60 Copyright 2024 Minnesota Public Radio http://www.mprnews.org/podcasts/policast Politics Friday en https://feeds.publicradio.org/public_feeds/policast Minnesota Public Radio episodic No false Minnesota Public Radio podcasts@americanpublicmedia.org https://img.apmcdn.org/ddb7887daaeb72b019b56de3bd4f208cca1481f0/square/77c508-20220913-politics-friday-podcast-art-2000.jpg Politics Friday http://www.mprnews.org/podcasts/policast Politics Friday: Trump’s path to the White House began at the Iowa Caucuses 01JCRD0RYQN3E4MXGCXWAQBSJS Minnesota Public Radio MPR News senior politics reporter Clay Masters looks back on the 2024 election campaign for the Iowa Caucus to election events leading up to this week when President-elect Trump stepped back into the White House.

]]>
Fri, 15 Nov 2024 18:00:00 +0000 00:49:28 false
Politics Friday: The voters have spoken, but sent a muddled message for Minnesota’s Legislature 01JC4EYGAWSBX7NM3AXG0VZCG5 Minnesota Public Radio MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst and his guests talk about the Minnesota Legislature and how the state will govern in 2025 with both chambers split virtually down the middle.  

]]>
Fri, 08 Nov 2024 19:49:00 +0000 00:49:48 false
Politics Friday: Minnesota campaigns, parties gear up for Election Day 01JBHRKG4J3KW1TDJS363MNPCG Minnesota Public Radio It’s now November and Election Day is almost here.  


MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst talks with Minnesota’s Secretary of State about what’s being done to make sure the balloting and the counting goes smoothly, and when might we know who won races up and down the ballot.  


Later, Minnesota DFL and Republican Party chairs share their closing takes on an unconventional campaign year, and seasoned political pros stop in for an election night preview. We’ll learn what they’re watching for and how the state Capitol might look when the dust settles. 


Guests:  



  • Steve Simon is the Minnesota Secretary of State.   


  • Ken Martin is the Minnesota DFL Party chair. 


  • David Hann is the chairman of the Republican Party of Minnesota. 


  • Chas Anderson is the CEO and senior principal at Park Street Public. 


  • Todd Rapp is the CEO and President of Rapp Strategies Inc.  





Subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcast.  


Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation. 

]]>
Fri, 01 Nov 2024 17:05:00 +0000 00:49:24 false
Politics Friday: The race to lead the Minnesota Legislature 01JB02M2TK94VWAMHHXRR3FEFQ Minnesota Public Radio Presidential election years can make for unpredictable outcomes down the ballot. 


For Minnesota, the party that turns out its base — and connects with independents best — has the inside track to gain the gavels at the state’s Capitol. 


The Senate majority will be decided by a single, winner-take-all race in the western suburbs. As for the House, key races in northern Minnesota and some in the south could determine if the DFL trifecta will live on into 2025.  



MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst talks with Minnesota Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman, a Democrat and House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth, a Republican, about their party’s prospects in next month’s election.  


Later, a look at a northern Minnesota congressional race that features a rematch from two years ago.    


Guests:  



  • House Speaker Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park   


  • House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring 


  • Jennifer Schultz, a DFL candidate for Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District seat. 





Subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcast.  


Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation. 

]]>
Fri, 25 Oct 2024 20:34:00 +0000 00:50:31 false
Politics Friday: The 2024 election will determine who presides in Minnesota courtrooms, remember there are judges on your ballot 01JADYW2PQT35VQEJS2YVKQTBP Minnesota Public Radio With fewer than three weeks left until Election Day, campaign ads for the presidency down to the Legislature have flooded the airwaves from your TV to your phone.  


But judges are on the election ballot, too. Judicial candidates are running for judgeships in local District Courts, the Court of Appeals and even the Minnesota Supreme Court. There are 100 races, although fewer than a tenth of them have multiple candidates to choose from. 


Most judges in Minnesota tend to be appointed by the governor, so why are those races on your ballot?  


Friday at noon, MPR News politics editor and his guests discuss judicial elections, and why incumbent judges rarely face serious challenges.  


Later, is the approaching election and partisan politics raising anxiety or straining your relationships? The creator of MPR’s Talking Sense initiative shares tips on how to weather the remaining weeks and the aftermath. Then, a sneak peek at the Walk a Mile in My News project.  


Guests:  


]]>
Fri, 18 Oct 2024 17:00:00 +0000 00:49:59 false
Battle to shore up bases remains as Election Day nears 01J9W7KW3TWQMAHZ8WWRA2DN71 Minnesota Public Radio Earlier this week marked one year since Hamas attacked Israel. Hamas militants invaded Israel, killed about 1,200 people and kidnapped another 250 people, making it the deadliest attack in Israel’s history. About 100 hostages have not been returned. Israel’s retaliation in Gaza has killed more than 41,000 people and wounded more than 96,000, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, and resulted in mass displacement and a humanitarian crisis.


As the war in the Middle East continues with no immediate cease-fire deal in sight, the situation will pose difficulties for the next U.S. president. Jon Alterman, author of the piece “Middle East Challenges Will Vex Not Only the First 100 Days but the First 1,000,” sums up the complex challenges that await. It’s part of a new report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies on the global impact of the 2024 election, where Alterman serves as the senior vice president. He also directs the Middle East Program.  


MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst talks with Alterman about the dynamics in the Middle East and where the leading presidential candidates line up. Later, a peer-led, follow-up conversation with two Generation Z voters about their feelings toward the election after a summer of unprecedented political events.

]]>
Fri, 11 Oct 2024 19:46:00 +0000 00:44:41 false
Politics Friday: Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District debate 01J99Q3FE53G34YCP88N4W8163 Minnesota Public Radio Minnesota’s most competitive race for Congress is expected to be in the 2nd Congressional District, which includes suburban, exurban and rural areas south of the Twin Cities. It’s one of the few districts in America where voters favored Republican Donald Trump in 2016 and then Democrat Joe Biden in 2020.


Three-term Democratic Rep. Angie Craig is trying to retain the seat. She’ll face former federal prosecutor and Republican nominee Joe Teirab on November’s ballot.




MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst moderated a debate between Craig and Teirab held live at MPR’s St. Paul studios.


Video of the debate is available on MPR’s YouTube and Facebook page.



Guests:  



  • Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.), incumbent congresswoman in Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District. She was elected in 2018. 






  • Joe Teirab, Republican challenger in Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District. 






Subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.  


Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation. 

]]>
Fri, 04 Oct 2024 19:33:00 +0000 00:52:16 false
Politics Friday: Poll shows Harris with narrow Minnesota lead, but what else can we glean from it? 01J8R0V6957F1YPNR9G6XHW7X2 Minnesota Public Radio With new candidates on the Democratic ticket and former president Donald Trump atop the Republican ticket for a third time, a new Minnesota poll shows Kamala Harris with an edge. Coming up Friday at noon, MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst talks with Minnesota journalists about the poll results.

]]>
Thu, 26 Sep 2024 21:17:00 +0000 00:49:31 false
Politics Friday: Know your ballot picks? It’s time to vote in Minnesota 01J862ECQN9E5BBQKFRVESKQRX Minnesota Public Radio There are 46 days until Election Day, and that means the start of early voting in Minnesota – one of the first states where votes can get cast.  


MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst talks with Secretary of State Steve Simon about the early voting process and the safeguards being taken to make sure the 2024 election runs smoothly and fairly across the state. 


Later in the hour, plugged-in members of the Minnesota’s DFL and Republican parties share their perspectives on how they see this election shaking out from the presidential race on down the ticket. 


Guests:  



  • Steve Simon is Minnesota’s Secretary of State.   


  • Ak Kamara is the Republican National Committeeman for Minnesota. 


  • Ryan Winkler is a former DFL majority leader in the Minnesota House.  





Subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.   


Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation. 

]]>
Thu, 19 Sep 2024 21:29:00 +0000 00:49:30 false
Politics Friday: What to watch for with political ads on the way 01J7KXGS7T252V1TY8S3WTRXNZ Minnesota Public Radio The newest member of Minnesota’s congressional delegation, Republican Rep. Brad Finstad, is asking voters for a second term in district one. Democrat Rachel Bohman is asking those same southern Minnesota voters to give her the job instead. 



Bohman, a lawyer and former local board official who has a background in election administration, is looking to flip a seat that has been held by Republicans since 2019. 


What does she stand for and why should voters go in a new direction? MPR News politics editor and host Brian Bakst talks with Bohman about her campaign. Finstad declined an invitation to appear. 


Later, we’ll discuss campaign ads with associate professor Dan Myers of the University of Minnesota’s Department of Political Science.


Hundreds of millions of dollars will be spent nationally between now and Election Day on television and digital commercials, although Minnesota has had a light dose so far. 


Guests:  



  • Rachel Bohman is the DFL candidate for the Congressional District 1


  • Dan Myers is an associate professor at the University of Minnesota.





Subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.   


Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation. 

]]>
Thu, 12 Sep 2024 21:42:00 +0000 00:59:00 false
Politics Friday: Minnesota’s Senate race is a study in contrast 01J71H01SX2N48G5AG2Q72PA4Z Minnesota Public Radio The Minnesota State Fair has ended. The 12-day event brought out long lines for fried food, a butter sculpting competition and U.S. Senate candidates looking to represent the state in the nation’s Capital.


There have been 44 people in Minnesota who have held the title of U.S. senator since statehood, but only seven have been elected to three or more terms. Minnesota has a U.S. Senate election now just a couple of months away, and Democrat Amy Klobuchar is after a fourth term.  


MPR News host Brian Bakst talks with Sen. Klobuchar at the State Fair. She shares what she’s been up to in Washington and what she would do if given another six years. 


Later, we’ll hear from Republican nominee Royce White, who is running on the slogan “the people are coming.” White talks about his path to politics after time spent in professional basketball — in the U.S. and abroad — and his conservative ideology.


Guests:  



  • DFL U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar


  • U.S. Senate Republican nominee Royce White 





Subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.   


Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation. 

]]>
Fri, 06 Sep 2024 17:00:00 +0000 00:59:37 false
Minnesota Now: Aug. 14, 2024 01J5904HSPWK4G3XN31F8WH6Z5 Minnesota Public Radio We break down the primary results and what they mean for November. Three U.S. House races were closely watched.


We hear from Congresswomen Ilhan Omar and Michelle Fischbach who both fended off primary challenges.


The match up is set in Minnesota’s most competitive U.S. House district. We talk to Republican Joe Teirab who will be facing Democratic Congresswoman Angie Craig.


Plus, we hear from party leaders at the state capitol about their priorities and break down one key race in the state senate that could decide party control.


The politics don’t stop with primary night. In fact, the Democratic National Convention is in just a few days. We share a preview of what to expect from Gov. Tim Walz.

]]>
Wed, 14 Aug 2024 18:49:00 +0000 00:59:00 false
Special coverage: Walz picked to run as Harris’ vice presidential candidate 01J4M5GNC290P4MRB0NRRMC4QH Minnesota Public Radio Tim Walz, the second-term Minnesota governor with a folksy demeanor and a swath of experience both in and out of government, gained a spot on the Democratic ticket as Kamala Harris’ vice presidential choice.


Supporters of Gov. Walz say the ex-Army National Guard leader, former teacher and past congressman could help Harris in the Midwest. But he also comes with baggage from nearly two decades in political office.


Listen to special coverage live from MPR News with host Cathy Wurzer and political editor Brian Bakst.


Clifford Bentley served as technical director for this special coverage.


Find more coverage on the MPR News website.


Kamala Harris taps Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as Democratic running mate


Gov. Tim Walz is Kamala Harris’ running mate. What happens now in Minnesota politics?

]]>
Tue, 06 Aug 2024 17:00:00 +0000 02:01:26 false
Politics Friday: This is not your typical summer before a ‘big election‘ 01J3NW0W3E4MPYAPZ5NYG2SMS4 Minnesota Public Radio It has been an extraordinary month in our nation’s politics. 


There’s been development after riveting development, with each eclipsing the last. And yet, with still 100 days to go till Election Day, this could be just a taste of what’s ahead.


MPR News host Brian Bakst talks with MPR political reporters Mark Zdechlik and Clay Masters about the last four weeks in politics and breaks down what the country has experienced.





Subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS. Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.    

]]>
Thu, 25 Jul 2024 22:37:00 +0000 00:24:59 false
The stage is set for a Biden, Trump debate that could have implications on a tight race 01J1835461EE3GNBHVWB73F7JZ Minnesota Public Radio Democrat Joe Biden, the current president, and Republican Donald Trump, the former president, meet Thursday, June 27, for the first debate either candidate has been in since 2020. 


The presumed presidential rematch has been set for months — with both candidates earning the necessary primary wins to gain their party nominations, which they’ll formally accept at conventions later this summer. 


MPR News host Brian Bakst talks with presidential scholars and a former presidential candidate about the work it takes to prepare for a presidential debate and how Thursday’s debate could impact both campaigns over the next few months. 


Politics Friday will return to the airwaves later this fall for our weekly coverage of the 2024 Election. Until then, we’re coming straight to your podcast feeds — occasionally — throughout the summer.


Guests:  



  • Tim Pawlenty is the former governor of Minnesota. He served from 2003 to 2011 and sought the 2012 Republican presidential nomination. 


  • Tammy Vigil is the senior associate dean and associate professor of media science at Boston University. Previously, she has done work for the Commission on Presidential Debates. 


  • Timothy Naftali is a presidential historian and former director of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum. He’s a senior research scholar at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs.





Subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.  


Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.    

]]>
Tue, 25 Jun 2024 16:55:00 +0000 00:49:36 false
Politics Friday: How are voters in the state feeling about the upcoming election? A new poll says the race is close 01J0BNGRP740Y65YQZSSJTR6KE Minnesota Public Radio This week MPR News and other media partners released the first Minnesota Poll results of the year. The poll, in partnership with MPR News, KARE 11 and the Star Tribune, revealed a close race for president. 


The Minnesota Poll also offered a glimpse at top issues for voters and showed the unease many have about Biden and Trump.  


In this Politics Friday podcast, MPR News host and politics editor Brian Bakst and his guests talk about the poll results and what they suggest about where this election year is headed. 


Politics Friday will return to the airwaves later this fall for our weekly coverage of the 2024 Election. Until then, we’re coming straight to your podcast feeds — occasionally — throughout the summer. 


Guests:  



  • Craig Helmstetter is the managing partner of the APM Research Lab at Minnesota Public Radio.  


  • Briana Bierschbach is a politics and government reporter with the Star Tribune.  


  • John Croman is a politics reporter for KARE 11. 



]]>
Fri, 14 Jun 2024 15:23:06 +0000 00:24:47 false
Politics Friday: Minnesota DFLers convene for their state convention 01HZ59G5942BRAATSWWMC2HA55 Minnesota Public Radio The 2024 DFL State Convention will be held at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center in Duluth beginning Friday afternoon.


Coming up Friday at noon, a special edition of Politics Friday with a preview of the DFL convention. MPR News host Brian Bakst will talk with DFL Chairman Ken Martin and state Sen. Kelly Morrison, the endorsed candidate for Congress in Minnesota’s 3rd Congressional District.


Later, a roundtable conversation with DFL delegates as they get ready to gather for their party’s convention.

]]>
Fri, 31 May 2024 17:41:00 +0000 00:49:56 false
Politics Friday: Gov. Tim Walz weighs in after the Minnesota Legislature gavels out 01HYGZ7CKH7PPR88WGG040P0QS Minnesota Public Radio The DFL is in its second year of control of the House, Senate and governor’s office. 


Over the last four months, the DFL passed a rideshare ordinance, a bill on gun restrictions with a tougher penalty for “straw purchasers” and various cannabis resolutions. But there’s also a list of bills that didn’t pass from an equal rights amendment to sports betting bill and a construction projects plan.


MPR News host Brian Bakst talked to Gov. Tim Walz about his take on the 2024 legislative Session. Later, the Republican perspective on this year’s session with Sen. Julia Coleman of Waconia and the assistant minority leader in the Minnesota Senate.  


Plus, MPR Capitol reporters Dana Ferguson and Clay Masters told us more about what got done at the Capitol this year, what got left behind and what it means for the campaign already under way.  

]]>
Fri, 24 May 2024 19:26:00 +0000 00:56:10 false
Politics Friday: Minnesota Republicans gather for their state convention 01HY1ER1KMAAY21HGPDRFJ8CF4 Minnesota Public Radio The Minnesota Republican Party convention gets underway at the St. Paul RiverCentre, with the selection of national delegates and endorsement of a U.S. Senate candidate on the to-do list. Former President Donald Trump is scheduled to speak at the party’s annual Lincoln-Reagan fundraising dinner which will be held in association with the convention.  


Coming up Friday at noon, a special edition of Politics Friday from the 2024 State Convention for Minnesota Republicans. MPR News host Brian Bakst and the MPR politics team conduct interviews and a look at the scenes at the convention.


Later, a recap of the session-ending sprint at the state Capitol with MPR News senior politics reporters Dana Ferguson and Clay Masters.

]]>
Fri, 17 May 2024 19:07:00 +0000 00:49:30 false
Politics Friday: It’s crunch time at the Capitol 01HXCPK0B7TKZX3HM27HCXVF5F Minnesota Public Radio Minnesota lawmakers have only one more full week to finish up the legislative session’s work.  


MPR News host Brian Bakst spoke with two leaders of the Minnesota House about the authorization of construction projects, a touch-up of the state budget, updates to Minnesota’s new cannabis law and a possible plan to set minimum pay and protections for rideshare drivers — all still up in the air. 


And May 11 not only marks Minnesota Statehood Day, but a new state flag goes up the pole and a new state seal will replace the old. We got a look at the redesign process that spurred thousands of submissions — and months of debate — and what transition means for Minnesota.


Plus, two members of MPR Capitol reporting team, Dana Ferguson and Clay Masters, huddled up for a weekly check-in on Minnesota politics. 

]]>
Fri, 10 May 2024 18:38:00 +0000 00:36:51 false
Politics Friday: Unfinished business at the Capitol 01HWXDV0H47QATNBR01MANDP9C Minnesota Public Radio The two weeks that remain in the Minnesota Legislature’s 2024 session will result in a flurry of votes, negotiations and certainly twists.


One key piece of unfinished business is the bonding bill — the slate of publicly financed construction projects that need state signoff to move ahead.  


MPR News host Brian Bakst talks with the chair of the House Capital Investment Committee about the construction financing plan as it comes together.  


Also, what might an upcoming Senate Ethics Committee hearing look like? The conduct of two members in the closely divided chamber is under review. 


Plus, the latest in MPR News’ peer-led conversations with Gen. Z voters about how they’re approaching the coming election.


Later, a check-in with a pair of Capitol reporters as the legislative session reaches its home stretch. MPR’s Dana Ferguson and Peter Callaghan from the MinnPost join the conversation.



Guests:



  • Rep. Fue Lee is the Chair of the House Capital Investment Committee.  


  • Ember Reichgott Junge is a former senator, DFL-Robbinsdale, and served as the committee chair for the Rules and Administration - Subcommittee on Ethical Conduct Committee in the Minnesota Senate.  


  • Marko Mirkovic is a student at the University of Minnesota.  


  • Jack Christensen is a student at the University of Minnesota.  


  • Charlie Eggers is a student at the University of Minnesota.  





Subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.   


Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

]]>
Fri, 03 May 2024 18:55:00 +0000 00:49:29 false
Politics Friday: Changes are ahead on the Minnesota Supreme Court as one justice steps into retirement 01HWAZ47WN9H0MH24F6CG56Z24 Minnesota Public Radio After nearly 20 years on Minnesota’s Supreme Court, Justice G. Barry Anderson is retiring.


Anderson is the longest-tenured current justice and the last to have gained his seat through the appointment of a Republican governor.


MPR News host Brian Bakst talks with Anderson about his time in the Minnesota Supreme Court, his career in the courtroom and his view on political pressures on the judiciary.


Later, a look at how the nation’s finances will factor into the 2024 election campaign with MPR News senior economics contributor Chris Farrell.


We also heard some sounds and voices from the Capitol this week, and some insight from members of our MPR News politics team.


Guests:  


Justice G. Barry Anderson is a member of the Minnesota Supreme Court. His term will end on May 10.  


Chris Farrell is senior economics contributor at Marketplace, American Public Media’s nationally syndicated public radio business and economic programs. He’s also senior economics contributor at Minnesota Public Radio.


Ethan Struby is an assistant professor in the Department of Economics at Carleton College.  


Chris Towner is the policy director for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget in Washington D.C.

]]>
Fri, 26 Apr 2024 17:00:00 +0000 00:49:42 false
Politics Friday: How will the grow go? A look at Minnesota’s future with cannabis 01HVPWWSMBEPQCN6T5TZY9YWCT Minnesota Public Radio By this time next year, Minnesota might have quite a few new stores where people can buy marijuana in various forms. The goal is for an early 2025 rollout of licensed retail locations. 


But will there be enough supply to meet demand — and keep prices from rising too high? And what’s going on with the effort to clear records of people who had past marijuana convictions?


MPR News host Brian Bakst talked with a couple of experts about keeping tabs on expungement of certain prior cannabis-related records and the growing business of cannabis sales.


Then, a peer-led conversation with a three Generation Z voters about how they’re approaching the coming election.  


Later, a taste of sounds and voices from the Capitol and some insight from members of our MPR News politics team. 


Guests:  


Bryant Jones is a plant scientist and a subject matter expert in cannabis cultivation for Minnesota’s Cannabis Advisory Council.  


Jim Rowader is the executive director for the Cannabis Expungement Board Minnesota Department of Corrections and a board member of the Minnesota Justice Research Center.


Samia Abdulle is a student at the University of Minnesota.


Jack McGregor is a student at the University of Minnesota.


Thomas Knutson is a student at the University of Minnesota.

]]>
Wed, 17 Apr 2024 20:45:10 +0000 00:49:10 false
Politics Friday: The landscape of Minnesota education legislation and the outlook of business permitting across the state 01HV7551GBRKQN5WTRVGX5RREA Minnesota Public Radio State lawmakers have budgeted to provide more than $23 billion to schools in the current budget — a 10 percent bump over the prior budget. 


But many districts say they’re still feeling a strain. How come? What is being done to improve literacy, student nutrition, school safety and cultural competency?


MPR News host Brian Bakst talked with two leading senators on education issues: DFL Sen. Mary Kunesh, chair of the Senate Education Finance Committee, and Republican Sen. Zach Duckworth.


Later, there could be movement around streamlining the permitting process for business expansion projects and clean energy developments. Minnesota Chamber of Commerce president Doug Loon talks about permitting changes under discussion and why he wants them to happen. 



Guests:  




Subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.   


Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.    


What should Minnesota lawmakers' top priorities be in 2024?
https://modules.wearehearken.com/mpr/embed/11378/share]]>
Thu, 11 Apr 2024 18:01:38 +0000 00:54:31 false
Politics Friday: The race is underway for Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District 01HTNDM8K4J8FZV6PY948QQAEH Minnesota Public Radio U.S. Representative Angie Craig won Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District seat in 2018, but she’s won two reelection races by single-digit percentage margins. She’s in for another costly and competitive race.


MPR News host Brian Bakst talks with Rep. Craig about her work in Congress and her upcoming campaign.


Later, rural EMS providers are banking on state lawmakers to help keep them afloat. Sen. Jordan Rasmusson, R-Fergus Falls, joins the conversation to talk about what lawmakers could do to assist emergency services under financial strain.



Guests:  



  • Minnesota U.S. Representative Angie Craig   


  • Minnesota State Sen. Jordan Rasmusson, R-Fergus Falls 





Subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.   


Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.    


What should Minnesota lawmakers' top priorities be in 2024?
https://modules.wearehearken.com/mpr/embed/11378/share]]>
Fri, 05 Apr 2024 19:05:00 +0000 00:52:20 false
Politics Friday: A look at the work being done in the Attorney General’s office 01HT5B7BFN2CFKJBJPJ8E6A9H2 Minnesota Public Radio Updated: 2:40 p.m.

Anti-trust cases, consumer protection actions, defense of newly passed state laws and ramped-up criminal prosecutions — it’s all on the plate of Minnesota’s attorney general.


MPR News host Brian Bakst talks with Attorney General Keith Ellison about proposed changes to Minnesota’s gun laws, an upcoming hearing on voting rights, online scams and more.


Later, we’ll meet a Republican vying for his party’s nomination in Minnesota’s most closely watched congressional race. Joe Teirab makes his case for why he should represent Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District.



Guests:  



  • Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison






  • Joe Teirab is a Republican candidate for Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District seat


    What should Minnesota lawmakers' top priorities be in 2024?
    https://modules.wearehearken.com/mpr/embed/11378/share


]]>
Fri, 29 Mar 2024 15:25:00 +0000 00:53:43 false
A space shuttle coming to St. Cloud? It’s possible 01HSV50EK7ET823BXBJR0CMYJR Minnesota Public Radio A space shuttle could be touching down — metaphorically — in St. Cloud. 


Gov. Tim Walz last week said a donor had inquired about placing a space shuttle in central Minnesota. Walz told MPR News’ Politics Friday about the offer but gave few details about the project.


“Someone wants to give us a space shuttle — the space shuttle, a real space shuttle — to move to Minnesota,” he said.


State Sen. Aric Putnam, DFL-St. Cloud, on social media, said the shuttle could be showcased next to a new children’s museum in downtown St. Cloud. The proposed site is currently a parking lot.



In an interview with MPR News, Putnam said Felicity-John Pederson, a graduate of St. Cloud’s Apollo High School and founder of a technology company called LVX System, owns the shuttle and is interested in bringing it to St. Cloud.


The full-scale mockup of a shuttle orbiter, known as Inspiration, is currently housed near the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, but needs to be moved.


“It was primarily for training,” Putnam said. “It’s the real thing. The toilets even flush. It just never went to space.”


Pederson said the shuttle was at the end of its life cycle and scheduled to be destroyed when his company acquired it for research it was doing with NASA. NASA wanted the shuttle donated for education, he said, possibly to St. Cloud, near the Mall of America in Bloomington or another location.


“The most likely seems to be St. Cloud, but that decision is not made,” Pederson said.



Cassie Miles, executive director of the Great River Children’s Museum, said Pederson is a strong supporter of the museum and efforts to boost the economy and quality of life in St. Cloud.


“We both believe that growth is ripe right now. We’re ready to make some big changes,” she said. “Why not have the effort to bring it here?”


But the logistics of moving a space shuttle are daunting. It would need to be disassembled, transported by truck or barge and reassembled using cranes, Miles said. Finding partners willing to help will be key, she said.


Putnam said he’s had conversations with people in several industries who might be able to help make it happen, including a local trucking company.


Miles said she’s had some preliminary conversations with St. Cloud city officials about the idea. But for the most part, she and others have intentionally kept quiet about the prospect, knowing it’s likely to be met with incredulity.



“It’s really hard to bring up something as grand as an orbiter being parked in St. Cloud, Minnesota, without people going, ‘What?’” she said. “It’s hard to wrap your head around.”


Miles and Putnam were both surprised that Gov. Walz mentioned the shuttle during Friday’s interview, but Putnam said he hopes the attention helps the effort.


“Maybe this is something that helps us make it real,” he said.

]]>
Mon, 25 Mar 2024 18:25:00 +0000 00:04:24 false
Politics Friday: Walz on confronting challenges at the Capitol and beyond 01HSHC45A310FGWAXCAQPYT14K Minnesota Public Radio There are two months to go in the Minnesota Legislature’s 2024 session, meaning high-level negotiations aren’t that far off.


Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz released a package of budget revisions this week and continues to make the case for other items on his agenda.



MPR News host Brian Bakst sits down with Walz to talk about how he’s juggling priorities for the legislative session with demands from outside of the Capitol.


Later, Minnesota Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson, R-East Grand Forks, joins the show to talk about the GOP agenda for the remainder of the session.


Guests:  



  • Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz   


  • Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson  





Subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.   


Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.    

]]>
Thu, 21 Mar 2024 21:01:00 +0000 00:55:42 false
Politics Friday: The fate of a sports betting bill and a TikTok ban 01HS1RY8JQ7F35AQ7RPHTZFAC2 Minnesota Public Radio This week, MPR News host Brian Bakst sits down with DFL Rep. Zack Stephenson and DFL Sen. Erin Maye Quade to talk about a sports betting bill that’s garnered a lot of buzz at the Capitol. The bill would establish regulations for on-site and mobile betting venues and who can operate them.


Minnesota is in the minority of states where sports betting isn’t a sanctioned business enterprise. Stephenson is a leading voice in the push to change that, but Maye Quade is among those with concerns about the bill.  


Then, a conversation with Rep. Dean Phillips and Rep. Ilhan Omar about a bill that would ban TikTok in the U.S. that passed in the House this week. While six of the eight House members in Minnesota voted to ban the app if it doesn’t change ownership, Phillips and Omar voted against it.


The app is used daily by millions of Americans. But TikTok has a Chinese parent company, which has fueled concerns about user data privacy and possible foreign influence over the type of content that winds up in front of people. Omar and Phillips, who were among only 65 to oppose the bill, shared their reasons why.


Guests:  



  • Rep. Zack Stephenson, DFL-Coon Rapids   


  • Sen. Erin Maye Quade, DFL-Apple Valley 


  • U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips (D) 


  • U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D)  


  • Briana Bierschbach, politics and government reporter for the Star Tribune 





Subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.


Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

]]>
Fri, 15 Mar 2024 19:47:00 +0000 00:49:08 false
Politics Friday: Bonding bill stirs up debate, but what will it take to get a deal? 01HRDBKJDCDS4RCC7EG95S2886 Minnesota Public Radio MPR News host Brian Bakst is joined by Senate Capital Investment Committee Chair Sandra Pappas and Rep. Dean Urdahl, R-Grove City, the top Republican on the House Capital investment Committee.


They’ll have big roles in shaping this year’s construction projects package known as the bonding bill. Minnesota lawmakers are sorting through billions of dollars in requests this year for publicly financed construction projects, but only a small fraction will make the cut.


The package requires bipartisan cooperation between DFLers and Republicans.  


It was a big political week with Super Tuesday, where results from 17 states and territories all but set up the fall race between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.


They won in Minnesota, but there was a significant turnout for the “uncommitted” vote, a campaign where Democrats voted uncommitted to show their dissatisfaction with the Biden administration’s handling of the conflict in the Middle East.


Republican Nikki Haley and Democratic U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota left the presidential race.


And later, we talk with University of Minnesota political science professor Michael Minta about his takeaways and the grueling campaign to come.

]]>
Fri, 08 Mar 2024 20:10:00 +0000 00:49:22 false
This XML file does not appear to have any style information associated with it. The document tree is shown below.
<rss xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0">
<channel>
<ttl>60</ttl>
<copyright>Copyright 2024 Minnesota Public Radio</copyright>
<link>http://www.mprnews.org/podcasts/policast</link>
<title>Politics Friday</title>
<description>
<![CDATA[ Weekly updates from Brian Bakst and the Minnesota Public Radio newsroom staff covering politics in Minnesota. ]]>
</description>
<language>en</language>
<itunes:new-feed-url>https://feeds.publicradio.org/public_feeds/policast</itunes:new-feed-url>
<itunes:author>Minnesota Public Radio</itunes:author>
<itunes:type>episodic</itunes:type>
<itunes:complete>No</itunes:complete>
<itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit>
<atom:link rel="self" type="application/rss+builder" href="https://feeds.publicradio.org/public_feeds/policast"/>
<itunes:owner>
<itunes:name>Minnesota Public Radio</itunes:name>
<itunes:email>podcasts@americanpublicmedia.org</itunes:email>
</itunes:owner>
<itunes:image href="https://img.apmcdn.org/ddb7887daaeb72b019b56de3bd4f208cca1481f0/square/77c508-20220913-politics-friday-podcast-art-2000.jpg"/>
<image>
<url>https://img.apmcdn.org/ddb7887daaeb72b019b56de3bd4f208cca1481f0/square/77c508-20220913-politics-friday-podcast-art-2000.jpg</url>
<title>Politics Friday</title>
<link>http://www.mprnews.org/podcasts/policast</link>
</image>
<itunes:category text="Government"/>
<item>
<title>Politics Friday: Trump’s path to the White House began at the Iowa Caucuses</title>
<guid isPermaLink="false">01JCRD0RYQN3E4MXGCXWAQBSJS</guid>
<itunes:author>Minnesota Public Radio</itunes:author>
<description>
<![CDATA[ <p>MPR News senior politics reporter Clay Masters looks back on the 2024 election campaign for the Iowa Caucus to election events leading up to this week when President-elect Trump stepped back into the White House.</p> ]]>
</description>
<enclosure length="23798381" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://mgln.ai/e/5/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/chrt.fm/track/3G835/play.publicradio.org/podcast/o/minnesota/podcasts/policast/2024/11/15/policast_TrumpspathtoWHandTalkingSense_20241115_64.mp3"/>
<pubDate>Fri, 15 Nov 2024 18:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
<itunes:duration>00:49:28</itunes:duration>
<itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit>
</item>
<item>
<title>Politics Friday: The voters have spoken, but sent a muddled message for Minnesota’s Legislature </title>
<guid isPermaLink="false">01JC4EYGAWSBX7NM3AXG0VZCG5</guid>
<itunes:author>Minnesota Public Radio</itunes:author>
<description>
<![CDATA[ <p>MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst and his guests talk about the Minnesota Legislature and how the state will govern in 2025 with both chambers split virtually down the middle.  </p> ]]>
</description>
<enclosure length="23954109" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://mgln.ai/e/5/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/chrt.fm/track/3G835/play.publicradio.org/podcast/o/minnesota/podcasts/policast/2024/11/08/policast_11082024splitmnhouse_20241108_64.mp3"/>
<pubDate>Fri, 08 Nov 2024 19:49:00 +0000</pubDate>
<itunes:duration>00:49:48</itunes:duration>
<itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit>
</item>
<item>
<title>Politics Friday: Minnesota campaigns, parties gear up for Election Day</title>
<guid isPermaLink="false">01JBHRKG4J3KW1TDJS363MNPCG</guid>
<itunes:author>Minnesota Public Radio</itunes:author>
<description>
<![CDATA[ <p>It’s now November and Election Day is almost here.  </p><br/><p>MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst talks with Minnesota’s Secretary of State about what’s being done to make sure the balloting and the counting goes smoothly, and when might we know who won races up and down the ballot.  </p><br/><p>Later, Minnesota DFL and Republican Party chairs share their closing takes on an unconventional campaign year, and seasoned political pros stop in for an election night preview. We’ll learn what they’re watching for and how the state Capitol might look when the dust settles. </p><br/><p><strong>Guests: </strong> </p><br/><ul><br/><li><p><strong>Steve Simon </strong>is the Minnesota Secretary of State.   </p></li><br/><li><p><strong>Ken Martin</strong> is the Minnesota DFL Party chair. </p></li><br/><li><p><strong>David Hann</strong> is the chairman of the Republican Party of Minnesota. </p></li><br/><li><p><strong>Chas Anderson </strong>is the CEO and senior principal at Park Street Public. </p></li><br/><li><p><strong>Todd Rapp</strong> is the CEO and President of Rapp Strategies Inc.  </p></li><br/><br/></ul><br/><br/><p><strong><em>Subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on:</em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mpr-news-with-angela-davis/id1445601454" class="Hyperlink SCXW163845963 BCX0"> </a></em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/policast-mpr-news/id129950195?mt=2" class="Hyperlink SCXW163845963 BCX0">Apple Podcasts</a></em></strong><strong><em>, </em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3XhBqIe6ywGLYmeMI0Rfag" class="Hyperlink SCXW163845963 BCX0">Spotify</a></em></strong><strong><em> or wherever you get your podcast. </em></strong> </p><br/><p><strong><em>Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.</em></strong> </p> ]]>
</description>
<enclosure length="23767594" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://mgln.ai/e/5/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/chrt.fm/track/3G835/play.publicradio.org/podcast/o/minnesota/podcasts/policast/2024/11/01/policast_110124EDpreview_20241101_64.mp3"/>
<pubDate>Fri, 01 Nov 2024 17:05:00 +0000</pubDate>
<itunes:duration>00:49:24</itunes:duration>
<itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit>
</item>
<item>
<title>Politics Friday: The race to lead the Minnesota Legislature </title>
<guid isPermaLink="false">01JB02M2TK94VWAMHHXRR3FEFQ</guid>
<itunes:author>Minnesota Public Radio</itunes:author>
<description>
<![CDATA[ <p>Presidential election years can make for unpredictable outcomes down the ballot. </p><br/><p>For Minnesota, the party that turns out its base — and connects with independents best — has the inside track to gain the gavels at the state’s Capitol. </p><br/><p>The Senate majority will be decided by a single, winner-take-all race in the western suburbs. As for the House, key races in northern Minnesota and some in the south could determine if the DFL trifecta will live on into 2025.  </p><br/><br/><p>MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst talks with Minnesota Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman, a Democrat and House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth, a Republican, about their party’s prospects in next month’s election.  </p><br/><p>Later, a look at a northern Minnesota congressional race that features a rematch from two years ago.    </p><br/><p><strong>Guests: </strong> </p><br/><ul><br/><li><p><strong>House Speaker Melissa Hortman</strong>, DFL-Brooklyn Park   </p></li><br/><li><p><strong>House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth</strong>, R-Cold Spring </p></li><br/><li><p><strong>Jennifer Schultz, </strong>a DFL candidate for Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District seat. </p></li><br/><br/></ul><br/><br/><p><strong><em>Subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on:</em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mpr-news-with-angela-davis/id1445601454" class="Hyperlink SCXW119496114 BCX0"> </a></em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/policast-mpr-news/id129950195?mt=2" class="Hyperlink SCXW119496114 BCX0">Apple Podcasts</a></em></strong><strong><em>, </em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3XhBqIe6ywGLYmeMI0Rfag" class="Hyperlink SCXW119496114 BCX0">Spotify</a></em></strong><strong><em> or wherever you get your podcast. </em></strong> </p><br/><p><strong><em>Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.</em></strong> </p> ]]>
</description>
<enclosure length="24300481" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://mgln.ai/e/5/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/chrt.fm/track/3G835/play.publicradio.org/podcast/o/minnesota/podcasts/policast/2024/10/25/policast_PFpodhortmandemuth_20241025_64.mp3"/>
<pubDate>Fri, 25 Oct 2024 20:34:00 +0000</pubDate>
<itunes:duration>00:50:31</itunes:duration>
<itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit>
</item>
<item>
<title>Politics Friday: The 2024 election will determine who presides in Minnesota courtrooms, remember there are judges on your ballot</title>
<guid isPermaLink="false">01JADYW2PQT35VQEJS2YVKQTBP</guid>
<itunes:author>Minnesota Public Radio</itunes:author>
<description>
<![CDATA[ <p>With fewer than three weeks left until Election Day, campaign ads for the presidency down to the Legislature have flooded the airwaves from your TV to your phone.  </p><br/><p>But judges are on the election ballot, too. Judicial candidates are running for judgeships in local District Courts, the Court of Appeals and even the Minnesota Supreme Court. There are 100 races, although fewer than a tenth of them have multiple candidates to choose from. </p><br/><p>Most judges in Minnesota tend to be appointed by the governor, so why are those races on your ballot?  </p><br/><p>Friday at noon, MPR News politics editor and his guests discuss judicial elections, and why incumbent judges rarely face serious challenges.  </p><br/><p>Later, is the approaching election and partisan politics raising anxiety or straining your relationships? The creator of MPR’s Talking Sense initiative shares tips on how to weather the remaining weeks and the aftermath. Then, a sneak peek at the <a href="https://www.mprnews.org/story/2024/09/10/walk-a-mile-in-my-news-political-depolarize-talking-sense" class="Hyperlink SCXW7891780 BCX0">Walk a Mile in My News</a> project.  </p><br/><p><strong>Guests: </strong> </p><br/><ul><br/><li><p><a href="https://siebenedmunds.com/team/samuel-edmunds/" class="Hyperlink SCXW7891780 BCX0">Samuel Edmunds</a> is the president of the <a href="https://mnbars.org/" class="Hyperlink SCXW7891780 BCX0">Minnesota State Bar Association</a> and a partner at Sieben Edmunds Miller, focusing on criminal defense and injury law. </p></li><br/><li><p><a href="https://www.brennancenter.org/experts/douglas-keith" class="Hyperlink SCXW7891780 BCX0">Douglas Keith</a> is a senior counsel in the Brennan Center’s Judiciary Program and the founding editor of <a href="https://statecourtreport.org/" class="Hyperlink SCXW7891780 BCX0">State Court Report,</a> a publication focused on state courts and state constitutional law.   </p></li><br/><li><p><a href="https://www.mprnews.org/people/catharine-richert" class="Hyperlink SCXW7891780 BCX0">Catharine Richert</a> is an MPR News reporter and <a href="https://www.mprnews.org/talking-sense" class="Hyperlink SCXW7891780 BCX0">Talking Sense</a> lead correspondent.  </p></li><br/><br/></ul> ]]>
</description>
<enclosure length="24041624" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://mgln.ai/e/5/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/chrt.fm/track/3G835/play.publicradio.org/podcast/o/minnesota/podcasts/policast/2024/10/18/policast_pfjudgeshipsts_20241018_64.mp3"/>
<pubDate>Fri, 18 Oct 2024 17:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
<itunes:duration>00:49:59</itunes:duration>
<itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit>
</item>
<item>
<title>Battle to shore up bases remains as Election Day nears</title>
<guid isPermaLink="false">01J9W7KW3TWQMAHZ8WWRA2DN71</guid>
<itunes:author>Minnesota Public Radio</itunes:author>
<description>
<![CDATA[ <p>Earlier this week marked one year since Hamas attacked Israel. Hamas militants invaded Israel, killed about 1,200 people and kidnapped another 250 people, making it the deadliest attack in Israel’s history. About 100 hostages have not been returned. Israel’s retaliation in Gaza has killed more than 41,000 people and wounded more than 96,000, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, and resulted in mass displacement and a humanitarian crisis.</p><br/><p>As the war in the Middle East continues with no immediate cease-fire deal in sight, the situation will pose difficulties for the next U.S. president. Jon Alterman, author of the piece “Middle East Challenges Will Vex Not Only the First 100 Days but the First 1,000,” sums up the complex challenges that await. It’s part of a new report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies on the global impact of the 2024 election, where Alterman serves as the senior vice president. He also directs the Middle East Program.  </p><br/><p>MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst talks with Alterman about the dynamics in the Middle East and where the leading presidential candidates line up. Later, a peer-led, follow-up conversation with two Generation Z voters about their feelings toward the election after a summer of unprecedented political events.</p> ]]>
</description>
<enclosure length="21503510" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://mgln.ai/e/5/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/chrt.fm/track/3G835/play.publicradio.org/podcast/o/minnesota/podcasts/policast/2024/10/11/policast_PFmiddleeastgenzvoters_20241011_64.mp3"/>
<pubDate>Fri, 11 Oct 2024 19:46:00 +0000</pubDate>
<itunes:duration>00:44:41</itunes:duration>
<itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit>
</item>
<item>
<title>Politics Friday: Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District debate</title>
<guid isPermaLink="false">01J99Q3FE53G34YCP88N4W8163</guid>
<itunes:author>Minnesota Public Radio</itunes:author>
<description>
<![CDATA[ <p>Minnesota’s most competitive race for Congress is expected to be in the 2nd Congressional District, which includes suburban, exurban and rural areas south of the Twin Cities. It’s one of the few districts in America where voters favored Republican Donald Trump in 2016 and then Democrat Joe Biden in 2020.</p><br/><p>Three-term Democratic Rep. Angie Craig is trying to retain the seat. She’ll face former federal prosecutor and Republican nominee Joe Teirab on November’s ballot.</p><br/><div class="apm-related-list"><br/> <div class="apm-related-list-title"> </div><br/> <ul class="apm-related-list-body"><br/> <li class="apm-related-link default-related-link"><br/> <div class="apm-related-link default-related-link"><br/> <a href="https://www.mprnews.org/us-house-district-2-general-election"><span class="apm-related-link-prefix">Read our Voter Guides</span> U.S. House: District 2</a><br/> </div><br/> </li><br/> </ul><br/></div><br/><br/><p>MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst moderated a debate between Craig and Teirab held live at MPR’s St. Paul studios.</p><br/><p>Video of the debate is available on MPR’s YouTube and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MPRnews/" class="default">Facebook</a> page.</p><br/><p></p><br/><p><strong>Guests: </strong> </p><br/><ul><br/><li><p><strong>Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.)</strong>, incumbent congresswoman in Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District. She was elected in 2018. </p></li><br/><br/></ul><br/><br/><ul><br/><li><p><strong>Joe Teirab</strong>, Republican challenger in Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District. </p></li><br/><br/></ul><br/><br/><br/><p><strong><em>Subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on:</em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mpr-news-with-angela-davis/id1445601454" class="Hyperlink SCXW228249386 BCX0"> </a></em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/policast-mpr-news/id129950195?mt=2" class="Hyperlink SCXW228249386 BCX0">Apple Podcasts</a></em></strong><strong><em>, </em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3XhBqIe6ywGLYmeMI0Rfag" class="Hyperlink SCXW228249386 BCX0">Spotify</a></em></strong><strong><em>, or wherever you get your podcasts. </em></strong> </p><br/><p><strong><em>Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.</em></strong> <br></p> ]]>
</description>
<enclosure length="25140211" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://mgln.ai/e/5/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/chrt.fm/track/3G835/play.publicradio.org/podcast/o/minnesota/podcasts/policast/2024/10/04/policast_vraigteirabdebate_20241004_64.mp3"/>
<pubDate>Fri, 04 Oct 2024 19:33:00 +0000</pubDate>
<itunes:duration>00:52:16</itunes:duration>
<itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit>
</item>
<item>
<title>Politics Friday: Poll shows Harris with narrow Minnesota lead, but what else can we glean from it?</title>
<guid isPermaLink="false">01J8R0V6957F1YPNR9G6XHW7X2</guid>
<itunes:author>Minnesota Public Radio</itunes:author>
<description>
<![CDATA[ <p>With new candidates on the Democratic ticket and former president Donald Trump atop the Republican ticket for a third time, a new Minnesota poll shows Kamala Harris with an edge. Coming up Friday at noon, MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst talks with Minnesota journalists about the poll results.</p> ]]>
</description>
<enclosure length="23782732" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://mgln.ai/e/5/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/chrt.fm/track/3G835/play.publicradio.org/podcast/o/minnesota/news/features/2024/09/27/20240927_politicsfriday_20240927_64.mp3"/>
<pubDate>Thu, 26 Sep 2024 21:17:00 +0000</pubDate>
<itunes:duration>00:49:31</itunes:duration>
<itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit>
</item>
<item>
<title>Politics Friday: Know your ballot picks? It’s time to vote in Minnesota</title>
<guid isPermaLink="false">01J862ECQN9E5BBQKFRVESKQRX</guid>
<itunes:author>Minnesota Public Radio</itunes:author>
<description>
<![CDATA[ <p>There are 46 days until Election Day, and that means the start of early voting in Minnesota – one of the first states where votes can get cast.  </p><br/><p>MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst talks with Secretary of State Steve Simon about the early voting process and the safeguards being taken to make sure the 2024 election runs smoothly and fairly across the state. </p><br/><p>Later in the hour, plugged-in members of the Minnesota’s DFL and Republican parties share their perspectives on how they see this election shaking out from the presidential race on down the ticket. </p><br/><p><strong>Guests: </strong> </p><br/><ul><br/><li><p><strong>Steve Simon</strong> is Minnesota’s Secretary of State.   </p></li><br/><li><p><strong>Ak Kamara</strong> is the Republican National Committeeman for Minnesota. </p></li><br/><li><p><strong>Ryan Winkler</strong> is a former DFL majority leader in the Minnesota House.  </p></li><br/><br/></ul><br/><br/><p><strong><em>Subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on:</em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mpr-news-with-angela-davis/id1445601454" class="Hyperlink SCXW138855762 BCX0"> </a></em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/policast-mpr-news/id129950195?mt=2" class="Hyperlink SCXW138855762 BCX0">Apple Podcasts</a></em></strong><strong><em>, </em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3XhBqIe6ywGLYmeMI0Rfag" class="Hyperlink SCXW138855762 BCX0">Spotify</a></em></strong><strong><em>, or </em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://feeds.publicradio.org/public_feeds/policast/rss/rss" class="Hyperlink SCXW138855762 BCX0">RSS</a></em></strong><strong><em>.</em></strong>   </p><br/><p><strong><em>Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.</em></strong> </p> ]]>
</description>
<enclosure length="23815961" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://mgln.ai/e/5/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/chrt.fm/track/3G835/play.publicradio.org/podcast/o/minnesota/podcasts/policast/2024/09/20/policast_earlyvotingelection2024_20240920_64.mp3"/>
<pubDate>Thu, 19 Sep 2024 21:29:00 +0000</pubDate>
<itunes:duration>00:49:30</itunes:duration>
<itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit>
</item>
<item>
<title>Politics Friday: What to watch for with political ads on the way</title>
<guid isPermaLink="false">01J7KXGS7T252V1TY8S3WTRXNZ</guid>
<itunes:author>Minnesota Public Radio</itunes:author>
<description>
<![CDATA[ <p>The newest member of Minnesota’s congressional delegation, Republican Rep. Brad Finstad, is asking voters for a second term in district one. Democrat Rachel Bohman is asking those same southern Minnesota voters to give her the job instead. </p><br/><br/><p>Bohman, a lawyer and former local board official who has a background in election administration, is looking to flip a seat that has been held by Republicans since 2019. </p><br/><p>What does she stand for and why should voters go in a new direction? MPR News politics editor and host Brian Bakst talks with Bohman about her campaign. Finstad declined an invitation to appear. </p><br/><p>Later, we’ll discuss campaign ads with associate professor Dan Myers of the University of Minnesota’s Department of Political Science. </p><br/><p>Hundreds of millions of dollars will be spent nationally between now and Election Day on television and digital commercials, although Minnesota has had a light dose so far. </p><br/><p><strong>Guests: </strong> </p><br/><ul><br/><li><p><strong>Rachel Bohman</strong> is the DFL candidate for the Congressional District 1</p></li><br/><li><p><strong>Dan Myers</strong> is an associate professor at the University of Minnesota. </p></li><br/><br/></ul><br/><br/><p><strong><em>Subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on:</em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mpr-news-with-angela-davis/id1445601454" class="Hyperlink SCXW150366476 BCX0"> </a></em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/policast-mpr-news/id129950195?mt=2" class="Hyperlink SCXW150366476 BCX0">Apple Podcasts</a></em></strong><strong><em>, </em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3XhBqIe6ywGLYmeMI0Rfag" class="Hyperlink SCXW150366476 BCX0">Spotify</a></em></strong><strong><em>, or </em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://feeds.publicradio.org/public_feeds/policast/rss/rss" class="Hyperlink SCXW150366476 BCX0">RSS</a></em></strong><strong><em>.</em></strong>   </p><br/><p><strong><em>Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.</em></strong> </p> ]]>
</description>
<enclosure length="28368482" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://mgln.ai/e/5/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/chrt.fm/track/3G835/play.publicradio.org/podcast/o/minnesota/podcasts/policast/2024/09/13/policast_tvadsrachelbohman_20240913_64.mp3"/>
<pubDate>Thu, 12 Sep 2024 21:42:00 +0000</pubDate>
<itunes:duration>00:59:00</itunes:duration>
<itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit>
</item>
<item>
<title>Politics Friday: Minnesota’s Senate race is a study in contrast</title>
<guid isPermaLink="false">01J71H01SX2N48G5AG2Q72PA4Z</guid>
<itunes:author>Minnesota Public Radio</itunes:author>
<description>
<![CDATA[ <p>The Minnesota State Fair has ended. The 12-day event brought out long lines for fried food, a butter sculpting competition and U.S. Senate candidates looking to represent the state in the nation’s Capital.</p><br/><p>There have been 44 people in Minnesota who have held the title of U.S. senator since statehood, but only seven have been elected to three or more terms. Minnesota has a U.S. Senate election now just a couple of months away, and Democrat Amy Klobuchar is after a fourth term.  </p><br/><p>MPR News host Brian Bakst talks with Sen. Klobuchar at the State Fair. She shares what she’s been up to in Washington and what she would do if given another six years. </p><br/><p>Later, we’ll hear from Republican nominee Royce White, who is running on the slogan “the people are coming.” White talks about his path to politics after time spent in professional basketball — in the U.S. and abroad — and his conservative ideology.</p><br/><p><strong>Guests: </strong> </p><br/><ul><br/><li><p>DFL U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar</p></li><br/><li><p>U.S. Senate Republican nominee Royce White </p></li><br/><br/></ul><br/><br/><p><strong><em>Subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on:</em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mpr-news-with-angela-davis/id1445601454" class="Hyperlink SCXW215587196 BCX0"> </a></em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/policast-mpr-news/id129950195?mt=2" class="Hyperlink SCXW215587196 BCX0">Apple Podcasts</a></em></strong><strong><em>, </em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wdWJsaWNyYWRpby5vcmcvcHVibGljX2ZlZWRzL3BvbGljYXN0L3Jzcy9yc3M%3D" class="Hyperlink SCXW215587196 BCX0">Google Podcasts</a></em></strong><strong><em>, </em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3XhBqIe6ywGLYmeMI0Rfag" class="Hyperlink SCXW215587196 BCX0">Spotify</a></em></strong><strong><em>, or </em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://feeds.publicradio.org/public_feeds/policast/rss/rss" class="Hyperlink SCXW215587196 BCX0">RSS</a></em></strong><strong><em>.</em></strong>   </p><br/><p><strong><em>Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.</em></strong> </p> ]]>
</description>
<enclosure length="28669042" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://mgln.ai/e/5/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/chrt.fm/track/3G835/play.publicradio.org/podcast/o/minnesota/podcasts/policast/2024/09/06/policast_klobucharwhite_20240906_64.mp3"/>
<pubDate>Fri, 06 Sep 2024 17:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
<itunes:duration>00:59:37</itunes:duration>
<itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit>
</item>
<item>
<title>Minnesota Now: Aug. 14, 2024</title>
<guid isPermaLink="false">01J5904HSPWK4G3XN31F8WH6Z5</guid>
<itunes:author>Minnesota Public Radio</itunes:author>
<description>
<![CDATA[ <p>We break down the primary results and what they mean for November. Three U.S. House races were closely watched. </p><br/><p>We hear from Congresswomen Ilhan Omar and Michelle Fischbach who both fended off primary challenges. </p><br/><p>The match up is set in Minnesota’s most competitive U.S. House district. We talk to Republican Joe Teirab who will be facing Democratic Congresswoman Angie Craig.</p><br/><p>Plus, we hear from party leaders at the state capitol about their priorities and break down one key race in the state senate that could decide party control. </p><br/><p>The politics don’t stop with primary night. In fact, the Democratic National Convention is in just a few days. We share a preview of what to expect from Gov. Tim Walz.</p> ]]>
</description>
<enclosure length="56679468" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://mgln.ai/e/5/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/chrt.fm/track/3G835/play.publicradio.org/podcast/o/minnesota/podcasts/minnesota_now/2024/08/14/mn_now_20240814_fullshow_20240814_128.mp3"/>
<pubDate>Wed, 14 Aug 2024 18:49:00 +0000</pubDate>
<itunes:duration>00:59:00</itunes:duration>
<itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit>
</item>
<item>
<title>Special coverage: Walz picked to run as Harris’ vice presidential candidate</title>
<guid isPermaLink="false">01J4M5GNC290P4MRB0NRRMC4QH</guid>
<itunes:author>Minnesota Public Radio</itunes:author>
<description>
<![CDATA[ <p>Tim Walz, the second-term Minnesota governor with a folksy demeanor and a swath of experience both in and out of government, gained a spot on the Democratic ticket as Kamala Harris’ vice presidential choice.</p><br/><p>Supporters of Gov. Walz say the ex-Army National Guard leader, former teacher and past congressman could help Harris in the Midwest. But he also comes with baggage from nearly two decades in political office.</p><br/><p>Listen to special coverage live from MPR News with host Cathy Wurzer and political editor Brian Bakst.</p><br/><p><em>Clifford Bentley served as technical director for this special coverage.</em></p><br/><p><em>Find more coverage on the </em><em><a href="https://www.mprnews.org/" class="default">MPR News website</a></em><em>.</em></p><br/><p><em><a href="https://www.mprnews.org/story/2024/08/05/tim-walz-vp-kamala-harris-minnesota-gov-democratic-running-mate" class="default">Kamala Harris taps Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as Democratic running mate</a></em></p><br/><p><em><a href="https://www.mprnews.org/story/2024/08/06/gov-tim-walz-vp-kamala-harris-running-mate-what-happens-now-minnesota-politics" class="default">Gov. Tim Walz is Kamala Harris’ running mate. What happens now in Minnesota politics?</a></em></p> ]]>
</description>
<enclosure length="58314568" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://mgln.ai/e/5/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/chrt.fm/track/3G835/play.publicradio.org/podcast/o/minnesota/podcasts/minnesota_today/2024/08/06/mntoday_special-coverage-minn-today_20240806_64.mp3"/>
<pubDate>Tue, 06 Aug 2024 17:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
<itunes:duration>02:01:26</itunes:duration>
<itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit>
</item>
<item>
<title>Politics Friday: This is not your typical summer before a ‘big election‘</title>
<guid isPermaLink="false">01J3NW0W3E4MPYAPZ5NYG2SMS4</guid>
<itunes:author>Minnesota Public Radio</itunes:author>
<description>
<![CDATA[ <p>It has been an extraordinary month in our nation’s politics. </p><br/><p>There’s been development after riveting development, with each eclipsing the last. And yet, with still 100 days to go till Election Day, this could be just a taste of what’s ahead.</p><br/><p>MPR News host Brian Bakst talks with MPR political reporters Mark Zdechlik and Clay Masters about the last four weeks in politics and breaks down what the country has experienced.</p><br/><div class="apm-gallery"><br/> <div class="apm-gallery-title">Gallery</div><br/> <ul class="apm-gallery-slides"><br/> <li class="apm-slide"><br/> <br/> </li><br/> <li class="apm-slide"><br/> <br/> </li><br/> <li class="apm-slide"><br/> <br/> </li><br/> </ul><br/></div><br/><br/><p><br><strong><em>Subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on:</em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mpr-news-with-angela-davis/id1445601454" class="apm-link Hyperlink SCXW63423480 BCX0"> Apple Podcasts</a></em></strong><strong><em>,</em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubXBybmV3cy5vcmcvZmVlZC9zaG93cy9hbmdlbGEtZGF2aXM?sa=X&ved=0CBQQ27cFahcKEwiozfS6pqHwAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAg" class="apm-link Hyperlink SCXW63423480 BCX0"> </a></em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/7fVFs4Izmen2xrNROtQdh7" class="apm-link Hyperlink SCXW63423480 BCX0">Spotify</a></em></strong><strong><em> or</em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://feeds.publicradio.org/public_feeds/mpr-news-with-angela-davis/rss/rss" class="apm-link Hyperlink SCXW63423480 BCX0"> RSS</a></em></strong><strong><em>.</em></strong><strong> </strong><strong><em>Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.</em></strong><strong>   </strong> </p> ]]>
</description>
<enclosure length="12040493" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://mgln.ai/e/5/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/chrt.fm/track/3G835/play.publicradio.org/podcast/o/minnesota/podcasts/policast/2024/07/25/policast_pfrecapingthelastweek_20240725_64.mp3"/>
<pubDate>Thu, 25 Jul 2024 22:37:00 +0000</pubDate>
<itunes:duration>00:24:59</itunes:duration>
<itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit>
</item>
<item>
<title>The stage is set for a Biden, Trump debate that could have implications on a tight race</title>
<guid isPermaLink="false">01J1835461EE3GNBHVWB73F7JZ</guid>
<itunes:author>Minnesota Public Radio</itunes:author>
<description>
<![CDATA[ <p>Democrat Joe Biden, the current president, and Republican Donald Trump, the former president, meet Thursday, June 27, for the first debate either candidate has been in since 2020. </p><br/><p>The presumed presidential rematch has been set for months — with both candidates earning the necessary primary wins to gain their party nominations, which they’ll formally accept at conventions later this summer. </p><br/><p>MPR News host Brian Bakst talks with presidential scholars and a former presidential candidate about the work it takes to prepare for a presidential debate and how Thursday’s debate could impact both campaigns over the next few months. </p><br/><p><em>Politics Friday will return to the airwaves later this fall for our weekly coverage of the 2024 Election. Until then, we’re coming straight to your podcast feeds — occasionally — throughout the summer.</em></p><br/><p><strong>Guests: </strong> </p><br/><ul><br/><li><p><strong><a href="https://x.com/TimPawlenty" class="Hyperlink SCXW63423480 BCX0">Tim Pawlenty</a></strong> is the former governor of Minnesota. He served from 2003 to 2011 and sought the 2012 Republican presidential nomination. </p></li><br/><li><p><strong><a href="https://www.bu.edu/com/profile/tammy-r-vigil/" class="Hyperlink SCXW63423480 BCX0">Tammy Vigil</a></strong><strong> </strong>is the senior associate dean and associate professor of media science at Boston University. Previously, she has done work for the Commission on Presidential Debates. </p></li><br/><li><p><strong><a href="https://www.sipa.columbia.edu/communities-connections/faculty/timothy-naftali" class="Hyperlink SCXW63423480 BCX0">Timothy Naftali</a></strong> is a presidential historian and former director of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum. He’s a senior research scholar at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs.</p></li><br/><br/></ul><br/><br/><p><strong><em>Subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on:</em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mpr-news-with-angela-davis/id1445601454" class="Hyperlink SCXW63423480 BCX0"> Apple Podcasts</a></em></strong><strong><em>,</em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubXBybmV3cy5vcmcvZmVlZC9zaG93cy9hbmdlbGEtZGF2aXM?sa=X&ved=0CBQQ27cFahcKEwiozfS6pqHwAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAg" class="Hyperlink SCXW63423480 BCX0"> </a></em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/7fVFs4Izmen2xrNROtQdh7" class="Hyperlink SCXW63423480 BCX0">Spotify</a></em></strong><strong><em> or</em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://feeds.publicradio.org/public_feeds/mpr-news-with-angela-davis/rss/rss" class="Hyperlink SCXW63423480 BCX0"> RSS</a></em></strong><strong><em>.</em></strong><strong> </strong> </p><br/><p><strong><em>Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.</em></strong><strong>   </strong> </p> ]]>
</description>
<enclosure length="23856672" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://mgln.ai/e/5/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/chrt.fm/track/3G835/play.publicradio.org/podcast/o/minnesota/podcasts/policast/2024/06/25/policast_062524_debateprep_20240625_64.mp3"/>
<pubDate>Tue, 25 Jun 2024 16:55:00 +0000</pubDate>
<itunes:duration>00:49:36</itunes:duration>
<itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit>
</item>
<item>
<title>Politics Friday: How are voters in the state feeling about the upcoming election? A new poll says the race is close</title>
<guid isPermaLink="false">01J0BNGRP740Y65YQZSSJTR6KE</guid>
<itunes:author>Minnesota Public Radio</itunes:author>
<description>
<![CDATA[ <p>This week MPR News and other media partners released the first Minnesota Poll results of the year. The poll, in partnership with MPR News, KARE 11 and the Star Tribune, revealed a close race for president. </p><br/><p>The Minnesota Poll also offered a glimpse at top issues for voters and showed the unease many have about Biden and Trump.  </p><br/><p>In this Politics Friday podcast, MPR News host and politics editor Brian Bakst and his guests talk about the poll results and what they suggest about where this election year is headed. </p><br/><p><em>Politics Friday will return to the airwaves later this fall for our weekly coverage of the 2024 Election. Until then, we’re coming straight to your podcast feeds — occasionally — throughout the summer.</em> </p><br/><p><strong>Guests: </strong> </p><br/><ul><br/><li><p><strong>Craig Helmstetter </strong>is the managing partner of the APM Research Lab at Minnesota Public Radio.  </p></li><br/><li><p><strong>Briana Bierschbach </strong>is a politics and government reporter with the Star Tribune.  </p></li><br/><li><p><strong>John Croman </strong>is a politics reporter for KARE 11. </p></li><br/><br/></ul> ]]>
</description>
<enclosure length="11949442" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://mgln.ai/e/5/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/chrt.fm/track/3G835/play.publicradio.org/podcast/o/minnesota/podcasts/policast/2024/06/14/policast_240614PFpodcast1_20240614_64.mp3"/>
<pubDate>Fri, 14 Jun 2024 15:23:06 +0000</pubDate>
<itunes:duration>00:24:47</itunes:duration>
<itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit>
</item>
<item>
<title>Politics Friday: Minnesota DFLers convene for their state convention </title>
<guid isPermaLink="false">01HZ59G5942BRAATSWWMC2HA55</guid>
<itunes:author>Minnesota Public Radio</itunes:author>
<description>
<![CDATA[ <p>The 2024 DFL State Convention will be held at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center in Duluth beginning Friday afternoon.</p><br/><p>Coming up Friday at noon, a special edition of Politics Friday with a preview of the DFL convention. MPR News host Brian Bakst will talk with DFL Chairman Ken Martin and state Sen. Kelly Morrison, the endorsed candidate for Congress in Minnesota’s 3rd Congressional District.</p><br/><p>Later, a roundtable conversation with DFL delegates as they get ready to gather for their party’s convention.</p> ]]>
</description>
<enclosure length="24022964" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://mgln.ai/e/5/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/chrt.fm/track/3G835/play.publicradio.org/podcast/o/minnesota/podcasts/policast/2024/05/31/policast_053124dflconvention__20240531_64.mp3"/>
<pubDate>Fri, 31 May 2024 17:41:00 +0000</pubDate>
<itunes:duration>00:49:56</itunes:duration>
<itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit>
</item>
<item>
<title>Politics Friday: Gov. Tim Walz weighs in after the Minnesota Legislature gavels out</title>
<guid isPermaLink="false">01HYGZ7CKH7PPR88WGG040P0QS</guid>
<itunes:author>Minnesota Public Radio</itunes:author>
<description>
<![CDATA[ <p>The DFL is in its second year of control of the House, Senate and governor’s office. </p><br/><p>Over the last four months, the DFL passed a rideshare ordinance, a bill on gun restrictions with a tougher penalty for “straw purchasers” and various cannabis resolutions. But there’s also a list of bills that didn’t pass from an equal rights amendment to sports betting bill and a construction projects plan.</p><br/><p>MPR News host Brian Bakst talked to Gov. Tim Walz about his take on the 2024 legislative Session. Later, the Republican perspective on this year’s session with Sen. Julia Coleman of Waconia and the assistant minority leader in the Minnesota Senate.  </p><br/><p>Plus, MPR Capitol reporters Dana Ferguson and Clay Masters told us more about what got done at the Capitol this year, what got left behind and what it means for the campaign already under way.  </p> ]]>
</description>
<enclosure length="27009089" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://mgln.ai/e/5/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/chrt.fm/track/3G835/play.publicradio.org/podcast/o/minnesota/podcasts/policast/2024/05/24/policast_05242024pfgovwalz_20240524_64.mp3"/>
<pubDate>Fri, 24 May 2024 19:26:00 +0000</pubDate>
<itunes:duration>00:56:10</itunes:duration>
<itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit>
</item>
<item>
<title>Politics Friday: Minnesota Republicans gather for their state convention</title>
<guid isPermaLink="false">01HY1ER1KMAAY21HGPDRFJ8CF4</guid>
<itunes:author>Minnesota Public Radio</itunes:author>
<description>
<![CDATA[ <p>The Minnesota Republican Party convention gets underway at the St. Paul RiverCentre, with the selection of national delegates and endorsement of a U.S. Senate candidate on the to-do list. Former President Donald Trump is scheduled to speak at the party’s annual Lincoln-Reagan fundraising dinner which will be held in association with the convention.  </p><br/><p>Coming up Friday at noon, a special edition of Politics Friday from the 2024 State Convention for Minnesota Republicans. MPR News host Brian Bakst and the MPR politics team conduct interviews and a look at the scenes at the convention.</p><br/><p>Later, a recap of the session-ending sprint at the state Capitol with MPR News senior politics reporters Dana Ferguson and Clay Masters.</p> ]]>
</description>
<enclosure length="23814199" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://mgln.ai/e/5/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/chrt.fm/track/3G835/play.publicradio.org/podcast/o/minnesota/podcasts/policast/2024/05/17/policast_gopconvetion05172024_20240517_64.mp3"/>
<pubDate>Fri, 17 May 2024 19:07:00 +0000</pubDate>
<itunes:duration>00:49:30</itunes:duration>
<itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit>
</item>
<item>
<title>Politics Friday: It’s crunch time at the Capitol</title>
<guid isPermaLink="false">01HXCPK0B7TKZX3HM27HCXVF5F</guid>
<itunes:author>Minnesota Public Radio</itunes:author>
<description>
<![CDATA[ <p>Minnesota lawmakers have only one more full week to finish up the legislative session’s work.  </p><br/><p>MPR News host Brian Bakst spoke with two leaders of the Minnesota House about the authorization of construction projects, a touch-up of the state budget, updates to Minnesota’s new cannabis law and a possible plan to set minimum pay and protections for rideshare drivers — all still up in the air. </p><br/><p>And May 11 not only marks Minnesota Statehood Day, but a new state flag goes up the pole and a new state seal will replace the old. We got a look at the redesign process that spurred thousands of submissions — and months of debate — and what transition means for Minnesota.</p><br/><p>Plus, two members of MPR Capitol reporting team, Dana Ferguson and Clay Masters, huddled up for a weekly check-in on Minnesota politics. </p> ]]>
</description>
<enclosure length="17736699" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://mgln.ai/e/5/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/chrt.fm/track/3G835/play.publicradio.org/podcast/o/minnesota/podcasts/policast/2024/05/10/policast_pfcapitolcrunchtime_20240510_64.mp3"/>
<pubDate>Fri, 10 May 2024 18:38:00 +0000</pubDate>
<itunes:duration>00:36:51</itunes:duration>
<itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit>
</item>
<item>
<title>Politics Friday: Unfinished business at the Capitol</title>
<guid isPermaLink="false">01HWXDV0H47QATNBR01MANDP9C</guid>
<itunes:author>Minnesota Public Radio</itunes:author>
<description>
<![CDATA[ <p>The two weeks that remain in the Minnesota Legislature’s 2024 session will result in a flurry of votes, negotiations and certainly twists.</p><br/><p>One key piece of unfinished business is the bonding bill — the slate of publicly financed construction projects that need state signoff to move ahead.  </p><br/><p>MPR News host Brian Bakst talks with the chair of the House Capital Investment Committee about the construction financing plan as it comes together.  </p><br/><p>Also, what might an upcoming Senate Ethics Committee hearing look like? The conduct of two members in the closely divided chamber is under review. </p><br/><p>Plus, the latest in MPR News’ peer-led conversations with Gen. Z voters about how they’re approaching the coming election.</p><br/><p>Later, a check-in with a pair of Capitol reporters as the legislative session reaches its home stretch. MPR’s <a href="https://www.mprnews.org/people/dana-ferguson" class="default">Dana Ferguson</a> and <a href="https://www.minnpost.com/author/peter-callaghan/" class="default">Peter Callaghan</a> from the MinnPost join the conversation. </p><br/><br/><p><strong>Guests:</strong></p><br/><ul><br/><li><p><strong>Rep. Fue Lee</strong> is the Chair of the House Capital Investment Committee.  </p></li><br/><li><p><strong>Ember Reichgott Junge</strong> is a former senator, DFL-Robbinsdale, and served as the committee chair for the Rules and Administration - Subcommittee on Ethical Conduct Committee in the Minnesota Senate.  </p></li><br/><li><p><strong>Marko Mirkovic</strong> is a student at the University of Minnesota.  </p></li><br/><li><p><strong>Jack Christensen</strong> is a student at the University of Minnesota.  </p></li><br/><li><p><strong>Charlie Eggers </strong>is a student at the University of Minnesota.  </p></li><br/><br/></ul><br/><br/><p><strong><em>Subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on:</em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mpr-news-with-angela-davis/id1445601454" class="Hyperlink SCXW34432005 BCX0"> </a></em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/policast-mpr-news/id129950195?mt=2" class="Hyperlink SCXW34432005 BCX0">Apple Podcasts</a></em></strong><strong><em>, </em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wdWJsaWNyYWRpby5vcmcvcHVibGljX2ZlZWRzL3BvbGljYXN0L3Jzcy9yc3M%3D" class="Hyperlink SCXW34432005 BCX0">Google Podcasts</a></em></strong><strong><em>, </em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3XhBqIe6ywGLYmeMI0Rfag" class="Hyperlink SCXW34432005 BCX0">Spotify</a></em></strong><strong><em>, or </em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://feeds.publicradio.org/public_feeds/policast/rss/rss" class="Hyperlink SCXW34432005 BCX0">RSS</a></em></strong><strong><em>.</em></strong>   </p><br/><p><strong><em>Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.</em></strong></p> ]]>
</description>
<enclosure length="23803520" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://mgln.ai/e/5/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/chrt.fm/track/3G835/play.publicradio.org/podcast/o/minnesota/podcasts/policast/2024/05/03/policast_pfbondingethicsstudents_20240503_64.mp3"/>
<pubDate>Fri, 03 May 2024 18:55:00 +0000</pubDate>
<itunes:duration>00:49:29</itunes:duration>
<itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit>
</item>
<item>
<title>Politics Friday: Changes are ahead on the Minnesota Supreme Court as one justice steps into retirement</title>
<guid isPermaLink="false">01HWAZ47WN9H0MH24F6CG56Z24</guid>
<itunes:author>Minnesota Public Radio</itunes:author>
<description>
<![CDATA[ <p>After nearly 20 years on Minnesota’s Supreme Court, Justice G. Barry Anderson is retiring.</p><br/><p>Anderson is the longest-tenured current justice and the last to have gained his seat through the appointment of a Republican governor.</p><br/><p>MPR News host Brian Bakst talks with Anderson about his time in the Minnesota Supreme Court, his career in the courtroom and his view on political pressures on the judiciary.</p><br/><p>Later, a look at how the nation’s finances will factor into the 2024 election campaign with MPR News senior economics contributor Chris Farrell.</p><br/><p>We also heard some sounds and voices from the Capitol this week, and some insight from members of our MPR News politics team.</p><br/><p><strong>Guests: </strong> </p><br/><p><strong>Justice G. Barry Anderson </strong>is a member of the Minnesota Supreme Court. His term will end on May 10.  </p><br/><p><strong>Chris Farrell </strong>is senior economics contributor at Marketplace, American Public Media’s nationally syndicated public radio business and economic programs. He’s also senior economics contributor at Minnesota Public Radio.</p><br/><p><strong>Ethan Struby </strong>is an assistant professor in the Department of Economics at Carleton College.  </p><br/><p><strong>Chris Towner </strong>is the policy director for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget in Washington D.C. </p> ]]>
</description>
<enclosure length="23905135" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://mgln.ai/e/5/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/chrt.fm/track/3G835/play.publicradio.org/podcast/o/minnesota/podcasts/policast/2024/04/26/policast_Minnsupremecourt_20240426_64.mp3"/>
<pubDate>Fri, 26 Apr 2024 17:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
<itunes:duration>00:49:42</itunes:duration>
<itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit>
</item>
<item>
<title>Politics Friday: How will the grow go? A look at Minnesota’s future with cannabis</title>
<guid isPermaLink="false">01HVPWWSMBEPQCN6T5TZY9YWCT</guid>
<itunes:author>Minnesota Public Radio</itunes:author>
<description>
<![CDATA[ <p>By this time next year, Minnesota might have quite a few new stores where people can buy marijuana in various forms. The goal is for an early 2025 rollout of licensed retail locations. </p><br/><p>But will there be enough supply to meet demand — and keep prices from rising too high? And what’s going on with the effort to clear records of people who had past marijuana convictions? </p><br/><p>MPR News host Brian Bakst talked with a couple of experts about keeping tabs on expungement of certain prior cannabis-related records and the growing business of cannabis sales. </p><br/><p>Then, a peer-led conversation with a three Generation Z voters about how they’re approaching the coming election.  </p><br/><p>Later, a taste of sounds and voices from the Capitol and some insight from members of our MPR News politics team. </p><br/><p><strong>Guests: </strong> </p><br/><p><strong>Bryant Jones</strong> is a plant scientist and a subject matter expert in cannabis cultivation for Minnesota’s Cannabis Advisory Council.  </p><br/><p><strong>Jim Rowader</strong> is the executive director for the Cannabis Expungement Board Minnesota Department of Corrections and a board member of the <a href="https://www.mnjrc.org/about-us" class="Hyperlink SCXW150460642 BCX0">Minnesota Justice Research Center</a>. </p><br/><p><strong>Samia Abdulle</strong> is a student at the University of Minnesota. </p><br/><p><strong>Jack McGregor</strong> is a student at the University of Minnesota. </p><br/><p><strong>Thomas Knutson</strong> is a student at the University of Minnesota. </p> ]]>
</description>
<enclosure length="23612271" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://mgln.ai/e/5/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/chrt.fm/track/3G835/play.publicradio.org/podcast/o/minnesota/news/features/2024/04/19/20240419_politicsfriday_20240419_64.mp3"/>
<pubDate>Wed, 17 Apr 2024 20:45:10 +0000</pubDate>
<itunes:duration>00:49:10</itunes:duration>
<itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit>
</item>
<item>
<title>Politics Friday: The landscape of Minnesota education legislation and the outlook of business permitting across the state</title>
<guid isPermaLink="false">01HV7551GBRKQN5WTRVGX5RREA</guid>
<itunes:author>Minnesota Public Radio</itunes:author>
<description>
<![CDATA[ <p>State lawmakers have budgeted to provide more than $23 billion to schools in the current budget — a 10 percent bump over the prior budget. </p><br/><p>But many districts say they’re still feeling a strain. How come? What is being done to improve literacy, student nutrition, school safety and cultural competency?</p><br/><p>MPR News host Brian Bakst talked with two leading senators on education issues: DFL Sen. Mary Kunesh, chair of the Senate Education Finance Committee, and Republican Sen. Zach Duckworth.</p><br/><p>Later, there could be movement around streamlining the permitting process for business expansion projects and clean energy developments. Minnesota Chamber of Commerce president Doug Loon talks about permitting changes under discussion and why he wants them to happen. </p><br/><br/><p><strong>Guests: </strong> </p><br/><ul><br/><li><p>Sen. <strong>Mary Kunesh</strong>, DFL-New Brighton, is the Chair of the Education Finance Committee.</p></li><br/><li><p>Sen. <strong>Zach Duckworth</strong>, R-Lakeville.</p></li><br/><li><p><strong><a href="https://www.mnchamber.com/staff/doug-loon" class="default">Doug Loon</a></strong> is president and CEO of the <a href="https://www.mnchamber.com/" class="default">Minnesota Chamber of Commerce</a>.</p></li><br/><br/></ul><br/><br/><p><strong><em>Subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on:</em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mpr-news-with-angela-davis/id1445601454" class="Hyperlink SCXW54988934 BCX0"> </a></em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/policast-mpr-news/id129950195?mt=2" class="Hyperlink SCXW54988934 BCX0">Apple Podcasts</a></em></strong><strong><em>, </em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wdWJsaWNyYWRpby5vcmcvcHVibGljX2ZlZWRzL3BvbGljYXN0L3Jzcy9yc3M%3D" class="Hyperlink SCXW54988934 BCX0">Google Podcasts</a></em></strong><strong><em>, </em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3XhBqIe6ywGLYmeMI0Rfag" class="Hyperlink SCXW54988934 BCX0">Spotify</a></em></strong><strong><em>, or </em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://feeds.publicradio.org/public_feeds/policast/rss/rss" class="Hyperlink SCXW54988934 BCX0">RSS</a></em></strong><strong><em>.</em></strong>   </p><br/><p><strong><em>Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.</em></strong><strong>   </strong> </p><br/>What should Minnesota lawmakers' top priorities be in 2024?<br/>https://modules.wearehearken.com/mpr/embed/11378/share ]]>
</description>
<enclosure length="26223537" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://mgln.ai/e/5/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/chrt.fm/track/3G835/play.publicradio.org/podcast/o/minnesota/podcasts/policast/2024/04/12/policast_pfeudcationbusiness_20240412_64.mp3"/>
<pubDate>Thu, 11 Apr 2024 18:01:38 +0000</pubDate>
<itunes:duration>00:54:31</itunes:duration>
<itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit>
</item>
<item>
<title>Politics Friday: The race is underway for Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District</title>
<guid isPermaLink="false">01HTNDM8K4J8FZV6PY948QQAEH</guid>
<itunes:author>Minnesota Public Radio</itunes:author>
<description>
<![CDATA[ <p>U.S. Representative Angie Craig won Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District seat in 2018, but she’s won two reelection races by single-digit percentage margins. She’s in for another costly and competitive race.</p><br/><p>MPR News host Brian Bakst talks with Rep. Craig about her work in Congress and her upcoming campaign.</p><br/><p>Later, rural <a href="https://www.mprnews.org/story/2024/04/05/minnesotas-rural-ambulance-providers-look-to-state-capitol-for-their-own-lifeline" class="default">EMS providers</a> are banking on state lawmakers to help keep them afloat. Sen. Jordan Rasmusson, R-Fergus Falls, joins the conversation to talk about what lawmakers could do to assist emergency services under financial strain.</p><br/><br/><p><strong>Guests: </strong> </p><br/><ul><br/><li><p>Minnesota U.S. Representative <strong>Angie Craig</strong>   </p></li><br/><li><p>Minnesota State Sen. <strong>Jordan Rasmusson</strong>, R-Fergus Falls </p></li><br/><br/></ul><br/><br/><p><strong><em>Subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on:</em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mpr-news-with-angela-davis/id1445601454" class="Hyperlink SCXW231662220 BCX0"> </a></em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/policast-mpr-news/id129950195?mt=2" class="Hyperlink SCXW231662220 BCX0">Apple Podcasts</a></em></strong><strong><em>, </em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wdWJsaWNyYWRpby5vcmcvcHVibGljX2ZlZWRzL3BvbGljYXN0L3Jzcy9yc3M%3D" class="Hyperlink SCXW231662220 BCX0">Google Podcasts</a></em></strong><strong><em>, </em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3XhBqIe6ywGLYmeMI0Rfag" class="Hyperlink SCXW231662220 BCX0">Spotify</a></em></strong><strong><em>, or </em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://feeds.publicradio.org/public_feeds/policast/rss/rss" class="Hyperlink SCXW231662220 BCX0">RSS</a></em></strong><strong><em>.</em></strong>   </p><br/><p><strong><em>Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.</em></strong><strong>   </strong> </p><br/>What should Minnesota lawmakers' top priorities be in 2024?<br/>https://modules.wearehearken.com/mpr/embed/11378/share ]]>
</description>
<enclosure length="25174891" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://mgln.ai/e/5/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/chrt.fm/track/3G835/play.publicradio.org/podcast/o/minnesota/podcasts/policast/2024/04/05/policast_angiecraigandems_20240405_64.mp3"/>
<pubDate>Fri, 05 Apr 2024 19:05:00 +0000</pubDate>
<itunes:duration>00:52:20</itunes:duration>
<itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit>
</item>
<item>
<title>Politics Friday: A look at the work being done in the Attorney General’s office</title>
<guid isPermaLink="false">01HT5B7BFN2CFKJBJPJ8E6A9H2</guid>
<itunes:author>Minnesota Public Radio</itunes:author>
<description>
<![CDATA[ <h2 id="h2_updated%3A_2%3A40_p.m.">Updated: 2:40 p.m.</h2><br/><p>Anti-trust cases, consumer protection actions, defense of newly passed state laws and ramped-up criminal prosecutions — it’s all on the plate of Minnesota’s attorney general.</p><br/><p>MPR News host Brian Bakst talks with Attorney General Keith Ellison about proposed changes to Minnesota’s gun laws, an upcoming hearing on voting rights, online scams and more.</p><br/><p>Later, we’ll meet a Republican vying for his party’s nomination in Minnesota’s most closely watched congressional race. Joe Teirab makes his case for why he should represent Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District.</p><br/><br/><p><strong>Guests: </strong> </p><br/><ul><br/><li><p>Minnesota Attorney General <strong>Keith Ellison</strong></p></li><br/><br/></ul><br/><br/><ul><br/><li><p><strong>Joe Teirab</strong> is a Republican candidate for Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District seat</p><br/>What should Minnesota lawmakers' top priorities be in 2024?<br/>https://modules.wearehearken.com/mpr/embed/11378/share<br/></li><br/><br/></ul> ]]>
</description>
<enclosure length="25835678" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://mgln.ai/e/5/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/chrt.fm/track/3G835/play.publicradio.org/podcast/o/minnesota/podcasts/policast/2024/03/29/policast_032924Ellison_20240329_64.mp3"/>
<pubDate>Fri, 29 Mar 2024 15:25:00 +0000</pubDate>
<itunes:duration>00:53:43</itunes:duration>
<itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit>
</item>
<item>
<title>A space shuttle coming to St. Cloud? It’s possible</title>
<guid isPermaLink="false">01HSV50EK7ET823BXBJR0CMYJR</guid>
<itunes:author>Minnesota Public Radio</itunes:author>
<description>
<![CDATA[ <p>A space shuttle could be touching down — metaphorically — in St. Cloud. </p><br/><p>Gov. Tim Walz last week said a donor had inquired about placing a space shuttle in central Minnesota. Walz told MPR News’ Politics Friday about the offer but gave few details about the project.</p><br/><p>“Someone wants to give us a space shuttle — the space shuttle, a real space shuttle — to move to Minnesota,” he said.</p><br/><p>State Sen. Aric Putnam, DFL-St. Cloud, on social media, said the shuttle could be showcased next to a new children’s museum in downtown St. Cloud. The proposed site is currently a parking lot.</p><br/><br/><p>In an interview with MPR News, Putnam said Felicity-John Pederson, a graduate of St. Cloud’s Apollo High School and founder of a technology company called LVX System, owns the shuttle and is interested in bringing it to St. Cloud.</p><br/><p>The full-scale mockup of a shuttle orbiter, known as Inspiration, is currently housed near the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, but needs to be moved.</p><br/><p>“It was primarily for training,” Putnam said. “It’s the real thing. The toilets even flush. It just never went to space.”</p><br/><p>Pederson said the shuttle was at the end of its life cycle and scheduled to be destroyed when his company acquired it for research it was doing with NASA. NASA wanted the shuttle donated for education, he said, possibly to St. Cloud, near the Mall of America in Bloomington or another location.</p><br/><p>“The most likely seems to be St. Cloud, but that decision is not made,” Pederson said.</p><br/><br/><p>Cassie Miles, executive director of the Great River Children’s Museum, said Pederson is a strong supporter of the museum and efforts to boost the economy and quality of life in St. Cloud.</p><br/><p>“We both believe that growth is ripe right now. We’re ready to make some big changes,” she said. “Why not have the effort to bring it here?”</p><br/><p>But the logistics of moving a space shuttle are daunting. It would need to be disassembled, transported by truck or barge and reassembled using cranes, Miles said. Finding partners willing to help will be key, she said.</p><br/><p>Putnam said he’s had conversations with people in several industries who might be able to help make it happen, including a local trucking company.</p><br/><p>Miles said she’s had some preliminary conversations with St. Cloud city officials about the idea. But for the most part, she and others have intentionally kept quiet about the prospect, knowing it’s likely to be met with incredulity.</p><br/><br/><p>“It’s really hard to bring up something as grand as an orbiter being parked in St. Cloud, Minnesota, without people going, ‘What?’” she said. “It’s hard to wrap your head around.”</p><br/><p>Miles and Putnam were both surprised that Gov. Walz mentioned the shuttle during Friday’s interview, but Putnam said he hopes the attention helps the effort.</p><br/><p>“Maybe this is something that helps us make it real,” he said.</p> ]]>
</description>
<enclosure length="2123256" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://mgln.ai/e/5/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/chrt.fm/track/3G835/play.publicradio.org/podcast/o/minnesota/news/features/2024/03/25/space-shuttle-st-cloud-Marohn-Ferguson_20240325_64.mp3"/>
<pubDate>Mon, 25 Mar 2024 18:25:00 +0000</pubDate>
<itunes:duration>00:04:24</itunes:duration>
<itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit>
</item>
<item>
<title>Politics Friday: Walz on confronting challenges at the Capitol and beyond</title>
<guid isPermaLink="false">01HSHC45A310FGWAXCAQPYT14K</guid>
<itunes:author>Minnesota Public Radio</itunes:author>
<description>
<![CDATA[ <p>There are two months to go in the Minnesota Legislature’s 2024 session, meaning high-level negotiations aren’t that far off.</p><br/><p>Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz released a package of budget revisions this week and continues to make the case for other items on his agenda.</p><br/><br/><p>MPR News host Brian Bakst sits down with Walz to talk about how he’s juggling priorities for the legislative session with demands from outside of the Capitol.</p><br/><p>Later, Minnesota Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson, R-East Grand Forks, joins the show to talk about the GOP agenda for the remainder of the session.</p><br/><p><strong>Guests: </strong> </p><br/><ul><br/><li><p>Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz   </p></li><br/><li><p>Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson  </p></li><br/><br/></ul><br/><br/><p><strong><em>Subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on:</em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mpr-news-with-angela-davis/id1445601454" class="Hyperlink SCXW72564395 BCX0"> </a></em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/policast-mpr-news/id129950195?mt=2" class="Hyperlink SCXW72564395 BCX0">Apple Podcasts</a></em></strong><strong><em>, </em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wdWJsaWNyYWRpby5vcmcvcHVibGljX2ZlZWRzL3BvbGljYXN0L3Jzcy9yc3M%3D" class="Hyperlink SCXW72564395 BCX0">Google Podcasts</a></em></strong><strong><em>, </em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3XhBqIe6ywGLYmeMI0Rfag" class="Hyperlink SCXW72564395 BCX0">Spotify</a></em></strong><strong><em>, or </em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://feeds.publicradio.org/public_feeds/policast/rss/rss" class="Hyperlink SCXW72564395 BCX0">RSS</a></em></strong><strong><em>.</em></strong>   </p><br/><p><strong><em>Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.</em></strong><strong>   </strong> </p> ]]>
</description>
<enclosure length="26789050" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://mgln.ai/e/5/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/chrt.fm/track/3G835/play.publicradio.org/podcast/o/minnesota/podcasts/policast/2024/03/22/policast_pfwalzandjohnson_20240322_64.mp3"/>
<pubDate>Thu, 21 Mar 2024 21:01:00 +0000</pubDate>
<itunes:duration>00:55:42</itunes:duration>
<itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit>
</item>
<item>
<title>Politics Friday: The fate of a sports betting bill and a TikTok ban</title>
<guid isPermaLink="false">01HS1RY8JQ7F35AQ7RPHTZFAC2</guid>
<itunes:author>Minnesota Public Radio</itunes:author>
<description>
<![CDATA[ <p>This week, MPR News host Brian Bakst sits down with DFL Rep. Zack Stephenson and DFL Sen. Erin Maye Quade to talk about a sports betting bill that’s garnered a lot of buzz at the Capitol. The bill would establish regulations for on-site and mobile betting venues and who can operate them. </p><br/><p>Minnesota is in the minority of states where sports betting isn’t a sanctioned business enterprise. Stephenson is a leading voice in the push to change that, but Maye Quade is among those with concerns about the bill.  </p><br/><p>Then, a conversation with Rep. Dean Phillips and Rep. Ilhan Omar about a bill that would ban TikTok in the U.S. that passed in the House this week. While six of the eight House members in Minnesota voted to ban the app if it doesn’t change ownership, Phillips and Omar voted against it. </p><br/><p>The app is used daily by millions of Americans. But TikTok has a Chinese parent company, which has fueled concerns about user data privacy and possible foreign influence over the type of content that winds up in front of people. Omar and Phillips, who were among only 65 to oppose the bill, shared their reasons why.</p><br/><p><strong>Guests: </strong> </p><br/><ul><br/><li><p>Rep. Zack Stephenson, DFL-Coon Rapids   </p></li><br/><li><p>Sen. Erin Maye Quade, DFL-Apple Valley </p></li><br/><li><p>U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips (D) </p></li><br/><li><p>U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D)  </p></li><br/><li><p><a href="https://www.startribune.com/briana-bierschbach/6370434/" class="default">Briana Bierschbach</a>, politics and government reporter for the Star Tribune </p></li><br/><br/></ul><br/><br/><p><strong><em>Subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on:</em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mpr-news-with-angela-davis/id1445601454" class="Hyperlink SCXW46857422 BCX0"> </a></em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/policast-mpr-news/id129950195?mt=2" class="Hyperlink SCXW46857422 BCX0">Apple Podcasts</a></em></strong><strong><em>, </em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wdWJsaWNyYWRpby5vcmcvcHVibGljX2ZlZWRzL3BvbGljYXN0L3Jzcy9yc3M%3D" class="Hyperlink SCXW46857422 BCX0">Google Podcasts</a></em></strong><strong><em>, </em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3XhBqIe6ywGLYmeMI0Rfag" class="Hyperlink SCXW46857422 BCX0">Spotify</a></em></strong><strong><em>, or </em></strong><strong><em><a href="https://feeds.publicradio.org/public_feeds/policast/rss/rss" class="Hyperlink SCXW46857422 BCX0">RSS</a></em></strong><strong><em>.</em></strong></p><br/><p><strong><em>Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.</em></strong></p> ]]>
</description>
<enclosure length="23633260" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://mgln.ai/e/5/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/chrt.fm/track/3G835/play.publicradio.org/podcast/o/minnesota/podcasts/policast/2024/03/15/policast_PFsportsbettingtiktok_20240315_64.mp3"/>
<pubDate>Fri, 15 Mar 2024 19:47:00 +0000</pubDate>
<itunes:duration>00:49:08</itunes:duration>
<itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit>
</item>
<item>
<title>Politics Friday: Bonding bill stirs up debate, but what will it take to get a deal?</title>
<guid isPermaLink="false">01HRDBKJDCDS4RCC7EG95S2886</guid>
<itunes:author>Minnesota Public Radio</itunes:author>
<description>
<![CDATA[ <p>MPR News host Brian Bakst is joined by Senate Capital Investment Committee Chair Sandra Pappas and Rep. Dean Urdahl, R-Grove City, the top Republican on the House Capital investment Committee. </p><br/><p>They’ll have big roles in shaping this year’s construction projects package known as the bonding bill. Minnesota lawmakers are sorting through billions of dollars in requests this year for publicly financed construction projects, but only a small fraction will make the cut. </p><br/><p>The package requires bipartisan cooperation between DFLers and Republicans.  </p><br/><p>It was a big political week with Super Tuesday, where results from 17 states and territories all but set up the fall race between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. </p><br/><p>They won in Minnesota, but there was a significant turnout for the “uncommitted” vote, a campaign where Democrats voted uncommitted to show their dissatisfaction with the Biden administration’s handling of the conflict in the Middle East. </p><br/><p>Republican Nikki Haley and Democratic U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota left the presidential race. </p><br/><p>And later, we talk with University of Minnesota political science professor Michael Minta about his takeaways and the grueling campaign to come.</p> ]]>
</description>
<enclosure length="23744879" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://mgln.ai/e/5/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/chrt.fm/track/3G835/play.publicradio.org/podcast/o/minnesota/podcasts/policast/2024/03/08/policast_pfbondingbillsupertuesday_20240308_64.mp3"/>
<pubDate>Fri, 08 Mar 2024 20:10:00 +0000</pubDate>
<itunes:duration>00:49:22</itunes:duration>
<itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit>
</item>
</channel>
</rss>