October 14, 2020 - MPR’s Nina Moini spent an evening walking with a Minneapolis violence prevention group, called “violence interrupters.” Members of group share purpose behind efforts and the challenges they face.
April 29, 2021 - Morning Edition presents a conversation with beloved Minneapolis blues musician as he rehearses for an upcoming concert at the Hook and Ladder in Minneapolis to celebrate his 94th birthday.
August 27, 2021 - MPR’s Vicki Adame profiles Gustavo Romero, chef and owner of Nixta in northeast Minneapolis. Romero opened the tortilleria in July 2020 because he saw a necessity to bring a better tortilla to Minneapolis and the state. He stays close to tradition to produce authentic flavors.
February 15, 2022 - All Things Considered’s Tom Crann interviews Minneapolis activist and writer Junauda Petrus about her book “The Stars and the Blackness Between Them” being placed on a potenial banned books list in Texas. The book is the story of two black girls from very different backgrounds finding love and happiness in a world that seems determined to deny them both.
June 24, 2022 - All Things Considered’s Tom Crann speaks with Jean Tretter, a founder of Twin Cities Pride; and Roxanne Anderson, founder of Power to the People, about the 50th anniversary of the Pride festival in the Twin Cities.
July 28, 2022 - The Minnesota Orchestra Thursday named Danish conductor Thomas Sondergard as its 11th music director. All Things Considered’s Tom Crann takes a moment to chat with Sondergard about his upcoming new role. Topics of interview include Minnesota Orchestra’s future model and diversity within the orchestra and performances.
July 29, 2022 - On this segment of North Star Journey, MPR’s Dan Kraker profiles individuals that identify as both of Native American and Scandinavian descent. They share how they are finding connections and surprising parallels between the cultures.
September 13, 2022 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Jessica Edwards on her new documentary, Skate Dreams. The documentary premiered in Minnesota at the end of September 2022 at the Duluth Superior Film Festival. Skate Dreams follows the rise of women’s skateboarding. It’s the first feature documentary to capture the story behind the rise of women’s skateboarding.
September 14, 2022 - On this segment of North Star Journey, MPR’s Simone Cazares profiles Tina Jackson and her soul line dancing class at Oxford Community Center in the heart of St. Paul’s Rondo neighborhood.
September 30, 2022 - MPR’s Tim Nelson profiles jazz pioneer Oscar Pettiford. Born 100 years ago and raised in Minnesota, Pettiford changed the sound of American music. He got his start on the stages of the Twin Cities, helping create a "Minneapolis sound" long before Prince. Pettiford’s innovations made him one of the most influential bass players of the bebop era. A century after his birth, that legacy endures.