MPR News with Angela Davis

Students are getting ready to head back to school next week. Some have already started classes. As teachers kick off the new school year, they may ask themselves, “Will I be able to reach that one struggling student? Will I make the difference they need?” MPR News host Angela Davis talks with a former secretary of the U.S. Department of Education who says teachers saved his life. Join Angela when...

Child care is one of the biggest expenses families face — and here in Minnesota, it's among the highest in the nation. Infant care in the state averages nearly $1,900 a month — that's more than most families pay for a mortgage and is more than the cost of in-state tuition at some public colleges.  And Minnesota isn’t alone. In more than 40 states, parents say child care is the single biggest expen...

We’ve all been there — you get the invitation for dinner at a friend’s place. Maybe it’s a backyard barbecue, a holiday gathering or a spur-of-the-moment picnic. Because you’re a thoughtful guest, you ask, “What can I bring?” And then you freeze. You wonder what you can pull off that everyone will love and will disappear from the table first. So, what will you bring? MPR News host Angela Davis tal...

Do you feel like your phone is always in your hand, or that your laptop never really closes? Well, you aren’t alone.  More people are looking for ways to step back from constant notifications, endless scrolling and that feeling of always being “on.”   MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two experts about digital detoxing — what it means, why it’s so hard to unplug and how taking a break from our...

If you’ve heard a young person say someone has “rizz” or something is “mid,” you might’ve nodded along — all while secretly wondering … what on earth were they talking about?  Every generation has its own way of speaking, but Gen Z slang is unique. Influenced heavily by social media trends, it’s shaped by internet culture and can spread at lightning speed.  MPR News host Angela Davis and her guest...

Ten years ago, when you needed a ride across town or to the airport, you might have called a taxi. Now, you’re more likely to open an app on your phone. Ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft have been growing at breakneck speed. But the fast growth — and increased focus on profits — has changed the experience for some drivers and riders. It’s also prompted some states, including Minnesota, to pa...

This week, we’re sharing an episode of a show we think you’ll enjoy: “Worth It” from the Minnesota Star Tribune and Lemonada Media. We’ve got the inside scoop on why the Guthrie’s “Cabaret” is getting rave reviews. Also, as “The Great Gatsby” turns 100, why is this novel with Minnesota roots worth another read? Plus, we’ll tell you about the Culinary North Stars that are pushing the boundaries of...

When we think about what makes a strong community, it often comes down to one thing — people showing up for each other.  Across Minnesota, thousands of volunteers are showing up every day — to stock food shelves, tutor students, plant community gardens, organize donation drives and more. And the way we serve is changing. Today, it’s easier than ever to sign up for one-time events, find projects th...

Do you get discouraged and overwhelmed by a never-ending to-do list? Do you finish your days feeling like you didn’t get anything done? Maybe it’s time to think about how you manage your time. MPR News Host Angela Davis talks with her guests about how to reflect, set priorities, plan and create new habits so you can spend more time on what matters. Guests: Theresa Glomb is a professor of organizat...

From TikTok trends to Hollywood mergers, the media world is evolving fast.  Most Americans — 83 percent of U.S. adults — use streaming services , according to the Pew Research Center. Social media is competing with traditional outlets for our attention and trust.   And mergers are reshaping who creates, distributes and profits from the content we watch, read and listen to.   MPR News host Angela D...

If you’ve been on the fence about whether to get an electric vehicle, now might be a good time to buy or lease one.  A federal tax credit that lowers the cost of EVs is set to expire at the end of September — much earlier than planned. The change is part of President Donald Trump’s major tax and spending bill, which eliminated several incentives for electric vehicles.  EVs have come a long way in...

Youth sports can’t happen without coaches and officials. But some are hanging up their whistles — not because of the players, but because of the parents. The sidelines have become a source of frequent criticism, confrontations and stress — driving some coaches and officials to walk away from the game entirely.  MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with two coaches about how they set expecta...

Chances are, you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with ADHD. About one in 10 kids live with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and among 14-year-old boys, that number jumps to nearly one in five. The commonly prescribed medications can make a big difference in behavior and self-esteem, but they don’t always lead to better learning or performance in school. So, what are we getting...

This fall, a new wave of kindergarteners enters the classroom — most born in the early days of the pandemic. MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about the challenges they may face and how schools and parents can help them thrive.   Guests: Lauren Girard has been a kindergarten teacher for 15 years. She teaches at Overland Elementary School in Rochester, Minn. She is also the parent of a...

Artificial intelligence is changing the way we work — faster than many of us expected.  From writing emails to screening job applications, AI tools are showing up in offices, warehouses and other workplaces.  But are employers ready? How are they setting expectations and drawing ethical lines around using this powerful technology?  MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about the growing r...

MPR News host Angela Davis talks about the power of poetry with Junauda Petrus, the poet laureate for the city of Minneapolis. Junauda says poetry is “soul medicine” that can unite us in our shared humanity. Angela also hears from poet and performer, Tish Jones, about what poetry means to her. Guests: Junauda Petrus is the poet laureate for the city of Minneapolis. She is an author, playwright, fi...

MPR News host Angela Davis talks with a Twin Cities rapper and mindfulness instructor who says yoga saved his life.

If you’re single, you’ve probably heard it — or said it to yourself: Dating feels impossible right now. The numbers back it up.  A Pew Research study  found that nearly half of Americans say dating is harder than it was a decade ago. So, what’s changed? Why is dating so difficult for so many people? Dating apps have transformed how we can meet, but it’s not clear if they are helping or hurting. In...

From its origins in Black American communities to its influence on artists all over the world, jazz has always been about innovation, expression and connection.  Here in Minnesota, one radio station has been keeping that spirit alive for more than 50 years — Jazz88 (KBEM-FM). Launched in 1970 as part of Minneapolis Public Schools, Jazz88 has been a hub for jazz lovers, educators and musicians, int...

Laurie Putnam is the superintendent of St. Cloud Public Schools, and the first woman to lead the district.  Her husband, Aric Putnam, is a DFL state senator, representing District 14, which includes St. Cloud.  Together, they’re navigating politics, education, family life and the challenges of leading in the public eye. MPR News host Angela Davis continues her Power Pairs series with a conversatio...

Earlier this month, President Donald Trump signed into law the major domestic policy bill that cuts about $1 trillion dollars from federal Medicaid spending over the next ten years. The changes to Medicaid are estimated to result in nearly 10 million more people going without health insurance by 2034 , according to the Congressional Budget Office.   Medicaid is the public insurance program that co...

Steve Grove’s career spans journalism, public service and Big Tech.   He helped shape content at Google and YouTube, led Minnesota’s Department of Employment and Economic Development, and now serves as publisher and CEO of the Star Tribune.  MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Grove about the future of media, the role of public service, the influence of technology and what it means to come home...

Retirement is often seen as the time to finally slow down, enjoy life and live off your years of savings. But that’s not reality for many people.   More older Americans are entering retirement weighed down with debt in the form of mortgages, credit card balances, medical bills and even student loans.   MPR News host Angela Davis talks with guests about what’s behind the trend of rising debt in ret...

After a Minneapolis police officer murdered George Floyd, calls for justice were loud and urgent.  Some community leaders began asking: How do we make real, lasting change — especially when it comes to racial and economic justice?  That question sparked the creation of the Groundbreak Coalition — a multibillion-dollar effort to close the racial wealth gap by rethinking how we invest in homes, busi...

Many of us have an intuitive sense that spending some time outside is good for us — and in recent years, science is backing that up.   Whether it’s going on a walk down a tree-lined street, splashing in a lake or just eating outside with a view of a garden, spending time in a natural setting can boost our mood.   And that’s not all. Growing research shows that spending time in nature can lower blo...