Minnesota Now

The city of Lakeville’s population is booming. It grew 12 percent from 2020 to 2024, according to U.S. Census data. That’s compared to statewide growth of two percent. Despite Lakeville’s growth, the city is putting a pause on building new housing. The city council passed a one-year moratorium last week. Lakeville Mayor Luke Hellier joined MPR News host Nina Moini to explain why they’re hitting pause on housing and his vision for the future of Lakeville housing.

Tuesday morning, the Department of Homeland Security executed search warrants across the Twin Cities as part of what they say is an ongoing criminal investigation into fraud. FBI and Homeland Security Investigations agents were seen at several childcare centers and autism therapy providers throughout the morning. MPR News’ Jon Collins checked on some locations in Minneapolis where state and federal agents have served the warrants, and talked to MPR News host Nina Moini about it.

The Fargo community is reeling from the loss of a lawmaker this weekend. Fargo Representative Liz Conmy died Saturday in a small plane crash. We'll hear about how they're remembering her life. A new investigation from MPR News and APM Reports shows at least 50 people since 2022 have died in group homes across the state. These are places where Minnesotans with disabilities or mental health challenges can live. More on the findings. And in Monticello, city leaders will decide tonight on potential new rules for data centers. Plus, we'll hear about this year's Somali Day at the Capitol. And the Timberwolves have a chance to move on in the playoffs tonight. We'll learn more about their big rivalry with the Denver Nuggets. Our Minnesota Music Minute was “paper thin” by she’s green and our Song of the Day was “Basil Bouquet” by Local Sports.

The Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets are preparing for Game 5 of their playoff series Monday night. If the Wolves win, they advance to the Western Conference Finals. That’s after a decisive victory Saturday, when they beat Denver by 16 points. It came at a cost – injuries for two starters and fines for a member of each team. Joining Minnesota Now to talk about this and other Minnesota sports stories, are our sports contributors Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson.

Community leaders and state leaders gathered in the Capitol rotunda Monday morning for the third annual Somali Day. It comes in the wake of “Operation Metro Surge,” which the Trump administration initially described as an effort focused specifically on deporting some Somali Minnesotans. Fartun Weli is the CEO and founder of Isuroon, one of the organizations supporting the event. Weli spoke to Minnesota Now host Nina Moini about the significance of the event this year.

Group homes give Minnesotans with disabilities or mental health diagnoses a place to live — with staff on site to keep them safe. But a new investigation from MPR News and APM Reports found a surprising number of people have been dying in Minnesota group homes. The investigation discovered at least 50 deaths since late 2022. But state law allows only minor financial penalties against the group homes when they neglect their residents. Reporter Ellie Roth joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about the group home industry, how the state investigates neglect and an inside look on the reporting.

Lawmakers in Fargo are navigating the unexpected loss of a colleague over the weekend – North Dakota State Rep. Liz Conmy, D-Fargo, died on Saturday after a small plane crashed in Brooklyn Park, just after taking off from the Crystal airport. The pilot of the plane died in the crash, too. North Dakota’s Democratic party is remembering her as a champion for public education, the environment, and transparency. Conmy’s next door neighbor, Anastassiya Andrianova is running for North Dakota state House to represent a part of Fargo. She said she was encouraged to run by her friend Rep. Conmy. Andrianova joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to reflect on Conmy’s life and career. This segment was produced by Ellen Finn. Read more reporting on this story from Harshawn Ratanpal.

The U.S. senate overturned a ban on mining in the Boundary Waters Thursday. It's a win for mining companies — and a loss for environmentalists who say mining will pollute the region. We heard from a Minnesotan in the mining industry. And a New York Times reporter shared what she learned by talking with dozens of former and current DHS employees. A St. Paul elementary school will soon launch a historic Afrocentric curriculum for its majority Black student body. Plus, we heard from a documentary filmmaker following the Jacob Wetterling murder case — after it was closed — through the perspective of the Wetterling family. And we spoke to a Duluth writer who wrote a book about the best hikes in the country. The Minnesota Music Minute was “St. Paul” by Anchorhead.

A state Democratic lawmaker running for Congress apologized for placing a wager on himself that he'd win his party primary. State Sen. Matt Klein of Mendota Heights said he wagered $50 in an online prediction market last October. The platform Kalshi flagged it as a political insider trading, penalized Klein $540 and banned him from the platform for five years. This situation is one of the many ethical conversations around prediction markets. At the State Capitol there's a bill looking to ban them. Minnesota Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement director Jon Anglin's job is to regulate this market. He spoke to Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about the challenges around regulating prediction markets.

Community members and advocates from Native communities across the state and country wrapped up a three-day conference on ending sexual violence Thursday. The “Restoring the Sacred Trails of Our Grandmothers Conference” is hosted annually by the Minnesota Indian Women’s Sexual Assault Coalition. Nicole Matthews, chief executive officer of the coalition, said this year's event comes at a particularly difficult time with funding cuts and heightened need. It also takes place just as an audit into the police response and investigation of Allison Lussier’s death was released. Lussier was an Indigenous woman who was found dead in her home in 2024. Police reports show Lussier had experienced intimate partner violence. The report is critical of the Minneapolis Police Department in its handling of Lussier’s case as well as the shooting of Davis Moturi, who was shot by a neighbor. Matthews shared more about the gathering and her reaction to the findings of the report with Minnesota Now host Nina Moini.

If you’ve spent much time on a dance floor in Minneapolis over the past couple decades, chances are you’ve heard about the weekly dance night known as Transmission. Through its blend of new wave, indie rock, and alternative classics, it’s built a loyal following across generations. This year marks 25 years of Transmission, which takes place every Wednesday night at the Uptown VFW. They're celebrating with a big party Saturday night at First Avenue. The DJ who started it all is Jake Rudh, who hosts a show on The Current with the same name. He marked the milestone on Minnesota Now.

A 12-day hunger strike over a trash incinerator in downtown Minneapolis is over — but a campaign to close the facility will continue. Activists have pushed for years to close the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center, or HERC. They say the facility next to Target Field is endangering the health of residents of the area, including a predominantly Black neighborhood on the city’s north side. In 2023, the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution to shut down the HERC between 2028 and 2040. Environmental and labor groups are pushing the commissioners to commit to a deadline. Sahan Journal reporter Andrew Hazzard has been covering the HERC for years and he joined Minnesota Now to talk more about the latest developments.

Audits of two high-profile Minneapolis police investigations were released Wednesday morning. They show where the department fell short. We learn about the city auditor’s findings in the death of Allison Lussier and the shooting of Davis Moturi. State lawmakers are looking at the future of seclusion rooms in elementary schools. We'll learn what they are and how they impact children and teachers. Plus, on Earth Day, a state climate official shared where Minnesota stands in its climate goals. The University of Minnesota Morris is taking a unique step to go green. We learned how they are using thermal batteries. And it may be a record-warm Earth Day. We checked in with meteorologist Sven Sundgaard. “Deeper Blues” by Cornbread Harris was the Minnesota Music Minute. “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)” by Marvin Gaye was the Song of the Day.

Wednesday is Earth Day, which started in 1970 as a protest against pollution and habitat loss. Climate change was not a household term at the time, but it's now a number-one priority for people concerned about the wellbeing of the planet. The state of Minnesota is chasing a set of goals to tackle the causes of climate change and cushion its impact on communities. The state is trying to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030, compared to 2005 levels, and reach net-zero emissions by 2050. It is not on track to meet those goals, according to a recent presentation the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency gave to state lawmakers. To learn more about the state’s climate plans and what it will take to get on track, MPR News host Nina Moini talked with Katrina Kessler, commissioner of the MPCA and chair of the Minnesota Climate Change Subcabinet.

One of the state's greenest university campuses is getting even greener. The University of Minnesota Morris reached carbon neutrality when it comes to the electricity that powers its campus, thanks to two wind turbines named Bert and Ernie. Now, it's taking steps to decarbonize the source of heat in its buildings. That's led Morris to a new thermal battery that it began piloting in March. It is believed to be the first campus in the U.S. to use this technology for heating. UMN Morris Sustainability Director Troy Goodnough joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about how it works.

Seclusion rooms have been used in Minnesota for decades, as a last-resort response to student behavioral issues in the classroom. The use of these solitary rooms was banned for some of the youngest learners statewide in 2023, after they were deemed harmful and ineffective. But now, the Minnesota Senate is considering reversing that ban for children in grade three and under until 2036. That’s because, according to some administrators, schools need more time to plan alternatives to seclusion rooms. Minnesota School Psychologists Association President-elect Tascha Just joined MPR News host Nina Moini to share context on seclusion rooms and the conflict surrounding the ban.

Federal immigration agents detained more than 70 children in Minnesota during the surge over the winter. Nearly half of those children have since left the U.S., according to a new story by Sahan Journal. We'll learn more about what happened to those children and their families. Some Minnesota companies have made money from the war in Iran. We'll talk with a MinnPost reporter who looked into defense contracts with the military. It's the season of senioritis for college seniors who are looking for their next steps. We'll talk with a career counselor about how AI is changing the search for entry level jobs. 10 years ago, the world lost a superstar. We'll hear stories about Prince and a new song from the vault. Our Minnesota Music Minute was “With This Tear” by Prince.

The war in Iran led to a boom in the defense industry in Minnesota. That means many companies have increased income as a result of the war, according to new reporting from MinnPost. MinnPost data journalist Shadi Bushra spoke to MPR News Nina Moini about his reporting.

It is the time of year when college seniors are itching to graduate and looking forward to their first jobs out of school. But they're facing uncertainty in the job market. In fall 2025, a widely watched survey from the National Association of Colleges and Employers predicted a bad employment outlook for spring graduates. But on Monday, an updated survey showed a turnaround, with employers expected to boost new-graduate hires. Katie Jolicoeur, director of Career Services at Minnesota State University, Mankato, is helping soon-to-be college grads navigate the job market. She joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about the advice she gives them.

It’s hard to believe, but it’s been 10 years since the death of Minnesota’s most beloved cultural icon, Prince. Just before 10 the morning of April 21st, 2016, he was found unresponsive at his studios in Paisley Park after a fentanyl overdose. He was 57 years old. As the world processed the news, fans assembled outside Paisley Park and First Avenue. The downtown Minneapolis nightclub later became the scene of an all-night dance party to honor the artist. Music journalist Andrea Swensson, formerly of The Current, was both at Paisley Park and First Avenue, helping share his legacy with the world. Andrea went on to write a book about Prince. She also hosted the official Prince podcast. She joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to reflect on Prince’s life and legacy.