Jearlyn Steele

Jearlyn takes the first part of the hour to discuss some of the of 2024 Presidential candidates and the traits she looks for in a politician. Simone Hardeman Jones from GreenLight Fund Twin Cities discusses a new app designed to address maternal health disparities.

On this week's Center Stage hour, Jearlyn chats with the following guests: Local Folk/Americana musician Jaspar Lepak "Finding Her Beat" executive and producer Jennifer Weir Star Tribune lead theatre critic Rohan Preston Local singer/musician Skarlett Woods

On Monday, the University of Minnesota welcomes Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett to speak on campus…and not everyone is happy about it.  How do schools decide on guest lecturers that will speak to their student body?  Minnesota State University-Mankato Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Dr. Henry Morris explains the logistics behind these events.

In the wake of the continued chaos in Washington, D.C., Jearlyn dedicates more time to explain her reasoning of why voting is so important. Dr. Henry Morris of Minnesota State University-Mankato goes into the details of booking guest lecturers to speak on campus.

This coming Friday is National Mammography Day, as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and M Health Fairview has literally taken their initiative on the road.  The organization’s mobile mammography truck fleet is stopping at locations near historically marginalized communities, giving them opportunities for potentially life-saving checkups.  Chelsea McGuire, Senior Clinic Manager at the M Health Fairview Phalen Village Clinic, previews when one of those trucks will stop by her clinic.

Jearlyn takes time to discuss the importance of words and their historical context.  She also stresses how important it is to go out and vote in as many elections as you're allowed. Chelsea McGuire of M Health Fairview's Phalen Village Clinic previews an upcoming event where people can get mammograms.

Jearlyn welcomes the following guests for this edition of Center Stage: Sounds of Blackness founder Gary Hines “Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress” playwright Juliany Taveras Star Tribune lead theatre critic Rohan Preston “Spookley the Square Pumpkin” director Cody Braudt

Last week, the city of Minneapolis announced that they would transfer two parcels of land back to a group of Indigenous peoples.  The Bloomington Avenue parcels are being purchased by the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians.  What do they plan to do with the land?  And could this be a sign of similar transactions in the future?  Cheri Goodwin, executive director of Family & Children Services for the Red Lake Nation, gives us more on the details of the purchase.

Cheri Goodwin from the Red Lake Nation explains the impact of the tribe buying two parcels of land from the city of Minneapolis. Jearlyn reaches out to the listeners to ask why support for Ukraine appears to be fading in some corners of the U.S.

Jearlyn shares her frustration about how Congress does its business when it comes to funding the government.  She also discusses the Twins' upcoming playoff series. Washington Post reporter Jacob Bogage gives us a deeper dive on Congress avoiding a Government Shutdown.

On this edition of Center Stage, the following guests chat with Jearlyn: "The Chinese Lady" actress Katie Bradley Singer/musician/songwriter Jalan Crossland Star Tribune lead theatre critic Rohan Preston The Customers founder/singer/musician Ryan Sexton

Do you remember the PBS show “The Joy of Painting”?  For 11 years, painter Bob Ross showed up on our television screens to help us grow our artistic skills with his soothing voice, signature afro, and “happy little trees”.  Now, a Minneapolis-based company has ownership of the first painting ever created on the show…and they’ve put it on the market.  Modern Artifact president Ryan Nelson explains how this all came together.

It's officially the season corn mazes, pumpkin patches, and apple orchards.  For the family-owned Afton Apple Orchard, this means that the company’s annual Apple Festival starts next weekend.  How is business going in 2023?  And how much of an effect has the prolonged drought had on this year’s crop?  Assistant manager Sarah Parkos gives us an idea.

Afton Apple Orchards assistant manager Sarah Parkos previews the company's annual Apple Festival weekends. Modern Artifact president Ryan Nelson talks about how the business acquired the first painting created on the former PBS show "The Joy of Painting".

Last week marked a milestone in a local neighborhood’s comeback story.  Anthony Bradford recently became the first person to become a homeowner by using St. Paul’s Inheritance Fund, marking a milestone in the comeback story of the city's Rondo neighborhood.  St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter discusses the progress of this initiative.

Jearlyn talks about a historic game for one NFL team. St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter gives us an update on a milestone for the city's Inheritance Fund.

It's a jam-packed edition of Center Stage.  Jearlyn invites the following guests on the show: Rising musician Yohannes Tona "Cookin'" production supervisor Kate Young Eun Park Star Tribune lead theatre critic Rohan Preston Jazz MN Orchestra music director Pete Whitman

This week, nearly 150,000 autoworkers hit the picket line, marking the latest high-profile strike of 2023.  The work stoppage from the United Auto Workers now sits next to stoppages in national industries and local business alike.  But is a historically busy year for strikes, or does it just seem that way with our 24-hour news cycle? University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee distinguished professor of Economics John S. Heywood joins the program to go through this particularly active Summer of Union solidarity.

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee distinguished professor of Economics John S. Heywood discusses labor unions and the bevy of strikes happening this year.  After the conversation, Jearlyn opens up the phone lines to talk about the impact of unions.

What are the legal and political ramifications of this week's announcement of more indictments against Hunter Biden?  We ask local attorney and owner of the Caplan & Tamburino Law Firm Joe Tamburino to provide his legal expertise on the new charges.