Minnesota Now: Dec. 31, 2024

On the final day of 2024, we look back on what happened this year on the program.

First, we remember four Burnsville first responders and a Minneapolis police officer who were killed while on duty. After a year that saw the highest number of fatal shootings of officers in Minnesota in 42 years, we learn about efforts to memorialize officers who have died and support their loved ones.

Plus, Minnesota Now producers get behind the mic to share some of their favorite interviews from the year.

• There were lots of eyes on Gen-Z voters during the presidential race. We travel back in campaign-time to hear what a group of voters from our ‘State of Democra-Z’ panel had to say as Election Day drew close.

• Minnesota swimmer Regan Smith won two gold medals and three silver at the Paris Olympics. She shares her experience there and opens up about coping with the enormous pressure on young athletes.

• This summer Marney Gellner became the first woman to call the play-by-play for the Twins regular season. We get a glimpse inside the broadcast box and hear the story behind her catchphrase.

• In our series “Thank You, Stranger” about unexpected acts of kindness, we hear about a remarkable coincidence involving a tattoo and a Subaru Forester.

• Long before he created the award-winning Netflix series “Beef”, Lee Sung Jin spent parts of his childhood in Minnesota. He talks about his time in the state and how he got the idea for the series, which spirals out of a road-rage incident in Los Angeles.

Our Minnesota Music Minute is a cover of Auld Lang Syne by Minneapolis band Yam Haus.

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

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