Minnesota is home to thousands of immigrants from all over the continent of Africa. A new coalition is working to unite the African diaspora in the region.

Plus, residents of St. Paul's west side neighborhood are working on a new name for César Chavez Street after women alleged he sexually assaulted them. We learned about the renaming process.

And the Minnesota Orchestra is diving into a wide-ranging festival. We listened to some music with an organizer.

The Minnesota Music Minute was “Never Right” by Faith Boblett. And “This Just In” by Dilly Dally Alley was the Song of the Day.

In St. Paul’s West Side, which is a vibrant Mexican neighborhood, that means renaming César Chavez Street.

Some of that work begins Thursday. The West Side Community Organization is hosting its first of three community input sessions to rename the street.

West Side Community Organization Executive Director Monica Bravo spoke to Minnesota Now host Nina Moini about the renaming process.

Grant Meachum is the orchestra's director of productions and engagement and joined MPR News host Nina Moini with details on the festival.

But is that enough? Should we avoid going outside? And how much smoke is too much for the body? For more on the best ways to handle the smoke, MPR News host Nina Moini talked with Dr. Dylan Wyatt, chair and medical director of the emergency department at Aspirus St. Luke’s in Duluth.

For more on the effort, MPR News host Nina Moini spoke with the group’s president and chair, Habon Abdulle, who is also the founder of the nonprofit Ayada Leads.

MPR News host Clay Masters joined Minnesota Now from Ely. The town is a gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, which paddlers have been evacuating due to the fires. MPR News reporter Dan Kraker spoke to outfitters about the impact on the local outdoor industry. And Chief Meteorologist Ben Cathey shared the latest on fire and air quality conditions as well as possible rain in the forecast.

The wildfires are bringing smoke and unhealthy air quality to much of the state. MPR's chief meteorologist, Ben Cathey, will share when and where smoky skies are spreading.

We'll learn about a different approach to criminal justice called mental health court.

A local chef is planning a special dinner to bring relief to Venezuela after back-to-back earthquakes.

This weekend brings a big celebration for St. Paul's historic Rondo neighborhood: Rondo Days.

Our Minnesota Music Minute was “Tears in Voice” by Why Cry and our Song of the Day was “Don’t Leave” by Peter Wolf Crier.

As many as 17 fires continue burning in the region. Paddlers have been evacuating, some in dramatic fashion from their campsites in the one million acre wilderness.

Covering it all is MPR's Dan Kraker. He joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about it along with Ryan Kari, owner of Ely Outdoors Company, who talked about the strain of the fires on his business.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

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To help with relief and rebuilding efforts in her home country, Chef Soleil Ramirez is hosting a sold-out fundraiser Wednesday evening at her St. Paul restaurant, Crasqui. She joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about the event, "Taste of Hope: Venezuela."

Saturday's celebration at Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center in St. Paul will feature live music, local food, art and sports. Merina Neal and Gayle Smaller, organizers of the event, spoke with MPR News host Nina Moini about why the day means so much to them.

Rice County’s mental health court joins five other courts like it around the state. Community corrections manager Angela Brewer is a leader of the effort. She joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about it.

The fires are causing dismal air quality in northeast Minnesota. We'll get the smoke forecast for the next couple days.

And the heat poses risks to outdoor workers. We'll meet someone helping contruction companies protect employees from heat-related illness.

Plus, there's new research on getting rid of buckthorn, for good.

And a new library is opening in St. Paul this week. We'll learn more about plans for this space — and two more libraries that will soon get renovations.

Our Minnesota Music Minute was “Salesman” by Yazmin and Beat Zero and our Song of the Day was “Ain't Wastin' Time No More” by The Allman Brothers Band.

The library is the first to be completed, out of three that are slated for renovations in St. Paul. This Saturday, the new building will have a grand opening.

Maureen Hartman, director of Saint Paul Public Library and Beth Burns, executive director of The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about the new library and the plans to continue to grow St. Paul’s library system.

Elsewhere, homeowners, forest managers and volunteers spend countless dollars and hours cutting and spraying the invasive shrub, only to watch it grow right back.

University of Minnesota researchers recently published new data that shows there's a better long-term strategy. They found that planting native grasses and wildflowers immediately after removing buckthorn is remarkably effective at keeping it at bay. Mike Schuster is on the research team and joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to explain.

“I would recommend keeping your skin covered so the sun isn’t beating on your skin, wear wicking material, I prefer a face mask just to keep the sun off me,” said New.

New says he plans to drink a lot of water and get in the shade when he can. He and other outdoor workers in farming, forestry, delivery and construction will be outside in extreme heat this week.

Stacy Arnold is director of safety for the Associated General Contractors of Minnesota. She spoked with Minnesota Now host Nina Moini about how she works to help employers in construction adopt safer practices around heat and other hazards.

MPR News reporter Dan Kraker joined Minnesota Now from Ely, where he spoke to officials leading the firefighting and rescue efforts and to people affected by the fires.

Matt Taraldsen, a meteorologist for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, joined Minnesota Now to talk about when you could see smoky skies and what precautions to take.

There have been several drownings and boating accidents in recent weeks. We'll go to Otter Tail County to learn about safety in lakes and streams.

State law enforcement say they have physical evidence in three shootings by federal immigration agents. We'll have an update.

Plus, nearly a year after losing federal funding, a public radio station in northern Minnesota is expanding its local news coverage.

And, the Twins are aiming for the playoffs. We'll have the latest in sports.

Our Minnesota Music Minute was “Top of the World” by Kodj, and our Song of the Day was “Burning Sunbeams” by Red Eye Ruby.

But thanks to a $4.2 million grant from the Bush Foundation, the northern Minnesota news station is now planning to expand news coverage, help create an ambassador program, and strengthen partnerships with regional newsrooms.

Sarah Bignall, CEO and general manager of KAXE, joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about the donation and the news station.

Minnesota Now sports contributors, Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson, spoke more about the Twins, the Timberwovles and more.

But that’s also part of the danger of a heat wave. Drownings spiked when temperatures soared in Europe earlier this summer. This was also true during an infamously hot summer in North America 90 years ago.

Today, swimming lessons are more common. And sheriff's departments across the state have staff dedicated to water safety.

Troy Lee, water patrol officer for Otter Tail County joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about staying safe while out on the water.

The fires are in remote areas, though some residents of St. Louis County were notified they should be prepared to evacuate.

Karen Harrison, a wildfire prevention specialist with the Department of Natural Resources, joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk get an update on the fires and how they’re being fought.

A Minnesota Congresswoman says medical students in states with strict abortion laws are missing out on important training. A doctor weighed in on her proposed bill to help them travel.

Plus, the list of new Minnesota State Fair foods dropped today! We met one vendor that might already be familiar to some Twin Cities listeners.

And we learned about the one-of-a-kind, sustainable clothing that local textile artists are selling this weekend. They're calling it "slow fashion."

Our Minnesota Music Minute was “by my side” by SoulFlower, and our Song of the Day was "The Authority Song” by John Mellencamp.

This year’s list of new foods includes Pickle Pies, Honey Brisket Battered Potatoes, and, from new vendor Saturday Dumpling Company, Ube Cheesecake Wontons.

Saturday Dumpling Company owner, Peter Bian, joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about being a new vendor at the Minnesota State Fair.

Democrat U.S. Rep. Kelly Morrison is an OB-GYN who represents Minnesota’s 3rd Congressional District. She has introduced a bill that would provide funding to help medical residents in states with strict abortion bans travel for some of their training.

For more on the proposal, MPR News host Nina Moini talked with Dr. Erin Stevens, legislative chair of Minnesota’s section of the American College of OB-GYNs, or ACOG.

For details on these plans, MPR News host Nina Moini spoke with St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her on Minnesota Now.

A group of artists has invited residents of the area to express grief by constructing what they're calling "street altars" to be placed on street corners around the city. One of the organizers, Conor Cusack, spoke to MPR News producer Ellen Finn as community members in Powderhorn Park.

It's summertime and for ER doctors, the livin' is not-so-easy. We'll talk about how to stay safe from the many, often preventable injuries that can happen in the summer.

The values of many commercial properties have plummeted. You may not think that affects you, unless you're selling an office building. We'll find out what it means for local taxes.

Plus, we'll get a preview of the 20th annual Rhythm of the River Music Festival in southern Minnesota.

Our Minnesota Music Minute was “Old Lady Truth” by Teague Alexy, and our Song of the Day was "Good Things” by Senn Hollow.

Rhythm of the River Music Festival founder and organizer, Kathy Fransen, joined MPR News guest host Catharine Richert to talk about the micro-festival.

But how was that office building’s value decided? And how does it affect your tax bill?

Josh Hoogland, assessor for Hennepin County, and Laura Russ, executive director for the Shenehon Center for Real Estate at the University of St. Thomas, joined MPR News guest host Catharine Richert to talk about commercial spaces and the impact their value has on cities.

Dr. Jim Miner, chair of emergency medicine at the University of Minnesota, joined MPR News guest host Catharine Richert to talk about ways to stay safe this summer.

Somali community leaders gathered for a press conference to condemn the post.

Imam Yusuf Abdulle, executive director of the Islamic Association of North America, joined MPR News guest host Catharine Richert to talk about the press conference and the impact the President’s rhetoric has on the Somali community.

Plus, there are newly unsealed documents in a DOJ investigation into the local response to Operation Metro Surge.

More kids are turning to AI companions, and the University of Minnesota is looking into why and what impact that could have on mental health and more.

Plus, a north Minneapolis public housing development is under scrutiny over deteriorating conditions.

We'll get the latest on tornado damage in northwest Minnesota.

And, the World Cup has brought a business boom for local bars and breweries. We'll check in with one soccer bar that's been hosting watch parties.

Our Minnesota Music Minute was “Radio” by Laura Hugo, and our Song of the Day was "Mona Lisa” by Nat King Cole.

City Council member Pearll Warren represents the area. She recently toured a few vacant units. And she led a request from the city council for an audit of how public funds were used on the property.

City Council member Pearll Warren joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about what she saw at Heritage Park.

Wes Burdine, owner of the Black Hart of Saint Paul, a LGBTQ+ soccer bar, joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about the economic moment brought by the World Cup.

Researchers at the U of M are exploring teen use of AI companions.

Xiaoran Sun, an assistant professor in the University of Minnesota’s College of Education and Human Development and co-lead at the U of M Teen and A-I Study, joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about what her team is learning about teens and AI companions.

During the storm, two people were injured and homes, trees and power lines were damaged in the area.

Carrie Smith, the Becker County Administrator, and Abby Fostveit, photographer for the Detroit Lakes Tribune, joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about the storm and recovery in the area.

Four Black-led nonprofits in the Twin Cities with a combined 300-plus years of history announced they're coming together to try to have a greater impact. We'll learn more about what they hope to do with a new collaboration.

Plus, we'll meet a 14 year old boxer who just won gold at the Junior Olympics.

And Mexico is out of the World Cup, but we'll hear about how the team's run inspired fans in the Twin Cities.

Our Minnesota Music Minute was “Are You Coming Home” by Clovers Daughter, and our Song of the Day was “Naz Reid Book Club” by League Two.

Since losing her son, Valerie Castile has worked to honor his memory by speaking out about his killing and joining calls for accountability in policing.

Valerie Castile has a room in her home dedicated to other tributes to Philando: paintings, photographs and proclamations cover the walls. MPR News host Nina Moini talked with her there about how her life has changed and how she remembers her son now.

Minnesota Now sports contributors, Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson, spoke more about the World Cup, the Twins and more.

Together, these nonprofits have more than 300 years of experience helping families in the Twin Cities.

Tatiana Freeman, president of Aurora St. Anthony Neighborhood Development Corporation joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about the new collaboration.

A new kind of disaster recovery insurance uses sensors and AI to track wind speeds and flood levels. We'll learn about how cities along the Mississippi River are planning to use it.

The United States is turning 250 this weekend. We'll hear from Minnesotans on how they think the nation fares and what America means to them.

And veterans are celebrating 100 years of a campground in Minnesota made just for them.

Our Minnesota Music Minute was “Willow Weep For Me” by Bob Davis Quartet and our Song of the Day was “America” by Simon and Garfunkel.

Minneapolis-based journalist Katie Thornton dove into the world of what’s called parametric insurance for the magazine WIRED and she joined Minnesota Now to talk more about her reporting.

Ken Larson is a Minnesota National Guard veteran and manager of the campground. He spoked to Minnesota Now host Nina Moini about how the camp has created comradery for thousands of Minnesota veterans and their families.

Starting Wednesday, $90 million will go to Minnesota counties to fund upgrades to computer systems that help provide social services.

Plus, a new hotline is giving people quicker access to lawyers after arrest.

Chief meteorologist Ben Cathey gave a Fourth of July holiday weather forecast.

And you may have seen creeping bellflower in your yard. It's a beautiful, but invasive weed. One Minnesota chef controls the plant in his garden by cooking with it.

The Minnesota Music Minute was “Joseph” by Bad Bad Hats and “Minneapolis Horn Power” by Scott Agster was the Song of the Day.

Some Minnesotans have posted yard signs and Facebook posts urging their neighbors to help keep the plant in check. And some like to cook with it.

Chef and forager Alan Bergo, who specializes in cooking with wild plants and mushrooms, joined Minnesota Now to explain how to turn creeping bellflower from a maligned weed into an ingredient.

Those early hours are critical to a case, according to the Legal Rights Center, a nonprofit Minneapolis law firm. It launched a hotline this year to help fill this gap in Hennepin County. The hotline is the first of its kind in the state.

For more, MPR News host Nina Moini talked with Marecca Vertin, who led the project as the Legal Rights Center’s community defense and access to justice attorney.

Paul Verette is director of the Minnesota Association of County Social Service Administrators. He joined MPR News host Nina Moini to explain how this transformation is going to work and what the modernization means to county workers as well as those who benefit from county programs.

For more on the ruling’s impact, MPR News host Nina Moini talked with Jess Braverman, legal director of the advocacy group Gender Justice.

The 15th defendant, Kyle Wagner, is being held in Michigan on separate federal charges and is not expected in court today.

Federal prosecutors accuse the 15 Twin Cities residents of conspiring to interfere with immigration enforcement during the large-scale federal immigration operation in Minnesota earlier this year.

Protesters are calling for the charges to be dropped.

MPR News reporter Sarah Thamer joined Minnesota Now from outside the federal courthouse with the latest.

A new report says police have violated the constitution in several cities where the federal government dropped reforms. We'll find out what it says about Minneapolis.

Congress passed a bipartisan bill aimed at making housing more affordable. We'll talk to a Minnesota housing advocate about what impact it could have here.

June is Alzheimer's Awareness Month. We'll meet a health expert who is visiting all 87 Minnesota counties to share information on dementia.

Our Minnesota Music Minute was “Time” by Willem Dafoe Fan Club and our Song of the Day was “TWEast” by Dandelion Delivery Service.

Since 2018, University of Minnesota professor Joseph Gaugler has been working to visit all 87 Minnesota counties to share information about Alzheimer's disease and learn how communities across the state are caring for people living with dementia.

Gaugler joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about his statewide tour, the latest understanding of Alzheimer's disease and why education and early planning are important for patients and their families.

The festival, which opened Sunday and runs through July 19, celebrates the music of Ludwig van Beethoven while featuring works by many other composers and performances by musicians from around the world.

Ned Kirk, the festival's artistic and managing director, joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about how the festival got its start and what keeps audiences coming back year after year.

If the president hasn't acted 10 days after he receives the bill and Congress is in session, it will become law without his signature.

The bill is a package of more than 50 smaller ones. Some critics say it doesn’t do enough to support low-income renters. Others say it creates too many new programs and regulations.

Even housing advocates are still trying to absorb all that’s in this bill, and how it could reach the people they want to help.

Elizabeth Glidden is deputy executive director of the non-profit Minnesota Housing Partnership. She joined MPR News host Nina Moini to dive into the details about the bill and talk about its significance.

A new report from the ACLU has found otherwise. It looked at Minneapolis police and six other police departments across the country who also had consent decrees dropped and found unconstitutional policing continued.

One of the authors of the report, Jenn Rolnick Borchetta, spoke to MPR News host Nina Moini about it.

A Minnesota-based organization supporting children with disabilities is raising concern about the Trump administration's recent announcement to move responsibility over special education away from the Department of Education.

And we'll hear from one Venezuelan Minnesotan working to organize local relief efforts for people in her home country affected by the massive earthquakes.

Plus, a conversation with Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve on making it to the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.

Our Minnesota Music Minute was “Crystalline” by Alexander Natalie and our Song of the Day was “Days” by The Drums.

Minnesota's Venezuelan community is rallying to support relief efforts. Patricia Aguilar moved to Osseo as an asylum seeker in 2018 after fleeing Venezuela's political and economic crisis. She’s now raising awareness to help people affected by the disaster. She talked to MPR News host Nina Moini about it.

Joining Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about the latest in basketball and other sports news are contributors Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson.

Reeve was named the Lynx coach in 2009. Since then, she's won four championships and four WNBA coach of the year awards, coached the U.S. women's basketball team to three Olympic gold medals and had six of her players inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.

MPR News digital producer Anika Besst spoke with Reeve in Knoxville before the induction about what has led her to this honor.

MPR chief meteorologist Ben Cathey joined Minnesota Now with the latest on the heat. And Kevin O’Brien will be making sure things run smoothly at Faribault Family Aquatic Center. He’s the city’s recreation superintendent and joined host Nina Moini to talk about how they’re keeping swimmers safe.

Supporters of the move say it makes sense since the areas often overlap. But the move has drawn criticism from disability advocates, including Minnesota-based PACER Center, which advocates for educational opportunities for children with disabilities.

The interim executive director of PACER Gretchen Godfrey spoke to Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about what this shift could mean.

The Minnesota School Safety Center has a new director. We spoke with her about her ideas for preventing violence in schools.

And a new law lays out regulations for banks and credit unions in Minnesota wanting to add cryptocurrency management services.

Plus, we learned how to prepare our homes for climate disaster.

And the largest gathering of Ethiopians outside of Ethiopia is taking place here in Minnesota —for an enormous annual soccer tournament!

The Music Minute was “It Could Happen to You” by Minneapolis pianist and composer Mary Louise Knutson. The Song of the Day was “Free” by Jillian Rae.

Starting Saturday, June 27, and stretching through July 4, Minnesota will host to the largest gathering of Ethiopians anywhere outside Ethiopia, making the event not only a soccer tournament but also a cultural celebration.

Elias Meles, who is on the board of the Ethiopian Sports Federation in North America, joined Minnesota Now to talk more about this year’s event.

Last summer, five severe weather disasters in Minnesota caused an estimated $13 billion in total damage, according to the nonprofit research group Climate Central.

In this next installment of Professional Help, we learn about a new resource that aims to help homeowners get ahead of the damage.

Our ask: Help me climate-proof my home

Our professional: Heidi Roop, director of the Climate Adaptation Partnership

A new law taking effect Aug. 1, 2026, in Minnesota lays out the rules for financial institutions wanting to become so-called “crypto custodians.”

Advocates for the legislation say it’s an important step in ensuring local banks and credit unions stay competitive against national crypto companies.

Minnesota Department of Commerce Deputy Commissioner Michael Crow spoke to MPR News host Nina Moini about the new regulations and what it could mean for the state’s economy.

MPR News host Nina Moini spoke to the agency’s new leader, Connie Forster, about her ideas as she steps into the role.

The moratorium exempts downtown data centers that take up 350,000 square feet or less. Supporters of that carveout say data centers could be the answer for declining property values and a shrinking tax base downtown.

We spoke to the president and CEO of the Minneapolis Downtown Council, Adam Duininck, about the possibilities he sees.

Andi Otto is the executive director of Twin Cities Pride. He joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about this year's festivities and what holding a pride celebration means in 2026.