Minnesota is also close to passing the nation's first ban on the use of artificial intelligence that generates fake nude images of real people.

Plus, an effort is being launched to train Minnesotans on how to tell their stories about the ICE surge in the state.

Also, this weekend, West St. Paul will celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a parade.

And, we bid farewell to MPR News chief meteorologist Paul Huttner who’s retiring with a special lookback at his career.

The Minnesota Music Minute was “Spirit Horse” by Annie Humphrey. The Song of the Day was “I Will Dare” by the Replacements.

Joining Minnesota Now to talk about this is someone who championed this legislation after being harmed by these technologies, Molly Kelley.

The annual Cinco de Mayo event kicks off Friday with a car show and continues into Saturday with a parade and performances. Organizers of the celebration of Mexican culture say they want to lift people’s spirits after a winter that was challenging for many in the community.

Minnesota Now host Nina Moini spoke with Santino Franco, co-chairman of West Side Fiestas, the group behind the event, to learn more about the celebration.

As state and city leaders continue to assess the full scope of the impact, a local partnership of community organizations is launching an effort to train people on how to collect stories of people’s experiences during what the Trump administration called “Operation Metro Surge.”

The trainings are tied to the “truth council” announced by Gov. Tim Walz in March. The governor said the aim is to document the impacts of these federal operations.

Emilia Gonzalez Avalos is the executive director of Unidos MN, which is working to provide the trainings in partnership with ISAIAH and The Advocates for Human Rights. She shared more about the trainings and the work Unidos MN has been doing.

Plus, prosecutors say Feeding Our Future ringleader Aimee Bock leaked sensitive documents from jail to lawmakers and journalists.

Minnesota farmers could be hurting long-term due to the war in Iran. We heard about the impact of fuel prices.

Plus, we learned how Minnesota and other states are trying to use the legal system to hold corporations accountable for climate change.

We took a deep dive into the rare languages spoken by Minnesotans.

And we had our final forecast on Minnesota Now from MPR Chief Meteorologist Paul Huttner ahead of his retirement.

The Minnesota Music Minute was “Come in Close” by Nikki Lemire. “Johnny Law” by Frogleg was the Song of the Day.

Sahan Journal recently profiled several speakers and teachers of languages that are rare in the state. Reporter Shubhanjana Das joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about the story.

It's one sign of a changing climate being seen in the state. As we continue to learn about the impacts of climate change, state leaders are taking steps to hold big companies accountable for their role in contributing to climate change.

One route has been through the courts. Another has been through legislation that would make fossil fuel companies pay for their emissions.

To learn where these efforts stand, MPR News host Nina Moini spoke with two guests who have been keeping an eye on these efforts in Minnesota and across the U.S.

James Coleman is a professor of law at the University of Minnesota. And Margaret Barry is a climate litigation fellow at the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia University.

The Trump Administration is seeking to deport At Chandee, who goes by Ricky, due to a criminal conviction from the 1990s. At the time, the government of Laos, where he was born, refused to accept him. Chandee was allowed to stay in the U.S. and check in periodically with immigration authorities, a circumstance shared by many other Hmong and Lao refugees who were convicted of crimes in the U.S.

The Trump Administration argues that deporting people with past convictions makes communities safer. But Chandee's family says he turned his life around since that decades-old conviction, and that his community is better off with him in it.

Reporter Matt Sepic joined MPR News host Nina Moini to break down this latest twist in a case he’s been following for the last four years.

Read the full story here: Feds: Feeding Our Future ringleader tried to ‘minimize her starring role’ by leaking secret documents from jail

We had an update on the case of a Brooklyn Park man who has been in ICE detention for more than three months.

Lakeville is seeing a population boom, but it's putting new housing on hold. We talked to the city’s mayor about the decision.

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline appears to be saving lives, particularly for young people, according to a new study. We talked to a local call center director about what’s working.

We took a musical history tour of the West Bank neighborhood of Minneapolis with the director of a new documentary about the scene.

Our Minnesota Music Minute was “Airproofing” by Leo Kottke and our Song of the Day was “Sleight of Hand” by Joey Van Phillips.

In Minnesota, regional call centers are part of the nationwide 988 network, responding to calls and texts from people in crisis every day.

Carolina De Los Rios, director of 988 at Greater Twin Cities United Way, spoke with MPR News host Nina Moini about how the center operates.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

A new documentary explores that musical history. Kevin Dragseth is the director of the Twin Cities PBS film, “Wild West Bank Sound.” He joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about the project.

Lakeville Mayor Luke Hellier joined MPR News host Nina Moini to explain why they’re hitting pause on housing and his vision for the future of Lakeville housing.

FBI and Homeland Security Investigations agents were seen at several childcare centers and autism therapy providers throughout the morning.

MPR News’ Jon Collins checked on some locations in Minneapolis where state and federal agents have served the warrants, and talked to MPR News host Nina Moini about it.

A new investigation from MPR News and APM Reports shows at least 50 people since 2022 have died in group homes across the state. These are places where Minnesotans with disabilities or mental health challenges can live. More on the findings.

And in Monticello, city leaders will decide tonight on potential new rules for data centers.

Plus, we'll hear about this year's Somali Day at the Capitol.

And the Timberwolves have a chance to move on in the playoffs tonight. We'll learn more about their big rivalry with the Denver Nuggets.

Our Minnesota Music Minute was “paper thin” by she’s green and our Song of the Day was “Basil Bouquet” by Local Sports.

Joining Minnesota Now to talk about this and other Minnesota sports stories, are our sports contributors Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson.

Fartun Weli is the CEO and founder of Isuroon, one of the organizations supporting the event. Weli spoke to Minnesota Now host Nina Moini about the significance of the event this year.

The investigation discovered at least 50 deaths since late 2022. But state law allows only minor financial penalties against the group homes when they neglect their residents.

Reporter Ellie Roth joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about the group home industry, how the state investigates neglect and an inside look on the reporting.

North Dakota’s Democratic party is remembering her as a champion for public education, the environment, and transparency.

Conmy’s next door neighbor, Anastassiya Andrianova is running for North Dakota state House to represent a part of Fargo. She said she was encouraged to run by her friend Rep. Conmy. Andrianova joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to reflect on Conmy’s life and career.

This segment was produced by Ellen Finn. Read more reporting on this story from Harshawn Ratanpal.

And a New York Times reporter shared what she learned by talking with dozens of former and current DHS employees.

A St. Paul elementary school will soon launch a historic Afrocentric curriculum for its majority Black student body.

Plus, we heard from a documentary filmmaker following the Jacob Wetterling murder case — after it was closed — through the perspective of the Wetterling family.

And we spoke to a Duluth writer who wrote a book about the best hikes in the country.

The Minnesota Music Minute was “St. Paul” by Anchorhead.

State Sen. Matt Klein of Mendota Heights said he wagered $50 in an online prediction market last October. The platform Kalshi flagged it as a political insider trading, penalized Klein $540 and banned him from the platform for five years.

This situation is one of the many ethical conversations around prediction markets. At the State Capitol there's a bill looking to ban them. Minnesota Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement director Jon Anglin's job is to regulate this market.

He spoke to Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about the challenges around regulating prediction markets.

The “Restoring the Sacred Trails of Our Grandmothers Conference” is hosted annually by the Minnesota Indian Women’s Sexual Assault Coalition.

Nicole Matthews, chief executive officer of the coalition, said this year's event comes at a particularly difficult time with funding cuts and heightened need.

It also takes place just as an audit into the police response and investigation of Allison Lussier’s death was released. Lussier was an Indigenous woman who was found dead in her home in 2024. Police reports show Lussier had experienced intimate partner violence.

The report is critical of the Minneapolis Police Department in its handling of Lussier’s case as well as the shooting of Davis Moturi, who was shot by a neighbor.

Matthews shared more about the gathering and her reaction to the findings of the report with Minnesota Now host Nina Moini.

This year marks 25 years of Transmission, which takes place every Wednesday night at the Uptown VFW. They're celebrating with a big party Saturday night at First Avenue.

The DJ who started it all is Jake Rudh, who hosts a show on The Current with the same name. He marked the milestone on Minnesota Now.

Activists have pushed for years to close the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center, or HERC. They say the facility next to Target Field is endangering the health of residents of the area, including a predominantly Black neighborhood on the city’s north side.

In 2023, the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution to shut down the HERC between 2028 and 2040. Environmental and labor groups are pushing the commissioners to commit to a deadline.

Sahan Journal reporter Andrew Hazzard has been covering the HERC for years and he joined Minnesota Now to talk more about the latest developments.

State lawmakers are looking at the future of seclusion rooms in elementary schools. We'll learn what they are and how they impact children and teachers.

Plus, on Earth Day, a state climate official shared where Minnesota stands in its climate goals.

The University of Minnesota Morris is taking a unique step to go green. We learned how they are using thermal batteries.

And it may be a record-warm Earth Day. We checked in with meteorologist Sven Sundgaard.

“Deeper Blues” by Cornbread Harris was the Minnesota Music Minute. “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)” by Marvin Gaye was the Song of the Day.

The state of Minnesota is chasing a set of goals to tackle the causes of climate change and cushion its impact on communities. The state is trying to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030, compared to 2005 levels, and reach net-zero emissions by 2050. It is not on track to meet those goals, according to a recent presentation the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency gave to state lawmakers.

To learn more about the state’s climate plans and what it will take to get on track, MPR News host Nina Moini talked with Katrina Kessler, commissioner of the MPCA and chair of the Minnesota Climate Change Subcabinet.

The University of Minnesota Morris reached carbon neutrality when it comes to the electricity that powers its campus, thanks to two wind turbines named Bert and Ernie. Now, it's taking steps to decarbonize the source of heat in its buildings.

That's led Morris to a new thermal battery that it began piloting in March. It is believed to be the first campus in the U.S. to use this technology for heating.

UMN Morris Sustainability Director Troy Goodnough joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about how it works.

Minnesota School Psychologists Association President-elect Tascha Just joined MPR News host Nina Moini to share context on seclusion rooms and the conflict surrounding the ban.

Some Minnesota companies have made money from the war in Iran. We'll talk with a MinnPost reporter who looked into defense contracts with the military.

It's the season of senioritis for college seniors who are looking for their next steps. We'll talk with a career counselor about how AI is changing the search for entry level jobs.

10 years ago, the world lost a superstar. We'll hear stories about Prince and a new song from the vault.

Our Minnesota Music Minute was “With This Tear” by Prince.

MinnPost data journalist Shadi Bushra spoke to MPR News Nina Moini about his reporting.

Katie Jolicoeur, director of Career Services at Minnesota State University, Mankato, is helping soon-to-be college grads navigate the job market. She joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about the advice she gives them.

As the world processed the news, fans assembled outside Paisley Park and First Avenue. The downtown Minneapolis nightclub later became the scene of an all-night dance party to honor the artist.

Music journalist Andrea Swensson, formerly of The Current, was both at Paisley Park and First Avenue, helping share his legacy with the world. Andrea went on to write a book about Prince. She also hosted the official Prince podcast.

She joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to reflect on Prince’s life and legacy.

Read more at MPRnews.org.

Recent cyberattacks on Spring Lake Park schools and Winona County have local officials wondering how they can better protect their systems. A cybersecurity expert had some insight and tips.

We heard from a local organization about how the surge of federal immigration agents in Minnesota affected people facing domestic violence.

We got more from Jessie Diggins' retirement celebration and our sports contributors recapped the start of playoffs for the Wild and Timberwolves.

Our Minnesota Music Minute was "Still I Rise," composed by Rosephanye Powell and performed by the Twin Cities Women’s Choir. Our Song of the Day was “Sideways” by Good Morning Bedlam.

Leaders at Esperanza United, a Minnesota-based organization supporting survivors of gender-based violence in Latino communities, say they saw significant changes in how people navigated safety during “Operation Metro Surge.”

Vivian Huelgo, president and CEO of Esperanza United, spoke with MPR News host Nina Moini about what survivors experienced during that time, and the stressors they still face now.

Joining Minnesota Now to talk about the teams playoff runs and other sports news are sports contributors Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson.

It’s the most active start to severe weather season since 2022.

MPR meteorologist Sven Sundgaard joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about the outlook for severe weather for the rest of the year.

Last week, Spring Lake Park School District canceled school for two days after its technology team learned an outside actor had infiltrated its systems. A week before that, Winona County took its systems offline in response to its second cyberattack this year — the first was in January. Both Spring Lake Park schools and Winona County said they were working with law enforcement and cybersecurity consultants to understand what happened.

Cyberattacks are becoming more common and more advanced, according to the state’s information technology agency, MNIT. Local governments and contractors reported 269 cybersecurity incidents to the state between December 2024 and November 2025 — that averages to about five incidents a week.

Faisal Kaleem is director of cybersecurity and cyber operations programs at Metro State University. He joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about a growing trend of cyberattacks.

Olmsted County Sheriff Kevin Torgerson joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about the extent of the damage and the cleanup efforts underway.

And a New York Times reporter shared what she learned by talking with dozens of former and current DHS employees.

A St. Paul elementary school will soon launch a historic Afrocentric curriculum for its majority Black student body.

Plus, we heard from a documentary filmmaker following the Jacob Wetterling murder case — after it was closed — through the perspective of the Wetterling family.

And we spoke to a Duluth writer who wrote a book about the best hikes in the country.

The Minnesota Music Minute was “St. Paul” by Anchorhead.

It's been years in the making and it’s historic as Benjamin E. Mays will become one of the only Afrocentric schools in the state.

Danielle Hughes, principal of Benjamin E. Mays, and Stacie Stanley, superintendent of St. Paul Public Schools, spoke to Minnesota Now about the program.

But for those closest to the 1989 kidnapping and murder of the 11-year-old boy in Stearns County, this is never really over.

It took 27 years for the case to be solved. A new documentary sticks with Jacob’s family for years after his killer confessed and went to prison.

That documentary is called “Echoes in the Night: The Search for Jacob Wetterling.” It premieres Saturday at the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival. Director Chris Newberry joined Minnesota Now to talk more about the film.

It comes from a new piece by the New York Times that gives a rare behind-the-scenes look into Trump’s Department of Homeland Security.

The team of reporters spoke with more than 80 former and current D.H.S. employees as well as Justice Department officials. This list includes ICE agents, lawyers and top leadership.

They shared reflections on the last year plus, from Election Day 2024, through Operation Metro Surge and up to the replacement of former DHS secretary Kristi Noem in early March.

Rachel Poser was one of the reporters on the story and she joined Minnesota Now to talk more about the story.

Those adventures kick started her career in outdoors writing.

Her job has taken her all over the country and gave her the chance to explore national parks and remotes trails.

Now, she's back in Duluth and has just published a book with National Geographic about her time on the trail titled, “100 Hikes of a Lifetime USA”

She shared her favorite hikes and how she put this behemoth of a book together on Minnesota Now.

Republican Rep. Pete Stauber, who represents northeastern Minnesota, introduced the legislation. Both of Minnesota's U.S. senators, Democrats Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, urged their colleagues to vote it down.

President Donald Trump is expected to sign the measure into law. Its passage is a win for the company Twin Metals, a subsidiary of the Chilean mining firm Antofagasta, which aims to open an underground copper-nickel mine just south of the boundary waters.

Julie Lucas represents Twin Metals and other companies as executive director of the industry group, MiningMinnesota. She joined MPR News host Kelly Gordon with reaction to the Senate’s vote.

State Republican lawmakers took a preliminary step to impeach Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison Wednesday morning. We were inside the polarizing hearing.

Plus, a look at the trend of young Minnesotans moving to rural parts of the state.

Did you find yourself turning into an amateur astronaut during the Artemis Two mission? There is even more wonder to explore during Dark Sky Week.

And we talked with Duluth musician Gaelynn Lea, who is out with her first memoir.

The Minnesota Music Minute was Lea’s rendition of the traditional song “The Parting Glass” and “Late Bloom” by Zippy Laske was the Song of the Day.

Lea spoke to MPR News host Kelly Gordon about her memoir.

This week happens to be dedicated to the night sky. International Dark Sky Week began in 2003 to raise awareness, not only of the beauty of nighttime, but also the artificial light that can erase it.

Governor Tim Walz recently signed a proclamation recognizing Dark Sky Week in Minnesota for a third year in a row. And Voyageurs Conservancy, the non-profit partner of Voyageurs National Park in northern Minnesota, is leading a series of programs focused on the night sky. MPR News host Kelly Gordon talked with the group’s associate director, Breanna Trygg.

Ben Winchester says there's even more to the story around these trends — and it has a lot to do with housing. As a rural sociologist with the University of Minnesota Extension, he studies housing dynamics across the state. MPR News host Kelly Gordon talked with him on Minnesota Now.

The resolution before the committee laid out a process to impeach the constitutional officers over their leadership during a time when Minnesota programs experienced widespread fraud. MPR News politics reporter Dana Ferguson was in the Capitol hearing. She joined MPR News guest host Kelly Gordon from the Capitol.

If passed, this would overturn a 20-year ban on mining across more than 200,000 acres of the Superior National Forest that was put in place in 2023.

The measure led by Minnesota Republican congressman Pete Stauber passed the House back in January. It has stalled in the Senate since.

Chris Knopf, executive director of Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness, joined MPR News host Kelly Gordon to talk about the possible vote.

Plus, Ramsey County attorneys are investigating a federal immigration arrest as a possible kidnapping.

In Minneapolis, a group of former diplomats gathered for a conference on nuclear proliferation in a tense global environment.

And St. Paul's negotiating a new contract with its largest supplier of electricity.

We also got the latest on the Minnesota Lynx after Monday’s WNBA draft.

And the movie Fargo turns 30 this year. We heard from the actor from an iconic scene involving a woodchipper.

The Minnesota Music Minute was “The Lake” by Bunny Blood. The Song of the Day was “Feral Eyes” by Garden Tigers.

Franchise agreements are contracts between a city and a utility laying out how the company can use the city's existing infrastructure to provide its services.

Unidos MN has been working behind-the-scenes to push the city toward what it would see as a more climate-forward and flexible agreement with Xcel Energy. Madi Johnson, an organizer with Unidos MN, explained more about the process and what's at stake.

The “Great Decisions Conference” by the organization Global Minnesota comes during a tense moment in global security. Nuclear weapons are a major part of the equation in the United States’ and Israel’s war with Iran. And a nuclear arms treaty between the U.S. and Russia expired earlier this year.

Mary Curtin, one of the panelists and a former diplomat-in-residence at the University in Minnesota, joined Minnesota Now to talk about the gathering.

The film turned 30 in March around the same time that Fargo's movie theater celebrated 100 years. The theater is commemorating both those birthdays Tuesday with a screening of Fargo and a Q&A event with Swedish actor Peter Stormare. He played the bleach-blonde, silent kidnapper Gaer Grimsrud, who's most infamous for his dealings with a woodchipper at the end of the film.

Stormare talked with MPR News Fargo/Moorhead reporter Tadeo Ruiz Sandoval about the film's 30th anniversary.

This weekend marked five years since the killing of Daunte Wright by police. The city of Brooklyn Center promised there'd be changes. We'll take a closer look at whether those changes have actually been made.

The Trump administration is making more moves in an effort to assert more control over elections. One of those is the SAVE Act. We'll learn about that.

Plus, a preview of two new exhibits centering Native artists at the Textile Center in Minneapolis.

And we’ll get a preview of WNBA draft night as the Lynx look to remake their roster.

The Minnesota Music Minute was “Got My Mojo Working” by George “Mojo” Buford. Our Song of the Day was “Wobbuffet” by room3.

The MVP played for Minnesota for 12 years starting in 1995, and again in 2015 for his final year before retirement. He’s beloved among many Wolves fans, but kept his distance from the team for years due to a sour relationship with former owner Glen Taylor.

Now that the franchise is under new ownership, Garnett has signed on as a team ambassador and the Wolves plan to retire his number 21 jersey.

Meanwhile, heading into draft night Monday, the Minnesota Lynx features a nearly entirely new roster. In the past weekend, the Lynx signed multiple players in free agency and also lost several players.

Minnesota Now sports contributors Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson joined the program with those sports headlines and more.

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

Subscribe to the Minnesota Now podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

We attempt to make transcripts for Minnesota Now available the next business day after a broadcast. When ready they will appear here.

One exhibit, “TWO-SPIRIT STORIES”, brings together six different emerging, Two-Spirit artists to respond to the question: “What is your story?” Across their pieces, they offer diverse and intimate reflections on the prompt.

The second exhibit features 11 Dakota and Anishinaabe artists. From beadwork to canoes and baskets, “Mni Sóta: Traditions & Innovations” highlights the vast breadth of Native and textile art in traditional and contemporary ways.

Penny Kagigebi is the curator for community collaboration for “TWO-SPIRIT STORIES.” She is a direct descendant of the White Earth Ojibwe. Delina White is curator for “Mni Sóta: Traditions & Innovations” and is a member of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. She is also the founder of “IamAnishinaabe” fashion house as well as Native Nations Fashion Night.

Kagigebi and White joined Minnesota Now for a conversation about their exhibits.

The legislation, which already passed the U.S. House, would set new federal standards for voting, including a new requirement that voters have "documentary proof of citizenship" in order to vote. The bill also requires states to hand over voter data to the Department of Homeland Security. Democrats are firmly opposed.

This SAVE Act is just the latest effort by President Trump to assert more control over elections, as he continuously claims falsely that the 2020 election was stolen from him.

Joining Minnesota Now to explain the bill and where it stands is University of Minnesota political scientist Larry Jacobs.

State Rep. Cedrick Frazier, DFL- New Hope, is co-chair of the House Ways and Means committee, which held the hearing about the economic impact and also is the author of a bill for a $100 million economic relief program for businesses impacted by the surge.

Frazier spoke to MPR News guest host Kelly Gordon about the testimony he heard this morning and his effort to bring relief for businesses.

After the murder of George Floyd, local nonprofits were overwhelmed by millions of dollars of donations. How one is still working to redistribute that money.

And taxes are due next week! We got some last minute tips in the new episode of our series, Professional Help.

Plus, a 90-year tradition is returning to the Twin Cities after a hiatus: The International Festival of Minnesota.

Our Minnesota Music Minute was “Mexico” by 12 Rods. Our Song of the Day was “Sometimes, Not Always” by Mike Munson Trio.

The tax deadline is less than a week away, on April 15. If you haven’t completed your taxes yet, you are far from alone. Even David Horn, the Master of Business Taxation Director at the University of Minnesota, told producer Ellen Finn that he hadn’t completed his taxes just yet as early April rolled around. He has tips on how to get started, even if you’re running behind.

If you grew up here or had kids here, you may remember attending its former namesake, the Festival of Nations. It ran nearly 90 years, and was the Midwest’s oldest and longest-running annual multicultural celebration. It drew 30,000 people to the RiverCentre when it was last held in 2019. Due to the pandemic and rising costs, the event came to an end. But now it is back and it kicks off Friday.

Steve Heckler is the executive director of the International Festival of Minnesota and he joined MPR News host Emily Bright to talk about this weekend’s celebrations.

Now, Black Visions is creating a new grant to share more of that money. Working in partnership with Headwaters Foundation for Justice, the goal is to provide immediate cash relief to Black Minnesotans facing hardship. Individuals can apply for one-time funding of $1,500, $2,000 or $5,000.

Black Visions formed in August 2017 and was at the center of an effort to replace the Minneapolis Police Department in the wake of George Floyd’s murder.

Tiffany Dykes, director of development at Black Visions, shared more about the fund.

The hospital faces a $50 million projected shortfall this year. It slashed programs and positions in January. But Hennepin County commissioners have said that without action from state lawmakers, the hospital could begin closing in June.

Lawmakers have responded with a proposal to use sales tax money to help cover the hospital’s costs. During a House taxes committee meeting Thursday, former patients and healthcare providers testified in support of the bill, including Dr. Tom Wyatt, the hospital’s emergency medicine chair.

Rep. Danny Nadeau, R-Rogers, is a co-author on the bill and he spoke with guest host Emily Bright about his legislation.

Minneapolis Public Schools students are all back in-person, with the district ending e-learning for students that were too scared to leave their homes. A district leader shared how staff are making sure kids are coming back to class.

Plus, Minnesota is celebrating 75 years of Wildlife Management Areas, lands the Department of Natural Resources says have played an important role in protecting habitat.

And we went “Out to Lunch” with a domestic violence advocate who is making sure African immigrant communities aren't left behind.

The Immigrant Rapid Response Fund will wrap up its final round of grantmaking this week. In total, nearly $14 million dollars will be distributed to more than 140 organizations.

Ambar Hanson, the executive director of the Mortenson Family Foundation, shared more about their work on Minnesota Now.

Comfort Dondo has spent her career supporting women who have experienced domestic violence in the Twin Cities and beyond. She founded the nonprofit Phumulani in 2017 and has had her hands in community anti-violence and empowerment projects throughout the twenty years she's lived in the Twin Cities, after moving here from Zimbabwe as a teen. She met MPR News host Nina Moini at a restaurant that she said reminded her of home, Bolé Ethiopian Cuisine in St. Paul.

In the mid-20th century, government policies incentivized farmers to drain or fill wetlands, and crops spread across areas that were critical to birds and other wildlife. A movement to protect and recover wetlands grew into a system of state lands called Wildlife Management Areas.

This year, the DNR is celebrating the 75th anniversary of this conservation strategy, which now includes about 1,500 WMAs across a variety of habitats.

DNR Wildlife Section Manager Dave Trauba joined MPR News host Emily Bright to talk about the history and future of these areas.

As they worked to support learning, educators raised concerns that immigrant students and students of color could experience a repeat of the academic losses and absenteeism that followed the COVID-19 pandemic. MPS Director of Student Retention and Recovery Colleen Kaibel joined MPR News host Emily Bright to reflect on the surge’s impact on attendance and talk about her office’s work moving forward.