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Artwork for Essential Minnesota

Essential Minnesota

Minnesota Star Tribune
Minnesota Star Tribune
Operation Metro Surge
ICE
Minnesota
Border Patrol
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Mental Health
Immigration Enforcement
Mass Shooting
Renee Good
Trump Administration
Trauma
Annunciation School
Minnesota Red Flag Law
Bishop Henry Whipple Building
Children's Rights
Matt Deboer
Community Healing
Trauma and Grief
Gun Violence

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

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes17Founded3 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureNewsPolitics

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Artwork for Essential Minnesota

Latest Episodes

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

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Liz Flores
Photographer at the Minnesota Star Tribune
Minnesota Star Tribune
Episode: Minnesotans in Hiding
Laura Ewen
Columnist at the Minnesota Star Tribune
Minnesota Star Tribune
Episode: Minnesotans in Hiding
Representative Kelly Morrison
Congresswoman who oversaw the Whipple Detention Facility inspection
United States Congress
Episode: Tackled, shackled and then what?
Greg Pratt
Reporter from the Chicago Tribune who covered similar ICE operations
Chicago Tribune
Episode: Tackled, shackled and then what?

Hosts

Alyssa Townsend
Host who brings in-depth journalistic insight and expertise to discussions, often highlighting critical local issues faced by the communities in Minnesota.
Melissa Townsend
Host with extensive knowledge of regional narratives and community impact, focusing on delivering insightful journalism and storytelling.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#114
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#118
South Africa/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#249
South Africa/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The religious background of alleged assassin Vance Boelter
Q: What does getting right with God mean?
It means being the right kind of Christian; there are good Christians and there are bad Christians.
The religious background of alleged assassin Vance Boelter
Q: What specifically are you hoping to learn about Vance Boelter?
The big mystery is how could a man who all of his friends have described as a devout Christian, and so therefore, how could a devout Christian have done the things that he's been accused of?
Tackled, shackled and then what?
Q: How has the drawdown of agents impacted Minnesota?
As of now, there seems to be no visible reduction in agents at the Whipple building, and expectations are that substantial numbers will remain for the foreseeable future.
Tackled, shackled and then what?
Q: What are the conditions like inside the Whipple building?
It has become overcrowded, with basic needs not being met, leading to deteriorating conditions.
Minnesotans in Hiding
Q: What did their lives look like before they started hiding?
Fermin and his wife worked in landscaping and cleaning, and their daughters regularly attended school and social activities.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Essential Minnesota

What is Essential Minnesota about and what kind of topics does it cover?

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.

Where can I find podcast stats for Essential Minnesota?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Essential Minnesota. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Essential Minnesota and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Essential Minnesota get?

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How many subscribers and views does Essential Minnesota have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Essential Minnesota has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Essential Minnesota?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Essential Minnesota:

1. This Day (An America 250 History Show)
2. Points North
3. What's Your Problem?
4. Bold Names
5. Science Vs

How many episodes of Essential Minnesota are there?

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.

How do I contact Essential Minnesota?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Essential Minnesota?

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What guests have appeared on Essential Minnesota?

Recent guests on Essential Minnesota include:

1. Liz Flores
2. Laura Ewen
3. Representative Kelly Morrison
4. Greg Pratt

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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