First responders in Burnsville are working with psychiatrists to learn how to respond to mental health crises. We'll learn about the new partnership.

Minnesota students are going back to the classroom. And school leaders are now required to have cell phone policies. I'll talk to three high school principals about their approach.

Plus, some students who stayed home during Operation Metro Surge never returned to their schools. An education reporter looked into the numbers.

Our Minnesota Music Minute was “That Was The Moment” by LASALLE and our Song of the Day was “Puppers (Bandit's Song)” by Maximiano.

Joining Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about the new partnership is Burnsville Police Sgt. Max Yakovlev, who created the department's behavioral health unit and Dr. Sophia Albott, a psychiatrist and head of the Division of Adult Mental Health at the U of M.

Minnesota schools are now entering their first full school year under a state mandate to have policies governing students' use of cellphones. The mandate went into effect in March.

In preparation for this school year, Minnesota Now asked three Minnesota high school principals what they've learned so far about getting phones out of the classroom.

Principal Rob Reetz of Mounds View High School, Principal Robert Bach of Stillwater Area High School and Principal Michelle Koch of Menahga High School spoke to Minnesota Now host Nina Moini about their policies.

In July, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission put forth a proposal to end federal workplace reporting requirements that have been in place since 1966. The current system tracks demographics like race, ethnicity and sex in an effort to prevent employment discrimination.

Last week, the Minnesota Department of Human Rights along with several other civil rights agencies filed a joint comment opposing the end of the tracking.

“Eliminating Equal Employment Opportunity reporting represents yet another significant step in dismantling our nation’s civil rights enforcement framework,” said Minnesota Department of Human Rights Commissioner Rebecca Lucero.

Commissioner Lucero joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk more about the concerns she has around this proposal.

A new analysis from Sahan Journal looked at a group of districts with high numbers of English learners. They found enrollment dropped by about 1,700 students between October 2025 and March 2026 at those 29 school districts. That’s compared to 80 students the year before.

Joining Minnesota Now to talk more about these numbers and what's behind them is Sahan Journal education reporter Becky Dernbach.

The Nepali community in Minnesota is coming together to collect relief for the thousands of people affected by devastating floods in their home country and in Tibet.

And Meta's putting in place new rules for kids on Instagram and Facebook as a part of a multi-billion dollar settlement. We learned more about what these changes will mean for kids and families.

Plus, a soon-to-be-released anthology edited by two Minnesota poets contemplates the history and future of policing.

Minnesota Now sports contributors Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson joined MPR News host Kelly Gordon to break down these sports stories, plus the latest on the Twins and Loons.

It includes work by celebrated Minnesota poets like Danez Smith and Kao Kalia Yang as well as big national names, like Ada Limón and Amanda Gorman. Several poets will read their work in a launch event Tuesday evening at New City Center in Minneapolis.

The project’s editors, Ari Tison and Ty Chapman, also contributed to the collection. They joined MPR News host Kelly Gordon to talk about it.

They are part of a $17-billion settlement reached last week between the tech giant Meta and 47 states, including Minnesota. The agreement mandates changes to the platforms that limit use to two-hours each day, block the use of the apps at night, and silence notifications during school hours.

To sort out how this will work in the real world for families and kids, MPR News host Kelly Gordon talked with Jodi Dworkin, professor and extension specialist in family social science at the University of Minnesota.

In Minnesota, the Nepali diaspora is coming together for relief efforts. Deepak Chaulagai, a board member with the Association of Nepalis in Minnesota, joined MPR News host Kelly Gordon with details.

The State Fair has historically become a stumping ground for politicians. As we gear up for the midterms, we heard from outgoing U.S. Sen. Tina Smith.

Plus, the fair is built on agriculture. Farmers from across the state bring their livestock. We met two baby animals being shown at this year’s fair.

And crop art has become a main attraction. We learned about the craft and how it’s grown.

We also talked to local musician Sophie Hiroko and heard some of her music.

Sophie Hiroko is from from Duluth and has been making a pretty big name for herself in the Minnesota music scene. She won the 2025 Palomino grant from the Duluth band Trampled by Turtles, she released an EP, she was picked as one of First Avenue's best new bands of 2025, and she recently headlined at the 7th St. Entry.

Now, she shared with MPR News that she has secured studio space to record her first studio album.

Hiroko joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about her music career and play two songs.

12-year-old Madelyn Donnelly and her mentor Allison Van Nurden, who is in her first year of college - and last year of 4-H. They both brought their lambs to the Minnesota Public Radio stage at the Minnesota State Fair to talk to MPR News host Nina Moini about their experience as mentor and mentee.

Over the past several years, the crop art exhibit has joined the list of must-see attractions. Marta Shore is the woman behind putting the contest and exhibit together, as the crop art and scarecrow assistant superintendent.

Shore spoke to Minnesota Now host Nina Moini at the MPR stage.

Democratic U.S. Sen. Tina Smith kicked off one of the year’s the most significant statewide races when she announced in 2025 she would not seek reelection. DFL Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan and Republican sports broadcaster Michele Tafoya are running for the seat.

Smith now has a few months left in her term, with major budget and farming legislation before Congress. She joined MPR News host Nina Moini on the MPR stage.

When the call first came in of a shooting at Annunciation that morning, many of the Minneapolis police officers who ended up on the scene didn't know if it was real. But as more calls and details poured in, the reality of the situation quickly set in.

Inspector Ryan Kelly got to the church within three-and-a-half minutes of the first 911 call, according to a new report released by the city this week. Dozens of other first responders soon arrived, including officers Valeria Perez Martinez and Liban Ibrahim.

Minnesota Now heard from the three officers in interviews conducted and shared by the Minneapolis Police Department.

We hear from eighth graders who graduated from Annunciation and are now transitioning to high school.

Plus, we learn how the school is supporting students and staff.

And after the tragedy, parents mobilized to advocate for gun violence prevention. They worked with other parents who have a shared experience, from Sandy Hook.

We have a special musical tribute to Fletcher Merkel, who was killed at 8 years old.

And after Harper Moyski's death, her little sister has found sisterhood with Harper's best friends.

The Annunciation Light Alliance also found allies in Sandy Hook parents who have built a national advocacy network since the mass shooting at their children’s’ elementary school in Connecticut in 2012.

To learn more about the past year of organizing and what’s next, MPR News host Nina Moini talked with Annunciation Light Alliance co-founder Kristen Neville, who has five children at the school, along with Sandy Hook Promise CEO Nicole Hockley, who co-founded that group after losing her son Dylan, a first-grader, in the Sandy Hook tragedy.

Since her death, her younger sister Quinn has formed a new friendship with Harper's best friends. They like to go to is Harper’s memorial bench to reflect, heal and have fun. It faces the colorful Lyndale Park Rose Garden in south Minneapolis and it is one of many ways the girls keep Harper's memory alive.

MPR News host Nina Moini sat down with Quinn, Orla, Savannah and Astoria to talk about their new friendship and how they're remembering and honoring Harper.

The group collecting stories about the impact of the surge of federal agents will give its first public presentation this week. We’ll hear from a member of the Minnesota Truth Council about the findings.

The Department of Homeland security sent investigators here and to other states to look for noncitizen voters. We'll talk to an investigative reporter who learned that they didn't find much.

An event Tuesday evening will celebrate Minnesota farmers through storytelling onstage.

Our Minnesota Music Minute was “Funky Frog” by Rada K and the Cicadas, and our Song of the Day was “Bad for You” by Haley.

It's just one of many ways the Trump administration has looked to cast doubt on the voting process.

A new ProPublica investigation looks at how hundreds of Homeland Security Investigators were deployed to Minnesota and across the country to try to find and prosecute noncitizen voters. But it ended up with meager results.

One of the reporters behind this story, Peter Elkind, joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about his reporting.

Chief Brian O'Hara resigned in May over allegations he interfered with an investigation into his conduct. Now, the city is in the process of selecting a new chief.

City council member Michael Rainville represents downtown Minneapolis, and is hosting a listening session Tuesday evening. Council member LaTrisha Vetaw, who represents parts of north Minneapolis will host a listening session Wednesday evening. They both joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about what they’re listening and looking for in a new police chief.

The council was created in March to document the impacts of Operation Metro Surge and Operation PARRIS on Minnesotans. The first of four public presentations sharing the council’s findings will take place Wednesday.

Jennifer Prestholdt is vice chair of the council and deputy executive director of The Advocates for Human Rights. She joined MPR News host Nina Moini to discuss the council’s work.

The event is called “Celebrating Minnesota’s Farmers: A Love Story.” It’s part of a storytelling series by the global non-profit, Food Tank.

Food Tank president Danielle Nierenberg joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about the event along with Anita Fondikum, owner and operator of Shining Lights Farm in Princeton, Minnesota, who is one of the event storytellers.

A statewide coalition has formed to increase vaccination rates across Minnesota. We'll learn more about the effort.

And the Trump administration is looking to roll back protections for millions of acres of forests nationwide. What that could mean for Minnesota's northern forests with the potential repeal of the "Roadless Rule."

Plus, a new season is just around the corner for the Minnesota Vikings, while the Minnesota Lynx are nearing the end of theirs. We'll have the latest from our sports contributors.

Our Minnesota Music Minute was “Summer” by Tasha and our Song of the Day was “Call Me” by The Immaculate Beings.

In a statement last week, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins called the rule “outdated.” She said repealing it will help local forest managers control wildfires. Supporters of this move also say allowing logging and other development in these areas will boost rural economies. But environmental groups say it will jeopardize public lands that people treasure.

Public comment on the proposal is open through Sept. 21.

Forest ecologist Lee Frelich and director Center for Forest Ecology at the University of Minnesota joined Minnesota Now to explain how Minnesota’s forests could be impacted.

The coalition so far has ten organizations, including the Minnesota Department of Health and 30 individuals across the public health sphere.

Joining Minnesota Now is co-chair of the steering committee, Munira Maalimisaq, who is a family nurse practitioner and CEO of the Inspire Change Clinic.

Canada says it will retaliate, and Ontario Premier Doug Ford warned that Canada could cut off electricity and critical minerals to the U.S. if the conflict worsens.

That’s a particularly important story here in Minnesota, where Canada is a main trading partner and where people and businesses regularly cross the border in both directions.

Livio Di Matteo is a professor of economics at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario, right over Minnesota's border with Canada. He joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about Minnesota and Canada’s trade relationship.

New data on kindergarten vaccine rates are out from the CDC. It shows Minnesota has the third lowest measles vaccination rate in the country. We spoke to a pediatrician about why rates are so low.

Plus, we’ve been talking to the candidates for Hennepin County Attorney. Today, we heard from state Rep. Cedrick Frazier.

And, we talked to the organizer of the first ever Midwest Black Book Fair taking place this weekend.

The Minnesota Music Minute was “Let Me Buy You Coffee” by Matcha Fever. The Song of the Day was “Who Da Man” by Brother Jon Band.

Wednesday evening, Google hosted what it called a community celebration in Pine Island, about 20 minutes northwest of Rochester, with free food, live music and family activities.

That same night in Hermantown, outside of Duluth, the company held an open house to answer questions from area residents about the hyperscale data center it wants to build there.

MPR News Rochester-based reporter Molly Castle Work and our Duluth-based reporter Dan Kraker gave us a look inside the events.

Kindergartners in our state have the second and third lowest vaccination levels in the country for DTaP and MMR, respectively, at 86 percent for both. These two vaccines are combination shots that protect against a myriad of diseases like whooping cough and measles.

Minnesota also has one of the highest exemption rates at 6.9 percent.

Dr. Andrea Singh, chair of pediatrics at HealthPartners and Park Nicollet, joined Minnesota Now to talk through what these ongoing trends mean.

There will be food for sale, and books as well as workshops and panels. Terresa Hardaway, who’s behind the event and the owner of Black Garnet Books in St. Paul, joined Minnesota Now to give a preview.

Read more about the event here: Inaugural Midwest Black Book Fair will debut in north Minneapolis

It sets up a November matchup for the seat being vacated by Mary Moriarty.

Minnesota Now host Nina Moini spoke with both candidates. We aired the conversation with Folk Wednesday and we heard from Rep. Frazier Thursday.

Frazier is a three-term state representative and former public defender. His campaign has focused on gun violence and youth crime. He’s also calling for more crime prevention and alternatives to incarceration.

Voter’s Choice: Anders Folk looks to bring federal prosecution experience to Hennepin Co. Attorney's office

A federal hemp ban may be delayed after a vote in Congress. Brewers of local hemp-THC drinks hope the delay gives lawmakers more time to reconsider regulations of the lucrative business.

Plus, we heard from one of the candidates running for Hennepin County Attorney, Anders Folk. On Thursday, we’ll hear from his opponent, Cedrick Frazier.

MPR chief meteorologist Ben Cathey shared his weekly weather outlook.

And local teen poets will showcase work that imagines the world they want to see.

The Minnesota Music Minute was “Unbound” by Bizhiki and “My Friends, How to Fail“ by Piltdown was the Song of the Day.

It sets up a November matchup for the seat being vacated by Mary Moriarty.

We spoke with both candidates and will air those conversations Wednesday and Thursday, starting with Anders Folk.

Folk signed the federal indictment against Derek Chauvin in the murder of George Floyd. He was also a senior counsel in the Department of Justice under President Joe Biden.

Voter’s Choice: Rep. Cedrick Frazier leans on 'wide variety of experience' in Henn. County Attorney race

It's the culmination of a program that spanned several weeks where a group of teens took workshops and received mentorship from adult writers. In that time, they reflected on the 250th anniversary of the U.S. and were prompted to imagine the world they want to see.

Knox Frederickson is one of the teen poets and a rising senior. Amanda Rosas is one of the mentors and a teacher at Visitation School. They talked with MPR News host Nina Moini and shared pieces of their work.

One of the businesses watching this closely is Bent Paddle Brewing in Duluth. The brewery began selling hemp-derived THC drinks in 2022 and now has a countdown clock for the ban on its website, set to the November date.

Bent Paddle co-founder and CEO Bryon Tonnis joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about how he’s navigating the uncertainty and what a ban could mean for breweries in the state.

Correction: This story has been updated with the correct effective date of the ban, under the Senate-approved vote to delay.

According to AAA, Minnesota's average on Wednesday sat at $4.14. That's 20 cents higher than a week before and higher than the national average.

University of St. Thomas economics professor Tyler Schipper said it's not likely prices will significantly fall any time soon, unless there are long-term solutions to ongoing global conflicts and issues. He joined MPR News host Nina Moini to explain.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is suing Texas to demand an ICE agent stand trial in Minnesota in the shooting of Julio Sosa-Celis in January.

A Twin Cities church is hosting the first in what organizers hope will be a series of conversations about the federal surge.

And residents in a downtown Minneapolis neighborhood are gathering to talk about a data center proposal in their area.

Plus, a new fund is helping make movies in Minnesota.

The Minnesota Music Minute was “Hey There's My Girl” by Your Smith. The Song of the Day was “Lake Avenue Blues” by Jon Sullivan Band.

The federal government named these operations Metro Surge and PARRIS — terms that didn’t exist a year ago and now carry specific memories, meanings and emotions for people across the state.

The organizers of the event at Faith United Methodist in St. Anthony want to help people sort through what’s happened across divides.

It’s part of the Minnesota Council of Churches Respectful Conversations project organized in partnership with the group Democracy 2076. MPR News host Nina Moini spoke to Pastor and MCC Director of Civic Dialogue Jerad Morey as well as Ade Salami more about the initiative.

The “10,000 Stories Fund” by Explore Minnesota Film and FilmNorth has picked 10 filmmaking teams to receive $10,000 to help create their work.

Nell Lawrenz-Wareham, deputy director of Explore Minnesota Film, and filmmaker Alex Nystrom, who is a member of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and one of the recipients of the fund, joined Minnesota Now to share more about the effort.

Developer Legacy Investing has signed a deal to buy the old Minnesota Star Tribune printing facility with intentions to turn it into a data center.

Mary Binkley, president of the North Loop Neighborhood Association, and Fernando Burga, a senior research fellow at the Minnesota Design Center at the University of Minnesota, shared more about the workshops they’re holding.

The action comes just four months after Congress voted to overturn the Biden-era mining ban in the region.

Duluth-based reporter Dan Kraker joined Minnesota Now to help us sort through it all.

Plus, a look at the wave of Minnesota cities and counties that are ending their use of Flock cameras.

A new investigation from MPR News and APM Reports takes a look at the man linked to a number of group homes in Minnesota, who is also a high-ranking government official in another country.

Plus, it's been six weeks since wildfires broke out in northeast Minnesota. More ahead on how the U.S. Forest Service is trying to preserve the ecosystem while fighting the fires.

And, the Vikings have a new starting quarterback. How he did in the first preseason game.

Our Minnesota Music Minute was “Atmosphere of the Microcosm” by Paul Metzger and our Song of the Day was “Last Tuesday” by Chris Koza.

The fires have burned more than 66,000 acres. And there are more than 650 fire personnel working to put the fires out. Putting the fires out responsibly is much more than just putting down hose lines.

Joining Minnesota Now with more about the careful work to preserve the forest ecosystem while fighting fires is Matt Nourmohamadian, a fire resource advisor coordinator.

But it came with the loss of a veteran defender. Jamal Adams tore his right quadriceps tendon during the game. And some are blaming the turf at MetLife Stadium in New York.

Plus, the Minnesota Lynx beat the No. 3 Las Vegas Aces and are gearing up to play the No. 2 Golden State Valkyries on Wednesday.

Minnesota Now sports contributors Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson have those sports headlines plus other Minnesota sports news.

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.

MPR News reporter Ellie Roth joined Minnesota Now to talk about her reporting.

Jon Collins broke the story over the weekend and joined Minnesota Now to talk about the latest.

The state has released the results from a study looking at the experience and needs of LGBTQ+ Minnesotans.

Plus, Minnesota high schoolers took part in shaping a national artificial intelligence policy for schools. We talked to one student and her principal about participating.

And there’s a new professional sports team in Minnesota — a Major League Volleyball team — and it finally has a name, the Minnesota Forge! We heard more about how they’re gaining new fans ahead of their inaugural season.

The Minnesota Music Minute was “Circuit” by The Real Chuck Norad. The Song of the Day was “Telluride” by Landon Conrath.

They gathered in Boston for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Day of AI, created a mock senate, and drafted and passed their own legislation that helps schools navigate artificial intelligence. Representing Minnesota were students and staff from St. Cloud.

St. Cloud Tech High School student Bihmanji Acho and Principal Molly Kensy joined Minnesota Now to share more about the experience.

More than 7,000 people responded to a community needs survey by the Council on LGBTQIA2S+ Minnesotans.

Emma Watts, executive director of the Council, shared more about the findings with Minnesota Now host Nina Moini.

St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her’s proposal looks to shrink a $26 million dollar budget gap by increasing property taxes by 6.8 percent. The mayor also plans to eliminate positions and reassign staff.

In Minneapolis, Mayor Jacob Frey unveiled his budget Wednesday. He proposed a 11.3 percent increase in property taxes and layoffs.

MPR News reporter Estelle Timar-Wilcox joined Minnesota Now to provide more details on Frey’s proposal.

The top of the ticket in November will be all women, which means Minnesota will have its first woman governor. We looked at that match up and its significance with Minnesota's first female Lieutenant Governor, Marlene Johnson.

Among the closely-watched races will be the second congressional district, where Angie Craig will leave her post. We heard from the two candidates now vying for the seat in the competitive district.

Plus, we took a look at the razor-thin race for governor in Wisconsin.

The mostly suburban district that stretches south into farm country is up for grabs. Former state Senator Matt Little is the Democratic nominee and will face Republican state senator Eric Pratt.

Little joined MPR News host Nina Moini and politics editor Brian Bakst to talk about his campaign.

Marlene Johnson (DFL) started the trend as the state's first female lieutenant governor. She served in the role alongside former governor Rudy Perpich from 1983 to 1991. In 2024, she published a book, “Rise to the Challenge: A Memoir of Politics, Leadership and Love.”

Johnson joined MPR News host Nina Moini and politics editor Brian Bakst to talk about this moment.

David Crowley narrowly defeated Francesca Hong. Hong had been leading in polls and Crowley had previously suspended his campaign before rejoining the race. Now, he'll face Republican U.S. Representative Tom Tiffany in the November midterm.

PBS Wisconsin senior political reporter Zac Schultz recently joined Minnesota Now to break down a eventful campaign season that led up to the primary. He came back to talk about what happened and what comes next heading into the midterms.

The mostly suburban district that stretches south into farm country is up for grabs. Republican state Senator Eric Pratt is his party’s nominee and will face former state Senator Matt Little, the Democratic nominee.

Pratt joined MPR News host Nina Moini and politics editor Brian Bakst to talk about his campaign.

In St. Paul, voters may see a question on their November ballots about the right to repair for renters.

A nurse practitioner is reconnecting with patients who were living in a homeless encampment that the City of St. Paul cleared last week. We’ll hear from her about her work.

Imagine 89,000 EV chargers in the Twin Cities metro. That's what's needed to keep up with demand, according to the Metropolitan Council.

Is it heaven? Is it Iowa? We'll go to Major League Baseball's new “Field of Dreams.”

Our Minnesota Music Minute was “Decision Day” by Field Report, and our Song of the Day was “Is It Far Or Is It Close” by Author.

Now that it's closed, many former residents are now staying in another encampment a few miles upriver. The city has said it also plans to clear that encampment, plus one other in St. Paul, in the coming months. It hasn't set a timeline for those closures. A spokesperson said the city is doing an after-action review of the first one and considering its next steps.

Nurse practitioner Kat Donnelly is trying to stay connected with patients who have been staying in encampments in St. Paul. She joined MPR News host Nina Moini to share perspective on the situation.

Right now, in the Twin Cities metro, there are just over 2,000 public EV charging ports. By 2040, in the next 14 years, that will need to increase to roughly 90,000 EV chargers. It’s based on an estimate of 1.2 million EVs on the road in the metro by that time.

Joining Minnesota Now is the person behind this report, Tony Fischer. He is a transportation planner with the Metropolitan Council.

Now, Major League Baseball and the town of Dyersville, Iowa have built something new. It's a professional field alongside the film set. On Thursday evening the Twins and the Phillies will face off on it, and the game will stream live on Netflix. The St. Paul Saints will play at the field Tuesday evening against the Iowa Cubs.

Jacque Rahe knows the field well. She’s the executive director of the Dyersville Economic Development Corporation and has been helping manage the “Field of Dreams” site for years. She talked to MPR News host Nina Moini about the first game at the new field, and why “Field of Dreams” has resonated with fans for so long.

St. Paul city council had voted to reject the ballot initiative citing concerns it may conflict with state law. That led the organization behind the initiative, Safe Homes St. Paul, to file a lawsuit.

On Monday, a Ramsey County judge ruled that the city couldn’t keep the measure from voters.

And Aug. 11 is the deadline for the city to get the measure on November’s ballot, and the court is ordering the city to do so. The city of St. Paul filed an appeal with the Minnesota Supreme Court, which denied their request.

Joining Minnesota Now host Nina Moini about what’s next is Cole Hanson, with Safe Homes St. Paul.

And a coalition of dozens of northeast Minnesota businesses are calling for more help with wildfire recovery.

Our neighbors in Wisconsin will also be heading to the polls Tuesday. We'll have more on the Governor race there that's seen several shakeups.

And asylum seekers are facing a new rule change that some lawyers worry could make more people vulnerable to deportation. The federal government says it's meant to help clear the backlog of cases.

Plus, A Minnesota Lynx player made history. Kayla McBride made 10 3-pointers in a Lynx win over the Dallas Wings. We'll hear more about it and get more Minnesota sports updates.

MPR News host Nina Moini spoke with two of those businesses owners, both based in Ely, who voiced their concerns: Elli Piragis, general manager of Piragis Northwoods Company, and Abby Dare, owner and operator of The Meadows Gallery and Studio.

She made 10 3-pointers, breaking the WNBA record for 3s in a single game.

Plus, a check in on Minnesota Vikings training camp and the Minnesota Twins are back home after a close series with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Minnesota Now sports contributors Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about the latest sports headlines.

The policy has to do with affirmative asylum seekers, or people who applied for asylum with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Under a new rule, USCIS officers can send their applications straight to an immigration judge, without interviewing them first.

The agency said in its announcement the change will help chip away at a massive backlog in asylum cases. But some lawyers in Minnesota say it will land more asylum seekers in court, facing deportation. And it comes as the federal government is rolling back other protections for people who fear returning to their home countries.

Sahan Journal reporter Shubhanjana Das has been covering the story and joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about her reporting.

On the Democratic side, the field is crowded with four candidates. On the Republican side, Congressman Tom Tiffany is seen as the presumptive Republican nominee. They are all looking to take over from Democratic Governor Tony Evers , who is leaving office.

Joining Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to breakdown the race is PBS Wisconsin senior political reporter Zac Schultz.