• Minnesota Now: Aug. 20, 2025
    Aug 20 2025

    Wednesday morning, a committee on Capitol area security met for the first time since the shootings of two state lawmakers. MPR News politics reporter Clay Masters was at the meeting and joined the show to share what he learned about proposed safety improvements.


    As more immigrants in Minnesota are getting arrested to be deported, what happens to their cases after they're sent out of the country? An immigration lawyer joined us to explain.


    Can you believe the Minnesota State Fair starts Thursday? And the weather is looking good! We got a full forecast with MPR News meteorologist Paul Huttner.


    And four women are believed to be the first publicly documented all-women crew to portage a route from Lake Superior to Hudson Bay, Canada.


    Our Minnesota Music Minute was "Never Right" by Faith Boblett and our Song of the Day was "Living the Meme" by Lost Island Society.

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    54 mins
  • What happens to cases of Minnesota immigrants after they are deported?
    Aug 20 2025

    President Trump’s campaign to deport thousands of immigrants has had significant impacts for the Southeast Asian community in Minnesota.


    At a news conference last weekend by MN8, an advocacy group helping Southeast Asian immigrant communities, co-founder and executive director Montha Chum told reporters that five Hmong Minnesotans in federal detention were transferred to Louisiana and are currently awaiting deportation to Laos. Sahan Journal reports that, as of early June, at least 15 Hmong Minnesotans with criminal convictions were arrested to be deported.


    Ana Pottratz Acosta, a visiting professor at the University of Minnesota Law School and the Binger Center for New Americans — and a former immigration attorney — joined MPR News host Nina Moini to discuss the issue and explain what happens to immigrants’ cases after they’re sent out of the country.

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    12 mins
  • All-women crew paddles 1,380 miles to Hudson Bay to promote conservation, inclusion
    Aug 20 2025

    Four women have returned to the United States after an 80-day, 1,380-mile canoe journey from Lake Superior to Hudson Bay in Canada. The group, who call themselves the “Hudson Bay Girls,” believes they are the first publicly documented all-women crew to complete the historic route.


    But the trip was about more than just paddling. The crew aimed to raise awareness about environmental stewardship and encourage more women to reclaim space in paddle sports.


    Two members of the team, Abby Cichocki and Helena Karlstrom, joined MPR News host Nina Moini to share their experience.

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    10 mins
  • 'Best summer weather pattern possible' forecasted for Minnesota State Fair
    Aug 20 2025

    MPR News chief meteorologist Paul Huttner joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about the forecast for opening weekend of the Minnesota State Fair, how recent rainfall in fire zones could impact air quality in the state and how cricket chirps can help us understand the weather.

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    5 mins
  • Time to 'rethink how the people's house operates': Board weighs Capitol security changes
    Aug 20 2025

    A committee on Capitol area security met for the first time Wednesday morning since two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses were shot in their homes in June.


    Security around the Capitol has come under intense scrutiny since the shootings and after a man gained entry to the Capitol after hours by placing a wooden wedge in an external door. Members discussed proposals to add metal detectors, ban firearms and take other safety measures.


    MPR News senior politics reporter Clay Masters was at the meeting this morning and joined the show to share more about the role of the Capitol Security Committee.

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    7 mins
  • Minnesota Now: Aug. 19, 2025
    Aug 19 2025

    The state of Minnesota filed a lawsuit today against TikTok. It argues the social media company designed its app to be addictive to young people and then failed to protect them from harm. An expert on technology and the law joins us to explain.


    A housing complex for homeless and low-income veterans is opening in a Minneapolis suburb.


    Across the border in North Dakota, companies pump oil on private land and send the owners a check. We find out why those checks are coming in smaller amounts.


    Plus, we take a look inside a state agency that is hurrying to set up a new paid family and medical leave program by the new year.


    And we meet a comedian from northern Minnesota who's out with her first special.

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    55 mins
  • Minnesota attorney general sues TikTok for ‘preying on Minnesota young people’
    Aug 19 2025

    The state of Minnesota is suing TikTok, claiming the social media giant is dangerous and harmful for children. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison held a press conference Tuesday morning to lay out the state's case.


    “This isn't about free speech,” said Ellison. “It's actually about deception, manipulation, misrepresentation. This is about a company knowing the dangerous effects of its product, but making and taking no steps to mitigate those harms or inform users of the risks.”


    Alan Rozenshtein, an associate professor of law at the University of Minnesota, joined Minnesota Now to talk about the lawsuit and its implications.


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    10 mins
  • Northern Minnesota native Denise Winkleman releases first comedy special
    Aug 19 2025

    A comedian raised in the northern Minnesota town of Northome released her first comedy special on Tuesday called, “Bougie on a Budget.”


    The show is full of stories from Denise Winkelman’s life, including her upbringing, her time in the pro wrestling scene of Cincinnati, Ohio and her life today as a trans woman in Los Angeles.


    Winkelman joined Minnesota Now to talk about the special and growing up in Minnesota.

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    9 mins