MPR news journalist and storyteller Euan Kerr calls his career in 40 years of broadcasting

A friendly voice with a Scottish accent familiar to Twin City radio listeners for decades is to leave the radio.

Longtime reporter and editor Euan Kerr has retired from MPR News for nearly 40 years. His last day is Friday.

A talented storyteller, Kerr's journalistic career has been driven by natural curiosity about the world and the knack for connecting with people.

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Kerr grew up and attended schools in the capital of Edinburgh. He admits that he has forgotten the wonders of the city, even as he waited to travel the school bus in the shadow of the famous Edinburgh Castle.

“At the time I thought it was the most boring place in the world, so I couldn't wait to leave,” he said. “Of course, now I'm back and think, 'I'm so lucky and I wasn't grateful for that.' ”

Kerr attended Sterling University in Scotland and worked as a DJ at a university radio station during his time at punk.

“We played a lot of songs with bad words in them and it was a lot of fun,” he said. “But in the end I got bored and wanted to tell the story.”

Kerr came to the United States to work in a summer camp in northwestern Wisconsin called Camp Nevagamon. There he met his future wife Jane and ended up staying there. They will soon celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary.

Carr recalls listening to Minnesota public radio early on, hearing a mix of local and national news and programs, and feeling like a “magical place where he does a magical job.”

“This seemed like the right place for me, telling stories about everyday people, important issues, less important issues, and less important.

In 1985, Kerr got a job at MPR as a research assistant to legal reporter Deborah Fisher. He then became a reporter, covering Minneapolis City Hall for several years and wrote about colorful local politicians, including Mayor Don Fraser and police chief Tony Booza.

“It was fascinating to wander around, see this incident, go to city council meetings and meet people who are shaping the way the city is going, as well as hearing people who are very upset about what's going on,” Kerr said. “Everyone was a character.”

In 1990, Kerr returned to Scotland and worked for BBC News. When he returned to Minnesota two years later, he served as news director for KFAI, a community radio station in Minneapolis.

When it appeared that the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra was on a strike, Kerr intervened for an arts correspondent for MPR on vacation.

No strikes occurred, but Kerr was stuck and eventually became the editor of the MPR regional team. He helped cover major stories, including Senator Paul Wellstone's death in the plane crash crash and two major Red River floods.

He later became an art correspondent for MPR, covering music, theater, dance, film and visual arts.

“People are talking about the Minnesota art scene that is very good, and that's a good thing,” Kerr said. “The amount of what's going on here, the agency here is extraordinary, and there are a lot of challenges.

Kate Smith, a longtime MPR News editor who worked with Kerr, describes him as one of the most naturally born storytellers she has ever met for Scottish accents.

“The first time I heard his words come out of his mouth, I just thought, 'Oh, I can listen to you forever,'” Smith recalls.

But that's also his understanding of the rhythm of his storytelling, Smith said, and knows that every good story has a beginning, a middle, and an end.

“Working with a reporter who has that DNA is like going to heaven on the verge of death.

After President Kerr relaxed travel restrictions to the island nation, Kerr traveled twice overseas with the Minnesota Orchestra in 2018, South Africa in 2018 and Cuba in 2015.

Ten years later, Carr is still emotional when he remembers the audience's reaction when it launched into the Cuban national anthem.

“There was this moment of confusion in the hall, obviously because they don't play the national anthem very often,” he said. “Half of the audience stood up, the rest stood up, and the people were openly weeping.”

Kerr and longtime colleague and program director Stephanie Curtis share their passion for film. They chatted frequently about movies they saw on the walls of cubicles recently.

One day, producer Chris Roberts suggested that they record a lively joke. As a result, “Cube Critics” is a weekly feature where Kerr and Curtis discussed new releases, independent films, or older classics.

“We were very fortunate in that we could choose what was really interesting,” Kerr said.

Kerr is known for coaching other journalists. He and Jane are longtime supporters of the Twin City-based World Press Institute, and take international journalists to the United States to learn about media, culture, politics and freedom of press.

David McDonald, executive chair of the WPI Board, has been the host and guide to foreign journalists who traveled all over the United States and toured the Twin City.

“He's always there, entertaining people and explaining Minnesota as we go,” McDonald said.

Smith said Kerr has informally coached journalists throughout his career and continues to communicate with professional colleagues and friends he has met around the world.

“Ewan has this way of constantly reminding him that because of his living experiences the world is a bigger place than the Midwest and the United States,” she said. “And the holy cow, I think that's important today.”

While Kerr's voice is easily recognized, it is his “absurd passion for exceptional journalism” that leaves a lasting impact on MPR News, executive editor Jane Helmke said.

“He has mastered the writing and production skills that put listeners at the heart of every story,” Helmke said. “More importantly, he shares his skills with everyone and continues to teach and mentor in the newsroom every day.”

Kerr said he looks forward to having more time with his family, including his new granddaughter. He also plans to catch up with reading.

He also has more time for curling, a Scottish sport that began playing as a teenager. Carr calls it a “meaningless and stupid game,” but it's also a big escape.

“It just takes you away,” he said. “You can forget the troubles of your world and spend time with other people who are obsessed with doing this ridiculous thing.”

Kerr said he would not miss the stress of deadlines or attempt to keep up with constantly changing news and would not update it on multiple platforms. But he said he missed people and storytelling.

“The microphone is a great instrument, just to make people feel like they can ask questions, and you're asking on behalf of many other people who want to know the answer to those questions,” he said. “It's a great honor to be in that role. I think I'll miss that.”

Time in MPR News is coming to an end and sign your digital card to send Well Wishes to Euan Kerr.