MPR News with Angela Davis

Artificial intelligence is changing the way doctors diagnose diseases, treat patients and manage their workloads. More physicians are using AI than ever before, but questions remain about its accuracy, reliability and impact on patient care.MPR News host Angela Davis talks with an expert about how AI is being used in medicine, what’s working well and what researchers are developing next.Guest:Matt Redlon is chair of the AI program and vice president of digital biology in Mayo Clinic Digital Pathology. He leads efforts to develop and apply artificial intelligence in medicine, including tools that support disease diagnosis, drug discovery and medical research.

Neighborhood House was started in 1897 to help Jewish refugees escaping persecution in Russia. Nearly 130 years later, the St. Paul nonprofit continues to help immigrants, refugees and people in a transition or crisis. During the federal immigration enforcement surge, it delivered food to 750 local families. Last year, it was the largest provider of emergency rental assistance funds in Ramsey County. It also runs leadership and English classes for adults, afterschool activities for youth, and other programs. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with the president and CEO of Neighborhood House about the work of providing help — and hope — to neighbors in need. Guest: Janet Gracia is the president and CEO of Neighborhood House, a St. Paul nonprofit that serves nearly 10,000 households annually with food and housing support, family coaching, youth programs, English classes and other programs. She started the position in 2024 after working for nearly 30 years with Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys, including 15 years on the senior leadership team. She's a longtime resident of the West Side neighborhood in St. Paul. 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.    

Minnesota hospitals are facing growing financial pressures and patients are feeling the effects.A new report from the Minnesota Hospital Association warns of what it calls a “statewide crisis of care.” The report found that more than one in four hospitals lost money on operations in 2024, while the cost of providing care continues to rise. Some hospitals — especially in rural areas — have cut services, leaving patients with fewer options and longer distances to travel to get the care they need.MPR News host Angela Davis talks with her guests about what’s driving the financial challenges facing some hospitals, how those pressures are affecting patients and what can be done to protect access to health care across Minnesota.Guests:Dr. Rahul Koranne is a physician and the president and CEO of the Minnesota Hospital Association, an organization that represents Minnesota's hospitals and health systems. Rachelle Schultz is the president and CEO of Winona Health, an independent nonprofit health care system in southeastern Minnesota that operates a hospital, clinics and community-based services.

The term “political grief” has been gaining attention in recent years. Maybe you’ve experienced it yourself.It describes feelings of loss, frustration and uncertainty about the direction of the country — and a loss of trust in political leaders and public institutions.MPR News host Angela Davis talks with her guests about how emotions — including political grief — shaped the midterm election.Guests: The Rev. Karen Hutt is a Unitarian Universalist minister who has served congregations in Chicago and Minneapolis. She is also a board-certified chaplain who has worked in prisons and large metropolitan hospitals. She currently trains other chaplains. JaNaé Bates Imari is a minister and the co-executive director of ISAIAH, a multi-racial, multi-faith, nonpartisan coalition of faith communities in Minnesota. 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.    

Minnesota voters elected a new governor and U.S. senator on Tuesday, along with all seats in both chambers of the state Legislature.MPR News host Angela Davis talks with a historian and a political scientist about the 2026 midterm election results, what they mean for Minnesota, the country and what comes next.  Guests:Yohuru Williams is a distinguished university chair, professor of history and founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas.Whitney Court is a professor of political science at the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University. 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.    

Leading up to election day, a record number of Minnesotans have voted early. Early voting — in person, by mail or through an absentee ballot — has become increasingly popular for people who hope to avoid lines or cast their ballots when it’s convenient for them. And this year, Minnesota introduced a new process that allows early voters to place their ballots directly into the machine that counts them, just as they would on Election Day.MPR News host Angela Davis talks with her guests about why so many Minnesotans chose to vote early, how voting habits are changing and what Minnesotans should know if they’re heading to the polls on Election Day.Guests: Amy Perna is the executive director of the League of Women Voters of Minnesota, a nonpartisan organization dedicated to voter education and civic engagement. She leads the organization’s efforts to encourage voter participation, improve access to voting and help Minnesotans make informed decisions at the ballot box. Michael Minta is a professor and director of graduate studies in political science at the University of Minnesota. He is also the author of “No Longer Outsiders: Black and Latino Interest Group Advocacy on Capitol Hill.”

They’re siblings, they’re business partners and they know how to inspire generosity. Glen Fladeboe and Kristine Fladeboe Duininck are among the most well-known and busy auctioneers in Minnesota. You may have seen them at a nonprofit gala engaging the crowd, building excitement and calling bids. Coming up at 9 a.m. on Monday, MPR News host Angela Davis talks with her latest Power Pair about growing up on a farm near Willmar, Minnesota, stepping in to lead the family auction business after their father’s stroke and what it takes to inspire people to care about a cause and open their wallets. Guests: Glen Fladeboe is an auctioneer and partner with his sister in their second-generation, family-owned auction business. Fladeboe Advancement runs benefit auctions and consults with nonprofit organizations on fundraising. Fladeboe Land works with families and investors on the sale and purchase of Minnesota farmland. Kristine Fladeboe Duininck is an auctioneer and partner with her brother in Fladeboe Advancement and Fladeboe Land. She works with families and investors on the sale and purchase of Minnesota farmland. She was named the top female auctioneer in the U.S. in 2010 by the National Auctioneers Association. Check out Angela’s previous Power Pair conversations. Do you know a Power Pair?We’d love to hear your ideas for Power Pairs to interview. Send us your suggestions.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.    

There’s a lack of affordable housing across Minnesota. State projections say more than 182,000 new housing units across all types and prices points are needed by 2035 to create a healthy housing market.But the problem is especially acute in rural communities, due to a complicated mix of older housing in need of repairs, seniors remaining in single-family homes and high construction costs. MPR News host Kerri Miller devoted the final Rural Voice of 2026 to the lack of affordable housing — a problem that comes up at every town hall she moderates, no matter the topic. The town hall discussion took place on Oct. 6, in Marshall, where community leaders said housing is needed across the board — renters need more apartments, young families need single-family homes and seniors need places where they can affordably downsize. Creative solutions could include updated modular housing and repurposing the second stories of downtown spaces. Rural Voice: Marshall Leaders also linked housing to employment. Businesses can’t grow because there is no housing for more workers. Chad Adams, CEO at the Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership, said the business community needs to do more to help with the housing crisis and reminded local leaders that “housing is economic development.”

Do you toss and turn and have trouble falling asleep? Or do you wake in the middle of the night and struggle to get back to sleep? About a third of adults in the U.S. report that they don’t get the recommended seven hours of sleep each night. About one in ten people struggle with chronic insomnia. As we reset our clocks on Sunday and leave Daylight Savings Time, it’s a great time to also reset our sleep habits. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with a sleep expert about why sleep is so important for your body and your mind, what’s keeping people up and how to deal with common sleep problems.Guest: Dr. Michael Howell is a neurology professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School focused on sleep research. He sees patients through M Health Fairview's sleep clinics and is also the chief medical officer for GEM Sleep, a Minnesota-based virtual clinic with patients nationwide.

Halloween is just around the corner, and Minnesotans are getting ready with costumes, decorations and plenty of candy. From trick-or-treating and carving pumpkins to haunted houses and costume parties, Halloween traditions have evolved over generations. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with a Halloween historian about the history of the holiday. She’ll also talk with a longtime community volunteer from Anoka about why the city calls itself the Halloween Capital of the World.Guests:Lisa Morton is an author and Halloween historian who researches the holiday’s origins, traditions and cultural significance. She has written several books about Halloween, including “Trick or Treat: A History of Halloween” and “The Halloween Encyclopedia.”Karen George is a longtime Anoka resident and volunteer with Anoka Halloween, Inc. She is grand marshal of the city’s Halloween parades this year.