Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Clay Masters @claymasters.bsky.social · 6d

First Avenue Stage Manager Conrad Sverkerson died this week. He was 66. I stopped by First Ave. to talk with some of the staff about him on Friday. www.mprnews.org/story/2025/1...

First Avenue's stage manager leaves a larger-than-life legacy

Known mostly just by his first name, Conrad Sverkerson had worked at First Avenue in Minneapolis since 1988 and had been stage manager since 1990.

www.mprnews.org

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Reposted by Clay Masters

The New York Times @nytimes.com · 10d

Ian Roberts, the superintendent of the Des Moines Public Schools system, will submit his resignation on Tuesday, his lawyer said, days after federal immigration agents arrested him and accused him of living and working illegally in the U.S.

Schools Superintendent in Iowa, Arrested by ICE, Plans to Resign

A lawyer for Ian Roberts, superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, announced that Dr. Roberts would step down.

nyti.ms

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Clay Masters @claymasters.bsky.social · 11d

Howdy! First shift behind the microphone as @mprnews.org new All Things Considered. Honored to be here alongside a talented cast of producers, newscasters, reporters, editors and technical directors. Let’s get to it!

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Reposted by Clay Masters

gretchen brown, real snoopy enjoyer @gretchenbrown.bsky.social · 11d

@mprnews.org has a new all things considered host for the first time in 20 years. @claymasters.bsky.social is behind da mic!!!!!

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Clay Masters @claymasters.bsky.social · 23d

Some professional news. www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...

MPR News names Clay Masters as next All Things Considered host

Clay Masters has been covering state and national politics for MPR News since his arrival in January 2024. Before that, he worked for 12 years at Iowa Public Radio, 10 of them as a host of Morning Edi...

www.mprnews.org

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Clay Masters @claymasters.bsky.social · Sep 3

Excellent.

pitchfork.com/news/radiohe...

Radiohead Announce First Tour in 7 Years

The European run includes multiple nights in London, Berlin, Madrid, Bologna, and Copenhagen in 2025

pitchfork.com

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Reposted by Clay Masters

MPR News @mprnews.org · Jul 22

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

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Reposted by Clay Masters

MPR News @mprnews.org · Jul 9

The researchers’ goal is to use these management tools and technology to help other Minnesota lakes keep the invasive fish in check.

Tag, bait, scoop: Researchers explore new ways to rid Minnesota lakes of pesky common carp

The four-year project is aimed at developing tools and technology to remove large numbers of the invasive fish, and gauge whether it can restore habitat and help native species bounce back.

www.mprnews.org

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Reposted by Clay Masters

MPR News @mprnews.org · Jun 27

Former President Joe Biden came to the Capitol after 4 p.m. to pay his respects to Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark. ⁠
⁠
He spent about 90 seconds in front of the caskets, made the sign of the cross and knelt quietly.

📸 Kerem Yücel | MPR News

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Clay Masters @claymasters.bsky.social · Jun 24

“Writing is more just opening up the window and trying to make sense of what comes in.”

I really enjoyed talking with Alan Sparhawk @lowtheband.bsky.social while sitting in @mprnews.org All Things Considered host seat this week. www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...

In wildly different projects, Duluth musician Alan Sparhawk works through grief

Sparhawk spoke with MPR News host Clay Masters about both albums.

www.mprnews.org

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Reposted by Clay Masters

MPR News @mprnews.org · Jun 24

After spending most of his life behind bars, Leonard Peltier now lives in a home on the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa reservation in North Dakota. He says he has no regrets but still harbors resentment over his imprisonment.

Leonard Peltier talks freedom, future after nearly 50 years in prison

After spending most of his life behind bars, Leonard Peltier now lives in a home on the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa reservation in North Dakota. He says he has no regrets but still harbors resent...

www.mprnews.org

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Clay Masters @claymasters.bsky.social · Jun 19

Hundreds of Minnesotans gather for a candlelight vigil to mourn and remember Melissa and Mark Hortman.

No speakers, no signs.

Lawmakers from both political parties.

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Reposted by Clay Masters

MPR News @mprnews.org · Jun 17

Rep. Demuth spoke with MPR News senior politics reporter Clay Masters about how she and the rest of the Legislature is processing Hortman’s death and what comes next.

Demuth says this is ‘not a time for partisanship’ as the House processes loss of Hortman

The Minnesota House of Representatives is reeling from the loss of Rep. Melissa Hortman. Speaker of the House Lisa Demuth spoke with MPR News senior politics reporter Clay Masters about how she and th...

www.mprnews.org

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Clay Masters @claymasters.bsky.social · Jun 14

Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband have been shot and killed in their home by a shooter impersonating a police officer. www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0... @mprnews.org

Minnesota House DFL leader Hortman, husband killed in apparent 'politically motivated' shooting; Sen. Hoffman, wife wounded

Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were fatally shot Saturday morning in Brooklyn Park in what Gov. Tim Walz said “appears to be a politically motivated assassination.” Walz sai...

www.mprnews.org

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Clay Masters @claymasters.bsky.social · Jun 3

Another week, another waiting game at the Minnesota legislature. I spoke with our All Things Considered host for the week @catharinerichert.bsky.social about where things stand. www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0... @mprnews.org

Special session looms as Minnesota lawmakers narrow remaining budget obstacles

A special session could happen as soon as Wednesday to finish approval of a new, two-year budget. One must be adopted by July 1 to avoid a partial government shutdown.

www.mprnews.org

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Clay Masters @claymasters.bsky.social · May 31

No pain no Gaines, yo.

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Clay Masters @claymasters.bsky.social · May 30

Possible layoffs, a return-to-office directive and tense contract negotiations are straining Gov. Tim Walz’s relationship with public sector labor unions that represent thousands of state workers.

www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0... @mprnews.org

Friction builds between Walz, public sector unions on multiple fronts

Democratic Gov. Tim Walz has been an unflinching ally to public employee unions through most of his political tenure. These days, their alliance is a little rocky to say the least.

www.mprnews.org

Clay Masters @claymasters.bsky.social · May 29

I practiced saying good afternoon in my car!

Ben Maas @masbenmaas.bsky.social · May 29

Always good to hear @claymasters.bsky.social on MPR.

It's still a little weird hearing him in the afternoon, and not during morning edition, but his puns are always on brand.

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Clay Masters @claymasters.bsky.social · May 28

This was a fun conversation to have! www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0... @mprnews.org

Frost Coach Ken Klee on championship win: ‘To be able to repeat is unimaginable’

Minnesota Frost coach Ken Klee spoke with MPR News host Clay Masters about the win.

www.mprnews.org

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Clay Masters @claymasters.bsky.social · May 22

Minnesota lawmakers are preparing to work through the holiday weekend to complete budget bills and get ready for a special legislative session.

The bulk of a $66 billion, 2-year budget remained unfinished as legislators met largely behind closed doors. @mprnews.org
www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...

Minnesota lawmakers prepare for working weekend after blowing self-imposed deadline

Some working groups dribbled out details of their budget bills Thursday after meeting in private to craft them. The largest pieces of Minnesota’s more than $66 billion budget remained unfinished.

www.mprnews.org

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Clay Masters @claymasters.bsky.social · May 20

Scenes from the last regularly scheduled day of Minnesota’s 2025 legislative session. There will be a special session.

Reposted by Clay Masters

MPR News @mprnews.org · May 20

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

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Reposted by Clay Masters

MPR News @mprnews.org · May 15

Lawmakers huddled with their party caucuses Thursday to discuss how to end the 2025 session with a budget deal. The closed-door caucus meetings are often a sign that a high-level agreement is near. What’s less clear is whether there is sufficient time remaining to write and pass bills by Monday.

Budget deal at hand? Leaders head to closed caucuses rather than back to negotiations

The closed-door caucus meetings are often a sign that a high-level agreement is near. What’s less clear is whether there is sufficient time remaining to write and pass bills by midnight Monday.

www.mprnews.org

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Reposted by Clay Masters

Corin Hoggard @corinhoggard.bsky.social · May 15

As leaders give this budget agreement press conference, several progressive legislators are trying to come in, knocking and attempting to open the door.
Gov. Walz says this shows they have a lot of work to do.
He thinks this is over the undocumented MN Care issue.

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Clay Masters @claymasters.bsky.social · May 14

Meanwhile in Nebraska. nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/05/13/e...

Ewing sends Stothert packing, gives heart of ‘blue dot’ a Democratic mayor • Nebraska Examiner

Voters elected Douglas County Treasurer John Ewing Jr., the Democrat in charge of the offices where people annually pay their car taxes.

nebraskaexaminer.com

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