The Sunday Take

The delegate-gathering season is underway, and Blois Olson is moving with the times.  He catches up with the following guests as the nation tunes in on the Northeast:

• MN 3rd District congressman Dean Phillips offers an update on his Presidential campaign ahead of this Tuesday's New Hampshire Primary.
• Wall Street Journal reporter John McCormick gives us "on the street" updates from the "Live Free or Die" state a couple of days prior to its Primary.

This week, Blois takes a little time away from the day-to-day political scene to pull in a couple of guests with reflection on their minds:

• TPT political reporter Mary Lahammer tells us about a new film she's involved with on the surprising governorship of Jesse Ventura.
• MN Supreme Court Associate Justice G. Barry Anderson describes his time on the state's highest bench with an impending retirement coming in May of this year.

On the first Take of 2024, Blois sits down with the following guests:

• Mike Gamache discusses his plans and goals as the new chair of the Anoka County Board of Commissioners.
• Star Tribune publisher Steve Grove explains what's coming for the Minneapolis newspaper during the next year.

As the New Year is set to start in hours, what better time to look ahead to the political headlines of the 2024 calendar?  Blois welcomes a couple guests on to focus forward:

• Axios Twin Cities reporter Kyle Stokes discusses what might make news when it comes to the Minneapolis City Council.
• Stinson LLP Government Solutions Director Paul Cassidy explains what issues lobbyists will target in the upcoming session at the State Capitol.

This week, Susie Jones fills in for Blois.  She welcomes the following guests on the program:

• Minnesota Ambulance Association president-elect Mike Juntunen explains the importance of lawmakers securing the funding for this crucial medical service.
• Former Gov. Arne Carlson previews a forum he will host this week concerning clean water access across the state.

On this week's edition of the show, Blois turns his focus to the recent budget forecast over the next 4 years.  He dives into the numbers, and their impact, with State Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson and State Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman.

As we approach the end of 2023, Blois Olson is starting to look ahead to what promises to be a vibrant and tense election year.  He focuses this week's edition on issues to headline 2024, and digs into them with MinnPost reporter Peter Callaghan and Kirk Schneidawind, executive director of the Minnesota School Boards Association.

It's a "Best of" edition during this holiday weekend.  We look back on some of the recent interviews Blois has conducted with media and political guests alike.

• Wall Street Journal political reporter John McCormick gives us a better vision of the Presidential race, including what he expects to see from MN Congressman Dean Phillips.
• Author and former CNN media critic Brian Stelter tells us about his new book ("Network of Lies") and explains a Minnesota connection to it.
• MN Congresswoman Angie Craig talks about President Biden's recent visit to the state, the debate over the Mexican border, and the problems with the USPS.
• MN Congressman Pete Stauber describes his reasoning on his votes during the search for the current Speaker of the House.

Ahead of the holiday week, Blois Olson looks into media analysis on the state of our politics.  The following guests join in on the show:

• Former WI Congressman Scott Klug describes how his new podcast hopes to provide a voice to people who hold moderate political views.
• Author and former CNN media critic Brian Stelter tells us about his new book ("Network of Lies") and explains a Minnesota connection to it.

This week, Blois talks with a couple of candidates that have announced that they will challenge incumbent Congressfolks for their seats.  He chats with:

• Former Minneapolis City Council and School Board member Don Samuels, who will once again vie for Ilhan Omar's 5th district seat.
• MN State Senator Kelly Morrison, who is challenging Dean Phillips for the 3rd district seat.