displaced by wildfires.
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