Best Minnesota Native News Podcasts (2024)

1
Minnesota filmmakers bring author Tashia Hart’s 'Native Love Jams' to Life 5:01

24m ago5:01

5:01

An upcoming film production in northern Minnesota plans to bring together a talented team of Indigenous storytellers, actors, and crew. Producers say the film will portray Indigenous culture, life, and romance. Photo: From left to right, Tashia Hart, John Williams, and Elizabeth Day take a photo together with the screenplay of Native Love Jams. Cou…

1
Minnesota Now: Nov. 21, 2024 59:00

2h ago59:00

59:00

Political control of the Minnesota House comes down to tight races in two counties. Our reporter spent the morning in Shakopee where a recount is happening and she is here with the latest on the close race in District 54A. Robbinsdale Public Schools made a twenty million dollar mistake in their budget. We hear about the fallout and plans for budget…

1
Playoff preview: Minnesota United prepare to take on LA Galaxy in conference semifinals 8:07

2h ago8:07

8:07

Minnesota United are making a run in the playoffs, with a quest for the MLS Cup. This Sunday they’ll play the LA Galaxy in the conference semifinals. The playoffs weren’t guaranteed for the Loons and they came in as underdogs. But the team has now proven themselves as worthy contenders. Joining the program with a playoff preview is Zarek Valentin, …

1
St. Paul Public Schools debuts docuseries chronicling changes in literacy instruction 13:11

1h ago13:11

13:11

Public schools across Minnesota are in the process of overhauling their reading curriculum. You may remember in 2023, the state passed the READ Act. It includes requirements that students be taught phonics and requires districts to purchase specific curriculum. At St. Paul Public Schools, the district began putting an emphasis on literacy even befo…

1
Making Books Accessible: Talia Miracle and Little Free Library 28:31

32m ago28:31

28:31

In this episode, we’re joined by Talia Miracle, an enrolled member of the Ho-Chunk Tribe of Winnebago and Program Manager at the Little Free Library. Talia opens up about her impactful work leading the Indigenous Library Program, which increases access to Indigenous literature and fosters stronger, more inspired communities across the U.S. and Cana…

1
14-vote lead for DFL state House candidate up for review in Scott County recount 5:44

10h ago5:44

5:44

Election officials in Scott County are busy counting ballots this morning in a Shakopee-area state House race. A change in result there — or in another recount next week — could flip political control of the Minnesota House. MPR News senior politics reporter Dana Ferguson is at the Scott County Government Center in Shakopee and joined us as the rec…

1
In a new book, Minnesota author spotlights unsung hero from the HIV/AIDS crisis 9:34

27m ago9:34

9:34

World AIDS Day is coming up on Dec. 1 and leaders in the HIV/AIDS field are taking this time to reflect on the enormous progress the medical community has made to reduce the spread and improve the lives of people living with HIV. That progress was made in no small part from the shift in public narratives around the disease. A Minnesotan is explorin…

1
Minnesota Now: Nov. 20, 2024 55:27

6h ago55:27

55:27

The Office of Cannabis Management rejected about two thirds of applications from people hoping to start some of the state’s first cannabis businesses. We hear about frustration from hopeful entrepreneurs and why the state deemed so many applications ineligible. Wednesday, Nov. 20 is Trans Day of Remembrance. We talk to a new organization on the Nor…

1
On Trans Day of Remembrance, Duluth organization gathers to honor those lost, celebrate resilience 6:34

1h ago6:34

6:34

Every year on Nov. 20, people around the world gather to remember lost loved ones for Trans Day of Remembrance. The day was created to recognize people who were murdered because of their transgender identity. The new organization called Trans Northland is holding events in both Duluth and Superior to remember lost peers and have important conversat…

1
Minnesota regulator to hold lottery for first cannabis businesses after rejecting two-thirds of applicants 7:21

1h ago7:21

7:21

Minnesota cannabis regulators say they plan to hold a lottery sometime in the next two weeks to determine who will get to open up the state’s first legal marijuana businesses. But the Office of Cannabis Management is facing pushback this week after it rejected more than 1,100 applicants it deemed ineligible. That’s around two-thirds of those who ap…

1
Minnesota Now: Nov. 19 2024 53:18

29m ago53:18

53:18

Minnesota's Democratic party chairman Ken Martin has officially thrown his hat in the ring to lead the democratic party nationally. We learned more about his history and challenges the party faces after the 2024 presidential election. Hennepin County is still working to cut down the jail population after a report from the Department of Corrections.…

1
New book traces life from a Somali orchard to running a nonprofit in Minnesota 10:25

29m ago10:25

10:25

A Minnesota author has put out a new book about her life with pieces from her grandparents’ orchard in Somalia, her teen years in a refugee camp and her adulthood in the U.S. and Minnesota. In “My Dear Loving Sisters: Tea and Stories from an Audacious Life,” Fatoun Ali lays out how she survived poverty and abuse to raise four children and start a n…

1
Minnesota’s Pretendians Band nominated for Native American Music Award 10:22

2d ago10:22

10:22

Nominees are out for the Native American Music Awards, a prestigious award that honors the musical achievements of Native Americans in the U.S. and Canada. Among them are several Minnesota musicians including Minneapolis-based rock band “Pretendians.” Pretendians’ lead singer Thomas Draskovic, who is an enrolled member of Standing Rock Sioux Reserv…

1
As Hennepin County rushes to re-board inmates, family members open up about impact 11:38

1h ago11:38

11:38

As of Tuesday morning, there were 699 people incarcerated in Hennepin County jail — that’s 99 more than the limit set by the state Department of Corrections. The DOC says in a report that understaffing in the jail is putting the safety of inmates at risk. The report also says that in the last two years, seven inmates have died there or after being …

1
How Ken Martin hopes to shape the future of the Democratic party 4:20

1h ago4:20

4:20

DFL Party Chair Ken Martin has put himself in the running to lead the Democratic National Committee. Martin led the Minnesota DFL for more than a decade and is known as a hard worker, a successful fundraiser and strong party builder. MPR News correspondent Mark Zdechlik has been covering Martin for years and joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to …

1
From the Minneapolis Fed to early childhood education: Lessons from Art Rolnick’s career 9:55

23h ago9:55

9:55

“Human capital” is an economic catchphrase for the collective knowledge, skills, experience and other attributes people accumulate throughout their lives. Human capital development is key to a nation's prosperity. You’ll immediately grasp the meaning of the term if you spend time talking about ideas, policy and life with Art Rolnick, age 79. He’s a…

1
New Minnesota clinic for asylum seekers is first of its kind in state 8:54

1h ago8:54

8:54

There is a new medical clinic in town focused on a specific — and pressing — issue: evaluations for asylum seekers to support their cases to remain in Minnesota. That means clinicians will work specifically with people in the metro who are going through the process of proving to the United States government that their home country is no longer safe…

1
Justin Jefferson’s record-breaking season, and other sports news 1:19

1h ago1:19

1:19

Justin Jefferson has another record to his name. During the Vikings game in Tennessee yesterday he finished racking up the most receiving yards in a player's first five NFL seasons. And there are still seven games to go. He helped the Vikings beat Tennessee, bringing their record to eight wins and two losses. Sports guys Wally Langfellow and Eric N…

1
E. coli outbreak in Minnesota: How to stay safe 9:43

2h ago9:43

9:43

A recent string of E. coli outbreaks in Minnesota has launched multiple recalls for carrots and beef in the state. So far, ten cases of E. coli in Minnesota have been connected to burgers sold at multiple Red Cow Restaurants in the metro and Hen House Eatery in Minneapolis. At least five people became sick from carrots sold in grocery stores across…

1
Minnesota Now: Nov. 18, 2024 53:53

2h ago53:53

53:53

Several people are sick with E. coli from store-bought carrots that have been recalled in 18 states, including Minnesota. Other recent cases are linked to burgers from three metro-area restaurants. We talk with an expert in foodborne illness about how to stay healthy. A new clinic is working to help people who are seeking asylum in the U.S. get med…

1
Killer Whales - Research by Josh McInnis Marine Mammal Research Center University of British Columbia 49:20

3h ago49:20

49:20

“ECOLOGY, BEHAVIOR, AND HABITAT USE OF TRANSIENT KILLER WHALES IN THE CALIFORNIA CURRENT” We talk with Josh McInnes who is a marine biologist specializing in the ecology of marine mammals and has spent over a decade studying the ecology of killer whales. Hear what he has to say about their sociology and foraging habits. Josh’s work started in Briti…

1
Tunes from Turtle Island S05E46 1:44:35

13h ago1:44:35

1:44:35

Indie, Alt-Rock, Doom-noise, Hiphop, Country, Singer-songwriter, Rock, Funk, Electro-Soul, Ska, Reggae from members of the Seminole, Mohawk, Cree, Navajo, Innu, Metis, Tłı̨chǫ, Squamish, Chippewa, Apache, Kanza, Ojibwe, Dakota, Oglala Sioux and Mi’kmaq nations. Brought to you by Tunes From Turtle Island and Pantheon Podcasts. If you like the music …

1
Minnesota Now: Nov. 14, 2024 53:57

24h ago53:57

53:57

President-elect Donald Trump is quickly nominating members of his cabinet. Minnesota U.S. Sen. Tina Smith talks about her role in confirming those nominees. We learn how a father who lost his son in a bike accident is advocating for safer streets in the Twin Cities metro area. The deadline for Hennepin County jail to reduce their inmate population …

1
FRONDO bringing together Hmong and Black cultures of Frogtown and Rondo 10:09

3h ago10:09

10:09

An initiative in St. Paul is connecting and celebrating two of its largest minority populations, Hmong and Black. Aptly named “FRONDO,” the initiative is bringing together the Frogtown neighborhood which has a large Hmong population and the historically Black Rondo neighborhood in a way that’s never been done before. May Lee-Yang and Nicole M. Smit…

1
Help me get out of a reading rut 5:47

4h ago5:47

5:47

The library has a lot of tools to get you back into a book whether it's physical, digital or audio. And your local librarian is here to help if you want to get back into the habit or maybe you need an escape from reality.By Minnesota Public Radio

1
Sen. Smith: Trump cabinet picks are concerning, but I will give each a fair hearing 11:30

6d ago11:30

11:30

President-elect Donald Trump is quickly building his cabinet, with a flurry of nominations for top positions. Among them is Minnesotan Pete Hegseth, a Fox News commentator who Trump nominated to be Secretary of Defense. Under the typical process of checks and balances, Hegseth and other nominees would need to be confirmed by the Senate – which Repu…

1
Five years after Alex Wolf’s death on a bicycle, his father carries on fight for bike safety 9:38

1d ago9:38

9:38

This month marks five years since Alex Wolf was killed on his bicycle in Minneapolis. He was 30 years old. Wolf had been commuting home from work on Nov. 20, 2019. He was hit by the driver of a semi-truck that turned into his bike lane in downtown Minneapolis. Wolf was an advocate for safer streets during his short lifetime. And now his father, Kei…

1
Deadline passes for Hennepin County to reduce jail population, compliance in flux 6:29

4h ago6:29

6:29

The deadline has passed for the Hennepin County Jail to reduce its jail population via an order from the Department of Corrections. A DOC report found the jail failed to meet minimum staffing levels and violated rules on routine wellness checks. Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt has tried to appeal this ruling, but a first attempt was unsuccessf…

1
Artists and activists immortalize art from the 2020 uprising in a new book, exhibit 10:13

12h ago10:13

10:13

George Floyd’s murder by Minneapolis police in 2020 started an uprising in Minneapolis and across the country. A new book and accompanying art exhibit spotlights and documents the art from that time period: the plywood murals made by protesters and mourners during the uprising. MPR News host Nina Moini talks with Leesa Kelly, the book’s author and …

1
How LGBTQ+ rights advocates in Minnesota are preparing for a second Trump administration 10:51

12h ago10:51

10:51

Minnesota’s status as a “trans refuge” state may be tested next year as President-elect Donald Trump begins his second term as president. MPR News host Nina Moini talks with Kat Rohn, executive director of OutFront Minnesota, an organization that advocates for gay, lesbian, queer and trans people in the state.…

1
Who is Pete Hegseth? Minnesotan tapped to be next Secretary of Defense 5:59

12h ago5:59

5:59

President-elect Trump has nominated Fox News personality and Minnesota native Pete Hegseth to be his Defense Secretary. Hegseth has been a vocal backer of President Trump throughout the campaign and had been considered for cabinet positions during Trump’s first term in office. Hegseth’s nomination probably won’t be a slam dunk. In 2018, Hegseth was…

1
Rain moves across Minnesota with mild weekend on the way 5:52

13h ago5:52

5:52

It has been a mild November in Minnesota so far. There are signs drought is slowly lifting in parts of the state as we have had some moisture over the last couple of weeks. MPR News meteorologist Paul Huttner joins MPR News host Nina Moini with more on some upcoming rain, plus the rest of this week's weather forecast.…

1
Minnesota Now: Nov. 13, 2024 53:59

7d ago53:59

53:59

President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is from Minnesota and facing criticism. We trace back his time in politics in Minnesota, becoming a Fox News host and now being thrust on politics’ biggest stage. The rights of transgender people became a major talking point in the election. We talk to Outfront Minnesota’s di…

1
How the 2024 election results could impact climate policy in the Midwest 9:33

13h ago9:33

9:33

Global leaders are meeting this week at the United Nations annual climate conference to talk about how to slow climate change and prepare for its impacts around the world. A major question as COP29 is underway in Azerbaijan is what role the U.S. will play now that Donald Trump is returning to the White House. For more on how the results of the 2024…

1
While bombarded with notifications, distraction and comparison, teens work to define digital well-being 12:56

1d ago12:56

12:56

On Monday in Minneapolis a group of health researchers, educators and youth leaders gathered to discuss how screen time affects students’ lives and brainstorm how to have better digital health. It was Minnesota’s first ever digital well-being summit, and the organizers, LiveMore ScreenLess, already have another planned for Dec. 7. The executive dir…

1
Minnesota Now: Nov. 12, 2024 51:43

1d ago51:43

51:43

The city of Minneapolis announced in the last hour it will partner with the NAACP to create a new program addressing neighborhood disputes after a dispute in south Minneapolis turned violent last month. We heard from the president of the NAACP about the new program. Smart phones have eclipsed our lives, but a group of researchers and youth leaders …

1
MPD partners with NAACP to address neighbor disputes 9:38

8d ago9:38

9:38

The city of Minneapolis is looking at what steps to take following a neighbor dispute that turned violent. On Monday morning Minneapolis police announced a new partnership with the Minneapolis NAACP to address neighborhood disputes. Minneapolis NAACP President, Cynthia Wilson, joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about the new initiative.…

1
Noyo Center for Marine Science Executive Director Sheila Semans Conservation, Restoration, and Education Northern CA Coast 1:00:11

2d ago1:00:11

1:00:11

In this episode, we talk about the loss of bull kelp along the Northern California coast and the efforts underway to restore the ecosystem,and about the first annual Kelp Festival May-June 2024 with the Mendocino Film Festival, Above/Below, and the many organizations, chefs, and people who came together to raise awareness about this critical issue …

1
Minnesota Now: Nov. 11, 2024 59:01

9d ago59:01

59:01

Sherburne County will recount votes in a few close, local races to confirm the results of last week’s election. We get details on the recount and find out how it could affect a possible tie between Republicans and Democrats in the Minnesota House of Representatives. President-elect Donald Trump’s plans for immigration policy in his second administr…

1
New organization aims to help unhoused Hmong in Minneapolis and St. Paul 10:16

3d ago10:16

10:16

Temperatures are dropping and winter is on its way. That means conditions are more dangerous for people experiencing homelessness and living outside. A recent story from Sahan Journal looked at two encampments that have become a home base for unhoused Hmong and Karen people in East St. Paul. A new organization is visiting encampments every Tuesday …

1
After Trump's election, some Latino Minnesotans change focus 11:02

3d ago11:02

11:02

President-elect Donald Trump kicked off the week by building his staff around immigration. Monday morning he announced his chief of staff for policy will be Stephen Miller, an advocate for stricter immigration enforcement. And Sunday night he announced that his former head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, will be back again to overse…

1
Sherburne County will pay for recount of election results in close races 9:21

3d ago9:21

9:21

Sherburne County officials announced over the weekend they will pay for a recount in a few close races. MPR News reporters Kirsti Marohn and Dana Ferguson join Minnesota Now to give updates on the counting of votes and the future of the state legislation.By Minnesota Public Radio

1
Get to know Minnesota Now’s new host Nina Moini through the people who shaped her 8:46

3d ago8:46

8:46

I am not new to MPR News, I’ve worked here for seven years as a reporter, editor and host. But I am new to serving as your host for Minnesota Now. The producers of the show suggested we put together a story to help introduce me to you all. I always say other Minnesota journalists helped to really raise me and inspired me to pursue a career that I h…

1
In Warren, a different kind of veterans memorial draws people near 8:36

3d ago8:36

8:36

In every corner of Minnesota, there are good stories waiting to be told of places that make our state great and people who in Walt Whitman’s words “contribute a verse” each day. MPR News sent longtime reporter Dan Gunderson on a mission to capture those stories as part of a new series called “Wander & Wonder: Exploring Minnesota’s unexpected places…

1
Tunes from Turtle Island S05E45 1:00:30

14d ago1:00:30

1:00:30

Hip Hop, Singer Songwriter, Rock, Rez Metal, Native American Flute, Country, Folk, Reggae, Pow Wow, Pop, Ambient, Throat Singing and Ambient from the indigenous musicians of the Metis, Yup’ik, Swinomish, Navajo, Anishinaabe, Cherokee, Cree, Lakota, Inuit and Seneca Nations. Brought to you by Tunes From Turtle Island and Pantheon Podcasts. If you li…

1
Minnesota Now: Nov. 7, 2024 55:52

7d ago55:52

55:52

We’ll dig into the results of this week’s local and national elections, including how Trump’s performance was stronger in Minnesota this year than back in 2016. And our neighbors in Wisconsin elected a both Republican president and a Democratic senator for the first time since 1968. The Minnesota House is facing a historic tie between DFLers and Re…

1
‘Wisconsin’s struggling through a reckoning:’ Voters split ticket between Trump and Baldwin 10:27

9d ago10:27

10:27

Wisconsin delivered 10 electoral college votes to Donald Trump. That pushed him over the 270 mark and led the Associated Press to call the race for the former President. While Trump carried Wisconsin, Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin won her competitive Senate race in that state. Baldwin will get a third term in the senate after beating Republican …

1
What the election results tell us about Minnesota’s political identity 8:46

8d ago8:46

8:46

We’re digging into the results of the election to learn what they say about Minnesota voters. The state’s 10 electoral college votes went to Vice President Kamala Harris. But president-elect Donald Trump performed better here than he did in 2020 in all but three counties, according to the New York Times. On the other hand, U.S. Rep. Angie Craig won…

1
Cathy Wurzer passes the mic to Nina Moini, new Minnesota Now host 10:49

12d ago10:49

10:49

Thursday was Cathy Wurzer’s final show as host of Minnesota Now. She is stepping away to focus on Morning Edition. MPR’s Nina Moini is taking over starting on Monday. Moini came in-studio to introduce herself and also to look back at Wurzer’s favorite moments from the show.By Minnesota Public Radio

1
Through story and song, Somali Minnesotan looks to preserve the language 11:34

9d ago11:34

11:34

Marian Hassan has spent her career educating Minnesotans about Somali language and collecting oral histories from elder Somalis to prevent language loss in the state. Though Somali is the third most common language spoken in Minnesota behind English and Spanish, the language was not written down until the mid-1970s. Before that, Somalis had a rich …

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