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.