Catharine Richert
@catharinerichert.bsky.social
Minnesota Public Radio News reporter. Covering all things SE MN. Tips and rants welcome. NC -> OH -> DC -> MN.
Reposted by Catharine Richert
Environmental groups and concerned well owners in southeast Minnesota want to speed up meaningful regulation to mitigate high nitrate concentration, arguing it has a detrimental effect on human and ecological health.
Environmental, conservation groups apply pressure on nitrate contamination in southeast Minnesota
Environmental groups and concerned well owners in southeast Minnesota hope a lawsuit against the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Department of Agriculture will open up the rulemaking proces...
www.mprnews.org
July 22, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Environmental groups and concerned well owners in southeast Minnesota want to speed up meaningful regulation to mitigate high nitrate concentration, arguing it has a detrimental effect on human and ecological health.
This is an incredible story.
Their son joined ISIS. Then they learned he had kids in a Syrian detention camp
Years after their son left the U.S. to join ISIS, a Minnesota couple learned they had two young grandsons trapped in a Syrian desert camp. Bringing them home was complicated — and took years.
www.npr.org
May 28, 2025 at 12:39 PM
This is an incredible story.
“Many of Johnson’s peers around the state won’t touch the subject. Some educators and administrators say it’s too politically charged to tackle, and they fear a public backlash.” Via @eshockmanwrites.bsky.social
History we don’t teach: Floyd’s murder an uneasy subject in Minnesota schools
Minnesota was the epicenter of American history after the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police. But five years later, you’re unlikely to find it taught in Minnesota schools. Some teachers say...
www.mprnews.org
May 28, 2025 at 12:31 PM
“Many of Johnson’s peers around the state won’t touch the subject. Some educators and administrators say it’s too politically charged to tackle, and they fear a public backlash.” Via @eshockmanwrites.bsky.social
This update from Jeanette Rupert, one of the most remarkable people I met during the pandemic, has been a high point in my week.
Siblings reflect on 5 years of serving George Floyd Square and south Minneapolis
Jeanette Rupert, Jeanelle Austin and Butchy Austin grew up around 38th Street and Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis and all took action in different ways following the murder of George Floyd. They shared ...
www.mprnews.org
May 23, 2025 at 2:52 AM
This update from Jeanette Rupert, one of the most remarkable people I met during the pandemic, has been a high point in my week.
Reposted by Catharine Richert
Less than 10 percent of the Minnesota budget fell into place prior to the end of the Legislature’s 2025 session, forcing lawmakers into an overtime period with plenty to sort out before they can complete their must-do task.
Minnesota lawmakers fail to finish budget on time, head toward special session
The Legislature limped to session finish as overtime beckons. Most of the budget is yet to be complete.
www.mprnews.org
May 20, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Less than 10 percent of the Minnesota budget fell into place prior to the end of the Legislature’s 2025 session, forcing lawmakers into an overtime period with plenty to sort out before they can complete their must-do task.
“Is it possible that a fairly liberal school and a fairly conservative school could sit down at the table and learn to have constructive and civil conversations together about the world?"
These students have spent the last year finding out…
These students have spent the last year finding out…
Twin Cities conservative and liberal college students try not to stay in their lanes
For the last year, a group of conservative and liberal college students have been meeting monthly to talk politics. The result? New friendships and new perspectives.
www.mprnews.org
May 16, 2025 at 3:46 PM
“Is it possible that a fairly liberal school and a fairly conservative school could sit down at the table and learn to have constructive and civil conversations together about the world?"
These students have spent the last year finding out…
These students have spent the last year finding out…
Prof. Rachel Hardeman announced last month that she was resigning from the University, a process she said had been in the works for months before plagiarism accusations were made public. She criticized the U’s decision to shutter the center.
U of M shuts down research center plagued by plagiarism allegations
The school announced the closure of the Center for Antiracism Research for Health Equity one day after its founder, Rachel Hardeman, departed.
www.mprnews.org
May 16, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Prof. Rachel Hardeman announced last month that she was resigning from the University, a process she said had been in the works for months before plagiarism accusations were made public. She criticized the U’s decision to shutter the center.
Reposted by Catharine Richert
A controversial housing project in Duluth is pitting NIMBYs or "Not In My Backyard" opponents against yes-leaning YIMBYs who advocate for new housing. The Duluth City Council votes Monday on the housing development.
In Duluth, a controversial condo proposal brings out both NIMBYs and YIMBYs
The Duluth City Council votes Monday on a controversial housing development project. It pits NIMBYs or "Not In My Backyard" opponents against so-called YIMBYs or “Yes In My Backyard,” who advocate for...
www.mprnews.org
May 12, 2025 at 11:22 AM
A controversial housing project in Duluth is pitting NIMBYs or "Not In My Backyard" opponents against yes-leaning YIMBYs who advocate for new housing. The Duluth City Council votes Monday on the housing development.
Reposted by Catharine Richert
Leaders of the Black and Somali American communities in Rochester are calling for legal action after a video surfaced online of a Rochester woman calling a child a racial slur on a playground.
Viral video of racial slur incident sparks calls for legal action in Rochester
In a video that’s gained national attention, a Rochester woman called a Somali American child a racial slur on a playground at a public park. Leaders of the Black and Somali American communities in Ro...
www.mprnews.org
May 8, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Leaders of the Black and Somali American communities in Rochester are calling for legal action after a video surfaced online of a Rochester woman calling a child a racial slur on a playground.
“A recent survey of more than 50 metro-area school districts showed the vast majority expect budget shortfalls for the upcoming academic year. Some rural and suburban districts are also struggling to close gaps.”
Schools across Minnesota face ‘reckoning’ as they struggle to close budget gaps
Minnesota schools are facing budget shortfalls and staffing cuts as they face inflation, uncertainty from possible federal cuts and the rising costs of recent state legislation.
www.mprnews.org
May 1, 2025 at 10:28 AM
“A recent survey of more than 50 metro-area school districts showed the vast majority expect budget shortfalls for the upcoming academic year. Some rural and suburban districts are also struggling to close gaps.”
For the last week and a half I’ve been looking into how the U of MN handled plagiarism allegations against one of its most decorated professors. Read and listen below 👇
The University of Minnesota is facing accusations that it mishandled multiple reports of plagiarism by a star professor who’d brought millions of dollars in grants to the school.
U of M accused of mishandling plagiarism allegations against influential professor
University of Minnesota officials are facing accusations they mishandled claims of plagiarism against a prominent professor who delivered millions of dollars in grant money to the university.
www.mprnews.org
April 29, 2025 at 12:09 AM
For the last week and a half I’ve been looking into how the U of MN handled plagiarism allegations against one of its most decorated professors. Read and listen below 👇
Big news for @mprnews.org! Tom is one of the kindest and funniest journalists I’ve had the pleasure to work with… good thing he’s just heading upstairs to Classical 🎶 Onward and upward, Tom!
Longtime All Things Considered host Tom Crann returns to classical music roots
The longtime host of All Things Considered on MPR News is returning to his roots in classical music radio. Tom Crann, who has served as regional host of the station’s flagship evening news program for...
www.mprnews.org
April 19, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Big news for @mprnews.org! Tom is one of the kindest and funniest journalists I’ve had the pleasure to work with… good thing he’s just heading upstairs to Classical 🎶 Onward and upward, Tom!
The announcement came four days after a former protégé and colleague posted on LinkedIn that U of M Prof. Rachel Hardeman poached her work and passed it off as her own.
With reporting help from Matt Sepic.
With reporting help from Matt Sepic.
Influential U of M public health professor resigns amid plagiarism allegations
Rachel Hardeman’s work catapulted her to prominence following the murder of George Floyd in 2020. A St. Louis researcher, however, says Hardeman copied her work. Hardeman denies it. A University of Mi...
www.mprnews.org
April 16, 2025 at 12:50 AM
The announcement came four days after a former protégé and colleague posted on LinkedIn that U of M Prof. Rachel Hardeman poached her work and passed it off as her own.
With reporting help from Matt Sepic.
With reporting help from Matt Sepic.
This story from @elliemroth.bsky.social is a must read.
Low income housing around the state have serious problems that go unrepaired. Ellie’s investigation found that housing shortages mean city leaders are hesitant to hold landlords accountable.
Low income housing around the state have serious problems that go unrepaired. Ellie’s investigation found that housing shortages mean city leaders are hesitant to hold landlords accountable.
In documents and interviews, MPR News found problems tied to inspection processes and local political pressures that leave low-income renters in potentially unsafe buildings across greater Minnesota. In Bemidji, those problems have pushed their way to the surface.
Inspection shortfalls, political pressures leave low-income renters vulnerable in greater Minnesota
MPR News found problems tied to inspections and local political pressures that leave low-income renters in potential danger across greater Minnesota. In Bemidji, those problems have pushed their way t...
www.mprnews.org
April 9, 2025 at 5:05 PM
This story from @elliemroth.bsky.social is a must read.
Low income housing around the state have serious problems that go unrepaired. Ellie’s investigation found that housing shortages mean city leaders are hesitant to hold landlords accountable.
Low income housing around the state have serious problems that go unrepaired. Ellie’s investigation found that housing shortages mean city leaders are hesitant to hold landlords accountable.
Reposted by Catharine Richert
JUST IN: Minnesota State University, Mankato said in an email Monday that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement apprehended a student at an off-campus residence.
MSU Mankato student detained by ICE
President Edward Inch notified students and faculty with a campus-wide email about the detainment on Monday afternoon. No reasons were given for the student’s detainment.
www.mprnews.org
March 31, 2025 at 8:32 PM
JUST IN: Minnesota State University, Mankato said in an email Monday that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement apprehended a student at an off-campus residence.
Reposted by Catharine Richert
The international graduate student was enrolled at the school’s Twin Cities campus, according to the email sent Friday evening.
University of Minnesota says ICE detained a graduate student
U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officials Thursday detained a University of Minnesota graduate student at an off-campus residence. The international graduate student was enrolled at the scho...
www.mprnews.org
March 28, 2025 at 11:04 PM
The international graduate student was enrolled at the school’s Twin Cities campus, according to the email sent Friday evening.
A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has ended. But even as peace in the region seems out of reach, a group of Twin Cities Palestinian peace activists and Jewish people have continued to meet and have difficult conversations.
Especially proud of this one. Give it a listen.
Especially proud of this one. Give it a listen.
She’s a rabbi. He’s a Palestinian peace activist. They’re trying to start a movement
A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has ended. But even as peace in the region seems out of reach, a group of Twin Cities Palestinian peace activists and Jewish people have continued to meet ...
www.mprnews.org
March 21, 2025 at 2:11 AM
A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has ended. But even as peace in the region seems out of reach, a group of Twin Cities Palestinian peace activists and Jewish people have continued to meet and have difficult conversations.
Especially proud of this one. Give it a listen.
Especially proud of this one. Give it a listen.
Reposted by Catharine Richert
Wastewater sampling wasn't routinely done for public health purposes before the COVID pandemic, but as case numbers climbed, scientists and public health officials saw the value of getting a sneak peak of where the virus was spreading — and where the next hot spot might be.
COVID boosted efforts to track diseases in wastewater
Before the COVID pandemic, wastewater sampling wasn't routinely done for public health purposes. But as the case number climbed scientists and public health officials saw the value of getting a sneak ...
www.mprnews.org
March 13, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Wastewater sampling wasn't routinely done for public health purposes before the COVID pandemic, but as case numbers climbed, scientists and public health officials saw the value of getting a sneak peak of where the virus was spreading — and where the next hot spot might be.
In many cases, the cycle of homelessness can start with an eviction. Kids with unstable housing struggle to learn in school. So a new program in Rochester is preventing evictions from ever happening to kids and their families.
In Rochester, a new program helps students’ families avoid eviction
In many cases, the cycle of homelessness can start with an eviction. Kids with unstable housing struggle to learn in school. So a new program in Rochester is preventing evictions from ever happening t...
www.mprnews.org
March 13, 2025 at 2:50 AM
In many cases, the cycle of homelessness can start with an eviction. Kids with unstable housing struggle to learn in school. So a new program in Rochester is preventing evictions from ever happening to kids and their families.
Never watched Love Is Blind before, probably won’t again.
But it sure did raise some interesting questions for Talking Sense.
(Audio only, writing from @mprnews.org LIB experts @samstroozas.bsky.social and Feven Gerezgiher).
But it sure did raise some interesting questions for Talking Sense.
(Audio only, writing from @mprnews.org LIB experts @samstroozas.bsky.social and Feven Gerezgiher).
Love is political? ‘Love is Blind’ Minneapolis season centers politics more than ever
Production of season eight took place in early 2024 while primaries were still underway for the presidential election. During the pods, participants had in-depth conversations about the LGBTQ+ communi...
www.mprnews.org
March 11, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Never watched Love Is Blind before, probably won’t again.
But it sure did raise some interesting questions for Talking Sense.
(Audio only, writing from @mprnews.org LIB experts @samstroozas.bsky.social and Feven Gerezgiher).
But it sure did raise some interesting questions for Talking Sense.
(Audio only, writing from @mprnews.org LIB experts @samstroozas.bsky.social and Feven Gerezgiher).
Reposted by Catharine Richert
The COVID-19 pandemic upended life in Minnesota and across the country in March 2020. Schools and businesses closed. Hospitals nearly reached a breaking point as deaths and hospitalizations leaped. Five charts show different ways in which the pandemic shaped us.
COVID in Minnesota: Five years in five graphs
The COVID-19 pandemic upended life in Minnesota and across the country in March 2020. Schools and businesses closed. Hospitals nearly reached a breaking point as deaths and hospitalizations leaped. Fi...
www.mprnews.org
March 10, 2025 at 11:08 AM
The COVID-19 pandemic upended life in Minnesota and across the country in March 2020. Schools and businesses closed. Hospitals nearly reached a breaking point as deaths and hospitalizations leaped. Five charts show different ways in which the pandemic shaped us.
🧵5-ish years ago, I was at a dinner party with a bunch of doctors. We mostly talked about this coronavirus (we didn’t really have a name for it yet) that had made its way from China to the U.S.
Their anxiety was palpable. I remember saying to one “well, maybe it will be over fast.”
Her answer….
Their anxiety was palpable. I remember saying to one “well, maybe it will be over fast.”
Her answer….
March 10, 2025 at 7:01 PM
🧵5-ish years ago, I was at a dinner party with a bunch of doctors. We mostly talked about this coronavirus (we didn’t really have a name for it yet) that had made its way from China to the U.S.
Their anxiety was palpable. I remember saying to one “well, maybe it will be over fast.”
Her answer….
Their anxiety was palpable. I remember saying to one “well, maybe it will be over fast.”
Her answer….
The Courage Kenny adaptive skiing program has been teaching people living with disabilities downhill sports for decades. A few weeks ago, they let me tag along.
At Welch Village, people living with disability learn courage through skiing
For decades, people living with disabilities have hit the slopes at Welch Village ski resort. They ski, they snowboard and enjoy being outside — all as students in the Courage Kenny adaptive ski progr...
www.mprnews.org
February 26, 2025 at 1:19 PM
The Courage Kenny adaptive skiing program has been teaching people living with disabilities downhill sports for decades. A few weeks ago, they let me tag along.