Minnesota Now

Live, down to earth, unscripted interviews that aim to connect, inform and entertain. Real people share real stories with MPR News host Nina Moini. It’s journalism that doesn’t take itself too seriously and puts people first.

Minnesota Now is a business podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 0 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 82. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts Minnesota Now, a business show with 0 episodes published.

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  Minnesota Now

  Minnesota Now: Aug. 19, 2026

  Aug 19, 202610 min

  Minnesota's gas prices are higher than the national average, after seeing a 20 cent spike in the past week. An expert explained what's behind the prices at the pump and what it would take for prices to decrease. A federal hemp ban may be delayed after a vote in Congress. Brewers of local hemp-THC drinks hope the delay gives lawmakers more time to reconsider regulations of the lucrative business. Plus, we heard from one of the candidates running for Hennepin County Attorney, Anders Folk. On Thursday, we’ll hear from his opponent, Cedrick Frazier. MPR chief meteorologist Ben Cathey shared his weekly weather outlook. And local teen poets will showcase work that imagines the world they want to see. The Minnesota Music Minute was “Unbound” by Bizhiki and “My Friends, How to Fail“ by Piltdown was the Song of the Day.

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  Minnesota Now

  Anders Folk looks to bring federal prosecution experience to Hennepin Co. Attorney's office

  Aug 19, 202612 min

  There were two winners out of last week’s primary: Former federal prosecutor and Acting U.S. Attorney for Minnesota Anders Folk and state Rep. Cedrick Frazier. It sets up a November matchup for the seat being vacated by Mary Moriarty. We spoke with both candidates and will air those conversations Wednesday and Thursday, starting with Anders Folk. Folk signed the federal indictment against Derek Chauvin in the murder of George Floyd. He was also a senior counsel in the Department of Justice under President Joe Biden.

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  Minnesota Now

  Teen poets to share work reflecting on history and the future they hope for

  Aug 19, 202610 min

  How do teens imagine the future of our country and world? That's the question a group of youth poets will answer at a reading taking place Thursday at the Bell Museum. It's the culmination of a program that spanned several weeks where a group of teens took workshops and received mentorship from adult writers. In that time, they reflected on the 250th anniversary of the U.S. and were prompted to imagine the world they want to see. Knox Frederickson is one of the teen poets and a rising senior. Amanda Rosas is one of the mentors and a teacher at Visitation School. They talked with MPR News host Nina Moini and shared pieces of their work.

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  Minnesota Now

  Duluth brewery 'trimming' costs while pushing for delay, action on nationwide hemp THC ban

  Aug 19, 202610 min

  It’s the fine print of federal laws that has made — and potentially unmade — the hemp-derived THC industry. Most recently, the U.S. Senate voted to delay a nationwide ban on these products from Nov. 12 to Dec. 12. The move was part of a government funding measure the House will need to approve when it returns from recess at the end of this month. One of the businesses watching this closely is Bent Paddle Brewing in Duluth. The brewery began selling hemp-derived THC drinks in 2022 and now has a countdown clock for the ban on its website, set to the November date. Bent Paddle co-founder and CEO Bryon Tonnis joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about how he’s navigating the uncertainty and what a ban could mean for breweries in the state.

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  Minnesota Now

  Why Minnesota gas prices are above $4 and the national average

  Aug 19, 20268 min

  Gas prices are on the rise again. According to AAA , Minnesota's average on Wednesday sat at $4.14. That's 20 cents higher than a week before and higher than the national average. University of St. Thomas economics professor Tyler Schipper said it's not likely prices will significantly fall any time soon, unless there are long-term solutions to ongoing global conflicts and issues. He joined MPR News host Nina Moini to explain.

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