Sometimes opposites attract, and then they make each other stronger.

That’s the story of our first Power Pair of 2026, Minneapolis married couple Roosevelt and Angela Mansfield.

She is a longtime educator who taught in Minneapolis Public Schools and now serves as an assistant commissioner at the Minnesota Department of Education.

He’s a youth worker, DJ and photographer, whose art shines a light on the people and history of Black communities in the Twin Cities.

They met through their shared love of hip-hop.

MPR News host Angela Davis talks with the Mansfields about their work, their relationship and their commitment to supporting young people in stressful times.

Guests:

• Angela Mansfield is an assistant commissioner in the Minnesota Department of Education in the Office of Educational Opportunity. She started nearly eight years ago at the state agency as a teacher training specialist. She also founded and ran a charter school and taught in Minneapolis Public Schools.
• Roosevelt Mansfield is a photographer and DJ who has worked as a behavioral specialist and in other roles in public schools. He’s also the founder of The Purpose, an organization that supports young people of color through cultural education, photography and entrepreneurial skills.

Getting a cancer diagnosis today can mean something very different than it meant a few decades ago.

Cancer is still deadly. But thanks to advances in detection and treatment, cancer for some people has turned into a manageable condition.

A report from the American Cancer Society out this week shows that for the first time that the five-year survival rate for all cancers has reached 70 percent.

Tumors are being found at earlier stages, when treatment can be more effective. Surgery and radiation have gotten more precise. Researchers have refined their understanding of different types of cancers and developed new drugs that zero in on the unique biology of specific tumors.

Maybe most importantly, researchers are figuring out how to use the body’s own immune system to fight cancer in ways that doctors couldn’t have imagined 20 years ago.

MPR News host Angela Davis talks with her guests about how cancer treatments are improving.

Guests:

• Dr. Emil Lou is a medical oncologist and professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School who sees patients at M Health Fairview Masonic Cancer Clinic. He specializes in gastrointestinal cancers, such as colorectal and pancreas cancers, and is also involved in cancer research.
• Dr. Rachel L McCaffrey is a breast surgical oncologist at Allina Health who specializes in treating breast cancer.

Have you ever seen a social media post that was so captivating that you just had to share it?

Maybe it was a powerful video, a striking image or a headline that made you stop scrolling.

But was it true? In a world where artificial intelligence can generate photos, videos and even voices, it’s becoming harder to know what’s real and what isn’t.

In fact, it’s become so challenging to tell truth from fiction that many colleges are offering classes in how to spot misinformation and digital manipulation.

MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two professors about how technology is being used to mislead and how to avoid being fooled by fake images, videos and stories.

Guests:

• Bob Groven is a professor and Co-Chair of the Department of Communication Studies, Film and New Media at Augsburg University. He teaches the class “Defense Against the Dark Arts,” which aims to help students recognize and protect themselves from misinformation and disinformation. He is also a strategic communication consultant with over 15 years of experience in leading political campaigns.

• Lana Medina is a journalist, researcher and educator. She teaches media literacy at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. Her work explores how social media algorithms, AI and newsroom pressures shape local journalism and civic discourse.