Minnesota Now with Nina Moini

Minnesota Now with Nina Moini is journalism that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s reporting that puts people first with live, down-to-earth, unscripted interviews that aim to inform and entertain. Tune in to Minnesota Now weekdays at noon on the radio or the live audio stream at mprnews.org.

Listen: Missed the show? Want to hear a specific conversation? Check out past episodes and segments on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

Minnesota music: One of the pillars of Minnesota Now is featuring great Minnesota-based music. Here’s this year’s playlist of songs heard on the show.

Submit show ideas

Minnesota Now series

Thank You, Stranger | Connect the Dots | State of Democra-Z | Professional Help

Subscribe to Podcast

January 12, 2022 12:29 PM

Reporter roundtable: The latest from Austin, Cloquet, Roseau

We're calling reporters from newspapers outside the Twin Cities metro area to hear what's happening in their neck of the woods. Wednesday, host Cathy Wurzer was joined by journalists from the Roseau Times-Region, Pine Knot News and the Austin Daily Herald.

by Cathy Wurzer and Kelly Gordon

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

January 12, 2022 12:06 PM

People are quitting their jobs in record numbers. What's driving the Great Resignation?

A record 4.5 million Americans quit their jobs in November 2021, part of what some are calling the Great Resignation. Host Cathy Wurzer asked Phyllis Moen why people are leaving their jobs — and what that means for the employment landscape.

by Cathy Wurzer and Alex Cheng

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

January 11, 2022 5:36 PM

A conversation with Hamse Warfa, soon Biden's highest-ranking Somali appointee

Hamse Warfa is leaving Minnesota to serve in the Biden administration in Washington, D.C., where he will be the highest-ranking Somali appointee. He joined host Cathy Wurzer to talk about his story and the importance of strengthening democracy around the world.

by Cathy Wurzer and Alex Cheng

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

January 11, 2022 12:50 PM

A band of Hot Freaks has a hit song on TikTok — years after breaking up

Thanks to TikTok, a Minnesota band that broke up seven years ago now has a smash hit single. Sarah Darnall and Cody Brown of Hot Freaks sat down with host Cathy Wurzer to tell their unlikely story.

by Cathy Wurzer and Kelly Gordon

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

January 11, 2022 12:32 PM

Reporter Kirsti Marohn on whistleblower case against MN pollution agency

A former employee at the state agency that monitors pollution has filed a whistleblower lawsuit, saying officials have not done enough to clean up contamination and protect drinking water. With more on that story, MPR News reporter Kirsti Marohn joined host Cathy Wurzer.

by Cathy Wurzer and Melissa Townsend

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

January 11, 2022 12:28 PM

'Kids need a lot of support': A Minneapolis student's view on school life, COVID

Tenth grader Lucy Heagle attends Roosevelt High School in south Minneapolis. She spoke with MPR’s Morning Edition about what school has been like lately in era of COVID-driven uncertainty.

by Cathy Wurzer and Kyle Shiely

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

January 11, 2022 12:16 PM

Suburban mayors on Hennepin County Attorney's approach to crime wave

Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman is rebooting a 1990s-era initiative in response to a spike in violent crime in the Twin Cities. Plymouth mayor Jeff Wosje, one of several suburban mayors who has been in conversation with Freeman, joined host Cathy Wurzer to talk about concerns he’s seen in his community.

by Cathy Wurzer and Alex Cheng

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

January 10, 2022 5:20 PM

The longtime director of the NDSU marching band hangs up his whistle

For 15 years, the Gold Star Marching Band at North Dakota State University was led by a tall man with a shock of long white hair: Sigurd Johnson. But Johnson’s last day as band director was Saturday, and on his first day off, he sat down with host Cathy Wurzer.

by Cathy Wurzer and Melissa Townsend

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

January 10, 2022 4:45 PM

Mayor Frey calls for unity as new, diverse Minneapolis City Council sworn in

The new Minneapolis City Council and second-term mayor face challenges to getting the city back on track amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, crime surge and public calls for police reform.

by Jon Collins and Cathy Wurzer

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

January 10, 2022 3:55 PM

Osterholm: Omicron variant bring 'viral blizzard' to Minnesota

According to the University of Minnesota’s Michael Osterholm, the first weeks of 2022 could be the equivalent of a “viral blizzard” due to the fast-spreading omicron variant. Osterholm spoke with host Cathy Wurzer about the state of the COVID-19 pandemic in Minnesota.

by Cathy Wurzer

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.