
Every Friday some of the best reporters in Minnesota dig into one important local story. Host Melissa Townsend brings her distinct curiosity and humor to these weekly deep-dive conversations with journalists from the Minnesota Star Tribune where they break down the facts, the players and the impact. No spin, pretense or A.I. – just great local stories that matter to Minnesota and beyond. It’s what... more
| Publishes | Twice weekly | Episodes | 17 | Founded | 3 months ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | Society & CultureNewsPolitics | |||

Minnesota Star Tribune music critic Jon Bream knew Prince before the world did -- before the first record, before he became an icon. Their decades-long relationship had its share of highs and lows (including a ban from Prince's club after a bad revie... more
Rage bait videos and stories online catch a lot of attention. But the real solutions to dealing with fraud in Minnesota are less sensational and more practical. Our reporters run down the real problems that open the door to Medicaid fraud and the sol... more
We ended 2025 with a set of very serious fraud charges involving millions of dollars that were supposed to go to services that are a lifeline for some Minnesotans. And then Operation Metro surge happened. The deployment was supposed to root out thi... more
Real fraud, allegations of fraud and political rage bait are creating tons of headlines and lots of chaos but not much sense. To parse it out and get to what’s really going on – we go back to 2018 when the first big fraud scandals in the state set th... more
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How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #114 | |
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Apple Podcasts | #249 |
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
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This podcast offers a deep exploration of pressing societal and political issues affecting Minnesota and its residents. It showcases the expertise of local journalists from a prominent regional newspaper, providing listeners with insightful commentary and well-researched stories that reflect the complexities of community life. Topics often revolve around immigration enforcement, crime, social justice, and the interactions between state and federal authorities, enriched by real-life experiences of individuals and families impacted by such issues. Notably, the emphasis on firsthand accounts and comprehensive analyses sets this podcast apart, creating a unique narrative around local challenges and triumphs.
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Essential Minnesota launched 3 months ago and published 17 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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Recent guests on Essential Minnesota include:
1. Liz Flores
2. Laura Ewen
3. Representative Kelly Morrison
4. Greg Pratt
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