MPR News with Angela Davis

Behind the scenes with MPR News journalists

Two Native people pose in front of a mural
MPR News reporter Melissa Olson (left) and MPR News senior editor Leah Lemm are launching the Native News initiative at MPR News. They're pictured in front of a mural honoring Native leaders on the side of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe building on Franklin Avenue in Minneapolis on Oct. 4.
Ben Hovland | MPR News

Do you ever wonder who creates the stories and interviews you hear, see and read here at MPR News? The voices of the hosts and newscasters are a familiar daily presence, but the newsroom team also includes reporters in communities across the state, editors who shape the coverage and producers who work behind the scenes.

MPR News host Angela Davis talks with five new staff members about what inspired them to become journalists and what they do at MPR News.  

We’ll learn about two new reporting priorities here at MPR News: the Native News initiative tells stories about and with Minnesota’s Indigenous communities, and a new early childhood education beat focuses on the health and education of young children. We’ll also hear from the producers who help bring you the news every weekday on Morning Edition.  

Guests:  

Staff headshot
Producers Gracie Stockton (right) and Lukas Levin.
Kerem Yücel | MPR News
  • Gracie Stockton is the lead producer for Morning Edition on MPR News.  

  • Lukas Levin is an associate producer for Morning Edition on MPR News.  

    A reporter poses a question
    MPR News reporter Kyra Miles poses a question to student Maggie at Dodge Nature Preschool on July 7 in West St. Paul.
    Kerem Yücel | MPR News
  • Kyra Miles is the early childhood education reporter for MPR News.  

  • Leah Lemm is a senior editor with MPR News’ Native News Journalism Initiative.  

  • Melissa Olson is a reporter with MPR News’ Native News Journalism Initiative. 

Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.  

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.