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Listen: 'Spring Moon – A Musical Celebration of the Lunar New Year'

February 1, 2022

Tuesday, Feb. 1 marks the beginning of the Lunar New Year. This festive holiday is known as Chun Jie (Spring Festival) in China, Tet Nguyen Dan in Vietnam and Seollal in Korea.  It’s celebrated in other countries and cultures as well, mainly in East Asia. The Lunar New Year begins on the first new moon of the new year, which means the dates of the holiday vary in relation to the Gregorian calendar. It calls for celebration and togetherness, and signifies the beginning of a new sign in the zodiac. Classical host Mindy Ratner explores the significance of the holiday and the zodiac signs in Spring Moon – A Musical Celebration of the Lunar New Year.

Big surplus, big stakes as Legislature reconvenes

January 31, 2022

Minnesota’s divided Legislature returns to action Monday with lawmakers proposing competing ideas about how to spend a record projected $7.7 billion budget surplus.  - Walz asks lawmakers Back record $2.7 billion bonding bill - MN Senate Republicans Crime, tax cuts set as top session priorities - GOP governor hopefuls Political experience is line of division - Precinct caucuses DFL allows ineligible voters to take part

Growing number of police departments training cops on how to intervene with colleagues

January 30, 2022

Minneapolis police have had a “duty-to-intervene” policy since 2016, and the state of Minnesota passed a similar law in the summer after Floyd’s killing. However, an expert says a policy does not equal training.  - Ex-MPD cops' federal trial Expert, bystander testimony continues - Thursday Witness says 3 officers at Floyd killing had duty to intervene - Explainer Will Chauvin testify at trial of 3 other cops?

Subscribe to Moment of Um!

January 29, 2022

Have you subscribed to Moment of Um, the new podcast from the makers of Brains On, Smash Boom Best and Forever Ago? Find the answers to those head-scratching questions that seem to pop up out of nowhere. Bite-sized episodes come out every weekday - the perfect brain snack!

'Latins on Ice' takes comical look at life for Latino newcomers to Minnesota

January 28, 2022

The subzero temperatures. Minnesota Nice. Isolation. These are some of the real-life issues tackled by the actors in the production staged Saturday and Sunday on frozen Lake Nokomis. - 'Latins on Ice' and more Part of the Great Northern Festival, celebrating winter culture - ‘Sí se puede’ Minnesota’s fast-growing Latino community is layered and complex

The Thread: What library lovers are reading

January 26, 2022

“Some of my happiest times as a kid were being turned loose in our small-town library, knowing that my mother had told the librarian I could check out any book I wanted.” Kerri Miller of MPR News shared how she values libraries, as well as the borrowing habits of her fellow readers who belong to libraries in other cities. Read: What library lovers are reading

In Rochester’s library, social worker helps those in need

January 24, 2022

From her corner office on the second floor of the Rochester Public Library, Allison Carpenter dispenses advice and useful information — not about books but about social services like food and housing support. Carpenter’s role is part of a growing trend that recognizes that libraries are more than just a place to read. Listen & learn more on MPR News