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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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- 2 weeks ago10 min
Local philosopher examines definition of friendship by looking at relationships with AI
The second annual STEM Book Fest took place over the weekend at the Bakken Center in Minneapolis. The festival brings together authors to talk about science, technology, engineering and math. One of the speakers was Valerie Tiberius, a philosophy professor at the University of Minnesota. She talked about the rise of people forming friendships with artificial intelligence. Her book, called "Artificially Yours," explores what happens when people turn to AI chatbots for companionship. She joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about it.
- 2 weeks ago58 min
Minnesota Now: Oct. 27, 2026
The parents of Alex Pretti are demanding information from the Trump administration on the investigation into their son's killing by Border Patrol agents in January. We'll have updates from their first news conference, held this Tuesday morning in Minneapolis.St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her says she plans to eventually clear what's now the city's largest homeless encampment but does not have a specific timeline. We'll hear more from the mayor. We'll talk about the big questions surrounding AI friendships, with a Minnesota philosophy professor who wrote a book on the subject.A new podcast tells the story of a Somali sprinter and Olympian whose career was cut short. We'll talk to a Twin Cities running coach who once inspired her.Our Minnesota Music Minute was "Motorola" by Miloe.
- 2 weeks ago8 min
A young Somali woman captured hearts at the Olympics. Her story lives on in new ESPN podcast
A new podcast from ESPN tells the story of Samia Yusuf Omar, a Somali sprinter who captured hearts when she represented her country at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Samia dreamed of competing again at the 2012 Olympics in London, but she faced enormous obstacles pursuing that goal. She died at 21 while attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea in search of a better future. The podcast, called "The Fastest Girl in Somalia," features Abdi Bile, a former world champion runner who inspired Samia. Today, Abdi lives in Minnesota, where he mentors young runners in the Somali community. Abdi Bile joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about the life of Samia Yusuf Omar and a new generation of Somali American runners in Minnesota.
- 2 weeks ago20 min
St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her says she will keep clearing homeless encampments
It's been a contentious few months for St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her. This summer, she received pushback after directing the clearing of an encampment near Pig's Eye Park. She then faced a lawsuit from Police Chief Axel Henry for sexual harassment allegations. The results of an independent investigation into these claims did not find evidence that she sexually harassed the Chief but did find she acted inappropriately.Minnesota Now host Nina Moini talked to the mayor in her first sit-down interview with MPR News since these events unfolded.
- 2 weeks ago53 min
Minnesota Now: Oct. 26, 2026
With a week to go before midterm elections, national names are stepping in to support Minnesota candidates. We'll hear how President Donald Trump, former president Barack Obama and political commentator Hasan Piker are trying to reach Minnesota voters.Researchers say northeastern Minnesota lost an estimated $9 million in economic activity due to this summer's wildfires. We'll check in with a Cook County official on how they're recovering.And proposed changes to the U.S. Census could mean immigrants will no longer be counted. Plus, some residents on the west side of St. Paul say they're living with an unhealthy level of dust due to nearby industrial activity. How they're pushing for a dust mitigation ordinance.The Vikings, Wild and Timberwolves are all sitting in 1st place. Our sports contributors break down a winning weekend. Our Minnesota Music Minute was “punchline” by Anna Houston and our Song of the Day was “Birds of Prey” by Ben Rosenbush & The Brighton.
- 2 weeks ago9 min
Hmong advocates in Minnesota concerned over census proposal to end racial, ethnic tracking
The U.S. Census Bureau won’t count the nation’s population again until 2030. But the federal agency is making plans for the survey now. And the Trump Administration wants to change who gets counted, as well as the questions they’re asked. Under a proposed rule announced last month, the census would no longer include immigrants who aren’t U.S. citizens or permanent residents. And it would stop collecting data on race, ethnicity and sexual orientation. In Minnesota, the nonprofit Hmong American Partnership is urging people to submit public comment. Joining Minnesota Now to talk about why is the group’s president and CEO, May yer Thao.
- 2 weeks ago9 min
Study estimates $9 million economic loss due to BWCA wildfires, parts of region have recovered
A new study is giving us a first look at the economic impact of the wildfires this summer in the Boundary Waters. Researchers at the University of Minnesota Duluth looked at Ely and Grand Marais, and in July alone, estimated an economic loss of $9 million.Using cell phone ping data, the study looked at the number of visitors to each city. Because the data looks at the number of pings per day, visitors in the region for multiple days were counted more than once giving a measurement researchers called “visitor days.” In Ely, at the height of the wildfires, there was a more than 50 percent drop in visitor days.UMD research assistant Michael Vasichek and executive director at Visit Cook County and the Cook County Chamber of Commerce Linda Jurek joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about the numbers and recovery since then.
- 2 weeks ago9 min
The Vikings, Wild and Timberwolves are all in 1st place
All of Minnesota’s men’s professional sports teams currently playing are all leading their respective leagues (hopefully we didn’t jinx it).The Timberwolves are just at the start of their season. But the Vikings are one-third of the way through and are sitting undefeated. And the Wild are sitting on top of their division. Plus, for the first time in decades the Minnesota Gophers have all three Big Ten trophies. Minnesota Now sports contributors Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson shared all of the good Minnesota sports news with host Nina Moini.
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