It might be cold but these straw poll results are red hot - Blois recaps the results, discusses more on the recent KSTP when it comes to current Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and then Blois discusses the Hennepin County Attorney vacancy beginning this week with a conversation with Anders Folk discussing the scope of the position he is vying for, what changes he could bring to the table and what the future holds for Hennepin County when it comes to prosecutions and legal issues going forward and then Blois caps the show off with this week’s take!
Today’s topic was all about civility and what lies ahead with the current situation with immigration in Minnesota. This week Blois sits down with the Republican candidate for Attorney General Ron Schutz who hopes to defeat Keith Ellison - but what separates him from the rest? What does he bring to the table for Minnesota - we get to know more about that. Also, it has been such a chaotic week, as per usual in Minnesota politics , ICE agents were in flux around the Twin Cities metro this past week again, Blois shares thoughts on that with this week’s take!
Blois Olson recaps the week of Thanksgiving and previews some of the things to look for into the holiday season and into the new year and we replay the recent interview he had with the new Saint Paul Mayor - elect Kaohly Her! Then Blois shares this week's take!
This week Blois Olson sits down with Congressman Brad Finstad to talk about what Congress needs to get done, how to find balance between immigration and agriculture, what was truly accomplished with the government shutdown and much more! Then Blois shares this week’s take as we head into Thanksgiving week!
Over this past week there has been quite a stir with the GOP slipping in a provision banning THC and hemp federally over the next year amid the government shutdown ending. Blois chats with Glenn McElfresh, Co-Founder and COO of Plift, a THC infused soda brand about his business, the effect this ban will have on the $200 million hemp industry, what the ban means for the future of this industry and how could compromises be made and the many ways in which hemp derived products benefit the economy. Then we pivot to some of the uncertainties that many may face in an unstable economy and government as Blois dices up some of the concerns circulating around currently!
Election season is behind us and we now look ahead to what is next for Saint Paul, Minneapolis and Minnesota as a whole! This week Blois Olson sits down with the new Saint Paul Mayor - elect Koahly Her, who defeated Mayor Melvin Carter and now looks ahead to what the future holds for Saint Paul, she goes more in depth on who she is, how she ran for mayor, her relationship with former Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, and much more! Then Blois shares this week’s take which is appropriate in the current era of politics - and that is being straightforward and honest.
Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth is announcing she will be running for Governor in 2026. Breaking down the rise of socialist candidates in American elections. The Minneapolis mayoral race is this Tuesday and the results could dramatically shift the path of the city in the future. Blois shares some key scenarios to stay aware of as voters head to the polls. Kyrstin Schuette of the Schoolboard Integrity Project joins the show to share her opinions on the current state of education in Minnesota.
It has been a very heavy week when it comes to people making their voices heard in Minnesota, specifically Minneapolis - we had Kristi Noem, United States Secretary of Homeland Security speak on ICE and immigration policy in the Twin Cities! So we thought having someone for Sunday Take would be perfect so Blois chats with Montana Hirsch, member of MIRAC - Minnesota Immigration Rights Action Committee to talk more about immigration activism and the construct behind these protests against ICE, government and the overall system and Blois shares an in depth Sunday Take for this week!
There has been plenty of ups and downs in Minneapolis, more so leaning towards the downs - so Blois sits down with a property owner Jim Rubin, who was featured in the ‘Precarious State’ documentary as well as Eric Roper, columnist with the Minnesota Star Tribune who put out a piece this week talking about the flip side that is not talked about enough with this city - the good side - he joins to talk more about where Minneapolis is today as a whole, the transitions of Minneapolis in recent years, and much more!
We are about 13 months out from a huge election on all levels here in Minnesota and there are a lot of factors at play with the economy, the population here in Minnesota, many headwinds and tailwinds at play and we get into some of the ups and downs of the economy, immigration, population and much more with State Demographer Susan Brower as we break down all of the numbers and factors of the current situation in Minnesota and what that means for the future of this state. We also look at some of the key political points of the weeks ahead and Blois shares his ‘Sunday Take’!
This week Blois sits down with Myles Shaver, he is Associate Dean of Faculty and Research at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management and we discuss the current state of the headquarters economy in Minnesota!
This past week Blois Olson and Mary Lahammer moderated the mayoral debate and discussion between Dewayne Davis, current Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Omar Fateh, Jazz Hampton and Brenda Short covering the current state of Minneapolis when it comes to crime, safety, and the future of Minneapolis and the ongoing struggle with homeless encampments!
This past week Senator Ann Rest, after 40 plus years in the legislature she will be retiring from the legislature and she joins us for a lengthy conversation to recap and reflect on her time in office, tax policy and the shift from policymakers to activists serving in office.
We are in troubling, volatile times and Blois shares his thoughts on that with the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk this past week, the ripple effect it has in politics as well as the effect it could have on whether we truly do get another campaign from Governor Tim Walz in Minnesota - then Blois sits down with Senator Judy Seeberger (D) and Representative Danny Nadeau (R) on how to move forward with a special session from the perspective of two legislators in purple districts in today’s Sunday Take!
It has been almost two weeks since the tragic shooting at Annunciation Catholic school in Minneapolis and so many questions left to be answered going forward as to how we can find common ground and make significant changes no matter which side of the aisle to better the safety of our schools and our children - this week Blois sits down with Representative Jeff Witte (R) who is also a former police officer and Senator Steve Cwodzinski , a former teacher and hear what they have to say when it comes to policy and solution to help move forward in unity!
Minnesota Gubernatorial Candidates Kendall Qualls and Representative Kristin Robbins live from the State Fair. The two are running as Republicans and are hoping to be elected as governor in the 2026 election. They explain why they decided to run and what they would do put into office.
Hear from kids who got away, a father who ran in alongside first responders, and Minnesota's top political leaders as we grapple with something all-too familiar: a school shooting. Get the latest on the perpetrator, and insight into what -- if anything -- may finally change.
The Sunday Take from The Minnesota State Fair! Republican State Rep. Keith Allen and DFL Sen. Doran Clark grew up together and are friends but have different political ideologies. and represent vastly different districts in the state. They talk about how they work together and find the commonality in each other as political divisions become a growing issue in Minnesota as well as across the country.
The city of St. Paul is seeing its share of struggles. There are new voices who hope to address these concerns and say they want to make improvements to the community. City Council Member-Elect Molly Coleman joins the show and talks about her recent win in a special election and her vision for the future. Blois also interviews mayoral candidate Rep. Kaoly Her who is challenging Mayor Melvin Carter in the upcoming election. She shares her reasons why she decided to run.
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are meeting today in Alaska to talk about the possibility of peace in Russia's war against Ukraine. One analyst says the word 'no' is Trump's most powerful weapon ... But will he use it? Also, CBS' Major Garrett has tips on what to watch for in the meeting.