MPR News with Angela Davis

Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis are coming home to Minnesota for a special concert at the Minnesota State Fair . The Minnesota music legends are the award-winning songwriting and production duo behind dozens of hits for some of the biggest names in music and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with the longtime friends and creative partners about their Minnesota roots, the story behind their successful careers and the friendship that has kept them working together for more than 50 years. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis Guests: Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis are a Grammy Award-winning songwriting and production duo from Minnesota who have created hits for artists including Janet Jackson, Prince, Mariah Carey and Usher. They have been friends and creative partners for more than 50 years. Do you know a Power Pair? “Power Pairs” is a series featuring prominent Minnesotans in a close relationship. You may know of them separately but they reveal a new side of themselves when they sit down together. Listen to past interviews here and submit your idea for a future Power Pair here . Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts , Spotify or RSS . Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

State and federal authorities continue to investigate a recent coordinated cyberattack on Minnesota municipal water systems. Hackers disrupted technology controls at water towers and treatment plants in more than 30 Minnesota communities last week. And the FBI says water and wastewater companies in at least six other states have reported incidents. MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with her guests about what we can do to protect the water systems, power grids and other public services we rely on.

Public office has always been demanding, but the stress of leadership seems to be taking a bigger toll on elected officials’ mental health. Several city council members in Minnesota recently shared their struggles with mental health, including a Minneapolis council member who took a break to attend to depression and anxiety. Earlier this year, St. Paul’s city council president resigned , citing “the “constant stressors of public leadership.” At a national level, a U.S. representative from New Jersey disclosed in June that he was being treated for depression after a four-month absence from Congress. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with a therapist and a city council member about burnout and stress among elected officials and what to do about it. Guests: Aurin Chowdhury is a member of the Minneapolis City Council representing Ward 12 in southeastern Minneapolis. She was elected in 2023 after serving as manager of constituent services for a state senator and a policy aide for two Minneapolis council members. She recently shared her struggles with her mental health in a newsletter with constituents. Noel Nix is a therapist with Vibrant Life Therapy working toward a professional clinical counseling license. He has a master’s degree in counseling psychology from the University of St. Thomas and previously worked for more than a decade in municipal government as a city council aide and in public engagement for the City of St. Paul.

Public trust is essential to effective leadership, but it can be difficult to build and easy to lose. Recent allegations of sexual harassment involving St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her have prompted conversations about workplace conduct, accountability and the responsibilities that come with public office. MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about the standards we hold elected officials to and how power, race, gender and politics shape how we think about allegations against public figures.

If you have student loans, keeping up with the rules hasn’t been easy. Over the past few years borrowers have navigated payment pauses, loan forgiveness efforts, court challenges and the return of monthly payments. Now, another major change has arrived. As of July 1, new federal rules have reshaped parts of the student loan system , restricting repayment options for many borrowers and borrowing rules for future students. MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about what these changes mean for borrowers, how they affect monthly payments and how people can make informed financial decisions about their student loans. Guests: Chris Farrell is a senior economics contributor for MPR News and Marketplace. Shannon Doyle is a certified financial counselor and program director of partnerships and education with LSS Financial Counseling . Here are some resources that were mentioned during the show: Federal Student Aid Federal Student Aid Estimator Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts , Spotify or RSS . Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

The Trump administration last week put a new freeze on Medicaid funding for Minnesota, citing concerns over fraud. The nearly $200 million in frozen payments follows previous funding pauses, for a total of nearly $550 million. While federal authorities insist they are protecting taxpayer money, Minnesota state officials argue that the move is punitive and harms vulnerable people who rely on Medicaid programs. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with the head of the state’s Medicaid programs about how the state department is responding to Medicaid fraud cases and the impact of funding freezes on providers and patients. If you suspect fraud in a program run by the Minnesota Department of Human Services, you can find information on how to report it on the DHS fraud reporting website . The Minnesota Department of Human services also has information on what people can do to find a new provider if their provider has been disenrolled from the Medicaid program. Guest: John Connolly is temporary commissioner and state Medicaid director for the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Before being appointed as interim head of the department in 2026, he was a deputy commissioner.

For many people, going to the dentist is easy to put off — until something hurts. Millions of Americans don’t get regular dental care because of cost, lack of insurance, difficulty of finding a provider or fear of the dentist. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two experts about why oral health matters, the barriers that keep people out of the dentist’s chair and what’s being done to make dental care more accessible. Guests: Dr. Elmi Abdulkadir Elmi is a dentist and co-founder of All About Dentistry , a general dental practice with locations in Burnsville and West St. Paul. He was also selected as a 2026 Bush Fellow, recognized for his work expanding access to oral health care. Dr. Sheila Riggs is an associate professor of dental public health in the School of Dentistry at the University of Minnesota and chair of the Association of Critical Access Dental Providers of Minnesota. Here are some of the resources that were discussed on the show: Dental Clinics and Services - Help Me Connect Public Resources | Minnesota Dental Association University of Minnesota Dental Clinics Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts , Spotify or RSS . Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

Buying a house or condo is becoming harder for many people in Minnesota. The math is simple. Home costs are rising and most people’s incomes aren’t keeping up. But solutions are more complicated. Communities need to build more low-cost homes, help buyers with down payment assistance and lower-interest loans, and help current homeowners maintain and stay in their homes. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity’s CEO Chris Coleman about how the nonprofit organization is working on all these fronts to tackle the housing affordability crisis. Guest: Chris Coleman became president and CEO of Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity in 2018 after serving as mayor of St. Paul from 2006 to 2018. He worked previously as an investment advisor for RBC and served for six years on the St. Paul City Council. Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity uses thousands of volunteers every year. Learn more on their website’s volunteer page.

Layoffs have become a recurring headline this year, with companies in technology, finance, manufacturing and other industries announcing job cuts. But at the same time, unemployment remains relatively low, applications for unemployment benefits are near historic lows and Minnesota recently added jobs , according to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. So what's really happening in the job market? MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about what’s driving recent layoffs, where job opportunities might be, and what it all says about the economy. Guests: Chris Farrell is a senior economics contributor for MPR News and Marketplace. Angelina Nguyen is the director of the Labor Market Information Office at the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development . Kyle O'Keefe is a district president at Robert Half , a recruiting and business consulting firm. Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts , Spotify or RSS . Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

Your 30s are often described as the decade when you’re supposed to have life “figured out.” Maybe you’ve built a career, bought a home, started a family or settled into the person you’re going to be — but for many people, that’s not what this decade looks like. MPR News guest host Kyra Miles talks with her guests about how your 30s can be a time of big transitions and changing priorities. They’ll explore what research says about this stage of adulthood and why so many people feel pressure to have it all together. Guests: Audra Nuru is the director of family studies and professor at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. Her research explores how we communicate to construct identities and navigate periods of change. Melissa Ertl is a researcher and assistant professor of psychology at the University of Minnesota. She also works as a practicing therapist. Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts , Spotify or RSS .

Eating is a fundamental part of life. So, when things aren’t going well with our digestive system, it affects not only our health but also our routines, social lives and very identity. And these days, more people seem to be struggling with chronic gastrointestinal problems, including irritable bowel syndrome and autoimmune diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. MPR News guest host Kyra Miles talks with her guests and listeners about diagnosing and living with gut problems.

When was the last time you read a book or magazine, or listened to an audiobook? Overall, Americans are reading less. A study last year from the University of Florida and University College London found the portion of people who read daily for pleasure in the U.S. fell from 28 percent in 2004 to 16 percent in 2023. And, according to the National Endowment for the Arts, fewer than half of all adults said they read a book of any kind in 2022 — even fewer said they read a novel. MPR News guest host Kerri Miller talks about what’s behind the decline in reading, and why some people are saying that it points to a fundamental shift that has consequences for how we entertain ourselves, learn and think.

America’s college campuses are entering a period of major change. The pool of traditional college-age students is shrinking, and many young people are rethinking whether college is worth the cost. MPR News guest host Kerri Miller and her guests talk about why colleges are expecting fewer students, how public and private institutions are preparing, and what’s influencing whether — and where — young people decide to pursue higher education. Guests: Nathan Grawe is a professor of economics at Carleton College and is one of the country’s leading experts on the college enrollment cliff. He is also the author of “Demographics and the Demand for Higher Education," and “The Agile College,” which helped bring national attention to the coming decline of college-age students. Suzanne Rivera is the president of Macalester College in St. Paul. She has been the president since June of 2020. Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts , Spotify or RSS . Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

Wildfires have burned thousands of acres across northern Minnesota, sending smoke into communities around the state and prompting air quality alerts. Live updates Get the latest information on wildfires in Minnesota MPR News guest host Kelly Gordon talks with meteorologists about the combination of heat, rainfall, humidity, wind and drought that can increase wildfire risk. They'll also discuss what this summer's weather patterns can tell us about the weeks ahead, how smoke travels hundreds of miles from fires and how a changing climate is influencing fire seasons in Minnesota. Guests: Ben Cathey is the chief meteorologist for MPR News. Sven Sundgaard is a meteorologist for MPR News. Mandy Thalhuber is a meteorologist for MPR News. Jeff Masters is a meteorologist who writes about extreme weather for Yale Climate Connections, a news service that focuses on climate change. He is a former hurricane hunter and the co-founder of the commercial weather service, Weather Underground. Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts , Spotify or RSS . Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

Smoke from wildfires burning in northern Minnesota and Canada has drifted into other parts of Minnesota this week and triggered air quality alerts for much of the state. MPR News guest host Kelly Gordon talks about how air quality is monitored and forecast and the health risks of breathing wildfire smoke. Guests: Kathy Raleigh is an epidemiologist who works in the environmental health division of the Minnesota Department of Health. Matt Taraldsen is a meteorologist and supervisor of the team that issues air quality conditions, alerts and forecasts at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Resources discussed during the show: Air quality forecasts: Air quality forecast | Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Current air quality conditions AirNow.gov allows you to check current air quality conditions. You can also download the AirNow mobile app and sign up to receive air quality alerts and forecasts via email. Current air quality conditions | Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (state.mn.us) Purple Air Minnesota Outdoor Air Quality Guidance for Schools and Child Care The MPCA's Air quality and health webpage has information about health and indoor and outdoor air quality and how to prevent air pollution . The Minnesota Department of Health has an Air Quality, Climate and Health webpage. The Minnesota Department of Health wildfire smoke webpage highlights ways you can protect your health against wildfire smoke. How to make your own air cleaner: DIY Air Cleaner to Reduce Wildfire Smoke Indoors How to protect pets 8 tips on keeping pets cool during the dangerous heat wave across Minnesota this week | MPR News Wildfire smoke and animals | American Veterinary Medical Association Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts , Spotify or RSS . Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

MPR News guest host Kelly Gordon talks with a forest ecologist about what's behind the fires burning in and near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, why they're so difficult to contain and what we can do to reduce wildfire risk. Listen Poor air quality: What causes it and how to protect your health Guest: Lee Frelich is the director of the University of Minnesota's Center for Forest Ecology. Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts , Spotify or RSS . Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

Many Americans give up on studying another language after finishing a high school or college foreign language requirement. But some adults are diving into learning a new language to connect with their heritage, communicate with neighbors or co-workers, as a door to travel and culture, or just to give themselves a mental challenge. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with her guests about the joys and challenges of learning a new language as an adult. Guests: Amanda Dalola is an associate professor of linguistics and director of the Language Center in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota. She studies how people learn languages. She trained in Romance linguistics, speaks several Scandinavian languages and is currently learning Finnish, Norwegian and Korean. Julian Nye has been learning Spanish for the past three years through language apps, conversation groups and St. Paul Public Schools Community Education classes. He works in human resources for a Twin Cities nonprofit organization.

Summer is heating up and temperatures over the next few days are expected to climb into the 90s in many parts of Minnesota. For many of us, that means finding ways to stay cool and maybe spending more time indoors. But public health experts say extreme heat is more than an inconvenience. It’s the deadliest weather hazard in the United States — and a growing concern in Minnesota. MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about what can we do to protect ourselves, our families and our communities during stretches of extreme heat. Guests: Ben Cathey is the chief meteorologist for MPR News. He leads MPR's weather coverage including Climate Cast and the Updraft weather blog and helps Minnesotans understand everything from daily forecasts to long-term climate trends and extreme weather. Kristin Raab is the director of the Climate & Health program at the Minnesota Department of Health. Here’s a link to the Minnesota Department of Health’s resources for extreme heat .

Have you thought about what will happen to your home, your savings or your treasured family keepsakes after you die? If you’re leaving it to your loved ones to just figure out, you might be leaving them costly and stressful problems. MPR News host Angela Davis talks about why estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy, and what simple steps you can take now to reduce expenses and family conflict when you’re gone.

Kimchi. Kombucha. Yogurt. Sauerkraut. Fermented foods have been part of the human diet for thousands of years but researchers are still trying to understand their potential health benefits. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two researchers about the connection between fermented foods and our health. Guests: Andres Gomez is an associate professor of animal science and food science and nutrition at the University of Minnesota. Kylene Guse is a researcher and founder of the Living Food Initiative where she explores the connection between food, microbes, ecology and culture. She was also co-owner of the now-closed GYST Fermentation Bar in Minneapolis.