Two guests joined host Marianne Combs to discuss the way our TV and movie consumption has changed, the economics behind that, and how to be smart consumers of media. Neal Justin is the Star Tribune's TV critic, and Daniel Fienberg is Television Critic for The Hollywood Reporter.

A growing body of research has found microscopic plastic pollution in our oceans and freshwater. Researchers recently reviewed the risks of plastic in drinking water and found that 93 percent of bottled water tested showed signs of microplastic contamination. So how do we stop plastics from polluting our rivers, oceans and drinking water? MPR host Marianne Combs spoke to two guests: Sherri Mason, professor of chemistry at The State University of New York at Fredonia, and Emily DiFrisco,...

Sarah Bellamy of the Penumbra Theatre joined the program to help answer that question. She joined host Mike Mulcahy.

Host Mike Mulcahy spoke to MPR reporter John Enger about his struggles to find childcare in Bemidji. Then he turned to two guests to discuss where parents and childcare providers struggle. They were Marnie Werner, the executive director of the Center for Rural Policy and Development and Jim Koppel, the assistant commissioner for Children and Family Services for the Minnesota Department of Human Services.

In this episode of Counter Stories, our hosts looked at the news through the lens of diversity. They discussed the reaction surrounding the latest shooting of an unarmed black man in Sacramento, Cali. The shooting has sparked unrest and unease in California's capital city and ongoing concerns about strained community and police relations nationwide. Correction (April 3, 2018): A previous version of this story included the incorrect audio. This is the correct audio for this episode of Counter...

To kick off MPR's month-long series of special programs about water, MPR's Mike Mulcahy hosted a program about Minnesota's lakes - why do we have so many, and what are the greatest threats to their health? He was joined by two guests: Adam Heathcote from the Science Museum of Minnesota and Jeff Forester from Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates.

The rental market is doing very well in the Twin Cities. Vacancies are low. Rent is rising. That's all good news for developers. But bad news for renters. Sam Young is an economist with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, he talked about the market now and look to the future. Luke Grundman is an attorney with Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid. He spoke to the issues that renters face.

Host Mike Mulcahy spoke with Rep. Pat Garofalo and Sen. Jeff Hayden about multiple issues. Then, Rep. Jenifer Loon joined the program to talk about the Republican bill to fund school safety measures. And finally, Mike closed the show with a look at the week's political news. He was joined by reporters Mark Zdechlik and Brian Bakst.

The latest episode of Counter stories, our hosts look at the news through the lens of diversity. They discussed the reaction surrounding the latest shooting of an unarmed black man in Sacramento California. The shooting has sparked unrest and unease in California's capital city and ongoing concerns about strained community and police relations nationwide.

The 83-year-old primatologist spoke to a sold-out crowd at Northrop Auditorium at the University of Minnesota. She spoke to MPR's Tom Weber.

Host Marianne Combs spoke with two competitors, Chynna Heu and Leo Remke-Rochard, and TruArtSpeaks program organizer Guante Tran Myhre.

How can businesses take concrete steps to address diversity in the workplace? MPR News host Marianne Combs spoke to three guests: Sharon Smith-Akinsanya, director of POC Career Fest; Vivian Chow, director of marketing at Rembrandt Foods; and Janine Sanders Jones, associate professor of Operations and Supply Chain Management at the University of St Thomas.

And should they be required to carry a gun? That question was posed to three Minnesota educators by host Marianne Combs. She spoke to Education Minnesota president Denise Specht, 2016 Minnesota Teacher of the Year Abdul Wright and Maria Le, a teacher at Central Park Elementary in Roseville.

How vulnerable is our aging power grid - to threats of any sort -- particularly in this age of cyberattacks? Two guests will join MPR's Mike Mulcahy for a look at that question.

MPR News' Matt Sepic provides mosque bombing case update with Mike Mulcahy.

MPR host Mike Mulcahy spoke about the future of cars and cities with Frank Douma, of the Humphrey School, MNDoT Commissioner Charles Zelle and transportation consultant Mary Smith of Walker Consultants.

This time, the crew discusses several stories in the news, including DFL Gov. Mark Dayton's State of the State address, and a history of racist coverage at National Geographic. Guests were: Don Eubanks, assistant professor at Metropolitan State University and cultural consultant; Anthony Galloway, owner, Umoja Consulting; Luz Maria Frias, president and CEO of YWCA Minneapolis; Mary Anne Quiroz, co-director and co-founder of Indigenous Roots Cultural Arts Center; and Jonathan Blakley, program...

Rep. Mark Uglem joined the program to talk about his legislation that would mandate hands-free cellphone devices will driving. He joined host Mike Mulcahy. Mike was also joined by Minnesota Secretary of State Scott Simon, Congressman Tom Emmer and political reporters Tim Pugmire and Brian Bakst.

Tina Smith is settling into her job as Minnesota's junior senator, even as she prepares to run in November to keep her seat. The democrat was sworn in Jan. 3 to replace Al Franken, who resigned in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations. MPR's Mike Mulcahy spoke with Smith about issues facing Congress, especially those that affect Minnesota--as well as the big election year of 2018.

Ultra-marathon runner Courtney Dauwalter spoke to MPR's Tom Weber about what it's like to push your body to the limits and come back for more.

MPR's Marianne Combs spoke with poet and essayist Kevin Young about his new nonfiction book, "Bunk: The Rise of Hoaxes, Humbug, Plagiarists, Phonies, Post-Facts, and Fake News." Young will be in Minnesota next week for some live events. His book is published by Minneapolis-based Graywolf Press.

Reporter Dan Kraker spoke to host Marianne Combs about students leaving class at 10 a.m. on Wednesday to protest gun violence nationwide.

Yvette Erasmus and Resmaa Menakem discussed anger with host Marianne Combs--what it is, where it comes from, and when it can be used for good. They also discussed why some people are judged more harshly for displaying their anger than are others.

Penumbra Theatre Company in St. Paul recently asked Minnesotans to share their experiences of life in America. They then took twelve finalists and helped them to develop their work for the stage. The results paint a vibrant picture of the hopes and struggles of an increasingly diverse country. This hour contains the work of three contributors, plus a discussion about the program with Sarah Bellamy, Penumbra's artistic director. This hour was hosted by MPR News' Marianne Combs.

On the show this week: gun safety legislation, a potential senate candidate and a chat with our political reporters.