Advertise on podcast: MPR News with Angela Davis

Over the past month, federal immigration enforcement has focused on the city of Minneapolis. Their presence and aggressive tactics have forced city leaders to navigate complex questions about authority, cooperation, and the role of local government.   At the center of that conversation is the city’s community safety commissioner, Todd Barnette. He oversees the Minneapolis Police Department along with the city’s fire department, 911 services, emergency management and neighborhood safety programs — with the goal of improving communication, accountability, equity, and service delivery. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Barnette about leadership, reform, and the path forward. Guest: Todd Barnette is the community safety commissioner for the city of Minneapolis. Before his current role, he served 17 years as a judge in the Hennepin County District Court, including terms as presiding judge of drug court, presiding judge of the criminal division, and chief judge, where he was the first person of color to hold the position. He is also an adjunct faculty member and mentor at the University of St. Thomas Law School. 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.     

MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Minnesota school superintendents about how the surge in federal immigration activity is affecting student attendance, learning, and safety — and what it means for families and schools.  Guests: Brenda Lewis is the superintendent of Fridley Public Schools.Christine Tucci Osorio is the superintendent for School District 622 which includes North St. Paul, Maplewood and Oakdale.

Businesses across Minnesota are feeling the strain as the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown moves into its seventh week. Immigrant-owned businesses — and companies that rely on immigrant workers — have been hit especially hard. Employers say many workers are staying home, worried about being stopped or detained by immigration officers. At the same time, customers are also staying away, as fear and tension ripple through communities following the recent killings of two U.S. citizens, Alex Pretti and Renee Good. The result? Short-staffing, reduced hours, lost revenue — and a lot of uncertainty about what comes next. MPR News guest host Chris Farrell looks at how this surge in enforcement is disrupting business as usual and what people can do to support their local shops and restaurants. Guests: R.T. Rybak is the president and CEO of the Minneapolis Foundation, which just announced plans to distribute $3.5 million to businesses hurt by the immigration enforcement surge. He is also a former mayor of Minneapolis. Miguel Hernandez is the owner of Lito's Burritos, with locations on Lake Street in Minneapolis and Richfield. He grew up working in his parents’ Richfield restaurant, El Tejaban Mexican Grill.  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.      

Healthcare providers across the state say fear of federal immigration operations are keeping patients from doctors’ offices and emergency rooms. Patients are canceling appointments, delaying treatment and avoiding care altogether — not because they aren’t sick, but because they’re afraid.   That fear has very real consequences. When people delay care, their health suffers, and puts a strain on families, clinics and the broader health care system.   Coming up at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks about how ICE’s presence is reshaping access to health care in Minnesota — what providers see on the ground, what it means for public health, and how clinics and hospitals are responding. 

As federal immigration enforcement has surged in Minnesota, so has assistance to immigrants. Across Minnesota, people are supporting immigrant neighbors who are too afraid to leave their homes. Volunteers are delivering groceries and giving rides. They’re helping with rent and pitching in with everything from dog walking to legal services. The support is grassroots, organized through local neighborhood groups, congregations and school communities.  MPR News Guest host Catharine Richert talks with guests and listeners about what volunteers are doing, what motivates them and the impact they’re having.

Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old Minneapolis resident, was killed by Border Patrol agents on Saturday. The shooting has renewed protests after weeks of aggressive federal immigration action.   The federal government’s account of what happened differs starkly from bystander video footage. Civil liberties groups say that’s exactly why independent observation and documentation of law enforcement actions is important. Documentation can be a tool for accountability, legal challenges and public trust. But misunderstanding your rights can put you at risk. MPR News guest host Catharine Richert explores what constitutional observers are, what rights they have and what can be considered interference.  Guest: Francisco Segovia is the executive director of COPAL, a Minneapolis nonprofit serving Minnesota's Latino communities.

Faith communities across Minnesota are facing a hard question: What happens when federal immigration enforcement collides with religious conviction? A recent protest inside a church has also raised questions about free speech, religious freedom and the role of faith leaders in moments of moral conflict. MPR News guest host Catharine Richert explores how churches and other religious communities are responding to the legal and moral questions raised by federal actions in Minnesota and why immigration enforcement has become such a flashpoint for people of faith.

Recent federal immigration enforcement actions are creating fear, anger or uncertainty for some Minnesota families. And mental health providers say that anxiety doesn’t stop with adults. Stress in young people might show up as sleeplessness, trouble focusing in school or a deep sense of worry about family safety. MPR News host Angela Davis talks about what children, teenagers and young adults are experiencing right now and how the adults in their lives can support their mental health. Guest: Ana Mariella Rivera is a licensed clinical social worker and therapist in private practice in St. Paul who works with teenagers, young adults and families. She is also an adjunct professor of social work at St. Catherine University. Resources shared during the show: ”Good People Everywhere” by Lynea Gillen, ”Something Happened to My Dad: A Story about Immigration and Family Separation” by Ann Hazzard, ”The Breaking News” by Sarah Lynne Reul and ”Most People” by Michael Leannah. If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs immediate mental health support, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also find the number for your local crisis team here.

Federal immigration enforcement activity has increased in Minnesota in recent weeks, prompting questions, concern and uncertainty in many communities. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Minnesotans who have had recent interactions with federal immigration officers. They talk about how enforcement is affecting daily life, public spaces and community trust. Guests: Ahmed Bin Hassan is a rideshare driver who was questioned by U.S. Border Patrol agents outside the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in a now-viral video. State Rep. Peter Fischer, DFL-Little Canada, has represented Little Canada and most of Maplewood since 2013. Julie Vossen-Henslin is involved with a group of people trying to document the increased federal immigration enforcement in Willmar. She is also trying to support family members of people who are taken into federal custody. To report incidents related to recent federal actions in Minnesota, the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office created this Federal Action Reporting Form. 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.     

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a chance to reflect on King’s life, his words and the work he urged us to continue.  King believed in justice rooted in community, in young people as leaders and in the power of any individual to create the change they want to see.  Coming up at 9 a.m. on Monday, MPR News host Angela Davis talks with high school students across Minnesota who are engaging with King’s message in meaningful ways. They’re leading student groups, organizing for change, serving their communities and asking hard questions about equity and justice.

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. 

Increased immigration enforcement and Wednesday’s fatal shooting of a Minneapolis woman by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent have left some Minnesotans feeling frightened, angry or overwhelmed. MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about how to manage fear, anxiety and emotional overload during stressful times. Guests: Corey Yeager is a licensed marriage and family therapist who has a doctorate in family social science. He has worked for Minneapolis Public Schools and with the Minneapolis Police Department. He was a psychotherapist for the Detroit Pistons and he is the author of “How Am I Doing? 40 Conversations to Have with Yourself.” Chris Farrell is senior economics contributor for MPR News and Marketplace.

On Wednesday morning, a woman was shot and killed during what ICE describes as a targeted enforcement operation in south Minneapolis.  In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security said one of its officers fired his weapon in an act of self-defense as the woman “weaponized her vehicle.” However, elected officials and local law enforcement leaders are challenging that account, saying they see no evidence that the shooting was an act of self-defense.    MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with her guests about what’s known about the fatal shooting, what remains unclear and the legal questions it raises about federal authority, use of force and civil liberties. Guests: Sarah Thamer is the senior reporter for the MPR News Race, Class and Communities team.Emmanuel Mauleón is an associate professor of law at the University of Minnesota who researches policing, surveillance and racial justice.Jenn Budd is a former senior patrol agent with the US border patrol and author of “Against the Wall: My Journey from Border Patrol Agent to Immigrant Rights Activist.” Liliana Zaragoza is an associate professor of clinical law and director of the Racial Justice Law Clinic at the University of Minnesota Law School. 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.