Dakota Thompson Podcasts

Each Sunday we bring you a selection of stories from the MPR News North Star Journey series about the history and culture of Minnesota communities. This week, journalist Lee Hawkins talks to the substitute teacher that was so influential in his life, MPR News reporter Hannah Yang shares memories of a special dish Korean mothers make for their daugh…

An agreement that puts equal amounts into tax cuts and new spending is on the table, but negotiators are struggling with the details of the various components. DFL House Speaker Melissa Hortman says a tax deal is close that would cut the lowest income tax rate and expand a renter’s tax credit program. The budget surplus agreement also calls for $1 …

The Minnesota DFL Party holds its state convention in Rochester this weekend. Unlike Republicans last week, there are no contested endorsements. This is a morning update from MPR News, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.By Minnesota Public Radio

Skull revealed by southern Minnesota drought turns out to be ancient Native American, and unemployment in the state is the lowest ever recorded. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.By Minnesota Public Radio

A former Minneapolis police officer pleaded guilty Wednesday to a state charge of aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter in the killing of George Floyd. As part of the plea deal, Thomas Lane will have a count of aiding and abetting second-degree unintentional murder dismissed. This is a morning update from MPR News, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. …

One of three former Minneapolis cops still facing George Floyd charges pleads guilty, and lawmakers are wrangling over $1 billion in new school funding. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.By Minnesota Public Radio

The city of Minneapolis will pay $1.5 million to a man who accused police officers of using excessive force during an arrest in 2020. Jaleel Stallings filed a federal lawsuit, after he was acquitted by a jury last year. This is a morning update from MPR News, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.…

State budget surplus will boost per pupil spending, student support, says governor. Also a man beaten by officers after he returned fire from an unmarked police van gets a $1.5 million settlement from Minneapolis. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.By Minnesota Public Radio

As the second anniversary of George Floyd's murder approaches, prosecutors and defense attorneys are preparing for the state criminal trial next month of the three former officers charged in his death. Former officers J. Alexander Kueng, Tou Thao and Thomas Lane are charged in Hennepin County District Court with aiding and abetting murder and mansl…

Minnesota lawmakers have cut a deal on how much money from the big projected budget surplus will go to cut taxes, give a boost to schools and be used to enhance public safety. This is the evening MPR News update for Monday, May 16. Hosted by Nina Moini. Theme music by Gary Meister.By Minnesota Public Radio

With one week left in session, Minnesota lawmakers have reached a deal to spend the state’s historic surplus. MPR News reporter Brian Bakst joined host Chris Farrell to talk more about the agreement.By Minnesota Public Radio

Republican delegates chose family physician and former state Sen. Scott Jensen as their candidate for governor Saturday after a pitched endorsement battle that went nine ballots. Jensen, who served one term in the Senate, beat out four other candidates in a see-saw battle where he saw an early lead disappear and then return as other contenders left…

Republicans say frustration over COVID-19 vaccines, restrictions and other steps taken during the pandemic will be a central theme as they meet in Rochester. Convention delegates who arrived for the opening Friday say they’re hopeful their eventual nominee can beat incumbent Gov. Tim Walz. This is the evening MPR News update for Friday, May 13. Hos…

Minnesota Republicans gather Friday in Rochester for their state party convention amid a backdrop of discontent fueled by dissatisfaction with President Joe Biden, lingering anger over pandemic restrictions many felt went too far and a false sense that Donald Trump unfairly lost in 2020. This is a morning update from MPR News, hosted by Cathy Wurze…

Thousands of homes and businesses remained without power across southern Minnesota on Thursday in the wake of severe storms that brought damaging winds, flooding rain, hail and one confirmed tornado. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Kirsti Marohn. Music by Gary Meister.By Minnesota Public Radio

Earlier this week, the Minneapolis school board approved long time Minneapolis school district administrator, Rochelle Cox, as the interim district superintendent. Cox will replace Ed Graff who is leaving in June. Graff is not the only leader of a Minnesota school district who has resigned recently—a record number of school board members have also …

Tens of thousands of homes and businesses remained without power across southern Minnesota on Thursday morning, in the wake of severe storms that brought damaging winds, flooding rain, hail and a few reports of tornadoes. The storms were responsible for at least one death — a woman who died in a crash caused by downed power lines along Interstate 9…

New federal report opens the door to reckoning with Minnesota's Native boarding school history and a family in Mankato pleads for help finding a young woman gone missing for more than two weeks. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.By Minnesota Public Radio

Bob Elm waited for the setting sun to dip below the horizon before heading out onto the chilly blue waters of Mille Lacs Lake. At a public landing on the lake’s east side, he and other tribal members loaded spears and buckets into fishing boats, and donned helmets with headlamps attached. This is a morning update from MPR News, hosted by Cathy Wurz…

Paid family leave takes a big step forward at the Capitol, with a long way yet to go. Also, Minnesotans are down in Oklahoma today for the opening of the Bob Dylan Center in Tulsa. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.By Minnesota Public Radio

Health officials in Minnesota are asking parents to keep an eye out for signs of hepatitis in their kids as the number of children who have experienced the severe liver disease increases across the country. Three Minnesota children under the age of three have recently contracted hepatitis. One child required a liver transplant, and all three have s…

Testimony got underway Monday in the trial of a man charged with lying to a federal grand jury about absentee ballot fraud. Muse Mohamud Mohamed is charged with two counts of making false statements to a grand jury during an investigation that followed the August 2020 primary for a Minnesota Senate seat. In filings, prosecutors allege that Muse Moh…

Goodhue County authorities announced Monday they have filed second-degree murder charges against a woman they say is the mother of two newborn babies found dead in the Mississippi River in 1999 and 2003. This is an MPR News evening update for May 9, 2022. Hosted by Hannah Yang. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.…

MPR’s politics reporter Brian Bakst joined host Cathy Wurzer to explain three competing and vastly different tax plans at the Capitol.By Minnesota Public Radio

The Legislature is barreling toward the end of its yearly session still lacking a big deal on taxes and spending but making progress around the edges nonetheless. Without a broad framework to guide them to the finale, it’s difficult to gauge whether the Republican-led Senate, DFL-led House and DFL Gov. Tim Walz will avert a collapse on the session’…