The Current's 20th Anniversary Celebration
January 7, 2025
The Current is turning 20 years old! To celebrate, we are excited to present TWO special nights of incredible music at First Avenue. Get your tickets now!
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The 41 best books MPR News staff read in 2024
January 6, 2025
From a submarine survival adventure during World War II to an exploration of the dark side of a Catholic convent on the Irish countryside, our staff has wide-ranging taste for their favorite book they read in 2024. Check out the following suggestions (and maybe focus on the Minnesota authors first, eh?). Note: Not all of these books were released this year. We instead opened submissions to include any book a staffer read this year.
The Current's Top 89 Songs of 2024
January 3, 2025
On New Year's Eve (Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024) we counted down this year's Top 89 songs, as voted by you! We couldn't do Top 89 and other adventurous programming like this without your support. Here are the results!
Here are 14 Minnesota stories and videos that made us smile in 2024
December 30, 2024
2024 was filled with with ups and downs. But for this end-of-year roundup, we’re focused on the heart-warming, feel-good news that made us smile. From felines being reunited with their families to a rare and stinky flower with thousands of fans, here are some of the stories that lifted our spirits this year.
Review: In 'A Complete Unknown,' Bob Dylan emerges as a folk hero in more ways than one
December 23, 2024
Bob Dylan is one of the world’s most influential and revered songwriters, but so much remains mysterious about his life and career. In that rich, ambiguous space, director James Mangold has created a beautiful biographical depiction of the man born Robert Zimmerman in Duluth, Minnesota, in 1941.
Listen to 'YourClassical Christmas Favorites,' as ranked by you
December 19, 2024
You ranked your favorite holiday tunes. Now, they’ve been compiled into ‘YourClassical Christmas Favorites,’ hosted by Tom Crann and Valerie Kahler. Listen now!
St. Paul schools set to pick next superintendent
December 19, 2024
Three finalists finished interviews with the school board, which is expected to announce its decision Thursday night. Brenda Cassellius, Rhoda Mhiripiri-Reed and Stacie Stanley all have experience running school systems.
Rising star from Minneapolis brings LGBTQ+ representation to pro wrestling
December 18, 2024
As a Black gay man, Devon Monroe is paving the way for a new kind of pro wrestler — flamboyant, authentic, confident — and building a loyal fan base while he’s doing it.
New Twin Cities program aims to get more food donations to people in need
December 17, 2024
Nonprofit Food Connect is starting a project in the Twin Cities. The organization transports donations to meal sites and food shelves. It’s meant to keep food out of landfills and make it easier for donation sites to get it.
Carols, Customs and Candlelight: A Celtic Christmas Celebration
December 13, 2024
The Celtic lands of Northwestern Europe have an especially rich musical heritage, and many Christmas songs and carols come from Celtic nations. Listen as host Andrea Blain explores music and customs that have roots in ancient winter celebrations and traditional Christmas festivals.