Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, City of Minneapolis Chief Information Officer Otto Doll, and Open Twin Cities’ Bill Bushey will tell us about making government data more readily available to citizens. All three have been working to make government more transparent and efficient through data. We’ll ask why anyone would want all the city’s records on cats getting stuck in trees, and why the moniker “hacker” is considered a dirty word.

Professor David Levinson joined us to talk about the Twin Cities, Traffic, Streetcars, and why we don't yet have hover bikes?

In the fall of 2013, the Minneapolis Mayoral race was in full swing with over 35 candidates vying for office. How interesting that one of the more serious aspects ended up being an improv comedy forum.

We did a special report with KFAI and looked at the new school opening up at the site of the St. Paul Ford Plant.

We were joined on stage by award-winning journalist and public radio economics editor, Chris Farrell and Gustavus professor of philosophy Lisa Heldke. The guests talked about the economic, social, community and individual costs and benefits of higher learning.

Medical Marijuana is currently legal in 20 states and the District of Colombia, but not in Minnesota. Some state lawmakers, as well as our guest, think it’s time for Minnesota to get on the bandwagon. Heather Azzi, Political Director for Minnesotans for Compassionate Care, spoke to us about legislative efforts in Minnesota.

Judges, prosecutors, and even the United State Attorney General have been pushing for reform of Mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines, which require certain penalties for crimes regardless of circumstance. Proponents of reform say the sentencing guidelines are too arbitrary and are a leading cause of prison over-crowding. But will legislators risk being called “soft on crime” in order to loosen some of the restrictions?

What do guns, marijuana, and until recently, gay marriage all have in common? They are all issues where state laws have challenged federal authority. Whether it’s Washington and Colorado legalizing a controlled substance for recreational purposes, or Missouri attempting to bar authorities from enforcing federal gun laws, there are constitutional battles everywhere you look. We’ll ask professor Carpenter for a primer on state’s rights and whether we’re headed for an American Civil War II.

Less than a week after the election to choose his replacement, Minneapolis’s outgoing mayor joined The Theater of Public Policy for a "This is Your Life" retrospective. We dug into the political highs and lows of eleven years in office and opened it up for the audience to ask about what’s next for the former mayor. Did he announce his aspiration for a higher office?

Less than a week after the election to choose his replacement, Minneapolis’s outgoing mayor joined The Theater of Public Policy for a "This is Your Life" retrospective. We dug into the political highs and lows of eleven years in office and opened it up for the audience to ask about what’s next for the former mayor. Did he announce his aspiration for a higher office?