Weekly updates from Brian Bakst and the Minnesota Public Radio newsroom staff covering politics in Minnesota.
Latest episodes
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59 min
Peggy Flanagan, Michele Tafoya hold first senate debate
A new senator will emerge from Election Day no matter what because there is no incumbent on the ballot. The two major party candidates are here for their first — and possibly only…
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19 min
Politics Friday Special: The places that shaped Minnesota’s U.S. Senate candidates
Editor’s note: Ahead of a Friday debate between U.S. Senate candidates Michele Tafoya and Peggy Flanagan hosted by MPR News, politics editor Brian Bakst asked each to talk about ho…
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49 min
An open House seat is up for grabs in Minnesota's 2nd District
Minnesota has eight members of the U.S. House and those seats don’t change hands often — but this November, one of them will for sure. Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District has is…
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59 min
Politics Friday: Keith Ellison, Ron Schutz appear in their first attorney general race debate
Two candidates vying to be Minnesota’s attorney general met Friday in their first debate.DFL incumbent Keith Ellison, who is after a third term, and Republican Ron Schutz, an attor…
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50 min
Politics Friday: How would having a woman as governor change the Capitol issue set?
We’re delving into the practical effects of Minnesota electing its first woman as governor and what issues might get new attention at the state Capitol.Barring something unforeseen…
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54 min
Mark Dayton calls perseverance a 'prerequisite for success' as he reflects
Mark Dayton held a career in public service in Minnesota that spanned five decades. He is well known for serving two terms the state’s governor, leaving office in 2019. Before that…
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50 min
How 9/11 changed Minnesota and the nation
The country is acknowledging a somber anniversary: 25 years ago, America suffered its worst terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001.MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst explores how tha…
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59 min
Craig, Flanagan meet for final debate before primary
DFL U.S. Senate hopefuls U.S. Rep. Angie Craig and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan met for a live debate Monday on MPR News. Senate debatehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDYHGPRp1E8With ab…
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1 h 42
Politics Friday Special: Democrats and Republicans convene for their party conventions
Thousands of the most politically involved Minnesotans are trading a leisurely spring weekend for the rough-and-tumble of indoor state party conventions. They're weighing who they…
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53 min
Politics Friday: Walz weighs in on the work left to do for the remainder of his term
Minnesota lawmakers have headed home for the year. The Legislature adjourned earlier this week after enacting some priorities and setting others to the side. Some bills still await…
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50 min
Politics Friday: Minnesota lawmakers reach a session-ending deal, now race to get it through
Minnesota lawmakers are filling in the details of a legislative budget agreement struck this week and will have to hustle to pass the bills needed to enact it.If they do, Minnesota…
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49 min
Politics Friday: Amy Klobuchar lays out plans in her DFL governor's campaign
The Legislature will end its session this month.Lawmakers don’t have a choice; the Minnesota Constitution requires them to wrap it up.The political parties both hold late-May endor…
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49 min
Politics Friday: Taking stock of Minnesota's session, campaign as May decision points near
The Legislature will end its session this month.Lawmakers don’t have a choice; the Minnesota Constitution requires them to wrap it up.The political parties both hold late-May endor…
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51 min
Will Michele Tafoya's public profile transfer to politics?
There’s an open seat in the U.S. Senate, and Republicans are trying to do something they haven’t since 2006: Win a statewide election.Both parties are working to figure out their n…
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50 min
Keeping up with the legal jousting between state, federal governments
Minnesota is suing — and has been sued — a lot. There are cases over health care funding, immigration, clean energy policy, election laws, tariffs, diversity policies and much more…
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50 min
High tensions at the Capitol as lawmakers tick down the to-do list
The pace will crank up at the Minnesota Capitol next week. With fewer than six weeks before the required legislative adjournment, packages of policy and spending measures will set…
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49 min
Politics Friday: 3 congressional candidates vying for their party's endorsement
Minnesota’s eight U.S. House seats don’t change hands all that often, but after November’s midterm election one seat certainly will. The state’s 2nd Congressional District will hav…
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51 min
Politics Friday: Mike Lindell 'all in' for Minnesota's governor's race with Trump backing or not
Local party conventions around Minnesota are shaping top political races. Delegates are being selected for the state endorsing conventions at the end of May. So candidates are maki…
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50 min
Politics Friday: Consumer safeguards gain bipartisan support at the Capitol
The first big deadline for action in the 2026 legislative session is quickly approaching at the Capitol. While committee hearings will be churning at full steam next week, a number…
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50 min
At the Capitol, a slate of immigration bills to respond to ICE surge
It’s been about a month since White House Official Tom Homan announced a drawdown of federal immigration officers in Minnesota, but the news from a fearful public and growing conce…