
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 | Weekly | Episodes | 34 | Founded | 7 months ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | PoliticsNewsSociety & Culture | |||

We hope you are enjoying your summer!
Longtime political reporter Briana Bierschbach details how the Trump administration has pulled back key support that has helped Minnesota safeguard elections while pushing changes based on unproven allegations that could make it harder for legitimate... more
This week wildfires forced the closure of the Boundary Waters, sent smoke across the Midwest and pushed air quality to hazardous, record-breaking levels. Minnesota Star Tribune reporter Kristoffer Tigue chronicles the evacuation and fire fighting eff... more
This week she capped off an historic month becoming the winningest coach in WNBA history. We go behind the scenes with reporter Cassidy Hettesheimer to Reeve’s early days and the secrets to her success.
Corrections: In this conversation there are tw... more
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As a Minnesotan living in the Twin Cities, this podcast is a good addition to my podcast rotation.
Quality reporting by the Star Tribune with a wide range of topics and conversations.
I live in Minnesota and I love hearing the exceptional reporting about what’s happening right here. Great work Strib!
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.










Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
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Explores deeply reported Minnesota stories with a focus on political, civic, and investigative topics, anchored by a veteran Star Tribune journalist. Episodes spotlight state politics, elections, public safety, and major local issues, often featuring reporters and editors from the Star Tribune who provide data-driven context, on-the-ground reporting, and nuanced analysis. Noteworthy is the regular collaboration with multiple Star Tribune journalists, creating a steady stream of informed, no-nuff-spin conversations that connect local events to broader trends. This show is likely to appeal to Minnesota residents and professionals who want thorough insight into how local stories unfold, with a strong emphasis on accountability, governance, and... more
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These podcasts share a similar audience with Essential Minnesota:
1. Curious Minnesota
2. Minnesota Today
3. The Daily
4. StribSports Daily Delivery
5. The Ezra Klein Show
Essential Minnesota launched 7 months ago and published 34 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. Kristoffer Tigue
2. Cassidy Hettesheimer
3. Briana Bierschbach
4. Jessica Lassenhop
5. Andy Mannix
6. Jeff Day
7. Liz Sawyer
8. Chip Scoggins
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