The Sunday Take

WCCO TV political reporter Caroline Cummings joins Blois to talk about the state of media coverage of politics in the state.

Our State Fair broadcast has Blois talking with Fergus Fall State Senator Jordan Rassmusson and Maple Grove State Representitive Kristen Robbins on the state of the Republican Party in Minnesota.

On this edition of the program, Blois discusses his goal for this year's State Fair.  He also invites the following guests on the show:

• Former WCCO news reporter and anchor Eric Eskola gives remembrance and perspective of the life of former Gov. and Rep. Al Quie, who died Friday at the age 99.
• In the wake of the tragic wildfires on the Hawaiian island of Maui, we hear from Kristi Rolllwagen (Director of the MN Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management) about how the state prepares for disastrous situations.

On this edition of the program, Blois lets us know his thoughts on Gov. Walz's recent stumps in Iowa for the President's re-election.  He also conducts a sit-down interview with Rep. Dean Phillips.  The Congressman addresses the rumors he will run for President and whether either of the current frontrunners are the best candidates for the job.

Live from Farmfest, WCCO political analyst Blois Olson hosts a discussion the priorities and policy concerns from Minnesota’s political leaders.

Panelists:

• Thom Peterson, MN Commissioner of Agriculture
• Sarah Strommen, MN Dept. of Natural Resources Commissioner
• Nancy Daubenburger, MN Dept. of Transportation Commissioner
• Peter Tester, MN Pollution Control Agency Deputy Commissioner
• Rep. Samantha Vang, Chair of the MN House Ag Committee
• Sen. Aric Putnam, Chair of the MN Senate Ag Committee
• Rep. Paul Anderson, MN House Ag Committee
• Sen. Torrey Westrom, MN Senate Ag Committee

This week, Blois dedicates the entire show on the 2023 Farm Bill and a recap of this year's FarmFest event.  He brings on the following guests to discuss the importance of the focus on agriculture:

• U.S. Rep. Brad Finstad
• Syverson Family Farms agronomy manager Richard Syverson
• U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer
• Second Harvest Heartland CEO Allison O'Toole

During this week's edition of the show, Blois' weekly take focuses on Gov. Walz, he takes some time to offer thoughts on healthcare access, and he talks with State Rep. Peggy Scott about taking a pause on the implementation of the new Recreational Marijuana law.

This week, Blois turns his focus from issue-based to a specific location.  He takes the hour to hone in on proposals and efforts to make Downtown St. Paul a destination for home and business.  He digs into the discussion with St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce VP of Government Affairs Amanda Duerr and St. Paul Downtown Alliance president Joe Spencer.

Blois gives us his take on some of the headlines of the week.  Plus, he welcomes the following guest on this edition of the program:

• MN Sen. Julia Coleman tells us about the issues that mothers that work in the Capitol chambers and how it informs their lawmaking decisions.
• Rep. Betty McCollum explains why she did not approve of the version of the National Defense Authorization Act that passed the U.S. House on Friday.

Blois tells us about his week unplugging from the political world.  But he's back to work and chatting with the following guests:

• State Rep. Harry Niska discusses this year's legislative session and if litigation has become much more of a political player than in decades past.
• University of Minnesota Center for Forest Ecology director Lee Frelich talks about the Canadian wildfires, whether those are abnormal, and if Minnesota is in for a similar fate.