Willmar, Minn., is one of the most diverse cities in greater Minnesota. More than 25 different languages are spoken in its school system, and immigrants hailing from east Africa, Mexico, Myanmar and central America have revitalized its downtown.

So on Sept. 8, Kerri Miller took the Rural Voice town hall series to Foxhole Brewhouse in Willmar to talk with community members about how they’ve successfully built an inclusive city.

The conversation focused on how the region evolved over the last few decades to include immigrations from Africa, Mexico and other countries and discuss the positive impact that integration has had on the local culture and economy. Participants also discussed ongoing challenges, like political representation for newcomers and institutional discrimination.

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In 2023, Minnesota passed a law requiring free menstrual products in all public school bathrooms for grades four through 12.

But when the law went into effect last year, some schools weren’t sure how best to put it into practice.

MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with two graduate students who created the Minnesota Menstrual Products in Schools Toolkit to help school staff navigate implementing the law.

They shared what they learned about the needs inside schools and why they believe their toolkit can make a difference for students and educators alike.

The Federal Reserve recently cut its key interest rate for the first time since December 2023.

The move marked a shift in monetary policy as the central bank responds to what Fed Chair Jerome Powell described as a “really cooling off” labor market, while continuing to monitor inflation.

MPR News guest host Catharine Richert and senior economics contributor Chris Farrell talk about the reasoning behind the Fed's decision and what the rate changes could eventually mean for your credit cards, mortgage, savings account or investments.

Guest:

• Neel Kashkari is president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. It’s one of the Federal Reserve System’s 12 regional banks with a district that includes Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Northern Wisconsin, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

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Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.    

Thinking about adding attic insulation, swapping your old air conditioning system for a heat pump, or putting solar panels on your roof?

Federal tax credits can cut the cost, but the clock is ticking.

President Donald Trump’s tax and spending bill passed this summer is doing away with several energy incentives that encouraged homeowners to reduce their energy use and switch to cleaner energy sources.

MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with her guests about the tax credits and home energy efficiency.

You can also find more information on home energy audits, how to get started on home energy efficiency projects and rebate, tax credit and financing programs at the Center for Energy and Environment.

Rural Voice, the statewide town hall series amplifying perspectives from greater Minnesota, launched its 2025 season at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College on Sept. 3, with a robust conversation on tribal rights and sovereignty in rural Minnesota.

Moderated by Rural Voice co-founder and MPR News host Kerri Miller, the discussion featured a variety of voices and opinions emphasizing the inherent nature of treaty rights and the importance of Native Minnesotans relationship to the land.

Participants also touched on the challenges of building a Native middle class, how current tribal members are dealing with generational trauma and the importance of Native businesses in the area to create true economic vitality.

As we head into fall and winter, COVID-19 is still with us — even if it looks different than it did a few years ago.

Case numbers often rise when we spend more time indoors, so what can you do to keep yourself and others COVID-free?

Just last week, an advisory panel with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention surprised many by not recommending COVID-19 vaccines for high-risk groups like seniors. Instead, they said decisions should be made individually — in consultation with a doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

MPR News guest host Kelly Gordon talks with an infectious disease physician about what you can do to lower your risk of catching or spreading COVID-19 as the weather turns cold.

Kids and teens spend a huge part of their lives in digital spaces — on apps like TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram and even using artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT. Gaming platforms like Roblox have become virtual playgrounds, too.

These tools can be fun, creative and social, but they also carry real risks, ranging from misinformation to cyberbullying and grooming by online predators.

MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks about how to keep kids safe without shutting them out of the digital world.

She’ll talk with her guests about what’s working, what isn’t and how families can find some balance online.

In the days following Charlie Kirk’s fatal shooting, many people took to social media to share their feelings and thoughts.

People expressed sorrow, shock and anger. They shared critiques of Kirk’s conservative views. In some cases, what people said or posted about his death got them in trouble at work.

Last week ABC pulled comedian Jimmy Kimmel’s show off the air “indefinitely” after Kimmel’s comments on how MAGA was characterizing Kirk’s killer. The announcement came just hours after the chair of the Federal Communications Commission suggested in a podcast that the FCC could use its power against ABC unless the network acted against Kimmel.

MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with her guests about freedom of speech — and workplace issues. When can something you say get you in trouble on the job?

Guests:

• Phillip Kitzer is an employment law attorney in Minneapolis. He served on the board of directors of the Minnesota affiliate of the National Employment Lawyers Association and sits the governing counsel for the Labor and Employment Section of the Minnesota State Bar Association.
• George Vergolias is a workplace resilience consultant and chief clinical officer at R3 Continuum, a Minnesota-based company that develops behavioral health solutions for organizations that need help managing workplace disruption and stress.

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.