Minnesota’s Secretary of State fires back at Washington over what he says are false election claims. Then, an iconic concert comes to the North Star Sate for the first time in 40 years. And, a fashion designer from Duluth is heading to the nation’s biggest stage.
—–Executive Producer: Victor Palomino Producer: Mik FinneganAnchor: Grace Jacobson Reader scripting: Victor PalominoFact checking: Joel Glaser, Victor Palomino Editorial support: Emily Krumberger Mixing & mastering: Chris Harwood
Transcript
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HOST: You're listening to North Star Stories: Voices from Where We Live, a daily newscast about what it means to live in Minnesota.
ANCHOR: Today, Minnesota's Secretary of State fires back at Washington about what he says are false election claims. Then, an iconic concert comes to the North Star Sate for the first time in 40 years. And, a fashion designer from Duluth is heading to the nation's biggest stage.
I'm Gracie J.
Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon pushed back on President Trump's claims about elections. Simon called the president's social media post from earlier this month "alarming" and warned that it spreads conspiracy theories. He said the Constitution gives states, not the President, full control of elections. Simon says Minnesota ballots are always cast on paper, counted with certified tabulators, and verified for accuracy. He also defended voting by mail as a secure, bipartisan option used by more than 1.2 million Minnesotans last year. Simon promised to fight in court if Trump tries to seize state election authority.
In today's main story, for the first time in its 40-year history, Farm Aid is bringing its music festival to Minnesota. Mik Finnegan talks to the organization behind the iconic concert about why they chose our state.
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Mik Finnegan: That was September of 1985 for Farm Aid's first music festival to support family farmers. Now, 40 years later, for the first time ever, Farm Aid is coming to Minnesota. Co-Executive Director Jennifer Fahy says it's been a goal of theirs to bring the music festival here.
Jennifer Fahy: Because of the rich history here in the farm movement, agriculture in general. Many of our partner groups are here who have been our partners since 1985
Mik Finnegan: One of those longtime partners is IATP, the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy. Ben Lilliston, Director of Rural Strategies and Climate Change, has attended a handful of Farm Aid festivals over the years.
Ben Lilliston: IATP was formed a little bit after Farm Aid actually started, but we've always been partners. And what Farm Aid does is put a spotlight on the situation for farmers at any particular time.
Mik Finnegan: Ben reflected on the special performances he's seen, but emphasized that Farm Aid puts an incredible amount of effort to keep farm families on the land.
Ben Lilliston: One of the things it does is shine a light on wherever the location is, what that food and farming system is like. And so it's really cool to be able to shine a light on what Minnesota is doing.
Mik Finnegan: At the festival, they highlight local farming in the area called the Homegrown Village. Attendees can expect to learn about the state's diverse and resilient agriculture economy that makes Minnesota unique.
Ben Lilliston: Have your corn and your soy and your hog producers and so forth, but we also have a lot of organic production, CSA production, people selling into local markets to schools. We have our whole food co-op system, which is very unique.
Mik Finnegan: Minnesota has long embraced the changing farm economy. Todd Western IV is an urban farmer in North Minneapolis. He has found success selling at farmers markets like the one in Richfield, where they can support food pantries like VEAP, the Twin Cities, largest food shelf.
Tom Western IV: They're allowed to purchase the leftover produce and they bring it to the local food shelf.
Mik Finnegan: The Senior and Farmers Market Nutrition programs that allow markets to buy excess produce is on hold for the time being.
Tom Western IV: Yeah, I'd say right now it's just a lot of uncertainty on a number of fronts.
Mik Finnegan: Jennifer from Farm Aid says uncertainty is hard for farmers as farming is inherently uncertain and risky.
Jennifer Fahy: So we pay attention to those issues and see what can we lift up? What do eaters need to know that could help them support farmers?
Mik Finnegan: Educating eaters or consumers, is a big part of the festival's mission. Outside of the festival, Farm Aid works year-round to support family farmers through their farmer resource hotline, breaking down farming news and platforming the stories and struggles of farmers.
Jennifer Fahy: You know, we exist to support farmers when they need us, but also to just appreciate farmers and to bring people in to do that too, so we can support them every day and make them stronger.
Mik Finnegan: The festival will take place at Huntington Bank Stadium on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus on September 20. There will be performances by the founders Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp, along with a stellar lineup of other musician-activists. More information on the festival at FarmAid.org. This is Mik Finnegan with North Star Stories.
ANCHOR: You are listening to North Star Stories.
A Duluth designer is bringing Minnesota style to New York Fashion Week. Leo Spry, who grew up in Bemidji, will debut his brand on the nation's biggest fashion stage with pieces like loon camouflage pants inspired by his roots. Northern News Now TV in Duluth reports that Spry began designing during the pandemic after receiving a sewing machine in college, and has since built his label 037, selling online and collaborating with artists. He'll host a show in Minneapolis before heading to the Big Apple for Fashion Week.
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HOST: North Star Stories is produced by AMPERS, diverse radio for Minnesota's communities, with support from the McKnight Foundation and the State of Minnesota. Online at ampers dot org.