FreepCast

On this episode of FreepCast, we dispense with the usual format to introduce you to the newest, freshest face in the Free Press newsroom: Leah Call. Leah graduated form Utah State University and was born and raised in Ketchikan, Alaska, and will bring a ton of new energy to our evolving newsroom.

On this episode, Joe and Robb talk baseball, and a great story in the print edition this week by Edie Schmierbach about a rural Minnesota cemetery caretaker.

Recent court cases, an appearance by an award-winning author and ways to have fun with the family this summer were among the topics discussed on the latest episode of FreepCast.

On this episode we get into: a pair of court cases that grabbed headlines this week, the continuing saga plaguing international students and progam cuts at MSU.

In this episode, Free Press Managing Editor Joe Spear and reporter Robb Murray discuss the latest news coming out of the Mankato city government, including an addition $1 million in overlooked costs. Also discussed: A former Mankato East hoopster transfers to the U, and a Hairball concert announcement.

In this episode, Free Press Managing Editor Joe Spear and writer Robb Murray break down some of the biggest stories of the week, including the arrest of a man who was supposedly/allegedly/reportedly planning/contemplating/considering a mass shooting. They also talk about a game called Senior Assassins being played by area teens, and the reMARKable story by our beloved writer Mark Fischenich about a heart attack with a happy ending.

This is a special episode of FreepCast. In light of the ICE crackdown international students — including students at MSU and SCC — we brought in Will Coghill Behrends, MSU's dean of global education, who shed much-needed light on what's going with students here and across the country.

On this episode we get into the recent activity at Minnesota State University involving international students and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency. We also discuss Bob Dylan's third visit to Mankato, which happens Friday!

There's another proposal for what to do with the scenic, storied and unique part of Mankato known as Good Counsel, and this one so far hasn't seen the resistance we saw with the last one. Also discussed: The lack of a town hall meeting from First District Rep. Brad Finstad.

On this episode of FreepCast, Joe Spear and Robb Murray discuss the murder that took place at the Madison Avenue Kwik Trip. Also discussed: Madelia and Mankato East High School basketball.

On this episode Joe Spear and Robb Murray discuss WWII vet Dennis Boldt's amazing life and career, the public outcry that killed (at least for now) a proposed gravel pit south of town and the remarkable run of the state-tourney-bound Mankato East boys basketball team.

On this episode, Joe and Robb discuss Justin Fasnacht and the end of his FuzzTalkRadio show, the latest hockey news, the blizzard that kinda sorta crippled The Free Press and more. 

Hockey highlights, a fentanyl-related case/appeals court ruling and concerns about the well-being of the trans community are among topics discussed on our latest episode.

In this episode Free Press Managing editor Joe Spear and reporter Robb Murray discuss some good news on the affordable housing front, teen speeders, Restaurant Week and more.

On this week's episode, Free Press Managing Editor Joe Spear and Photo Editor Casey Ek detail reporter Mark Fischenich's recent chronicling of a slashing of fees for developers in Mankato. Plus, a new housing development may be in store for Good Counsel hill. 

On this week's episode reporters Brian Arola and Robb Murray discuss the explosion at the Blue Earth County Road 9 bridge, the wrongful death lawsuit stemming from the tragedy at Minneopa Falls, the closure of the Mankato Brewery and successful run Minnesota State's dance team had at nationals.

Photo Editor Casey Ek and reporter Holly Marie Moore offer a behind-the-scenes look at the convention. The pair also reflect on the stories, images and advertising efforts that earned The Free Press dozens of awards at the convention's Better Newspaper Contest.

On this week's episode of FreepCast, Joe Spear is joined by reporter Holly Marie Moore as they talk about Gov. Walz's visit to Mankato.

In this episode of FreepCast Managing Editor Joe Spear and Reporter Holly Marie Moore discuss the DFL boycott of the first day of the legislative session Monday, bonding bill projects and Maverick hockey.

In this episode of FreepCast Joe and Robb discuss the biggest stories of the week, including tree removal on Highway 22 between Mankato and St. Peter, a proposal for passenger train service between southern Minnesota and the Twin Cities, and the final departure of legendary coach Don Krusemark.

In this episode of FreepCast Managing Editor Joe Spear and writer Robb Murray discuss the spate of shootings in the Mankato area, North Mankato's tough stance on deer and the continued success of Maverick hockey.

In this episode, Managing Editor Joe Spear and photographer Casey Ek talk about the return of Dakota horse riders to Mankato's downtown as well as Ek's approach to photographing in the days leading up to the event. Spear also touches on recent murders in Mankato and other topics.

In this episode of FreepCast, Managing Editor Joe Spear and Photo Editor Casey Ek discuss news surrounding funding to relieve local homelessness, the two Dakota horseback rides coming to Mankato and Miss Minnesota's bid for Miss America.

In this episode Joe and Robb chat about Mankato's continued stray pets issue. We also talk about the sad, sad, sad news of Mankato Brewery closing, and the HUGE weekend for most of the active sports teams at MSU.

In this episde we take a deeper dive on what might happen to the Ardent Mills silos. We also delve into the sad story of a young man's death at Minneopa falls, and Minnesota State University's recent athletic dominance.

In this episode of FreepCast Managing Editor Joe Spear and reporter Robb Murray discuss the Ardent Mills sale and what will become of the silo mural. Also, more hockey! Both the men's and women's teams at MSU had great weekends.

John Brady, former Mankato mayor and current president of the board of directors at the Blue Earth Nicollet County Humane Society, stopped by chat about what's going on at BENCHS. A great conversation with a good dude.

Mental health coverage, a new manufacturing expansion and the local humane society troubles are featured topics in the latest episode.

In the journalism world, there's not bigger night than an presidential election. Managing Editor Joe Spear and photographer Casey Ek talk about covering the races as well as other news, including layoffs at KEYC and the story of a young boy who received a heart transplant.

On this episode of we take a deep dive on the elections with Blue Earth County's Mike Stalberger. Also, reporters Holly Marie Moore and Brian Arola join Managing Editor Joe Spear in a discussion about partisan groups influencing the non-partisan school board race. 

In this episode of FreepCast we've got special guest Free Press Sports Editor Chad Courrier. Chad takes us behind the scenes a bit on the annual Jug Game between Mankato East and West, and the special guest that brought heightened security to the game.

In this episode we discuss the continued love affair Mankato has with the beloved Dam Store. We also talk a bit about Mankato's new director of public safety.

In this episode of FreepCast we trumpet the return of the Dam Store to the site of the former Wagon Wheel restaurant in downtown Mankato. We also discuss the felony charges filed in the case of the dog that was shot in South Bend Township back in March, the highly anticipated decision on the hiring of the new director of public safety, and the city of Mankato making affordable housing a priority.

This week on FreepCast, we're doing something a little different.  Reporters Brian Arola and Robb Murray sat down with Ricky Necessary, Jr., an Ohio native who has lived in Minnesota for several years. His experience, struggles and nightmares with drug use are a cautionary tale. You won't want to skip this one, folks. This interview was part of our ongoing coverage of the fentanyl crisis and its impact on southern Minnesota.

Each semester at Minnesota State University, there are a handful of on- and off-campus concerts by world-class musicians. The man behind it all is Dale Haefner, who is currently in his 28th year of helming the MSU Performance Series. In this episode, Dale — who also happens to be a member of a little band called City Mouse — talks about the genesis of the series, the strategies behind getting bands to come to MSU, and the lineup for the fall semester.

From undercover drug task force agent to the top job in the Mankato Department of Public Safety, Amy Vokal has seen just about everything in a career that spanned more than 30 years. On this episode she talks about her retirement, changes in the department, navigating the evolving face of Mankato, and how the job of being a police officer has changed.

In this episode Robb Murray sits down with the myth, the man, the legend — Josh Madson! Josh is the brains and creative genius behind the now-famous Mankato Community Collage. Josh talks about the project, the unique journey that landed him in Mankato and what's next for his viral, joy-inspiring creation.

In the latest episode of FreepCast Free Press Managing Editor Joe Spear and reporters Brian Arola and Robb Murray discuss the heinous crime and severe sentencing in a recent domestic and sexual assault case. The case, which Arola covered for The Free Press, concluded with a prison sentence of 48 years — longer than any recent case with similar charges. Also discussed in this episode were the fate of the Judson Bottom Road and the deluge of comments on political stories.

In this episode of FreepCast, Managing Editor Joe Spear and reporters Holly Marie Moore and Robb Murray discuss the continuing saga of Mankato's favorite son, Tim Walz. Also discussed: recently published and upcoming election coverage.

On this episode of FreepCast we talk about the only thing anyone's talking about this week: the ascension of our humble coach, teacher, National Guardsman, congressman, governor and now vice presidential candidate: the affable Tim Walz. We also get the inside scoop from photographer Casey Ek on what it's like to photograph a dramatic court hearing.

On this episode we talk about what everyone seems to be talking about: the possibility of Tim Walz being tapped as a vice presidential candidate. We also talk about Bernie Sanders' upcoming visit to Mankato Friday as well as the upcoming sentencing for a vehicular manslaughter case in Mankato.

The latest episode of FreepCast, featuring Free Press Managing Editor Joe Spear, photographer Casey Ed and writer Robb Murray, is now available. This episode discusses the latest news including the homicide in North Mankato, the relocation of the Dam Store to the former Wagon Wheel Restaurant site, North Mankato Fun Days and more.

In the latest episode of The Free Press' podcast, "FreepCast," summer intern Callie Hadler talks about being the new kid covering the biggest story to hit the region in years. Hadler, a journalism student from the University of Minnesota, had only been part of the newsroom for a few weeks when she was told to help cover a story that wound up on the national news: the floods and the crisis at the Rapidan Dam. Hadler, who is from Annandale, also talks with hosts Joe Spear and Robb Murray about why she chose to get into journalism and the challenges her generation face in a world with seemingly unending waves of negative news.

The latest episode of FreepCast features Managing Editor Joe Spear and reporter Brian Arola discussing the growing crisis of fentanyl use. Fentanyl-related deaths have grown steadily the last few years, and Arola has been the reporter called upon most to cover that story. In this episode, Spear and Arola discuss recent cases that have involved fentanyl use or sale, as well what's being done in the community to solve the problem, including the widespread use of drug Narcan, which can, in some cases, reverse the fatal effects of an opioid overdose. They also discuss an upcoming Free Press series based on the fentanyl crisis.

Free Press Managing Editor Joe Spear and writer Robb Murray discuss yet another week of covering the wettest summer in years. Also covered: What's coming up for Mankato Magazine, which is now in its 20th year.

Free Press newsroom employees Tim Krohn, Brian Arola, Casey Ek and Robb Murray talk about covering the biggest story this community has seen in a while: The potential failure of the Rapidan Dam.

In this week's episode, Joe and Robb discuss some of the most interesting news of the week including racist messages left on a Mankato resident's car, the soon-to-be-open Tourtelotte Park pool and the retirement of local radio guy Mike Sullivan.

In this episode of FreepCast, Joe and Robb sit down with photographer Casey Ek to discuss the strategies and challenges of getting great photos from sporting events, specifically the latest softball heroics from a handful of local girls high school teams.

In this new iteration of the wildly popular (OK, somewhat popular) podcast from The Free Press of Mankato, Manager Editor Joe Spear and Features Editor Robb Murray introduce the podcast's new direction, and talk about some of the bigger news of the week in Mankato and the nationally.

The skateboard scene in Mankato goes back decades, but in no time was it more interesting — or fraught — than in the late 80s when the city enacted its skateboard ordinance. We sat down with three lifelong skateboarders to get their take on that, as well as skate culture in general, run-ins with police, and more.