MPR News with Angela Davis

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 blood pressure, i...

Partisan polarization has long been a fact of political life in the United States. And it seems like politics is everywhere these days — at the dinner table, in the classroom and on every screen.

That raises some big questions for parents. How do we talk to our kids about what’s going on without passing along fear or cynicism? How do we raise thoughtful, respectful people amid divisive rhetoric?

MPR News host Cath...

The way younger people get their news looks a lot different than it did a generation ago.  

For many millennials and Gen Z, it’s not about watching the 6 o’clock news or reading the headlines in the Sunday paper. 

Instead, it might be watching a quick video on TikTok, spotting a trending post on Instagram or listening to a favorite podcast on a commute. 

MPR News host Catharine Richert and her guests talk about...

Lately, it seems like no matter where you drive in Minnesota, you run into road construction — lane closures, detours, backed-up traffic and a lot of orange cones. 

If you’re wondering, “Why now? Why so many projects all at once?” — you’re not alone. 

MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests take a closer look at what’s behind this busy construction season. 

Guests:

• Anne Meyer is the media relations c...

Have you been thinking about what your life might look like with less alcohol?

Whether it's for health, mental clarity or out of just plain curiosity, more people are choosing to rethink why they drink alcohol.

MPR News host Angela Davis explores what it means to be “sober curious.”

Guests:

• Alexandra Zauner is the owner of Lucille’s Bottle Shop, a St. Paul business that sells non-alcoholic drinks a...

Teachers often talk about the summer slide — the setback many students experience in reading skills during the summer months.

MPR News host Angela Davis talks with three children’s book authors for recommendations on great books to read this summer to keep kids’ reading skills up and their imaginations alive.

Guests:

• Shannon Gibney is an author and professor of English at Minneapolis College. The childre...

Young adults who recently graduated from college are facing a tough job market.

The national unemployment rate among people age 22 to 27 with a degree is almost 6 percent, which is the highest it’s been since the pandemic. Joblessness among young workers is also worse than the overall unemployment rate of around 4 percent. And, many young graduates are working in jobs that do not require a college degree.

MPR News...

Summer is a great time for birdwatching. With longer days and warmer weather, it's the perfect season to step outside and see what’s fluttering in your neighborhood, park, or along the shoreline.

And whether you’re a seasoned “birder” or a curious newcomer, birdwatching is an increasingly popular way to connect with nature.

MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Sharon Stiteler, also known as “the Birdchick,” about ...

Progress has been made in raising awareness about mental health, but many people are still not getting the support they need.

Listen to a conversation hosted by MPR News host Angela Davis about barriers to mental health care. Three women who lead Minnesota nonprofits talk about mental health needs in communities and families, the disparities in mental health care systems and how resources can support people.

The d...

Across Minnesota, there are people working every day to strengthen their communities. 

Sometimes it starts with a small business. Sometimes, with a personal passion — and sometimes, with a gym. 

MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Dalton Outlaw — someone who combined all three. He’s an entrepreneur, a boxer and a community leader based in the Rondo neighborhood of St. Paul. 

Guest:

• Dalton Outlaw ...

Running a restaurant might seem like a dream come true — good food, great vibes, and the chance to serve up joy on a plate.  

But what’s cooking behind the scenes? It’s a never-ending dance of balancing budgets, managing people, and surviving the pressure of every customer, every order, and every shift.  

MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about what it takes to start and manage a restaurant — and keep ...

In 1979, President Jimmy Carter officially recognized June as Black Music Month to honor the influence of Black musicians and artists in shaping American music.  

It's a reminder that Black music has been at the heart of almost every sound we know and love, including jazz, blues, rock, R&B, gospel, hip hop and even country. 

And in Minnesota, we’ve felt the impact — from the legacy of Prince to the Grammy Award...

Most Americans are eating and drinking far more sugar than is good for us. It’s easy to do. 

Sugar is added to everything from breakfast cereals and flavored coffee creamers to salad dressings and pasta sauces.

And all of that sugar can add up. Americans consume an average of 17 teaspoons of sugar a day with some estimates as high as 34 teaspoons a day. That's about three times the daily limit recommended by the ...

After the U.S. attacked three Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend, Israel launched wide-ranging strikes on Tehran and Iran fired missiles at the largest American military installation in the Middle East. And according to President Donald Trump, Israel and Iran have agreed to a cease-fire.

MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about the latest developments in the conflict between Iran, Israel and the United ...

President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown has sparked recent protests across the country.

MPR News host Angela Davis will talk with two immigration attorneys about how Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials are trying to fulfill President Trump’s pledge of mass deportations.

Guests:

• Alexis Dutt is a senior attorney at Karam Law, a Twin Cities law firm that focuses on immigration law.
• Hanne Sandis...

Juneteenth has long been celebrated in Black communities to remember June 19, 1865, the day that enslaved African Americans in Texas learned they were free. 

After becoming a federal holiday in 2021, broader community celebrations began in cities around the country, including the Minnesota Orchestra’s annual Juneteenth concert tonight at Orchestra Hall in downtown Minneapolis.

MPR News host Angela Davis talked wit...

The last few days have been heavy in Minnesota. Many people are experiencing a collective sense of grief in the wake of the targeted fatal shootings of Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband. MPR News host Kelly Gordon talks with her guests about the shared sadness, anger and anxiety — and how people can heal, together.

Guests:

• Rabbi Marcia Zimmerman is the senior rabbi at Temple Israel in Minneapolis.  
• Fiyyaz K...

Federal authorities posted murder and stalking charges against Vance Boelter Monday, saying he went to the homes of two other state lawmakers early Saturday morning between shooting state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, and killing DFL House leader Melissa Hortman and her husband.

Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson said more than 45 Minnesota state and federal officials were on Boelter’s target list — all of them...

The Trump administration’s immigration crackdown is extending to people who want to study at colleges and universities in the U.S.

MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about how halting interviews for new student visa applications and banning travel from some countries could affect higher education in Minnesota. 

Guests:

• Shahzad Ahmad is associate vice president for global and multicultural engage...