July 12, 2018 - MPR’s Briana Bierschbach reports on the Pink Pistols, an LGBT gun rights group with chapters in dozens of cities across the nation. It's been around in Minnesota for nearly two decades, hosting meetings at the gun range roughly once a month.
July 25, 2018 - On this program of MPR News at 11, host Kerri Miller talks with DFL candidate Tim Walz. As governor, DFL candidate Tim Walz said he would support legalizing recreational marijuana, raising the gas tax to pay for transportation projects, and would help bridge the urban and rural divide in the state. Other topics in conversation include gun control, Polymet and Twin Metals copper nickel mining, refugees, and pipeline.
August 10, 2018 - MPR’s Brian Bakst reports on an MPR hosted debate between the three Democrats chasing their party's nomination for Minnesota governor ahead of primary election. There are plenty of areas where Erin Murphy, Lori Swanson, and Tim Walz agree. But the candidates highlighted distinctions among them on topics of guns, immigration, marijuana, and more.
August 14, 2018 - MPR’s Dan Kraker reports on unprecedented algae bloom along the South Shore of Lake Superior. Researchers are trying to figure out the cause. They suspect the bloom may be related to recent historic heavy rains and flooding that washed tons of sediment into the lake. Researchers expect to see more periodic algae blooms in Lake Superior, in part because of that increased water temperature, an effect of climate change.
August 15, 2018 - Why do women continue to get paid less? And does the lack of investment translate into fewer opportunities for development and sponsorship? MPR’s Kerri Miller interviews Gigi Marvin, three-time Olympic forward for the U.S. Women's National hockey team; and Mary Jo Kane, director of the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport at the University of Minnesota about the gender pay gap within sports.
August 16, 2018 - All Thing’s Considered’s Tom Crann interviews Congressman Tim Walz the day after his win in the DFL gubernatorial primary. Walz defeated Attorney General Lori Swanson and State Representative Erin Murphy, with 42% of the vote.
August 17, 2018 - MPR’s John Enger reports on Republican gubernatorial nominee Jeff Johnson and his DFL opponent Tim Walz as they faced each other on debate stage in Nisswa for their first meeting. While views on topics like mining and pipeline were similar, healthcare and taxes became key debates between the two candidates.
August 28, 2018 - MPR’s Tim Nelson takes a look at Monty's Traveling Reptile Show, a Nelson Street landmark on the Minnesota State Fair grounds and longtime favorite for many fairgoers. But it's different this year. As of last April, there's no more Monty. Nelson shares a story about the passing of the torch…or maybe the heat lamp…at the fair.
August 30, 2018 - MPR’s Marianne Combs reports on allegations of harrassment and abuse at Minnesota Renaissance Festival. Carr Hagerman, the fair’s entertainment director, is facing criminal sexual misconduct charges alleging he raped a freelance photographer on festival grounds in Shakopee.
August 31, 2018 - At MPR Day at the Minnesota State Fair, Politics Friday’s Mike Mulcahy hosts a gubernatorial debate at Dan Patch Park between U.S. Representative Tim Walz, the DFL candidate; and Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson, the GOP candidate. The two spar over President Trump, schools, gun control measures, and how to slow the rising cost of health care. The stakes are high for both parties. Republicans have complete control of the Legislature and could control all of state government if they win the governor's office this fall, but they haven't managed to win a statewide race in more than a decade.