Mayor Frey vetoed an ordinance aimed at protecting immigrant ride-hailing drivers. The Governor Advisory Council recommends enshrining autonomous vehicles in state law without worker protections, accessibility requirements, or local regulation. And yet, Big Tech and AI seem to be facing a popular revolt. So why are some MN Democrats so eager to roll out the red carpet? In the first half, we talk through the local logistics and pros and cons of autonomous vehicles. Skip to the second half (at about 71 minutes) for an extended analysis of the politics around Big Tech, and a debate between trying to extract local benefits vs outright municipal obstruction. Recorded 10/21/26.
 <a href="https://millcityhall.com/episodes/2026-10-26-autonomous-vehicles/index.html">Read the show notes and find links for further reading</a>

Mayor Frey vetoed an ordinance aimed at protecting immigrant ride-hailing drivers. The Governor Advisory Council recommends enshrining autonomous vehicles in state law without worker protections, accessibility requirements, or local regulation. And yet, Big Tech and AI seem to be facing a popular revolt. So why are some MN Democrats so eager to roll out the red carpet? In the first half, we talk through the local logistics and pros and cons of autonomous vehicles. Skip to the second half (at about 71 minutes) for an extended analysis of the politics around Big Tech, and a debate between trying to extract local benefits vs outright municipal obstruction. Recorded 10/21/26. Read the show notes and find links for further reading

Mayor Frey vetoed an ordinance aimed at protecting immigrant ride-hailing drivers. The Governor Advisory Council recommends enshrining autonomous vehicles in state law without worker protections, accessibility requirements, or local regulation. And yet, Big Tech and AI seem to be facing a popular revolt. So why are some MN Democrats so eager to roll out the red carpet? In the first half, we talk through the local logistics and pros and cons of autonomous vehicles. Skip to the second half (at about 71 minutes) for an extended analysis of the politics around Big Tech, and a debate between trying to extract local benefits vs outright municipal obstruction. Recorded 10/21/26.
 <a href="https://millcityhall.com/episodes/2026-10-26-autonomous-vehicles/index.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">Read the show notes and find links for further reading</a>

Waymo, Big Tech and Democracy

Minneapolis safety programs are facing big shifts, putting key strategies at risk. In part two, we focus on Behavioral Crisis Response (BCR). BCR was built out by a local mental health care provider, Canopy Roots, that received a very positive evaluation this year. However, city staff now recommend changing vendors, just a couple months before the contract is slated to expire. Staff also want to change the scope of the program. Why change now? does this put a successful safety program at risk of gaps in service, or even compromise its focus and excellence? A lot of possible change is swirling around BCR at this moment, making it critical that we speak up. Recorded 10/7/26.
 <a href="https://millcityhall.com/episodes/2026-10-13-safety-shifts-bcr/index.html">Read the show notes and find links for further reading</a>

Minneapolis safety programs are facing big shifts, putting key strategies at risk. In part two, we focus on Behavioral Crisis Response (BCR). BCR was built out by a local mental health care provider, Canopy Roots, that received a very positive evaluation this year. However, city staff now recommend changing vendors, just a couple months before the contract is slated to expire. Staff also want to change the scope of the program. Why change now? does this put a successful safety program at risk of gaps in service, or even compromise its focus and excellence? A lot of possible change is swirling around BCR at this moment, making it critical that we speak up. Recorded 10/7/26. Read the show notes and find links for further reading

Minneapolis safety programs are facing big shifts, putting key strategies at risk. In part two, we focus on Behavioral Crisis Response (BCR). BCR was built out by a local mental health care provider, Canopy Roots, that received a very positive evaluation this year. However, city staff now recommend changing vendors, just a couple months before the contract is slated to expire. Staff also want to change the scope of the program. Why change now? does this put a successful safety program at risk of gaps in service, or even compromise its focus and excellence? A lot of possible change is swirling around BCR at this moment, making it critical that we speak up. Recorded 10/7/26.
 <a href="https://millcityhall.com/episodes/2026-10-13-safety-shifts-bcr/index.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">Read the show notes and find links for further reading</a>

Safety Shifts pt 2: Behavioral Crisis Response Faces Big Proposed Changes

Minneapolis safety programs are facing big shifts, putting key strategies at risk. In this part one, we tackle a severe budget cut proposed by the Mayor for the violence interrupters program. What is violence interruption? We talk about the theory and practice, including its role in a very successful violence prevention strategy in Baltimore. Recent Minneapolis history has been troubled. But we argue that the city cannot afford to let this violence prevention strategy wither. Part 2, coming soon, will focus on Behavioral Crisis Response. Recorded 10/7/26.
 <a href="https://millcityhall.com/episodes/2026-10-12-safety-shifts-violence-interrupters/index.html">Read the show notes and find links for further reading</a>

Minneapolis safety programs are facing big shifts, putting key strategies at risk. In this part one, we tackle a severe budget cut proposed by the Mayor for the violence interrupters program. What is violence interruption? We talk about the theory and practice, including its role in a very successful violence prevention strategy in Baltimore. Recent Minneapolis history has been troubled. But we argue that the city cannot afford to let this violence prevention strategy wither. Part 2, coming soon, will focus on Behavioral Crisis Response. Recorded 10/7/26. Read the show notes and find links for further reading

Minneapolis safety programs are facing big shifts, putting key strategies at risk. In this part one, we tackle a severe budget cut proposed by the Mayor for the violence interrupters program. What is violence interruption? We talk about the theory and practice, including its role in a very successful violence prevention strategy in Baltimore. Recent Minneapolis history has been troubled. But we argue that the city cannot afford to let this violence prevention strategy wither. Part 2, coming soon, will focus on Behavioral Crisis Response. Recorded 10/7/26.
 <a href="https://millcityhall.com/episodes/2026-10-12-safety-shifts-violence-interrupters/index.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">Read the show notes and find links for further reading</a>

Safety Shifts pt 1: Violence Interrupters Face Big Budget Cut

The Mayor recently said he doesn&apos;t want a circus. We say: raise the tent! This episode we share stories of the best and worst things to happen during public testimony in Minneapolis. When public comment has made an impact and when it does not. We talk some do&apos;s and don&apos;t&apos;s of testifying. And above all, we defend the messy hearing out of democracy in public; gadflies, lobbyists and all. Recorded 9/23/26.
 <a href="https://millcityhall.com/episodes/2026-10-01-public-hearings/index.html">Read the show notes and find links for further reading</a>

The Mayor recently said he doesn't want a circus. We say: raise the tent! This episode we share stories of the best and worst things to happen during public testimony in Minneapolis. When public comment has made an impact and when it does not. We talk some do's and don't's of testifying. And above all, we defend the messy hearing out of democracy in public; gadflies, lobbyists and all. Recorded 9/23/26. Read the show notes and find links for further reading

The Mayor recently said he doesn't want a circus. We say: raise the tent! This episode we share stories of the best and worst things to happen during public testimony in Minneapolis. When public comment has made an impact and when it does not. We talk some do's and don't's of testifying. And above all, we defend the messy hearing out of democracy in public; gadflies, lobbyists and all. Recorded 9/23/26.
 <a href="https://millcityhall.com/episodes/2026-10-01-public-hearings/index.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">Read the show notes and find links for further reading</a>

Public Hearings: In Defense of the Circus

On election night, will we see the progressive wing of the council increase to a majority of 8 members, or drop to a minority of 5? With three open seats and three incumbents in real contests, there is a lot at stake. We look at how policy divisions have played out under the current council to provide a sense of what could change if elections swing the balance. And we go race-by-race through the six wards where we see a real contest, to evaluate the candidates, their support, and the positions and framing they lead with. Recorded 6/25/25.
 <a href="https://millcityhall.com/episodes/2025-06-30-city-council-races/index.html">Read the show notes and find links for further reading</a>

On election night, will we see the progressive wing of the council increase to a majority of 8 members, or drop to a minority of 5? With three open seats and three incumbents in real contests, there is a lot at stake. We look at how policy divisions have played out under the current council to provide a sense of what could change if elections swing the balance. And we go race-by-race through the six wards where we see a real contest, to evaluate the candidates, their support, and the positions and framing they lead with. Recorded 6/25/25. Read the show notes and find links for further reading

On election night, will we see the progressive wing of the council increase to a majority of 8 members, or drop to a minority of 5? With three open seats and three incumbents in real contests, there is a lot at stake. We look at how policy divisions have played out under the current council to provide a sense of what could change if elections swing the balance. And we go race-by-race through the six wards where we see a real contest, to evaluate the candidates, their support, and the positions and framing they lead with. Recorded 6/25/25.
 <a href="https://millcityhall.com/episodes/2025-06-30-city-council-races/index.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">Read the show notes and find links for further reading</a>

Will the Council Swing? We Look at Key Council Races w/ Robin Garwood

With unprecendented big money pouring into a full slate of city elections, we assess the Minneapolis political landscape, with special guest Robin Garwood. This episode features a deep dive on new phenomenon of political action committees acting as stealth political parties. In this context we ask the question: what could lead to the mayor getting re-elected or defeated?
 <a href="https://millcityhall.com/episodes/2025-06-11-minneapolis-political-landscape/index.html">Read the show notes and find links for further reading</a>

With unprecendented big money pouring into a full slate of city elections, we assess the Minneapolis political landscape, with special guest Robin Garwood. This episode features a deep dive on new phenomenon of political action committees acting as stealth political parties. In this context we ask the question: what could lead to the mayor getting re-elected or defeated? Read the show notes and find links for further reading

With unprecendented big money pouring into a full slate of city elections, we assess the Minneapolis political landscape, with special guest Robin Garwood. This episode features a deep dive on new phenomenon of political action committees acting as stealth political parties. In this context we ask the question: what could lead to the mayor getting re-elected or defeated?
 <a href="https://millcityhall.com/episodes/2025-06-11-minneapolis-political-landscape/index.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">Read the show notes and find links for further reading</a>

Big Money, Stealth Parties Shape the Landscape, w/ Robin Garwood

In May, Jacob Frey gave the official campaign speech for the city... no wait, we mean State of the City speech. Cam and Jesse share highlights from the claims he made about Minneapolis and react.
 <a href="https://millcityhall.com/episodes/2025-05-28-state-of-the-city/index.html">Read the show notes and find links for further reading</a>

In May, Jacob Frey gave the official campaign speech for the city... no wait, we mean State of the City speech. Cam and Jesse share highlights from the claims he made about Minneapolis and react. Read the show notes and find links for further reading

In May, Jacob Frey gave the official campaign speech for the city... no wait, we mean State of the City speech. Cam and Jesse share highlights from the claims he made about Minneapolis and react.
 <a href="https://millcityhall.com/episodes/2025-05-28-state-of-the-city/index.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">Read the show notes and find links for further reading</a>

Jacob Frey - Unity Guy?!? Reviewing the State of the City Address

A Minneapolis politics podcast hosted by four-term Ward 2 city council veterans Cam Gordon and Robin Garwood, with longtime activist Jesse Mortenson

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