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, Director of Digital Strategy Plastic Pollution Coalition.

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.

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.

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 Stories.

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.

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