MPRdotOrg
Minnesota Supreme Court hearing on Minnesota House control
- Title
- Minnesota Supreme Court hearing on Minnesota House control
- Runtime
- 1:14:21
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Minnesota’s highest court hears oral arguments Thursday in a pair of cases challenging the legitimacy of sessions involving only House Republicans, who have taken chamber control as Democrats hold out.
The chamber’s DFLers along with DFL Secretary of State Steve Simon argue GOP leaders overstepped their authority when they brought the chamber to order with 67 members — all Republicans — present. Democrats have steered clear of the Capitol in an effort to prevent the GOP from reaching 68 votes that has historically been needed to convene the House and move forward with official business.
After Simon adjourned the first day of session, Republicans objected. They carried on with their efforts to elect a speaker and took other steps to get organized. They have convened sessions several times since.
Find more coverage at mprnews.org here:
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/01/23/5-key-questions-as-minnesota-supreme-court-weighs-who-contr...
- Title
- Teams from all over the world competed in a snow sculpting championship in Minnesota
- Runtime
- 1:35
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Twelve teams from around the world carved 10-foot cubes of packed snow into works of art for the World Snow Sculpture Championship, held in Stillwater, Minnesota. The competition started the morning of Wednesday, Jan. 15 and tools went down at in the afternoon on Saturday, Jan. 18.
Judges used criteria including technical skill, creativity and expressive impact.
Team Falcon from Mongolia took first place with their sculpture, “Voice,” followed by Team JetSet from Mexico with “Trapped” and Team Taiwan from Taiwan. Taiwan also took home the People’s Choice award and the Artist Choice award for their sculpture, “Whispers in the Breeze.”
Video by Anne Guttridge
- Title
- U.S. Forest Service pilots in northern Minnesota created a plane runway on a frozen lake
- Runtime
- 0:46
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- When Shagawa Lake in Ely, Minnesota reaches around 6 to 8 inches of ice, crews build a runway on the frozen lake. This allows pilots to fly through the winter out of the U.S. Forest Service seaplane base in Ely — the only Forest Service seaplane base in the country.
The runway allows Forest Service pilots to launch cold-weather search and rescue missions, wildlife surveys and other operations without having to use the city airport.
The 1,600 feet long and 60 feet wide landing strip was built with balsam fir tree tops marking every 200 feet on either side. The balsam treetops help define the runway’s edges, a contrast that can be critical when the pilots are flying in gray weather.
Story by Erica Dischino, video captured by Erica Dischino and Justin Etheridge, video edited by Anne Guttridge.
- Title
- Minnesota universities win five first-place titles at dance and cheer nationals
- Runtime
- 1:08
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Minnesota universities took home five first-place titles at the UCA & UDA College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship. Eight schools from Minnesota competed and three were first-place champions. University of Minnesota placed first in division IA pom and small co-ed game day; Minnesota State University, Mankato won first place for both open jazz and open pom; and St. Cloud State University won first place in open dance - game day.
This is the first national title in the University of Minnesota’s cheer team history. The University of Minnesota says it has the oldest cheer program in the world and the school is considered the “Birthplace of Cheerleading.”
Video edited by Anne Guttridge.
- Title
- Biking on a frozen creek through the Twin Cities metro
- Runtime
- 0:54
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Bikers in the Twin Cities metro area in Minnesota took advantage of recent freezing temperatures to bike on top of a frozen Minnehaha Creek. The group rode from the Linden Hills neighborhood to Grey’s Bay on Lake Minnetonka, riding through Minneapolis, Edina, St. Louis Park, Hopkins and Minnetonka.
Many of the bikers embraced the winter weather by using fat-tire bikes, which have wider and heavier tires and can provide better traction on snow and ice.
Video captured by Ben Hovland and edited by Anne Guttridge.
- Title
- Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on the TikTok ban
- Runtime
- 0:37
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Minnesota Governor Tim Walz sat down with MPR News to discuss his new budget plan on our Politics Friday show. Our politics editor, Brian Bakst, made sure to ask him his thoughts on the impending TikTok ban as well.
Walz joined TikTok last August while campaigning for vice president on the Democratic ticket with presidential candidate and Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.
Video by Anne Guttridge
- Title
- St. Paul City Council reflects on a historic year: ‘Ten toes down, shoulder to shoulder’
- Runtime
- 1:01:23
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- St. Paul’s all-female city council has been on the job for a year now. What have they learned? MPR News host Angela Davis talks with this historic, young and diverse group about what it’s like to be a woman in politics today.
Hear a North Star Journey Live conversation MPR News host Angela Davis recorded last week with all seven St. Paul council members. They reflect on their groundbreaking first year in office and what it’s like to be a woman in politics today. They also talk about how they work together, despite differences, and how they are facing the upcoming political headwinds.
- Title
- University of Minnesota Dance Team prepare to defend national championship title
- Runtime
- 1:11
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- The University of Minnesota Dance Team will soon take the stage at the Universal Dance Association College Nationals at Walt Disney World Resort Jan. 17 through 19. The team has won 22 national championships since 2003 and they are the reigning Division 1A pom national champions.
Last year, the team’s 2024 nationals jazz routine to Aerosmith’s “Dream On” went viral. And earlier this month, the team's annual "Best of the Best" showcase in Minneapolis sold out, with more than 8,000 people in attendance.
UDA College Nationals is streaming on Varsity TV beginning Jan. 17. The University of Minnesota will compete in jazz preliminaries at 8:49 p.m. central time Friday, Jan. 17 and pom semi-finals at 11:22 a.m. central time on Saturday, Jan. 18, in addition to other competitions.
Story by Nicole Ki, video by Anne Guttridge
- Title
- This Minneapolis neighborhood hosts their own speed skating championship
- Runtime
- 1:14
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Community members gathered for two heats of speed skating on a frozen Powderhorn Lake in Minneapolis on Jan. 11. Organizers wanted to honor Powderhorn Park’s history of speed skating and bring their neighbors out for some winter fun.
Powderhorn Park used to be a focal point for the sport of speed skating. The park’s frozen lake had a speed-skating track in the 1920s and hosted the Winter Olympic trials for speed skating in the 1930s and 40s. In 1948, four of the nine skaters on U.S. Olympic team were from Powderhorn Park.
Story by Ben Hovland, video by Anne Guttridge.
- Title
- Delta flight to Minnesota evacuates in Atlanta after engine problem
- Runtime
- 0:51
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Four passengers were injured Friday at the Atlanta airport after a Delta Air Lines jet bound for Minneapolis aborted its takeoff.
The plane had experienced an engine problem. Although the incident happened during a snowstorm that caused widespread cancellations and delays in Atlanta, officials couldn't say as of Friday evening if the problem had anything to do with the weather.
The 201 passengers, two pilots and five flight attendants aboard evacuated the plane using inflatable slides and were bused back to a concourse. One of the injured passengers was taken to a hospital, while three were treated at the airport for minor injuries.
Story by Associated Press and Matt Sepic, video by Anne Guttridge.
- Title
- Passengers exit Delta jet after takeoff aborted due to engine problem
- Runtime
- 0:33
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- In this video provided to MPR News by a passenger from central California, passengers exit a Delta Air Lines jet in Atlanta after its takeoff to Minneapolis was aborted due to an engine problem on Friday, Jan. 10, 2024.
The 201 passengers, two pilots and five flight attendants aboard evacuated the Boeing 757-300 using inflatable slides and were bused back to a concourse. The incident happened while a snowstorm was causing widespread cancellations and delays in Atlanta, the world's busiest airport.
Courtesy video
- Title
- Skaters rejoice as Twin Cities lakes get rare wild ice
- Runtime
- 1:07
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Minnesotans are no strangers to outdoor ice skating in the winter, but they rarely have the opportunity to skate on the entirety of a frozen lake that isn’t covered by a blanket of snow.
In the Twin Cities, skaters were treated to "wild ice," or ice that’s thick enough to be skated on but isn't covered in snow. The ice is glassy, fairly smooth and dark underneath. It can also be clear enough to see frozen bubbles and plants underneath.
Story by Erica Zurek, video by Anne Guttridge.
- Title
- The pop-culture celebrations of the Minnesota Vikings' 2024-25 regular season
- Runtime
- 1:00
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Minnesota Vikings safeties Cam Bynum and Josh Metellus led the team in on-field celebrations this season. They drew from pop culture moments ranging from the 2024 Olympics to throwbacks like 2004's "White Chicks" and 2006's "High School Musical".
The Vikings ended their 2024-2025 regular season with a total of 14 wins and three losses. Their first playoff game is Monday, Jan. 13 against the Los Angeles Rams.
Video by Anne Guttridge
- Title
- Heid E. Erdrich’s "Poem for Minneapolis/Bde Óta Othúŋwe/Gakaabikaang"
- Runtime
- 5:19
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Heid E. Erdrich’s “Poem for Minneapolis/Bde Óta Othúŋwe/Gakaabikaang” leads audiences through a year in Minneapolis, describing community and locations in the four seasons. The title of the poem includes what the Dakota and Ojibwe call the city in their Native languages, which are also seen throughout the poem in other words and phrases.
Erdrich is the city of Minneapolis’ inaugural poet laureate — an appointed figure who writes poetry for special occasions, typically for a city, state or organization. Erdrich took on the role in January 2024 for a one-year term. She is a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa in North Dakota and has an extensive
background in poetry with published books and multiple awards. She’s lived in the Twin Cities metro for over 30 years.
To honor the end of the year and the completion of her tenure as poet laureate, we created this video of her reading her poem at a December event paired with MPR News phot...
- Title
- How an MPR News photojournalist made his favorite photo in 2024
- Runtime
- 2:51
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Visual journalist Ben Hovland's favorite photo he took for MPR News in 2024 was of the supermoon over the Prospect Park Water Tower in Minneapolis, aka the Witch's Hat Water Tower. Here's the story behind the image. #photojournalism #yearinpictures
Video by Anne Guttridge
- Title
- Indigenous groups ride hundreds of miles to honor painful history of Dakota people
- Runtime
- 0:44
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- After a journey of hundreds of miles on horseback, participants of two new Dakota Rides arrived in Mankato, Minn., on Dec. 26.
It was a revival of the famous rides honoring the 38 Dakota men hanged in Mankato on Dec. 26, 1862 — the largest single-day mass execution in U.S. history.
The original Dakota 38+2 Wokiksuye rides ended two years ago. Lakota spiritual leader Jim Miller began the annual commemoration after having a dream of exiled Dakota people returning to Minnesota on horseback.
Some wanted to keep the tradition going so two new rides were formed — the Makatoh Reconciliation and Healing Horse Ride from Lower Brule, S.D., and the Dakota Exiles ride from Santee, Neb.
Story by Hannah Yang. Video captured by Ben Hovland and edited by Anne Guttridge
- Title
- Celebrating Bob Dylan in his hometown of Hibbing
- Runtime
- 1:11
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- To celebrate the new Bob Dylan biopic, "A Complete Unknown," Dylan’s hometown of Hibbing, Minn., got together for a night of music and the movies.
The event featured live music and stories from friends of the musician. It also included the first public screening in Minnesota of the new film. A screening earlier in the month in Minneapolis, where star Timothée Chalamet appeared, was invite-only.
Story by Jacob Aloi, video captured by Erica Dischino, edited by Anne Guttridge
- Title
- Some of the top 2024 Minnesota baby names have been revealed
- Runtime
- 1:52
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- One of the largest hospital systems in Minnesota, M Health Fairview, announced its list of the most-popular baby names of 2024. This year the system helped deliver more than 12,600 babies at nine locations around the state.
Boy names Theodore, Oliver and Henry have had lasting appeal, holding the top three spots on M Health Fairview’s annual list since 2021. For girls’ names, Olivia, Emma and Evelyn finally dethroned the perennial frontrunner, Charlotte.
We talked to Steph Coffield of @NamesWithSteph to get her take on the lists.
You can hear more from Nina Moini’s conversation with Steph by following the link in our bio or finding our show “Minnesota Now” wherever you listen to podcasts.
Interview by Minnesota Now, video by Anne Guttridge
- Title
- Celebrating the winter solstice with a lantern procession and giant puppets
- Runtime
- 0:40
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- On the eve of the winter solstice, Minnesotans gathered atop a snow-covered hill in Powderhorn Park in south Minneapolis.
The solstice at 3:21 a.m. Saturday marks the beginning of astronomical winter in the Northern hemisphere, bringing with it longer days. Saturday will be the shortest day of the year, at 8 hours, 46 minutes and 10 seconds in Minneapolis.
Community members and artists assembled at the Avalon Theatre on Lake Street and walked a few blocks to the park. Procession participants held lanterns lit with candles while others carried larger-than-life handmade puppets.
In the Heart of the Beast is known for its large-scale puppets and for its presence at the MayDay parade. The organization has called the Avalon Theatre home since 1988. But in November, theatre leadership announced it was starting the process to sell the Avalon and look for a new home for its programming.
Story by Ben Hovland, video by Anne Guttridge.
- Title
- Minnesota Zoo animals play in first big snow of the season
- Runtime
- 0:39
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Are "snow zoomies" a thing? The Minnesota Zoo shared video of Asian wild horses, camels, and a pine marten romping around in several inches of fresh snow on Thursday, Dec. 19.
Video courtesy of Minnesota Zoo, edited by Anne Guttridge
- Title
- Adam Fravel sentencing hearing for Madeline Kingsbury's murder
- Runtime
- 1:14:45
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- After a three-week trial, the jury in the trial of Adam Fravel found him guilty of four charges for the murder of Madeline Kingsbury on Nov. 7. Fravel is expected to face sentencing 1:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 17 at the Winona County Courthouse. Fravel faces a mandatory life sentence.
Kingsbury, the mother of Fravel's children, disappeared at the end of March 2023 and was the subject of a widespread search. Her body was found four months later in a culvert near Fravel’s parents home in Fillmore County in southeast Minnesota. Law enforcement then arrested Fravel.
Read more coverage at MPRnews.org
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2024/12/17/adam-fravel-faces-sentencing-in-madeline-kingsburys-murder
- Title
- Hundreds of Santas raced a 5K in below-freezing temperatures
- Runtime
- 0:13
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Hundreds of people donned their Santa apparel for a 5K race in Duluth, Minnesota on Dec. 14.
Runners started and finished at Wild State Cider on West Superior Street. More than 900 racers showed up, many dressed in Santa Claus suits that were included with race registration.
The crowd braved the cold, with temperatures below freezing all day.
Video captured by Erica Dischino for MPR News, edited by Anne Guttridge
- Title
- It all started with a Twinkie for this Minnesota pastry chef
- Runtime
- 1:03
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Zoë François is known for her @zoebakes Instagram account with more than 400,000 followers, her TV show on Max and her cookbooks. But before she was an acclaimed baker, she grew up on a commune in Vermont where she never ate refined sugar.
You can hear more from Nina Moini’s conversation with Zoë by following this link: https://www.mprnews.org/episode/2024/12/12/making-cookies-this-season-you-might-want-a-few-tips-from-cookie-extraordinaire-zoe-bakes or finding our show “Minnesota Now” wherever you listen to podcasts.
Interview by Minnesota Now, Video by Anne Guttridge.
- Title
- Tim Walz reflects on what cost him and Kamala Harris the presidential election
- Runtime
- 1:08
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- In his first interview with MPR News since he started his run for vice president, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz reflected on this whirlwind campaign. He said that while policies that Democrats were talking about – from paid leave to guaranteed cost-free access to school meals – were resonating with voters, inflation and immigration turned out to be driving issues that his party didn’t do well enough connecting with voters on.
“Sometimes the other team plays better than you, and sometimes you don't play to where you should be,” Walz said. “And I think this is more complex than that, but not altogether untrue.”
Read the full story here: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2024/12/12/gov-tim-walz-interview-antifraud-measures-2025-reflects-on-vp
Story by Dana Ferguson, video by Anne Guttridge.
- Title
- Grand Marais timber framer helped rebuild Notre Dame cathedral in Paris
- Runtime
- 2:13
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- The iconic Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, France reopens on Dec. 7, five years after a devastating fire.
People from around the world helped rebuild it, including Peter Henrikson, a timber framer from Grand Marais, Minn.
For seven months he built trusses in the Loire Valley, about three hours from Paris, with timber framers from France and across Europe. He said there are only a small number of people around the world who have traditional timber framing expertise, where only hand tools are used.
Read more: https://www.mprnews.org/episode/2024/12/05/as-notre-dame-reopens-grand-marais-man-reflects-on-his-role-in-reconstruction
Story by Dan Kraker, video and photos captured by Judy Griesedieck for MPR News, video edited by Anne Guttridge
- Title
- Turning a former Green Giant building green again as a cannabis facility
- Runtime
- 1:14
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- A former Green Giant research facility in Le Sueur, Minnesota, has a new owner who hopes to turn it into a cannabis production facility.
Chris McPhillips has taken steps to transform the building but is waiting to get a license to operate from the state. The process for granting licenses is delayed because a group of applicants who were denied access to the social equity pre-approval lottery sued the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management.
They claim the process lacks clear criteria and leaves no room for appeals. A judge agreed and halted the lottery the day before it was due to happen on Nov. 26.
The social equity lottery is intended to give a leg up to people who live in high poverty areas, those harmed by the war on drugs, and military veterans. The office rejected many of the 1,500 people who applied, leaving the rest to face a lottery for 282 licenses. Next steps are still unclear.
Story by Hannah Yang. Video captured by Jackso...
- Title
- Timothée Chalamet makes surprise appearance in Minneapolis
- Runtime
- 0:23
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Thee Timothée Chalamet greeted hundreds of fans across Minneapolis on Thursday during a last-minute visit to promote the upcoming Bob Dylan biopic, “A Complete Unknown.” Chalamet stars as Dylan in the film.
During the day he met students on and around the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus and in the evening he walked the red carpet outside The Main Theater, which hosted an early screening of the movie.
“I loved it here and I love Minnesota, and I find the people to be really generous and nice and generous of spirit,” Chalamet said before the screening.
Story by Feven Gerezgiher, Video captured by Feven Gerezgiher and Sophia Marschall, edited by Anne Guttridge.
Read the full story here: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2024/12/05/timothe-chalamet-set-to-appear-minneapolis-theater-promote-bob-dylan-biopic
- Title
- Talking Sense: From Conflict to Convergence
- Runtime
- 1:14:13
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- How do we continue to stay connected in politically polarized times? It's a question on many people's minds. And it's one that Rob Fersh and Mariah Levison tackle in their new book, "From Conflict to Convergence: Coming Together to Solve Tough Problems." The book is an extension of their work at an organization called Convergence, which helps people collaborate to solve seemingly intractable problems at the intersection of national politics and policy.
Fersh is Convergence’s founder and Levison is its CEO and president.
They spoke with MPR News correspondent Catharine Richert as part of the Talking Sense series. The event took place at the Capri Theater in Minneapolis and was produced in partnership with the Citizens League.
- Title
- Minnesota-based UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was killed in a 'targeted' NYC shooting
- Runtime
- 0:44
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- The CEO of the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans in the country was fatally shot in New York City.
Brian Thompson, the CEO of Minnesota-based UnitedHealthcare, was killed in what investigators are saying was a targeted attack on Wednesday, Dec. 4 outside a Manhattan hotel where he was scheduled to attend the company’s annual investors’ conference.
Police said it was a "brazen" shooting that targeted Thompson, and are offering up to $10,000 reward for information on the homicide.
Thompson, 50, has been UnitedHealthcare CEO since April 2021 and has worked at UnitedHealth Group since 2004.
Read more: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2024/12/04/unitedhealthcare-ceo-fatally-shot-reports-say
Story by Nicole Ki and Erica Zurek, video captured by Nicole Ki and Kerem Yücel, edited by Anne Guttridge
- Title
- How a potluck helps international college students feel connected
- Runtime
- 1:45
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- How do we create belonging for newcomers to our communities? At one college, the answer is simple: a potluck.
Concordia College is a liberal arts school with about 1,800 students in Moorhead, a small city on Minnesota’s border with North Dakota. About 6 percent of those students are international students from 62 countries. To help students connect, the college hosted a second annual potluck for international students and community members on Nov. 21.
One attendee was Aitor Burillo Arellano, a student from Mexico. He cooked tinga de pollo to bring to the potluck.
Video by Noah Doll for MPR News. The event also featured a conversation hosted by MPR News senior reporter Sarah Thamer about fostering inclusion. See the full conversation at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1robBneP-g
- Title
- North Star Journey Live: The Fargo-Moorhead International Potluck
- Runtime
- 46:45
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- How do we create belonging for newcomers to our communities? That’s the topic of this North Star Journey Live conversation recorded at the international student potluck at Concordia College in Moorhead.
Host and immigration reporter Sarah Thamer talks with community leaders from the Red River Valley region who are working to build bridges that cross cultures with immigrants, as well as a trio of international students who offer their advice on how to intentionally foster inclusion.
- Title
- Thousands of sandhill cranes stop to rest at this Minnesota wildlife refuge
- Runtime
- 1:04
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Over a century ago, sandhill cranes nearly vanished from Minnesota due to habitat loss and overhunting.
Now, thousands of migrating sandhill cranes stop every autumn to rest at the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge northwest of the Twin Cities before heading south for the winter. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff and volunteers conduct weekly crane counts to keep tabs on how many of the lanky birds are congregating at the refuge.
Despite their recovery, sandhill cranes still face threats of habitat loss, pesticides and collisions with power lines or wind turbines.
Climate change is also making it less predictable when the cranes will arrive and how long they'll stay. Typically, the cranes arrive in late August or early September and peak by mid-November, when they head south. This year, the warm autumn delayed the peak by several weeks. #wildlifeconservation
Read more: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2024/11/20/sandhill-cranes-floc...
- Title
- PWHL champions Minnesota Frost kick off new season #news #minnesotafrost #pwhl #pwhlminnesota
- Runtime
- 0:38
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Fans of the Minnesota Frost celebrated the team’s dominance with the raising of the Walter Cup Champions banner at the season opener on Sunday, Dec. 1 in St. Paul, Minn.
The team, which was know as PWHL Minnesota in its inaugural season, also debuted its new name for the second season. More than 8,000 people attended the team’s first home game.
Minnesota Frost is one of six teams in the newly launched Professional Women’s Hockey League, or PWHL, which was founded in 2023.
The team lost their season opener 4-3 in overtime against the New York Sirens at the Xcel Energy Center.
Video by Anne Guttridge | MPR News
- Title
- ‘Finding Manoomin: A Search for the Spirit of Wild Rice’
- Runtime
- 2:03
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Manoomin, or wild rice, is a sacred plant to the Ojibwe people, revered for its sustenance and deep association to Indigenous identity and heritage. As a citizen of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, MPR Native News senior editor Leah Lemm sometimes felt ashamed that she had never gone ricing and could barely recognize wild rice.
So, she set out with a film crew to go deeper into her cultural roots through the tradition of wild rice harvesting. The film follows her journey as she connects with the harvest and with ricers who welcomed her to the community with open arms.
View the full documentary at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3vYdp2SKW4
Film credits:
Leah Lemm, director
Lindsey Seavert, writer and story producer
Ben Garvin, cinematographer and editing
Social video edited by Anne Guttridge
- Title
- Everything to know about Trump's plan to mine near the Boundary Waters
- Runtime
- 2:34
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- The prospect of copper-nickel mining close to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (or BWCA) has divided the state. Supporters include business and labor groups that want the high-paying jobs and economic impact of a nearly $2 billion project. Opponents include environmental groups that warn of possible catastrophic water pollution in the state’s most beloved wilderness.
The plans to start mining having gone back and forth under recent presidential administrations. Most recently, President Joe Biden enacted a 20-year ban on mining on 225,000 acres of the Superior National Forest. However, President-elect Donald Trump has said that he would reverse the ban and “turn the Iron Range into a mineral powerhouse like never before.”
Trump could undo the ban administratively or Congress could reverse it. Additionally, Republican U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber has a bill not only to revoke the ban, but also return the mineral leases to Twin Metals Minnesota, the comp...
- Title
- New owner carries torch for beloved bookstore that only sells BIPOC authors
- Runtime
- 1:45
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- A few weeks after George Floyd was murdered by a Minneapolis police officer, Dionne Sims sent a tweet that would end up changing the trajectory of her life. “Minnesota doesn’t have a Black-owned bookstore,” she wrote. “I think that’s my new dream.”
Soon after, Sims opened Black Garnet Books as a pop-up and online shop in 2020 and then as a brick-and-mortar in the Hamline-Midway neighborhood of St. Paul in late 2022. Two years later, she’s ending her reign.
Selling the store wasn’t a hard decision for Sims but it was made even easier when she sold it to a friend, Terresa Moses.
Moses is a professor at the University of Minnesota, published author and co-founder of Blackbird Revolt.
Sims plans to focus on her writing next. Graduate school may be in her future, but for now, she is going to work on her Substack. She says her future feels wide open, and she likes it that way.
Go to mprnews.org for the full arti...
- Title
- Finding Manoomin: A Search for the Spirit of Wild Rice
- Runtime
- 26:47
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Join MPR News senior editor Leah Lemm, a citizen of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, on a journey to rediscover her cultural roots in Finding Manoomin: A Search for the Spirit of Wild Rice.
This heartfelt documentary explores the sacred connection between the Ojibwe people and Manoomin (wild rice)—a plant revered as both a spiritual relative and a vital source of sustenance. Leah shares her personal quest to embrace this tradition, from harvesting wild rice with her son to writing a song inspired by her experience.
The film beautifully weaves together stories of heritage, tradition, and identity, reminding us of the enduring significance of Manoomin to the Ojibwe people and its role in their migration prophecy.
🎧 Tune into MPR News on Indigenous People’s Day for highlights and Leah’s reflections on her journey.
Experience the spirit of wild rice and its profound connection to land, water, and culture. mprnews.org/wildrice
...
- Title
- Minnesota farmer's turkeys will be pardoned at the White House
- Runtime
- 1:29
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- "America’s Next Top Model" for turkeys? That's how turkey farmer John Zimmerman described the process of picking two turkeys out of his flock of 44 to send to the White House to be pardoned by President Joe Biden ahead of Thanksgiving. The two turkeys must have beauty and grace -- that is, to be able to stand on a platform without freaking out.
After Monday’s pardoning, the turkeys will return to Minnesota and live out their days at Farmamerica, an agriculture interpretative center in Waseca, where visitors can take a gander at them.
Learn more: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2024/11/22/how-northfield-farmer-picks-which-turkeys-for-white-house-thanksgiving-pardon
Story by Todd Melby with contributions from Tim Evans, Video captured by Tim Evans and edited by Anne Guttridge
- Title
- State Capitol event honors transgender Minnesotans lost to violence
- Runtime
- 1:40
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Members of the transgender community, allies and state leaders gathered to commemorate Transgender Day of Remembrance at the state Capitol rotunda Wednesday, Nov. 20.
Participants held a moment of silence for two trans women, Liara Kaylee Tsai and Savannah Ryan Williams, killed within the past year. Tsai, of Minneapolis, was found dead of stab wounds in June. Williams was shot and killed in November 2023 in Minneapolis.
President-elect Donald Trump said during the campaign he plans to prohibit federal funding of health facilities that provide gender-affirming care. Trump also ran on a promise to roll back Title IX protections issued by the Biden administration against harassment and discrimination based on gender identity.
Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan spoke at the event and said the Walz administration will stand with the trans community as the federal government’s leadership changes.
Go to mprnews.org for the full story. Video by Anne G...
- Title
- Talking Sense in Duluth: How to manage emotions from politics
- Runtime
- 1:53:29
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- At an MPR News Talking Sense event in Duluth on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, Braver Angels co-founder Bill Doherty discusses how we can manage our emotions and relate to others in victory or defeat following the presidential election. Many of us will be tempted by triumphalism if our side won and by spite and revenge if our side lost. Either way, Doherty says, we all lose, and our ability to govern ourselves in a democratic republic will further erode. But we do have a choice about how to show up in the wake of the election. We can be bridge-builders or bridge-burners. In this conversation, Doherty talks about how to repair relationships and move forward together after this polarizing election.
Talking Sense is an MPR News election year initiative aimed at helping Minnesotans have hard political conversations, better. To launch Talking Sense, MPR has teamed up with Braver Angels. It's a national non-profit with roots in Minnesota that helps communities talk across their dif...
- Title
- Democrats lose control of the Minnesota Legislature
- Runtime
- 1:53
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- The anticipated tie in the Minnesota House of Representatives effectively breaks up the full control Democrats have held on the state's legislative branch for last two years.
Pending recounts of two seats, the Democratic-Farmer-Labor party and the Republican part will likely each hold 67 seats in the House. The DFL will retain a one-seat majority in the state Senate and they continue to hold the governor’s office.
The Minnesota Constitution forbids the House from having two House speakers at the same time, so it’s possible Republicans and DFLers may divide up which party takes the speakership and which holds lead positions on key committees.
Follow mprnews.org to learn more.
📝: Dana Ferguson and Ellie Roth, 🎥: Anne Guttridge
- Title
- Divers go deep to uncover this Minnesota lake’s trash problem
- Runtime
- 0:59
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Mille Lacs Lake in central Minnesota is the state’s second-largest lake and a premier fishing destination. But concern has been growing over the garbage left behind by ice anglers and other lake users. To help, a community member invited Clean Up The Lake, a nonprofit based in Lake Tahoe, Nev., to dive deep and take a look.
Clean Up The Lake has worked mainly on lakes in the western U.S. It gained attention in 2022 for removing 25,000 pounds of trash from Lake Tahoe. For its first Minnesota project, the team spent two weeks investigating if submerged litter and aquatic invasive species present a significant threat to Mill Lacs’ water quality.
The results were surprising: they found a much cleaner lake than expected. It’s also likely that local stewardship and cleanup efforts have paid off and helped reduce litter in and around Mille Lacs.
Story by Kirsti Marohn, video by Anne Guttridge and Kirsti Marohn
- Title
- Minneapolis punk show mass shooting victims react after teen suspect avoids prison
- Runtime
- 3:33
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Cyrell Boyd, an 18 year old from Onamia, Minnesta, took a plea deal in juvenile court on Nov. 12 intended to let him avoid prison for his role in the fatal mass shooting at a south Minneapolis home known as Nudieland in August 2023. August Golden was killed in the shooting after a punk show at the home and six others were shot.
Boyd admitted to one count of aiding another suspect, Dominic Burris, who prosecutors said shot people and who Boyd helped avoid police afterwards. Both were 17 at the time. Burris, now 18, has had his case moved to adult court where he is facing charges including second-degree murder.
Boyd is now headed to a juvenile facility in Red Wing. Prosecutors said he doesn’t have a criminal history and would benefit from treatment there. He agreed to testify against Burris and any others.
Golden’s partner Caitlin Angelica and Tonio Alarcon-Borges, who had a kidney removed after being shot at Nudieland, attended Boyd’s hearing...
- Title
- Vikings’ Cam Bynum celebrates like Raygun post interception
- Runtime
- 0:17
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Minnesota Vikings player Cam Bynum took inspiration from Australia’s Raygun when celebrating an interception during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Nov. 10.
Rachael “Raygun” Gunn is an Australian breaker who competed for Team Australia in the 2024 Paris Olympics. She went viral for her performance and recently announced a contest inviting people to outdance her for a prize. @cambynum #touchdowncelly #raygun
Video edited by Anne Guttridge
- Title
- Talking Trump win with hunters at Fleet Farm ahead of deer opener
- Runtime
- 2:12
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Days after the 2024 presidential election, hunters in Minnesota lined up at Fleet Farm in Oakdale for the yearly “Orange Friday” giveaway ahead of the deer hunting season opener on Nov. 9.
Hunters span political affiliations and backgrounds, and the range of opinions among Minnesotans preparing for the hunt was broad. Many were hesitant to talk, fearing criticism from loved ones or the public, but some spoke openly. #deerseasonopener #minnesotahunting
Go to mprnews.org for the full story. 📝 by Regina Medina, 📸 captured by Ben Hovland and edited by Anne Guttridge
- Title
- Tim Walz returns home to Minnesota after losing election
- Runtime
- 2:22
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Gov. Tim Walz took the stage at a high school auditorium in the Twin Cities suburb of Eagan on Friday to reprise his role as Minnesota’s governor after months of flying high in the political stratosphere in an unsuccessful bid to be vice president.
After spending three months crisscrossing the country campaigning, Walz spoke in front of a massive American flag for about 20 minutes.
He told the assembled Democratic leaders, Minnesota agency heads and other supporters that the result of the election wasn’t what he expected, but he pledged to fuel his energy into maintaining a raft of policies that lawmakers approved on his watch. #timwalz
Go to mprnews.org for the full story. 📝 by Dana Ferguson, 📹 by Anne Guttridge
- Title
- Minneapolis protesters gather hours after Trump is named winner
- Runtime
- 1:42
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Hours after Donald Trump was named the winner of the 2024 presidential election, protesters in Minneapolis took to the streets near the University of Minnesota to express frustration with him as well as the Democratic party's failure.
Minneapolis is one of the most progressive cities in the country and a majority of voters there voted for Kamala Harris -- in the area of this protest, more than 75% of voters did.
Video by Anne Guttridge
- Title
- Frey on what a trump victory means for Minneapolis
- Runtime
- 0:33
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Minneapolis was a frequent target in the Republican presidential campaign throughout the 2024 election. In his criticisms of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, JD Vance focused on the civil unrest in Minneapolis after the police murder of George Floyd in 2020.
Claiming Walz failed to protect police and city infrastructure, Vance warned, “The story of Minneapolis is coming to every community across the United States of America if we promote Kamala Harris to President of the United States.”
However, reports of violent crime were down in the Twin Cities, and nationwide, in 2023, after a nationwide spike following the start of the pandemic and protests in 2020. According to Minneapolis Police Department data, citywide homicide offenses and reports of shots fired have trended down since peaking in 2021, but remain above 2019 numbers.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has been quick to defend his city. He spoke to journalists at the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Lab...
- Title
- Minnesota’s Black sorority, fraternity members energized by Kamala Harris candidacy
- Runtime
- 1:53
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Hundreds of people attended the Midwest Greek Step Show in Minneapolis as part of the University of Minnesota’s Homecoming festivities in October. It was an opportunity for members and alumni of historically Black sororities and fraternities from across the region to gather.
There’s a spotlight on Black Greek-letter organizations, known as “the Divine Nine,” with Vice President Kamala Harris running for president. She joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. while she was a student at Howard University.
The Divine Nine are not officially pro-Harris. As nonprofits, they are prohibited from endorsing political candidates. But many individual members are. 📝+ 📹 Feven Gerezgiher.
- Title
- Talking Volumes: Kate DiCamillo
- Runtime
- 1:51:21
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- When Kate DiCamillo comes to Talking Volumes, you know delight is forthcoming. It was a rousing, thoughtful and hopeful end to the celebratory 25th season.
