MPR News Impact Report – March 2026 

Mar 29, 2026

MPR News Impact Report – March 2026

Donor support powers Minnesota Public Radio’s (MPR) and American Public Media’s (APM) commitment to inform, include, and inspire every day as we cover the issues and stories that matter most to our audiences and communities. Never has this been more evident than during recent, intense breaking federal news in our own backyard.  MPR News journalists worked around the clock, often in harm’s way, to provide Minnesotans and the nation with the latest trusted, fact-based reporting, reporting grounded in the key questions our members and audience ask: Is it true?  How does it affect me?  Help me understand?  

As resources became strained, our generous donors and partners stepped in to ensure the critical reporting continued. We could not do this without you.  We stand together every day, resilient and ready to continue reporting the stories impacting every corner of our state.  Thank you for making sure the courageous journalism and authentic conversations of MPR News remain accessible to everyone.

Highlights

Every day, MPR News brings our listeners and members the trusted local journalism they need when they need it. Here are some highlights from early 2026:

• MPR News Immigration Coverage in Minnesota.

• The nation has been watching Minneapolis and has been turning to MPR. This story highlights how MPRNews.org has officially become the top online public media source in the country. Due to our ongoing news coverage of ICE in Minnesota, web traffic to MPRNews.org has quadrupled in the past few months, and we work hard to ensure that the site is secure and stable.   

• MPR News and The Middle with Jeremy Hobson hosted a Town Hall. Hosts Jeremy Hobson and Catharine Richert led the discussion and shared stories and perspectives on what’s really been happening in our community and what life has felt like in Minnesota during the unprecedented immigration enforcement operation. Watch it here. 

• MPR News with Catharine Richert began hosting an evening call-in show on radio, social channels and video, as an outlet for listener questions and connection.  This programming will continue at least through March, Monday-Wednesday at 8 p.m.  Listen/watch live on mprnews.org or Watch one here. 

• MPR News Reporters like Cait Kelley, Alanna Elder, Ellen Finn and Aleesa Kuznetsov highlighted all aspects of this period of time in Minnesota including sharing the stories from people impacted the most - 'This isn’t living, right?’: Minnesota immigrants share their stories while in hiding from ICE

MPR News is a national leader, with more than 45 MPR reporter appearances on national news outlets 

• Photojournalists (Ben Hovland and Kerem Yücel) have had photos used in outlets worldwide.

• Millions of video views across MPR News social and YouTube channels, growing our Instagram following to 320,000+.

• Brian Bakst appeared on MS NOW with Nicolle Wallace, TPT's Almanac, and on Here and Now from WBUR. 

• Matt Sepic was featured in several stories including WABE: Closer Look with Rose Scott, NPR Here and Now, WHYY Studio 2, KQED San Francisco: Forum, WAMU: 1A, Morning Edition/Up First   

• Jon Collins  was featured on Al Jazeera - The Take, The Intercept Briefing podcast , and Slate: What’s Next 

• Clay Masters was interviewed on  NPR Politics Podcast  and Dana Ferguson was on  Marketplace: Make Me Smart. 

Community Response

• Riley in San Diego, CA: Your reporting, commitment to fair journalism, and willingness to engage the public has been so essential this month. Thank you. 

• Edward in Shorewood, MN: MPR's honest, careful, coverage of this dark moment in our state made me realize how critical it is to have access to a news source with integrity available to all. In this era of polarization, journalistic integrity is in short supply, and I am proud to support access to high quality news for my country and state.

• Julie in Westford, MA: I’m supporting the vital journalism of Minnesota. Please continue the courageous work!

• Kathy in Apple Valley, MN: When I listen to MPR, I have a sense of confidence that the information I am listening to is reliable and trustworthy. Because of that, I feel a sense of peace.

• Dana in West Lakeland, MN: Long time sustaining donor. Wanting to increase my donation because the journalism you're doing covering the reality of ICE disruption in our state is so very, very important. Thank you.

• Sara in Wilkes-Barre, PA: Sending this donation from Pennsylvania to support the work of your news team in Minneapolis. Please continue this hard work and know that it means so much to so many. Thank you for what you do.

• Melissa in Diamond Bar, CA: Supporting your work documenting ICE actions from California.

• Alan in Peterborough, England: Honest reporting is so important in times like this. Keep up the good work.