
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 | 24 | Founded | 5 months ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | NewsSociety & CulturePolitics | |||

The scandal that led to Brian O’Hara’s resignation was a surprise to many. Reporter Liz Sawyer tells the behind the scenes story of what led to him leaving and why so many people knew so little about it.
Our small team is taking a short break this week. We'll be back with a fresh episode on June 5!
As Minnesota Republicans head into their state convention, three very different candidates are vying for the party’s endorsement for governor: House Speaker Lisa Demuth, businessman Kendall Qualls and MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell. Minnesota Star Tribune... more
One of the hottest issues in high school sports right now is student athletes who transfer from school to school. Columnist Chip Scoggins digs into what’s going on, what rules are being broken, and asks – is the current system fair?
Guest: Columnist... 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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Each Friday, a seasoned Minnesota newsroom veteran hosts deep-dive conversations with Minnesota Star Tribune journalists to unpack one important local story. Episodes typically dissect the facts, key players, and real-world impact, with a focus on accountability, policy, and community consequences. Noteworthy is the tight collaboration with local reporters, a no-spin approach, and a clear emphasis on regional issues that resonate beyond state borders. This setup is likely to appeal to listeners who want rigorous local journalism, insider context, and practical takeaways for stakeholders in media, government, and civic life.
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Essential Minnesota launched 5 months ago and published 24 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. Chip Scoggins
2. Chloe Johnson
3. Chris Vondracek
4. Brooks Johnson
5. Victor Ștefănescu
6. Jon Bream
7. Jessie Van Berkel
8. Ryan Faircloth
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