Policast - Minnesota Public Radio

Minnesota was rocked over the weekend by the politically targeted shootings of two state lawmakers.

State Rep. Melissa Hortman, a former DFL House Speaker, was fatally shot along with her husband, Mark. DFL State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, are still recovering after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds. Political leaders and many Minnesotans are still trying to make sense of it all.

In the hours after the suspect in those shootings was arrested, MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst, Minnesota Now host Nina Moini and politics reporter Clay Masters spoke with three of the state’s top political leaders.

Guests:

Gov. Tim Walz is a former Democratic vice presidential candidate and second-term DFL governor of Minnesota. House speaker Lisa Demuth is a Republican from Cold Spring. Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan is a DFLer, a former state representative and a candidate for the U.S. senate.

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

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Minnesota lawmakers are breathing a bit easier now that they’ve finally adopted a new budget — roughly $66 billion over the next two years.

The Legislature met earlier this week for a special session to get the work done. There were protests, long debates, stories of immigration, but lawmakers managed to pass 15 bills in less than one day.

On this special podcast edition of Politics Friday, MPR politics editor Brian Bakst and reporter Ellie Roth take us through the action.

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

Politics Friday won’t be coming to you every Friday this summer but will appear here and there in this podcast feed as events warrant. Rest assured, we’ll be back to a more-regular cadence this fall.

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

It’s been about three weeks since the the Legislature adjourned from the 2025 session without completing a state budget.

Since then, teams of negotiators have met, mostly in private, to try to chart a path to the end and craft remaining budget bills. Lawmakers will have to complete this task to avoid a partial government shutdown that would interrupt services in state parks, key health programs, driver’s licensing exams and more.

A one-day special session has been called for 10 a.m. Monday. Will there be enough votes to approve a final compromise?

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst talks with two House leaders about a state budget and what could happen if the budget deal isn’t met.

Later in the program, a look at the return-to-office for many state employees and a roundtable with Capitol journalists on everything happening in this not-so-quiet start to summer.

Guests:

GOP Floor Leader of the House Harry Niska, Ramsey DFL Floor Leader of the House Jamie Long, Minneapolis Former Commissioner of Minnesota Management and Budget Jim Schowalter

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

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

The Minnesota Legislature is hanging around a bit longer.

The yearly work was supposed to end Monday, May 19 but lawmakers adjourned with unfinished business. Now, they’re gearing up for a special session.

Most of the budget is unresolved and the final points of agreement are still not in hand. So when might this be done and is a government shutdown a possibility?

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst speaks with Gov. Tim Walz about the legislative session and his role in settling the budget dispute. He is urging lawmakers to avoid the worst-case scenario, which would be entering July without a budget.

Later in the program, political analysts unpack the political landscape amid the action and inaction in Minnesota and Washington.

Guests:

Tim Walz is a former Democratic vice presidential candidate and second-term DFL governor of Minnesota. Abou Amara is a Democratic political analyst and Twin Cities attorney. Preya Samsundar is a political analyst and a GOP strategist.

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

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

The end of the Minnesota Legislature’s session was supposed to be right around the corner — Monday, May 19 — but just like the choppy start of this year’s session, the ending is proving to be difficult.

Back in January, a politically tied House got off to a delayed start. Now, the possibility of a special session looms over the Capitol.

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst speaks with legislative leaders about the state budget and the final push to the end of this session.

Guests:

GOP Floor Leader of the House Harry Niska, Ramsey DFL Floor Leader of the House Jamie Long, Minneapolis Senate Republican Leader Mark Johnson, East Grand Forks

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

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

Almost 40 percent of the state budget goes to preschool through high school education – around $25 billion over two years.

For school districts, state dollars make up most of what gets spent on classroom costs, from teacher salaries to specialists to materials. So it’s no surprise that the education budget bill is always one of the last to come together.

MPR News politics editor discusses what’s happening in schools and the direction state lawmakers might go when setting a new education budget.

The Legislature’s finale is near, but the new state budget is still a work in progress. And it’s going to take some long days and long nights to meet the May 19 adjournment deadline.

Guests:

Rep. Cheryl Youakim , DLF-Hopkins, is co-chair of Education Finance Sen. Jason Rarick , R-Pine City, is the ranking minority member of the Education Finance Committee

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

This month marks two years since Minnesota lawmakers passed the bill to legalize marijuana use and possession for adults 21 and older.

Commercial sales have taken a bit of time to get going. Outside of Minnesota tribal communities and the medical cannabis program, the retail space is still taking shape.

The initial licenses around cultivation, transportation, distribution and sales could be issued soon. Even then, it will take time for everything to shake out.

What might it look like and how will the market interact with established tribal operations? MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst discusses both with his guests.

Then, time is flying by at the Capitol. We’ll get an update on the budget deliberations a little more than two weeks from the retired adjournment.

Guests:

Melissa Olson is a reporter for the MPR News Native News Initiative and a contributor to the North Star Journey series. She is also an essayist and community archivist. Eric Taubel is the interim director for Minnesota’s Office of Cannabis Management. Senate Finance Committee Chair John Marty, DFL-Roseville House Ways and Means Committee Co-Chair Paul Torkelson, R-Hanska

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

Gov. Tim Walz had his chance this week to assess the condition of Minnesota in a speech where he spent a lot of time focused on what the president is up to.

Had November’s election ended differently, Peggy Flanagan would have been the one delivering the State of the State address at the Minnesota Capitol.

Instead, the DFL lieutenant governor was seated beside Walz at this week’s speech. She’s running for the U.S. Senate in 2026.

Flanagan has competition for the DFL nomination. So how is she introducing herself and what sets her apart? She speaks with MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst.

Then, a look at President Donald Trump’s actions immigration. MPR News reporter Sarah Thamer explains how the get-tough immigration policies are impacting communities across the state.

Later in the program, a round up of the voices heard at the Capitol and a political reporter panel recaps the latest from the Legislature and the governor’s State of the State address.

Guests:

Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan Sarah Thamer, senior reporter for the MPR News Race, Class and Communities team

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

The Minnesota House and Senate chambers and all the committee rooms have been quiet this week while the Legislature is on recess.

The Capitol will be a busy place though as the dash-to-the-finish begins next week. That phase can be filled with strategy, hijinks and downright trickery.

In one respect, it’s how the Capitol wound up in St. Paul in the first place.

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst and associate digital producer Anika Besst will revisit that caper — and how one spurned city might finally get recognition.

Then, a hunt for the origins of a law that should keep imbibing lawmakers on their best behavior. If not, “habitual drunkenness” could get them removed.

Later, MPR economics contributor Chris Farrell looks at the way tariffs of long ago hit in Minnesota. Plus, Peter Cox talks about how a powerhouse baseball team that played more than a century ago could land a plaque at the Capitol complex.

Guests:

Anika​ Besst is an associate digital producer for MPR News. Chris Farrell is a senior economics contributor for MPR News and Marketplace. Peter Cox is a general assignment reporter for MPR News and is currently covering politics at the Minnesota Capitol.

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

The Legislature’s spring recess is approaching and with about six weeks left in the session, many issues still unresolved.

Housing is top of mind for many Minnesotans and lawmakers at the Capitol — whether to rewrite zoning standards statewide to encourage construction of more low-to-moderate cost housing.

The issue has created some cross-party alliances, but the bills in front of lawmakers haven’t satisfied all who have a stake in the decisions.

MPR politics editor Brian Bakst talks with Sen. Lindsey Port, DFL-Burnsville, and the mayor of Prior Lake, Kirt Briggs, about the state’s approach to affordable housing.

Plus, Minneapolis city elections will be ones to watch this year as voters elect a city council and a mayor. MPR News reporter Cari Spencer recaps her visit to a recent DFL Caucus gathering.

Guests:

Sen. Lindsey Port, DFL-Burnsville and chair of the Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention Committee Mayor Kirt Briggs, Prior Lake MPR News reporter Cari Spencer, who covers public safety and Minneapolis City Hall

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst gets the lowdown on the negotiations that have begun over the new state budget.

Erin Campbell, commissioner of Minnesota Management and Budget, discusses why Gov. Tim Walz shaped his proposal as he did. And we’ll talk about the high-level negotiations that have commenced to reach a deal prior to the May 19 adjournment.

Later, the DFL Party has its first new chair in more than a decade. The new leader, Richard Carlbom, is in studio to introduce himself and his plans for a party seeking a rebound after a disappointing 2024 election.

Plus, a political reporter panel shares insights about the first deadline rush at the Legislature.

Guests:

Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner Erin Campbell DFL Party Chair Richard Carlbom WCCO TV politics reporter Caroline Cummings

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

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

After an unusual start, the 2025 legislative session has passed the halfway mark and the budget grind is quickly closing in.

The Senate is narrowly in DFL control by one seat and the House is at a 67-67 tie. How will leaders navigate the tightest party divide in recent history?

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst talks with Speaker of the Minnesota House Lisa Demuth and House DFL Leader Melissa Hortman in front of a studio audience at the UBS Forum in St. Paul.

Later in the program, two political analysts unpack developments at Minnesota’s Capitol and around the nation. How are recent events landing with voters?

Plus, we’ll hear sounds from the state Capitol and recap the week with politics reporters Dana Ferguson and Clay Masters.

Each week, the MPR News Politics Team produces an audio postcard of the voices we heard from the State Capitol. Images and audio were produced by Matthew Alvarez, Peter Cox, Dana Ferguson, Clay Masters and Ellie Roth. Photos from MPR photojournalists.

Guests:

House Speaker Lisa Demuth , R-Cold Spring House Leader Melissa Hortman , DFL-Brooklyn Park Chas Anderson , a Republican, is the CEO and senior principal at Park Street Public. Todd Rapp , a DFLer, is the CEO and President of Rapp Strategies Inc.

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

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

Two of the biggest political stories of this week played out beyond Minnesota’s Capitol.

The arrest of then-Sen. Justin Eichorn, R-Grand Rapids, in a teen prostitution sting led his resignation and the federal jury’s conviction of major players in the Feeding Our Future fraud scandal.

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst speaks with two lawmakers about fraud and what the laws the Legislature might strengthen to stop or crack down on those behind schemes to swindle money from government programs.

Later in the program, a conversation with candidate Melisa López Franzen. She’s vying a run for Minnesota U.S. Senate seat — a 2026 race hasn’t taken full shape just yet.

Our political reporters will recap the Senate drama that ended with a departure.

Guests:

Rep. Emma Greenman, DFL-Minneapolis Rep. Jim Nash, R-Waconia U.S. Senate candidate Melisa López Franzen

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

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

Amid upheaval at the federal level, Minnesota officials released the state’s latest economic forecast .

It’ll set the parameters for the new budget that lawmakers will craft before they gavel out of this year’s session.

The state’s fiscal cushion continues to shrink, and actions from federal government will have a bearing on Minnesota government operations. Now, state finance officials warn there could be disruptions to the state’s economy.

MPR News senior politics editor Brian Bakst discussed how deeply intertwined the state and federal actions are and the challenges that lay ahead. U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum, a Democrat, and state Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson, a Republican, joined the conversation.

Later in the program, a recap of the voices we heard at the Capitol this week.

Guests:

U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum, DFL, District 4 Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson, R-East Grand Forks

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

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

State lawmakers have less than three months to adopt a state budget for this legislative session — it’s a must-do item this year.

Many Capitol veterans know to expect a late-session pileup of decisions, but what do the newcomers think about the inevitable rush to the finish line?

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst talked with two freshmen representatives about their first legislative session, its delayed start and the time crunch to pass bills in the coming months.

The program also featured the latest from the Office of the Minnesota State Auditor. Two-term State Auditor Julie Blaha joined the conversation to share the ongoings from her office and what she needs from the Legislature this year.

It’s back to business at the Capitol, and several public safety-related bills have been introduced this session.

But which bills have enough bipartisan support to pass in a divided Legislature?

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst talks with two key lawmakers about public safety and the proposals seeking to reshape laws from traffic offenses to felony crime sentencing.

Later in the hour, two political analysts break down the last month in state and national politics. President Donald Trump has brought his predictably unpredictable style back to the White House and Minnesota’s 2026 election stakes have been raised. We’ll find out what to expect over coming months.

Guests:

Sen. Ron Latz, DFL-St. Louis Park Rep. Paul Novotny, R-Elk River Abou Amara is a political analyst and Twin Cities attorney. Preya Samsundar is a political analyst and a GOP strategist.

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.

President Donald Trump’s makeover of the federal government is going full steam.

But he’s doing it in a way that has gone around Congress — with one executive action after another. But soon, Trump will need congressional votes to pay for his immigration crackdown and to extend a series of tax breaks.

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst will speak with Republican U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber, from a northern Minnesota district, about the part he’ll play in Washington.

Later, a check-in with the top tax official in Minnesota as tax filing season approaches its second busiest filing weekend.

Plus, a frank conversation with Democratic U.S. Sen. Tina Smith about her decision to not run for reelection in 2026.

Guests:

U.S. Sen. Tina Smith U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber, MN-8
Paul Marquart, commissioner at the Minnesota Department of Revenue

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.

The Democratic National Committee will elect a new party chair this weekend. Minnesota’s Ken Martin, the current state DFL Party leader, is vying for the job.

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst and his guests talk about Martin’s run for the national party’s top post at a time where Democrats are regrouping.

And Republicans in the state have a new leader, too. Minnesota Republican Party Chair Alex Plechash was elected to lead Minnesota’s conservative party in December. He joins the conversation to share the state of his party.

Meanwhile, the oddity of the session continues as the chamber in the House fails to reach a quorum and DFLers will take back the Senate after a special election. We’ll get the latest news, and a roundup of voices, from the state Capitol with reporters Clay Masters and Peter Cox.

Guests:

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison Minnesota Republican Party Chair Alex Plechash MPR News senior politics reporter Dana Ferguson

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.

The Legislature opened its session on Jan. 14. But the House hasn’t been able to operate at full capacity.

Democrats are boycotting and Republicans have declined to cut a deal to share power or commit to leaving a DFL win in a contested House election intact.

Now the Minnesota Supreme Court is involved.

Will a ruling by justices settle things or could the standoff linger deeper into the session?

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst talked to the two Minnesota lawmakers with a role in the power struggle.

Later, he spoke with two legal scholars about how the constitutional tug-of-war is playing out.

The tied Minnesota Senate got under way in amicable fashion with senators notching a power-sharing deal to avoid problems.

The House is another story. Democrats boycotted and republicans went full steam ahead — despite legal questions about their ability to do so. It’s a bit messy.

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst and his guests talk about the first week of the 2025 legislative session from a panel discussion he recorded with a pair of lawmakers at the Minnesota’s Chamber of Commerce annual session issues forum earlier in the week.

Plus, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who just put out his budget plan, joined the conversation.

Guests:

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz Sen. Judy Seeberger, DFL-Afton Rep. Andrew Myers, R-Tonka Bay

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.

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst speaks with senior politics reporter Dana Ferguson about her interview with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz for a special episode of Politics Friday.

After a whirlwind bid for vice president, Walz returns to Minnesota and reflects on what went wrong for Democrats in November.

Walz also talks about his approach to working across the political aisle and passing a two-year state budget amid a changed political dynamic in St. Paul. Republicans were able to break up the DFL trifecta at the Capitol, tying Democrats for control of the House of Representatives.

The Senate maintains a one-vote DFL advantage. And finally, the governor introduces a plan to curb fraud and abuse in state government programs and speaks to the delay in the state’s roll out of the nascent cannabis industry.

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.

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.

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:

Samuel Edmunds is the president of the Minnesota State Bar Association and a partner at Sieben Edmunds Miller, focusing on criminal defense and injury law. Douglas Keith is a senior counsel in the Brennan Center’s Judiciary Program and the founding editor of State Court Report, a publication focused on state courts and state constitutional law. Catharine Richert is an MPR News reporter and Talking Sense lead correspondent.

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.