Best Minnesota Public Radio Podcasts (2024)

1
Cube Critics talk about ‘The Fall Guy’ and ‘Abigail’ 3:59

4h ago3:59

3:59

Cube Critics watch a movie that is a love letter to stunt performers and a film about a kidnapping where — oops, the kidnapped child is a vampire.By Minnesota Public Radio

1
Legislative deadline; Increase in licenses after 'Driver's License for All' law 6:00

1h ago6:00

6:00

Minnesota lawmakers are butting up against the deadline to adjourn the 2024 legislative session. And data suggest many Minnesotans have taken advantage of a law allowing them to apply for a driver's license regardless of immigration status. Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.…

1
Lydia Millet writes a devotion to the species disappearing from our planet 48:43

34m ago48:43

48:43

Birds, bats, freshwater mussels and a small catfish. They all slipped away in 2023, among the 21 species declared extinct by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Grief is a rational response. So are the questions novelist and conservationist Lydia Millet articulates in her new book, “We Loved It All.” A blend of memoir and ecological truth-telling, …

1
Trump visits St. Paul Friday. House DFLers push to advance ERA bill 4:57

6h ago4:57

4:57

Delegates to the 2024 Republican state convention gather in St. Paul on Friday. Democrats at the State Capitol say they will move to advance a bill Friday that would put an equal rights amendment before voters in 2026. And the Minnesota Timberwolves are headed to a 7th and deciding game in the Western Conference semifinal playoff series.…

1
Rideshare app Wridz launches; Legislative update 5:00

6h ago5:00

5:00

A Texas-based rideshare app has officially launched in Minneapolis. Wridz, pronounced “rides,” already operates in nine other states. It is now in the process of onboarding drivers in Minneapolis. And Republicans in the Minnesota House say they could block key legislation after the DFL House Speaker cut off debate on a bill last night. Those storie…

1
State trooper Londregan pleads not guilty. Lawmakers pass education policy bill 5:23

4h ago5:23

5:23

A Minnesota state trooper charged with fatally shooting a motorist last summer has pleaded not guilty to murder, manslaughter and assault charges in Hennepin County District Court. Plus, Minnesota lawmakers have approved a new bill focused on education policy. It passed the House 68-59 and now heads to Gov. Tim Walz’s desk. Find more Minnesota news…

1
Art Hounds: Basketball onstage, Mama Hellcats and burlesque in Rochester 4:15

2h ago4:15

4:15

From MPR News, Art Hounds are members of the Minnesota arts community who look beyond their own work to highlight what’s exciting in local art. Their recommendations are lightly edited from the audio heard in the player above. Want to be an Art Hound? Submit here. A play about a team Denise Tennan of St. Louis Park is a musician, writer, visual art…

1
CPS bill advances; housing policy bill stalls 5:03

2d ago5:03

5:03

The Minnesota House voted unanimously to advance a bill today that would set up extra systems to keep Black kids with their families in the child protection system. And DFL lawmakers are at odds over a housing policy bill and whether a voucher provision will make it through this year. Those stories and more in today’s evening update. Hosted by Emil…

1
Walz proclaims Peace Officer Memorial Day. Sports betting bill up for debate in House 5:13

2d ago5:13

5:13

Flags are at half-staff today as people across the state honor law enforcement officers who have fallen or been injured in the line of duty. Gov. Tim Walz has declared it Peace Officers Memorial Day in Minnesota. A Monticello man has been charged in connection with a shootout that left an off-duty Twin Cities firefighter dead earlier this month, a …

1
UnitedHealthcare settlement; Minnesota man pleads guilty in January 6 case 5:55

11h ago5:55

5:55

Minnesota's Department of Commerce announced a settlement with UnitedHealthcare today over the company's alleged violation of mental health parity laws. And a Blue Earth man pleaded guilty today to participating in the January 6th assault on the U.S. Capitol. Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Mus…

1
Equal rights amendment vote delayed. Jewish Minnesotans protest Sec. of State Simon 5:08

2h ago5:08

5:08

Plans by the Minnesota House to vote on a proposed equal rights amendment were sidetracked last night. And more than 40 Jewish Minnesotans waited in Secretary of State Steve Simon's office lobby Monday, hoping the State Board of Investment member would join talks about divesting $157 million of stocks, bonds and investments tied to Israel. Find mor…

1
How do vacuums work? 29:29

1h ago29:29

29:29

Vacuums are full of surprises! Did you know that they blow air out to suck things up? Or that old-fashioned vacuums were so huge, they had to be hauled from house to house by horses?! Join Molly and co-host Baker as they learn all about these awesome appliances. They’ll dig into vacuum history, shrink to the size of air molecules and explore the in…

1
Air quality alert across Minnesota. Just 1 week left for Legislature 4:55

3h ago4:55

4:55

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an air quality alert for all of Minnesota through the early part of Monday. Fine particle levels are expected to reach the red air quality index category, a level considered unhealthy for everyone. And it's the final stretch for state lawmakers and the 2024 legislative session. One week remains. Thi…

1
Cube Critics discuss ‘Manhunt’ and ‘Monkey Man’ 3:45

6h ago3:45

3:45

Cube Critics Regina Medina and Max Sparber discuss a miniseries about the killing of Lincoln and a psychedelic action film set in India. The following are capsule reviews edited from the audio heard using the player above. ‘Manhunt’ “Manhunt,” streaming on Apple TV+, is an engaging historical drama series that captures the intense pursuit of John W…

1
St. Paul police video shows how woman was shot and killed 5:29

6h ago5:29

5:29

The St. Paul police department released body cam videos from the officers who killed a woman earlier this week. The officers were responding to a call that a woman was attempting suicide. The video shows a woman grabbing a gun from under a bed and pointing it toward officers before she is shot. This is the evening update from MPR News hosted by Emi…

1
Minnesota’s best writers on Big Books and Bold Ideas 52:08

16m ago52:08

52:08

Big Book and Bold Ideas talks with authors from around the globe. But our favorite moments come when host Kerri Miller sits down with Minnesota writers to talk about story, craft and how calling this state home influences both. This week, we took a look back at some conversations with notable Minnesota authors, including Shannon Gibney, who just wo…

1
U of M students meet with Board of Regents, stiffer penalties for 'straw purchasers' 4:50

20h ago4:50

4:50

University of Minnesota students share their concerns Friday with the U’s Board of Regents. Pro-Palestinian protesters are calling for the U to cut financial ties with companies linked to the Israeli military. The chance to address regents was part of the agreement to end an encampment on the Twin Cities campus. The Minnesota Senate has advanced a …

1
Minnesota's severe drought is gone; new protections for minors in social media posts to Gov. Walz 5:16

4h ago5:16

5:16

Thursday’s drought monitor update classifies less than 40 percent of Minnesota as abnormally dry or in drought, the lowest percentage all year. And the Minnesota Legislature has approved a measure to enhance social media protections for children. It would bar kids under 14 from creating paid social media content. This is the afternoon update from M…

1
Witness testifies in Feeding Our Future trial. GOP senator to undergo training after ethics complaint 5:11

6h ago5:11

5:11

A witness in the Feeding Our Future trial says he conspired with the defendants to steal government money meant for meal sites during the pandemic. And a state senator will undergo training on appropriate email communications after facing an ethics complaint. The four members of a Senate ethics subcommittee voted to pass a resolution that would dro…

1
Arts recommendations: Dance theater, Rasputin and an arts extravaganza 4:02

2h ago4:02

4:02

From MPR News, Art Hounds are members of the Minnesota arts community who look beyond their own work to highlight what’s exciting in local art. Their recommendations are lightly edited from the audio heard in the player above. Want to be an Art Hound? Submit here. Alanna Morris is a professional dancer-choreographer in St. Paul. She saw Minnesota D…

1
Minneapolis Civil Rights Department director appointment; Feeding Our Future trial update 5:29

3h ago5:29

5:29

The Minneapolis City Council is expected to begin its consideration of the appointment of a new Civil Rights Department director when it meets tomorrow. And a former Feeding Our Future employee told a jury today about how he conspired with others at the Twin Cities nonprofit to steal money from government child nutrition programs. Those stories and…

1
Sen. Mitchell's ethics hearing on hold. Rideshare ordinance talks on course 4:51

8d ago4:51

4:51

An ethics complaint against Minnesota Sen. Nicole Mitchell will be on hold until next month — unless additional information comes out sooner related to her burglary arrest. And Gov. Tim Walz says negotiations will move ahead on rideshare driver protections that can also satisfy Uber and Lyft, the dominant players in the industry. This is an MPR New…

1
Effort to censure Rep. Ilhan Omar; rideshare bill update 4:45

3d ago4:45

4:45

A Republican representative from Nebraska wants the U.S. House to censure Minnesota 5th District DFL Rep. Ilhan Omar for comments she made related to college student protests against Israel's actions in Gaza. And the proposed framework between DFL lawmakers at the Capitol and the Minneapolis City Council over wages for rideshare drivers moved ahead…

1
Woman shot, killed by St. Paul police. Charges dropped for U of M campus protesters 5:11

12d ago5:11

5:11

A woman died in after being shot by police Monday night in St. Paul. Authorities say it happened on the 1100 block of Rose Avenue East after the woman allegedly pointed a gun at officers. And criminal charges have been dropped for protestors who were arrested after refusing to leave the pro-Palestinian solidarity encampment at the University of Min…

1
How do stringed instruments make sounds? 27:04

1h ago27:04

27:04

Have you ever wondered why a guitar sounds different from a violin? Or why a banjo is twangy and a cello is mellow? Then this episode is for you! Join Molly and co-host Ellie as they explore the ear-tickling world of string sounds! Together, they’ll learn about sound waves, and visit the Brains On instrument petting zoo, where they'll learn about a…

1
Trump in Minnesota; Rideshare proposal update 5:13

2h ago5:13

5:13

President Trump will campaign in Minnesota next week after twice coming up short in the state. And state legislators and Minneapolis council members say they have an updated wage proposal for rideshare drivers. Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music from Gary Meister.…

1
Tuition hike possible for University of Minnesota. Feeding our Future trial continues 5:04

4h ago5:04

5:04

The trial of seven people accused of fraud in the Feeding Our Future case continues Monday. Last week, prosecution witnesses testified they noticed larger than expected reimbursements from a pandemic-era program intended to feed children at a broad range of sites. And students at the University of Minnesota may be facing a tuition increase. This is…

1
Updates in Ricky Cobb II case; cannabis legislation 5:37

2d ago5:37

5:37

The Hennepin County Attorney's Office's contract with outside attorneys to prosecute a Minnesota state trooper who fatally shot a motorist last summer will be capped at $1 million dollars. And the Minnesota Senate has defeated an attempt to allow misdemeanor charges against anyone under 21 for using or possessing cannabis. Those stories and more in…

1
Cube Critics discuss ‘Fallout’ and ‘Civil War’ 3:49

6d ago3:49

3:49

Cube Critics Jacob Aloi and Alex V. Cipolle discuss dystopian media. The following are capsule reviews edited from the audio heard using the player above. ‘Fallout’ “Fallout” is a new TV series on Amazon Prime, inspired by the beloved video game series of the same name. While I wasn’t deeply immersed in the Fallout games growing up — mostly watchin…

1
Author Jamie Figueroa on reclaiming an identity her mother tried to shed 51:30

14d ago51:30

51:30

Jamie Figueroa’s new memoir, “Mother Island” is stylistically unique. She combines prose and creative nonfiction, myth and short stories to explore her memories. But the heart of the book — her push-pull relationship with her mother and her process of uncovering a true self — is as old as time. Figueroa’s mother was taken from Puerto Rico as a youn…

1
Lane closures start on I-494. Support staff, Minneapolis schools reach contract agreement 5:12

3d ago5:12

5:12

Lane closures are in place along a stretch of Interstate 494 in the southern Twin Cities metro area. The freeway is down to two lanes in each direction across the Minnesota River near the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. The closures will remain in place through late October. And hours after unionized education support professionals in M…

1
Smarty Pass Sneak Peek: Radical Design 1:20

16d ago1:20

1:20

Looks like Marc has a beautiful new plant but doesn’t know where to put it. Direct sunlight or indirect sunlight? It’s too hard to figure out! But you know what’s not hard to figure out? Whether or not you should play Molly’s new game, Radical Design! Grab your Smarty Pass to see what producers Marc Sanchez and Rosie duPont think homes would look l…

1
MPS contract agreement; U of M encampment agreement 5:45

3d ago5:45

5:45

Education support professionals in the Minneapolis Public School district have reached a contract agreement with their district. And students at the University of Minnesota took down their protest encampment in the rain this morning after negotiating with campus administration. Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted …

1
FBI agent testifies in Feeding Our Future trial. Twins extend winning streak 5:58

4d ago5:58

5:58

An FBI agent testified in the Feeding Our Future trial Wednesday. He stated that an investigation of suspected fraud in government child nutrition programs started soon after a state official contacted the bureau in 2021. And the Minnesota Twins have now won 10 games in a row. The team completed another sweep of the Chicago White Sox yesterday, win…

1
Legislature budgets for literacy programs; U of M officials meet with protesters 5:07

4d ago5:07

5:07

The Minnesota House yesterday passed a supplemental budget bill to put $55 million into literacy, teacher training and pre-K programs. And University of Minnesota officials say they had a constructive dialogue this morning with students involved in pro-Palestinian protests on the Twin Cities campus. Those stories and more in today’s evening update …

1
Rondo Avenue returns to St. Paul street signs. Indigenous cultural heritage celebrated in May 5:27

5d ago5:27

5:27

American Indian Month is now underway. The American Indian Cultural Corridor in the Phillips neighborhood of south Minneapolis is hosting a large event Wednesday to kick off the month. And one of St. Paul’s historic neighborhoods is again part of the official city streets. The city renamed a portion of Concordia Avenue as Rondo Avenue. This is an M…

1
Minnesota Senate votes on Sen. Mitchell's resignation; Feeding our Future trial update 5:37

6d ago5:37

5:37

The DFL-led Minnesota Senate voted down an effort to call for Sen. Nicole Mitchell's resignation after her burglary arrest. And in the Feeding Our Future trial Tuesday, a state regulator testified that she was concerned about fraud in government child nutrition programs after seeing massive growth in meal reimbursement requests during the COVID pan…

1
Protests continue at college campuses. Minnesota charging ahead on green energy 4:34

19d ago4:34

4:34

Protests continued at the Twin Cities campus of the University of Minnesota Monday after the U called for buildings along Northrop Mall to close at 2 p.m. And a new report released Tuesday finds that Minnesota continues to outpace the nation in transitioning from fossil fuels to carbon-free sources of electricity. This is an MPR News morning update…

1
How to build a house on the Moon 29:11

19d ago29:11

29:11

Humans have visited the Moon but we’ve never lived there. Could we build a home on our lunar neighbor? Join Molly and co-host Ira as they find out why the Moon can be a dangerous place, and what it would take to live there. We’ll imagine a visit to a lunar hotel, hear about all the stuff humans have left up there and even hear a song sung by the Mo…

1
DFL state senator will be able to vote despite ethics proceedings 5:04

19d ago5:04

5:04

A Minnesota state senator won't be disqualified from voting in the Legislature’s final weeks. Republicans tried Monday to strip DFL Sen. Nicole Mitchell of voting power. She is charged with felony burglary and awaits ethics proceedings. Also, attorneys outlined their cases in a fraud trial of seven people who allegedly diverted millions in pandemic…

1
Timberwolves beat Suns to advance in NBA playoffs. GOP endorses Tad Jude for 3rd District 4:39

8d ago4:39

4:39

Basketball fans in the Twin Cities Sunday night celebrated the Minnesota Timberwolves sweep of their first round series against the Phoenix Suns. The Wolves will next play the Denver Nuggets or the Los Angeles Lakers in the conference semifinals. Republicans in Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District endorsed Tad Jude to run for the open seat curren…

1
GOP's weekend conventions; Duluth mayor on state of the city 5:04

11d ago5:04

5:04

Minnesota Republicans will gather for three endorsing conventions around the state this weekend. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison calls upon United Health Group to better protect patients and providers after February's cyber attack, and Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert delivers his first state of the city address. This is an MPR News evening upda…

1
Alexandra Fuller on ‘the braid, the spiral, the knot of grief’ 58:07

10d ago58:07

58:07

Alexandra Fuller’s new memoir begins with the death of her 21-year-old son, Fi, and chronicles her attempts to grieve well in the searing aftermath of his loss. Among other things, that meant acknowledging her kinship with others who had gone before her. In her gorgeous new book, “Fi: A Memoir of My Son,” she writes: “The way a pilot sees wind and …

1
New prosecution team in Londregan case. Jury seated in first Feeding Our Future trial 5:06

23d ago5:06

5:06

The Hennepin County Attorney’s office is assembling a new prosecution team days before an important hearing in the case of state trooper Ryan Londregan, who is charged with the shooting death of motorist Ricky Cobb II last summer. And a jury has been seated in the first Feeding Our Future trial. Seven people are charged with stealing tens of millio…

1
Cube Critics discuss ‘The Claw’ and ‘The Beast’ 3:49

10d ago3:49

3:49

Cube Critics Max Sparber and Alex V. Cipolle discuss a film about a Minnesota legend and … they really don’t know what. The following are capsule reviews edited from the audio heard using the player above. Click here. ‘The Claw’ This documentary should be distinguished from another recently reviewed title, “The Iron Claw,” a tragic look at a southe…

1
Walz weighs in on lawmaker arrest; Minneapolis cigarette prices will rise to $15 4:46

12d ago4:46

4:46

Gov. Tim Walz says he’s awaiting more information before deciding whether to call for the resignation of a DFL state senator. And the Minneapolis City Council today passed an ordinance that requires cigarettes sold in the city to cost at least $15 dollars a pack. It's the highest required price in the country. Those stories and more in today’s even…

1
Minneapolis schools and teachers reach agreement. Protests continue at University of Minnesota 5:02

12d ago5:02

5:02

Minneapolis Public Schools and the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers reached a tentative agreement in the early morning hours Thursday. And protests in support of Palestinians continue at the University of Minnesota after eight students and one faculty member were arrested this week. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Musi…

1
Art Hounds: Reflecting on a lost art 4:01

22d ago4:01

4:01

From MPR News, Art Hounds are members of the Minnesota arts community who look beyond their own work to highlight what’s exciting in local art. Want to be an Art Hound? Submit here. Click here. Exploring the artistic journey Dive into the captivating world of Stuart Loughridge, a local artist renowned for his mastery in etching, painting and drawin…

1
Some Minnesota senators want to expel Nicole Mitchell for burglary charges; Anoka-Hennepin school board dispute settled 5:10

13d ago5:10

5:10

Minnesota senators failed to advance a motion to eventually expel the DFL lawmaker charged with a felony over an alleged burglary this week. The senator charged, Nicole Mitchell of Woodbury, did not appear at the Capitol today. And school board members governing Minnesota’s largest district have reached an agreement to avoid disrupting the annual b…

1
Teen charged in shooting at punk rock show. DFL lawmaker’s arrest brings call for resignation 5:10

13d ago5:10

5:10

A teenager has been charged — and another minor has been identified — in connection with a shooting last summer at a Minneapolis punk music show. And the top Republican in the Minnesota Senate is calling on DFL Sen. Nicole Mitchell to resign following her arrest in northwest Minnesota. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Mus…

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