How do Americans feel ICE is handling the situation in Minneapolis? Should the United States try to take over Greenland? This week on The Horse Race, Steve and Jenn look at the polling on controversies at home and abroad. Then, they discuss a surprising story from CommonWealth Beacon on the legal designation of a "Gateway City" and why some cities who are receiving targeted funds might not meet the standard. Finally, our colleague and friend Chris Lisinski joins the pod for some puppy content.

Hosts:

⁠Steve Koczela⁠, President of the MassINC Polling Group

Jennifer Smith, reporter for CommonWealth Beacon

Further Reading:

⁠FBI executes search warrant at Washington Post reporter's home⁠

More Americans view the ICE shooting in Minnesota as unjustified than say it is justified

Very few Americans want the U.S. to seize Greenland or pay its residents to secede

No way in and no way out: Beacon Hill hasn’t kept track of which communities qualify for Gateway City status

Reddit: The Somerville PD has a new puppy

Credits:

Theme Music & Production by Charlie Koczela

What plans are in place to tackle the housing crisis, the health care crisis, and a budgetary crisis brought on by Trump's so-called One Big Beautiful Bill? This week on The Horse Race, Jenn and Steve are joined by their friend and colleague, CommonWealth Beacon reporter Chris Lisinski, to review the State Legislature's agenda for the year ahead.

Hosts:

⁠Steve Koczela⁠, President of the MassINC Polling Group

Jennifer Smith, reporter for CommonWealth Beacon

Guests:

Chris Lisinski, reporter for CommonWealth Beacon

Further Reading:

In sudden twist, Liz Breadon clinches Boston City Council presidency, GBH News

What to expect when you're expecting (legislative action), CommonWealth Beacon

Somerville has a new cat mayor: Meet Minerva, Boston. com

Credits:

Audio of City Council proceedings provided by Boston City Council Television

Theme Music & Production by Charlie Koczela

(3 mins) From all of us at The Horse Race, Happy New Year!

(3 min) From all of us at The Horse Race, Happy New Year!

Well folks, it's the last pod of 2025. What do journalists make of this wild year? From Trump's inauguration to Wu's re-election, from grant funding cuts to transparency rules, its truly Beacon Hill versus everyone and everything. Steve and Jenn are joined by both Sam Dysdale of Statehouse News Service, and Katie Lannan of GBH News, for an end-of-year chat.

But you'll be shocked at their lack of turnip knowledge...

Hosts:

• Steve Koczela, president of the MassINC Polling Group
• Jennifer Smith, reporter for CommonWealth Beacon

Guests:

• Katie Lannan, reporter for GBH News
• Sam Drysdale, reporter for State House News Service

[email protected]

https://www.massincpolling.com/horse-race

In November, Senator Crighton made headlines for suggesting that 'congestion pricing' could help the MBTA's impending financial troubles. This week on The Horse Race, Jenn and Steve sit down with Crighton, who co-chairs the Legislature’s transportation committee, to discuss the ways out of the "stable crisis" that is Mass. transportation (horse puns always intended).

This week on The Horse Race, Rep. Ayanna Presley is officially not joining the horse race for Senate. Then, Jenn and Steve are joined by ⁠Sam Drysdale⁠, reporter with the State House News Service, to zoom in on Healey's newly announced guidelines for high school graduation - kids may face new tests, new requirements, but "lower stakes." And finally, is Massachusetts the most Christmassy state?

• Jenn's NYT Rec: Cheesy Hassle Back Potato Gratin
• Sam Drysdale, High school graduation standards evolving at local, state levels
• Preply's Christmas Spirit Index
• Trivia Q: "Why did the Massachusetts Bay Colony once ban Christmas celebrations?"
• Submissions: [email protected]

This week on The Horse Race, Jenn and Steve discuss the upcoming ballot questions on rent control. Then they look at new polling which suggests that Trump's grip on congressional republicans may be loosening. And finally, the Michelin Man rolls into Boston's finest eateries.

"They're Making a Huge Bet": Rent Control Referendum Splits Progressives CommonWealth Beacon

This week on The Horse Race, Steve and Jenn sit down face-to-face, #reunited. The centrist dems negotiated a deal to end the government shutdown. Steve discusses Trump's abysmal approval numbers. Jenn does not NOT talk about judicial forum shopping, and there is zero discussion about "Donkey's of Exceptional Cuteness" in this episode...