MPR News with Angela Davis

Youth sports look a lot different than they did a generation ago. Many parents are shelling out hundreds, if not thousands of dollars to sign their kids up for club sports at younger and younger ages. They’re paying for summer skills camps and hiring private trainers, driving across town in rush-hour traffic for games and heading out of town almost every weekend for tournaments. And some parents a...

Artificial intelligence is changing the way doctors diagnose diseases, treat patients and manage their workloads. More physicians are using AI than ever before, but questions remain about its accuracy, reliability and impact on patient care. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with an expert about how AI is being used in medicine, what’s working well and what researchers are developing next. Guest: M...

Neighborhood House was started in 1897 to help Jewish refugees escaping persecution in Russia. Nearly 130 years later, the St. Paul nonprofit continues to help immigrants, refugees and people in a transition or crisis. During the federal immigration enforcement surge, it delivered food to 750 local families. Last year, it was the largest provider of emergency rental assistance funds in Ramsey Coun...

Minnesota hospitals are facing growing financial pressures and patients are feeling the effects. A new report from the Minnesota Hospital Association warns of what it calls a “statewide crisis of care.” The report found that more than one in four hospitals lost money on operations in 2024, while the cost of providing care continues to rise. Some hospitals — especially in rural areas — have cut ser...

The term “political grief” has been gaining attention in recent years. Maybe you’ve experienced it yourself. It describes feelings of loss, frustration and uncertainty about the direction of the country — and a loss of trust in political leaders and public institutions. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with her guests about how emotions — including political grief — shaped the midterm election. Gu...

Minnesota voters elected a new governor and U.S. senator on Tuesday, along with all seats in both chambers of the state Legislature. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with a historian and a political scientist about the 2026 midterm election results, what they mean for Minnesota, the country and what comes next.  Guests: Yohuru Williams is a distinguished university chair, professor of history and...

Leading up to election day, a record number of Minnesotans have voted early . Early voting — in person, by mail or through an absentee ballot — has become increasingly popular for people who hope to avoid lines or cast their ballots when it’s convenient for them. And this year, Minnesota introduced a new process that allows early voters to place their ballots directly into the machine that counts...

They’re siblings, they’re business partners and they know how to inspire generosity. Glen Fladeboe and Kristine Fladeboe Duininck are among the most well-known and busy auctioneers in Minnesota. You may have seen them at a nonprofit gala engaging the crowd, building excitement and calling bids. Coming up at 9 a.m. on Monday, MPR News host Angela Davis talks with her latest Power Pair about growing...

There’s a lack of affordable housing across Minnesota. State projections say more than 182,000 new housing units across all types and prices points are needed by 2035 to create a healthy housing market. But the problem is especially acute in rural communities, due to a complicated mix of older housing in need of repairs, seniors remaining in single-family homes and high construction costs. MPR New...

Do you toss and turn and have trouble falling asleep? Or do you wake in the middle of the night and struggle to get back to sleep? About a third of adults in the U.S. report that they don’t get the recommended seven hours of sleep each night. About one in ten people struggle with chronic insomnia . As we reset our clocks on Sunday and leave Daylight Savings Time, it’s a great time to also reset ou...

Halloween is just around the corner, and Minnesotans are getting ready with costumes, decorations and plenty of candy. From trick-or-treating and carving pumpkins to haunted houses and costume parties, Halloween traditions have evolved over generations. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with a Halloween historian about the history of the holiday. She’ll also talk with a longtime community volunteer...

Four years ago, the podcast Sold a Story sparked a national debate about how children learn to read. Its reporting helped drive changes in reading instruction across dozens of states, including in Minnesota. Now, the investigative podcast from American Public Media is back for a second season. And this time, the focus goes beyond reading to look at teaching itself. Sold a Story: What Happened to T...

Data centers are coming for rural America. In the past, data centers tended to be built in urban areas, close to power grids and technology workers. But with the rise of generative AI, more data centers are needed, and this time, tech companies are eyeing rural communities . MPR News host Kerri Miller moderated a Rural Voice town hall discussion about data centers at Corks & Pints in Faribault...

Minneapolis Public Schools last month recommended closing more than a dozen schools — and then last week put the plan on pause . The proposal to shutter schools was put forward as a way to make better use of limited funds and half-empty buildings after years of enrollment declines and budget challenges. But at a recent school board meeting, after intense community feedback, Minneapolis Superintend...

Pets can bring so much joy. But there’s also a lot to learn about how to train and care for a dog, cat or other animal companion. How do you help an anxious rescue dog? Do indoor cats need vaccines? What’s the etiquette at the dog park? What do I feed a rabbit? And, if you’re thinking about getting a pet, what should you be thinking about ahead of time? MPR News host Angela Davis talks with a vete...

Minnesota launched a major new benefit for workers in January. The statewide paid family and medical leave program allows eligible workers to receive part of their pay while taking time off to recover from a serious illness, welcome a new child or care for a loved one. More than 100,000 Minnesotans have applied for benefits so far, but questions remain about how smoothly the program is working and...

Do local businesses still own Main Street in Minnesota’s rural communities? Or are national chains and large corporations changing the fabric of what it means to be a small town? That’s the question MPR News host Kerri Miller posed during her most recent Rural Voice town hall, held Sept. 28 at The Broadway event center in downtown Albert Lea, Minn. Business owners and community leaders agreed that...

Last year, President Donald Trump signed a sweeping tax and spending bill — originally called the One Big Beautiful Bill. It included significant changes to Medicaid, the government health insurance program that helps people with lower incomes pay for medical care. Some changes to eligibility rules have already taken effect while changes to work requirements are scheduled to begin in 2027. MPR New...

Generations of children have run and climbed their way through the Minnesota Children’s Museum. They've shopped for plastic food at the pretend farmers' market, launched ping-pong balls, whooshed down the giant spiral slide and blown bubbles at the wacky car wash. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with the museum’s president Dianne Krizan about how the museum is doing following its post-COVID atten...

Indigenous Peoples Day is a time to celebrate the history, cultures and contributions of Native people. But it’s also an opportunity to reflect on what’s happening in Native communities today. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two Native leaders about the ways Native communities in Minnesota are thriving, the challenges they continue to face and what the future holds for the next generation. G...

You know their voices, but what do you know about the people behind them? MPR News host Angela Davis talks with three MPR newscasters about their paths to journalism and who they are off the air. Guests: Elena See is the afternoon newscaster on MPR News. She’s on the air during All Things Considered, Marketplace and other evening shows. Emily Reese is the midday newscaster on MPR News. You hear he...

Every Wednesday, MPR News with Angela Davis explores health and wellness topics with experts and listeners across Minnesota. Listen to highlights from recent broadcasts on colorectal cancer, the potential health benefits of fermented foods and breaking down barriers to dental care.

From Twin Cities art crawls to small-town galleries, fall offers plenty of ways to explore Minnesota’s arts scene. But behind the art and performances are the artists — working to find audiences, afford studio space and make a living. What helps them thrive, and how can we support creativity in our communities? MPR News host Angela Davis explores what’s happening in Minnesota’s arts scene, how loc...

The way we build careers and make money is changing. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with journalist Lee Hawkins about how people create businesses, move forward after career setbacks and make financial decisions — and what we can learn from their journeys to success. Guest: Lee Hawkins is a contributor to American Public Media — a unit of American Public Media Group, the parent company of MPR Ne...

Kerri Miller is on the road again for her Rural Voice town hall series — a project that highlights the joys and challenges of living in rural Minnesota. On Sept. 21, Miller moderated a discussion at Rapids Brewing Co. in Grand Rapids, with parents, teachers and community leaders about what can be done to retain young talent in rural communities.