Minnesota Now

Hosted by Minnesota Public Radio

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Aug 2026

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Live, down to earth, unscripted interviews that aim to connect, inform and entertain. Real people share real stories with MPR News host Nina Moini. It’s journalism that doesn’t take itself too seriously and puts people first.

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August 13, 202656 min

Minnesota Now: Aug. 13, 2026

Both St. Paul and Minneapolis recently released their budget proposals for 2027. We got highlights of those proposals from Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her.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.

August 13, 20269 min

'We have a voice': Minnesota students help craft national AI policy

This upcoming school year, districts across the country have a new tool they can use: A national artificial intelligence policy. It was created in July by 98 teens, representing all 50 states.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.

August 13, 20268 min

Minnesota Forge ready to serve up a new era of pro volleyball

There's a new professional sports team in Minnesota. Announced in November, Major League Volleyball has gone from an idea to a roster to a coaching staff, and now it has an identity: Minnesota Forge. The Forge will begin playing in January 2027 at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul. Michelle Haines is president of the team, and spoke to MPR News host Nina Moini about the new team and their growing fan base.

August 13, 20269 min

First results from state survey of LGBTQ+ Minnesotans released

The state has released the first results of a multi-part study looking into the experiences and needs of LGBTQ+ Minnesotans. 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.

August 13, 20268 min

Mpls. and St. Paul mayors unveil 2027 budget proposals as both face funding gap

The cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul have released their 2027 budget proposals. 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.

August 12, 202658 min

Minnesota Now: Aug. 12, 2026

MPR News host Nina Moini and politics editor Brian Bakst dove into the results of top primary races, including for Governor and for Congress, and break down what you need to know for November. 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.

August 12, 20268 min

Voters choose Democrat Matt Little to run for competitive Congressional seat

Minnesota will get at least one new member in the U.S. House in November’s election. The 2nd Congressional District seat is open after Angie Craig waged an unsuccessful Senate run.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.

August 12, 20267 min

Minnesota governor's race will make history, break a streak Marlene Johnson started in 1983

Whether voters elect House Speaker Lisa Demuth or Sen. Amy Klobuchar in November, Minnesota's next governor will be a woman. That's never happened before. But for the last 43 years, all of Minnesota's lieutenant governors have been women. 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.

August 12, 20265 min

Turbulent Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor ends in upset win for David Crowley

Wisconsin, like Minnesota, was making sense of primary election results Wednesday. The race for governor of that state has received particular attention nationwide. It's one of several races across the country where progressive or democratic socialist candidates have faced off against moderate Democrats. In this case, the moderate won. 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.

August 12, 20268 min

Republican Eric Pratt advances in competitive 2nd Congressional District race

Minnesota will get at least one new member in the U.S. House in November’s election. The 2nd Congressional District seat is open after Angie Craig waged an unsuccessful Senate run. 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.

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