THE WARMING HOUSE – NEW COLLABORATION BETWEEN MPR NEWS & THE CURRENT – INVITES MINNESOTA TO COZY UP ON SUNDAY EVENINGS

ST. PAUL, Minn., Dec. 3, 2020 – MPR News and The Current are collaborating on a new addition to the MPR News program lineup, promising a feel-good audio antidote to long winter nights, pandemic-induced isolation and #2020. The Warming House will air Sunday evenings at 7 p.m. on MPR News, beginning this weekend, as a source of music, games, uplifting news stories from around the region and, of course, laughs. The co-hosts, MPR News' Nina Moini and The Current's Sean McPherson, are ready to stay in, warm up and chill out in this distinct and delightful partnership between the two MPR services.

Each Sunday evening from their socially distanced studios, Moini and McPherson present a raft of regular segments, including: a weekly vinyl record deep dive called "Spin Cycle," a segment devoted to the latest in bingeworthy games, TV shows, movies and apps called "Binge-O," and a spotlight interview with someone whose positive story will inspire listeners even in what feels like a dark time.

"The days are getting shorter and temps are dropping, and when you add in this time of social distancing, we need to find ways to warm our soul and feel connected," said Moini. "This is one way we can give back to our audiences and have some sense of togetherness in what is normally the most social time of the year."

Led by veteran producer Tiffany Hanssen, The Warming House also stages games, including a weekly "Twins Trivia" where contestants – folks doing good work in the same space (such as mayors of neighboring cities or artists in the same medium) – pair up to answer doubles-themed questions. The premiere episode features the mayors of St. Paul and Minneapolis. And because we've all had more together time at home than we might like, The Warming House will feature a segment devoted to relationship advice.

"The Warming House is the dinner party you wish you could go to right now, but can't," said McPherson. "From the safety of your radio, Nina and I want to bring you that experience of fun, laughter, and feel-good entertainment. We're excited to share this hour with listeners each week."

The Warming House will air weekly on Sundays through spring 2021. Broadcast episodes will be available for later listening online.

About Minnesota Public Radio

Minnesota Public Radio® operates a 46-station radio network serving nearly all of Minnesota and parts of surrounding states for more than 50 years. Reaching more than 1 million listeners each week, MPR and its three regional services-MPR News, Classical MPR and The Current®-produce programming for radio, digital and live audiences. Programs produced by MPR's national programming division, American Public Media®, 17 million listeners via approximately 1,000 radio stations nationwide each week. APM is one of the largest producers and distributors of public radio programming in the world, and produces award-winning podcasts spanning the best in investigative journalism, food, business and entertainment.

For more information on MPR, visit minnesotapublicradio.org.