October 20, 2017 - MPR’s Tim Nelson profiles Nekima Levy-Pounds, a local civil rights activist who is a candidate in the Minneapolis mayor’s race. Levy-Pounds gained prominence as a Black Life Matters spokesperson and a leader in numerous public protests.
November 8, 2017 - MPR’s Peter Cox profiles Melvin Carter, who won in his election for the mayoral seat of St. Paul. Carter received more than 50% of the vote in a field of ten candidates.
March 30, 2018 - An MPR News Presents broadcast of New York University historian Thomas Sugrue speaking at the Minnesota Historical Society's History Forum. Sugrue, author of Sweet Land of Liberty: The Forgotten Struggle for Civil Rights in the North, a book exploring the stories of Northern activists who challenged racial inequality.
October 16, 2018 - MPR’s Peter Cox reports on creation of Josie Robinson Johnson fellowship. The University of Minnesota is establishing a fellowship in the name of one of the state's foremost civil rights leaders. The Josie Robinson Johnson fellowship will go to graduate students at the Humphrey School for Public Affairs who have specific interest in addressing racial inequities and injustices - a subject Johnson and other luminaries reflected on at event announcement.
November 7, 2018 - MPR’s Brian Bakst reports that Tim Walz, a former teacher and sergeant in the National Guard, is Minnesota's governor-elect. Walz joined a DFL sweep of statewide offices in a year when the party also regained control of the state House. Republicans retained the Minnesota Senate.
January 7, 2019 - MPR Special Coverage presents live broadcast of Governor Tim Walz inauguration, along with other constitutional officers, in an event held at the Fitzgerald Theater in downtown St. Paul.
February 19, 2019 - MPR’s Tim Pugmire reports on Governor Tim Walz releasing a two-year budget plan that provides a big funding boost for schools, raises the gas tax, restores the health care provider tax, and allows a buy-in option for MinnesotaCare. In announcing his first budget recommendations, the DFL governor says his priorities of education, health care and community prosperity reflect the promises he made as a candidate.
April 4, 2019 - MPR News Presents Governor Tim Walz's first 'State of the State' address. MPR political editor Mike Mulcahy hosts the broadcast and MPR political reporters Brian Bakst and Tim Pugmire interview key lawmakers after the address. Walz highlighted education, transportation, and healthcare.
April 4, 2019 - MPR’s Brian Bakst breaks down Governor Tim Walz’s first State of the State address. Walz aimed to connect everyday Minnesotans with the policies he’s pursuing in his initial year in office. Faced with the nation's only divided party Legislature, Walz implored lawmakers to put common purpose ahead of partisan ideology.
October 14, 2019 - Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan issued a proclamation declaring it Indigenous Peoples' Day in Minnesota. Several cities, including St. Paul and Minneapolis, celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day instead of Columbus Day. Flanagan, a member of the White Earth Nation and the first Indigenous statewide elected official, spoke to people celebrating at Indian Mounds Park.