Podcast appearances and mentions of Mark Dayton

Climate scientist and policy expert Anna Farro Henderson embarks on a remarkable narrative journey in Core Samples: A Climate Scientist's Experiments in Politics and Motherhood (U Minnesota Press, 2025), exploring how science is done, discussed, legislated, and imagined. Through stories both raucous and poignant--of far-flung expeditions, finding artistic inspiration in research, and traversing the systemic barriers women and mothers face in science and politics--she brings readers into the daily rhythms and intimacies of scientific research and political negotiation. Grounded in her experiences as a climate scientist, an environmental policy advisor to Minnesota Senator Al Franken and Governor Mark Dayton, and a constant juggler of the many roles and responsibilities of professional moms, Henderson's eclectic, unconventional essays range from observations, confessions, and meditations on lab and fieldwork to a packing list for a trip to the State Capitol and a lactation diary. Readers are invited on voyages as far afield as the Trinity nuclear test site in New Mexico, the Juneau Icefield in Alaska, and a meteor crater in Ghana--and as close to home as a town hall meeting in America's corn belt. A love letter to science and a bracing (and sometimes hilarious) portrait of the many obstacles women, mothers, and people digging for truth navigate, Core Samples illuminates the messy, contradictory humanity of our scientific and political institutions. Bringing us behind the closed doors of discovery and debate, Henderson exposes the flaws in research institutions, the halls of government, and the role of science in policy, yet she shows how each crack is also an invitation for camaraderie, creativity, and change. Dr. Anna Farro Henderson is a Canadian American paleo-ecologist/climate scientist and writer. She was an environmental policy adviser to the Minnesota Senator Al Franken and Governor Mark Dayton. She is a fellow at the Institute on the Environment at the University of Minnesota. She is on the faculty at the Mitchell Hamline Law School. She has also worked as a consultant and climate advocate. She is a creative writing instructor at the Loft Literary Center, and as a renowned author she has a number of articles published in well know environmental and literary publications, such as: Orion, Terrain and The Common. She has a long list of and writing awards and Literary Fellowships to her name. She now lives with her family in Minnesota, where she makes daily visits to the Mississippi River. Michael Simpson has been actively working, researching and teaching in the watershed management and wetlands fields for over forty years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/science-technology-and-society

Climate scientist and policy expert Anna Farro Henderson embarks on a remarkable narrative journey in Core Samples: A Climate Scientist's Experiments in Politics and Motherhood (U Minnesota Press, 2025), exploring how science is done, discussed, legislated, and imagined. Through stories both raucous and poignant--of far-flung expeditions, finding artistic inspiration in research, and traversing the systemic barriers women and mothers face in science and politics--she brings readers into the daily rhythms and intimacies of scientific research and political negotiation. Grounded in her experiences as a climate scientist, an environmental policy advisor to Minnesota Senator Al Franken and Governor Mark Dayton, and a constant juggler of the many roles and responsibilities of professional moms, Henderson's eclectic, unconventional essays range from observations, confessions, and meditations on lab and fieldwork to a packing list for a trip to the State Capitol and a lactation diary. Readers are invited on voyages as far afield as the Trinity nuclear test site in New Mexico, the Juneau Icefield in Alaska, and a meteor crater in Ghana--and as close to home as a town hall meeting in America's corn belt. A love letter to science and a bracing (and sometimes hilarious) portrait of the many obstacles women, mothers, and people digging for truth navigate, Core Samples illuminates the messy, contradictory humanity of our scientific and political institutions. Bringing us behind the closed doors of discovery and debate, Henderson exposes the flaws in research institutions, the halls of government, and the role of science in policy, yet she shows how each crack is also an invitation for camaraderie, creativity, and change. Dr. Anna Farro Henderson is a Canadian American paleo-ecologist/climate scientist and writer. She was an environmental policy adviser to the Minnesota Senator Al Franken and Governor Mark Dayton. She is a fellow at the Institute on the Environment at the University of Minnesota. She is on the faculty at the Mitchell Hamline Law School. She has also worked as a consultant and climate advocate. She is a creative writing instructor at the Loft Literary Center, and as a renowned author she has a number of articles published in well know environmental and literary publications, such as: Orion, Terrain and The Common. She has a long list of and writing awards and Literary Fellowships to her name. She now lives with her family in Minnesota, where she makes daily visits to the Mississippi River. Michael Simpson has been actively working, researching and teaching in the watershed management and wetlands fields for over forty years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Climate scientist and policy expert Anna Farro Henderson embarks on a remarkable narrative journey in Core Samples: A Climate Scientist's Experiments in Politics and Motherhood (U Minnesota Press, 2025), exploring how science is done, discussed, legislated, and imagined. Through stories both raucous and poignant--of far-flung expeditions, finding artistic inspiration in research, and traversing the systemic barriers women and mothers face in science and politics--she brings readers into the daily rhythms and intimacies of scientific research and political negotiation. Grounded in her experiences as a climate scientist, an environmental policy advisor to Minnesota Senator Al Franken and Governor Mark Dayton, and a constant juggler of the many roles and responsibilities of professional moms, Henderson's eclectic, unconventional essays range from observations, confessions, and meditations on lab and fieldwork to a packing list for a trip to the State Capitol and a lactation diary. Readers are invited on voyages as far afield as the Trinity nuclear test site in New Mexico, the Juneau Icefield in Alaska, and a meteor crater in Ghana--and as close to home as a town hall meeting in America's corn belt. A love letter to science and a bracing (and sometimes hilarious) portrait of the many obstacles women, mothers, and people digging for truth navigate, Core Samples illuminates the messy, contradictory humanity of our scientific and political institutions. Bringing us behind the closed doors of discovery and debate, Henderson exposes the flaws in research institutions, the halls of government, and the role of science in policy, yet she shows how each crack is also an invitation for camaraderie, creativity, and change. Dr. Anna Farro Henderson is a Canadian American paleo-ecologist/climate scientist and writer. She was an environmental policy adviser to the Minnesota Senator Al Franken and Governor Mark Dayton. She is a fellow at the Institute on the Environment at the University of Minnesota. She is on the faculty at the Mitchell Hamline Law School. She has also worked as a consultant and climate advocate. She is a creative writing instructor at the Loft Literary Center, and as a renowned author she has a number of articles published in well know environmental and literary publications, such as: Orion, Terrain and The Common. She has a long list of and writing awards and Literary Fellowships to her name. She now lives with her family in Minnesota, where she makes daily visits to the Mississippi River. Michael Simpson has been actively working, researching and teaching in the watershed management and wetlands fields for over forty years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/gender-studies

Climate scientist and policy expert Anna Farro Henderson embarks on a remarkable narrative journey in Core Samples: A Climate Scientist's Experiments in Politics and Motherhood (U Minnesota Press, 2025), exploring how science is done, discussed, legislated, and imagined. Through stories both raucous and poignant--of far-flung expeditions, finding artistic inspiration in research, and traversing the systemic barriers women and mothers face in science and politics--she brings readers into the daily rhythms and intimacies of scientific research and political negotiation. Grounded in her experiences as a climate scientist, an environmental policy advisor to Minnesota Senator Al Franken and Governor Mark Dayton, and a constant juggler of the many roles and responsibilities of professional moms, Henderson's eclectic, unconventional essays range from observations, confessions, and meditations on lab and fieldwork to a packing list for a trip to the State Capitol and a lactation diary. Readers are invited on voyages as far afield as the Trinity nuclear test site in New Mexico, the Juneau Icefield in Alaska, and a meteor crater in Ghana--and as close to home as a town hall meeting in America's corn belt. A love letter to science and a bracing (and sometimes hilarious) portrait of the many obstacles women, mothers, and people digging for truth navigate, Core Samples illuminates the messy, contradictory humanity of our scientific and political institutions. Bringing us behind the closed doors of discovery and debate, Henderson exposes the flaws in research institutions, the halls of government, and the role of science in policy, yet she shows how each crack is also an invitation for camaraderie, creativity, and change. Dr. Anna Farro Henderson is a Canadian American paleo-ecologist/climate scientist and writer. She was an environmental policy adviser to the Minnesota Senator Al Franken and Governor Mark Dayton. She is a fellow at the Institute on the Environment at the University of Minnesota. She is on the faculty at the Mitchell Hamline Law School. She has also worked as a consultant and climate advocate. She is a creative writing instructor at the Loft Literary Center, and as a renowned author she has a number of articles published in well know environmental and literary publications, such as: Orion, Terrain and The Common. She has a long list of and writing awards and Literary Fellowships to her name. She now lives with her family in Minnesota, where she makes daily visits to the Mississippi River. Michael Simpson has been actively working, researching and teaching in the watershed management and wetlands fields for over forty years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/environmental-studies

U.S. Senator Tina Smith is not running for reelection in 2026. The Democrat posted a video to social media this morning saying the decision is "not political -- it's entirely personal,” citing a desire to spend more time with her family in Minnesota. Smith joined the Senate in 2018, when then-governor Mark Dayton appointed her to fill the seat Al Franken left when he resigned.Just last week on Politics Friday, Smith told MPR's Politics Editor Brian Bakst she was planning to run again. They sat down again Thursday after the announcement.Candidates are already throwing their hat in the ring. Less than two hours after Smith said she would not seek re-election, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan announced her intention to run for the seat.An open U.S. Senate seat could draw millions of dollars more into the state, which will mean stepped-up campaign field operations for both parties and an avalanche of ads aimed at voters. MPR's Politics Editor Brian Bakst joined Minnesota Now to talk about what Smith's retirement means for Minnesota politics in 2026.

Hour 1 Segment 1 Tony starts the show talking about Robert F. Kennedy Jr. being officially confirmed as the secretary of health and human services and Kash Patel being voted out of committee. Tony also talks about Mark Dayton and how Tina Smith and Gary Peters won’t seek reelection. Hour 1 Segment 2 Tony talks about Nigel Farage on NATO expansion, while Pete Hegseth says NATO isn’t spending enough. Tony also talks about the judge lifting freeze on President Donald Trump’s buyout plan for federal workers. Hour 1 Segment 3 Tony talks about a car ramming into a crowd in Germany, injuring at least 28 people, with the suspect arrested being an Afghan asylum-seeker. Tony also talks about $45 million worth of condoms sent to Gaza. Later, Tony talks about Reuters being paid $9 million by the D.O.D. for social engineering. Hour 1 Segment 4 Tony wraps up the first hour of the show talking about Sunny Hostin’s thoughts on the plans to dismantle the department of education. Hour 2 Segment 1 Tony starts the second hour of the show talking about Jasmine Crockett saying Elon Musk is “for sure doing nefarious things”. Tony also talks about Pam Bondi and the D.O.J. suing against New York and top officials over immigration policies. Later, Tony talks about the left rally song chant of which side are you on and asks the audience. Hour 2 Segment 2 Tony talks about Stellantis delaying electric vehicle production. Hour 2 Segment 3 Tony talks about Lee Zeldin says Joe Biden was irresponsibly shoveling boatloads of cash and vows to get back $20 billion. Hour 2 Segment 4 Tony wraps up the second hour of the show talking about Eric Adams meeting with Tom Homan as FEMA pulls funds for housing immigrants in New York City. Hour 3 Segment 1 Tony starts the final hour of the show joined by Dr. Matt Will, economist at the University of Indianapolis, to talk about the latest in the producer price index. Hour 3 Segment 2 Tony talks about Missouri A.G. suing Starbucks over violating DEI rules. Hour 3 Segment 3 Tony talks more about a British Politico’s wife had a contract with USAID and it fell through. Tony also talks about how the left is falling on deaf ears. Later, Tony talks about democrats and Chuck Schumer trying to block Elon Musk with a “meat axe”. Hour 3 Segment 4 Tony wraps up another edition of the show talking more about Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Being officially confirmed for secretary of health and human services and Kash Patel moving through committee. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hour 1 Segment 1 Tony starts the show talking about Robert F. Kennedy Jr. being officially confirmed as the secretary of health and human services and Kash Patel being voted out of committee. Tony also talks about Mark Dayton and how Tina Smith and Gary Peters won’t seek reelection. Hour 1 Segment 2 Tony talks about Nigel Farage on NATO expansion, while Pete Hegseth says NATO isn’t spending enough. Tony also talks about the judge lifting freeze on President Donald Trump’s buyout plan for federal workers. Hour 1 Segment 3 Tony talks about a car ramming into a crowd in Germany, injuring at least 28 people, with the suspect arrested being an Afghan asylum-seeker. Tony also talks about $45 million worth of condoms sent to Gaza. Later, Tony talks about Reuters being paid $9 million by the D.O.D. for social engineering. Hour 1 Segment 4 Tony wraps up the first hour of the show talking about Sunny Hostin’s thoughts on the plans to dismantle the department of education. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Policy expert and climate scientist Anna Farro Henderson explores how science is done, discussed, legislated, and imagined in her new book, Core Samples: A Climate Scientist's Experiments in Politics and Motherhood. Grounded in her experience as an environmental policy advisor to Minnesota Senator Al Franken and Governor Mark Dayton, Henderson brings readers behind the closed doors of discovery and debate—and illuminates the messy, contradictory humanity of our scientific and political institutions. Here, Henderson is joined in conversation with Tenzin Dolkar and Roberta Downing on getting your voice heard in politics.Anna Farro Henderson is an award-winning writer, PhD scientist, and environmental policy expert. She is a fellow at the Institute on the Environment at the University of Minnesota, teaches at the Loft Literary Center, and works in climate advocacy. She lives with her family in St. Paul, where she makes daily visits to the Mississippi River.Tenzin Dolkar has more than 15 years of experience in policy development, advocacy, community organizing, and management with state and local governments. Dolkar is a council member on the Metropolitan Council, and has previously served as the State of Minnesota's Rail Director and as a policy advisor on transportation, agriculture, and rural issues for Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton.Roberta Downing is a public policy professional with more than 20 years of experience. Downing held a congressional fellowship administered by the American Association for the Advancement of Science and served on the US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions under Senator Edward M. Kennedy; has held several academic and policy-focused positions, including for the offices of US Senator Sherrod Brown and DC Mayor Muriel E. Bowser; and is principal and co-founder of Harper Downing LLC, a Minnesota-based government affairs consulting firm.Praise for the book:“Honest and immersive, this book offers a behind-the-scenes look at how culture (and who crafts it) shapes everything from the sediment the narrator studies to the policies that define climate action today.”—Elizabeth Rush, author of The Quickening“Anna Farro Henderson's deep encounters with Big Science and Big Bureaucracy will help you understand why progress on matters of life and death can be so maddeningly slow; her encounters with herself may help you figure out how to live your own life.”—Bill McKibben, author of The End of Nature“With fierce intelligence and wild exuberance, Anna Farro Henderson throws herself headlong into the biggest challenges of our time: how to love fully, create abundantly, and stop the ruin of the precious ecosystems that sustain us.”—Lia Purpura, author of All the Fierce Tethers“Some books are so good I want to shout about them to the rooftops. Core Samples is one of those.”—Vick Mickunas, Dayton Daily NewsCore Samples: A Climate Scientist's Experiments in Politics and Motherhood by Anna Farro Henderson is available from University of Minnesota Press.

Mark Dayton, Minnesota's fortieth governor, was the oldest to assume that office for the first time at sixty-three. He stepped into the role with vast political experience. In the 1970s, he served as legislative aide and Minnesota Economic Development commissioner and later worked four years as state auditor and six as a US senator. He won elections easily and had also been trounced. Dayton was born into wealth—an heir to the Dayton's department store fortune—and enjoyed a private school education at Breck School and Yale. His family impressed upon him that with wealth came the responsibility to serve the public. Dayton took this charge seriously. In his eight years as governor (2011-2019), he faced an uncooperative Republican legislature for six of those years. He also inherited a projected deficit of over $6 billion. He used his veto power ninety-five times and presided over an elimination of the deficit, substantial increases of funding for K-12 education, big increases in the minimum wage, an additional tax bracket for high incomes, and construction of a new Vikings US Bank Stadium. Dayton was an unapologetic big-government liberal, and the first Minnesota Democrat to pass the governorship, by election, to another Minnesota Democrat.

EPISODE 1924: In this KEEN ON show, Andrew talks to Brian Klaas, author of FLUKE, about why we are all accidents of the most arbitrary chance and chaosDr. Brian Klaas is an Associate Professor in Global Politics at University College London and a contributing writer for The Atlantic. He is also the author of the book Corruptible: Who Gets Power and How It Changes Us and host of the Power Corrupts podcast. Dr. Klaas is an expert on democracy, authoritarianism, US foreign policy, American politics more generally, political violence, and elections. He has previously authored of three books: "The Despot's Apprentice: Donald Trump's Attack on Democracy" (Hurst & Co, November 2017); "The Despot's Accomplice: How the West is Aiding & Abetting the Decline of Democracy," (Oxford University Press, December 2016) and "How to Rig an Election" (Yale University Press, co-authored with Professor Nic Cheeseman; May 2018). Klaas has advised governments, US political campaigns, NATO, the European Union, multi-billion dollar investors, international NGOs, and international politicians. Dr. Klaas has extensive experience working in sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and United States politics. Prior clients include the premier conflict management NGO in the world, International Crisis Group, the respected international election monitoring organization, The Carter Center, and large private firms. He has conducted field research, interviewing prime ministers, presidents, ministers, rebels, coup plotters, dissidents, and torture victims in an array of countries, including Madagascar, Thailand, Tunisia, Belarus, Côte d'Ivoire, Zambia, and Latvia. His writing and research has also recently been featured in The New York Times, The Guardian, Foreign Affairs, the Times Literary Supplement, Financial Times, Newsweek, The Telegraph, The Los Angeles Times, USA Today, Foreign Policy, and many other publications. Klaas is a regular commentator on a wide array of international media outlets too, including MSNBC, CNN, BBC News, Sky News, NPR News, CNBC, Bloomberg TV, BBC World Service, Monocle 24, France 24, and many others. Prior to becoming an academic, Dr. Klaas worked on US campaigns -- including serving as the Policy Director / Deputy Campaign Manager for Mark Dayton's successful bid for Governor of Minnesota. Klaas, an American, speaks French and is proficient in Arabic in addition to his native English. He received his DPhil in Politics from the University of Oxford (New College), an MPhil in Comparative Government from the University of Oxford (St. Anthony's), and a Bachelor of Arts (Summa Cum Laude; Phi Beta Kappa) from Carleton College.Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best known broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting KEEN ON, he is the host of the long-running How To Fix Democracy show. He is also the author of four prescient books about digital technology: CULT OF THE AMATEUR, DIGITAL VERTIGO, THE INTERNET IS NOT THE ANSWER and HOW TO FIX THE FUTURE. Andrew lives in San Francisco, is married to Cassandra Knight, Google's VP of Litigation & Discovery, and has two grown children.

Call the Medic! On this episode of Relics Radio, Tony and I kickoff 2024 by welcoming Mark Dayton of Brass Medic on YouTube to the show. Mark comes on to talk about his journey into metal detecting and some of the adventures he has gotten into over the years. Check out his channel and website by visiting the links below. LINKS:Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BrassMedicWebsite: https://expertdetecting.com/https://lnlband.com/ (Locked-N-Loaded Band)RELICS RADIO is live on spreaker.com/digginwithseven every Thursday night at 8:00 pm (Eastern) and is available on spreaker.com or wherever you get your podcast.DK's LINKS:All Ken's Links Here: https://linktr.ee/adventuresindirtAdventures in Dirt on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/adventuresindirtAdventures in Dirt Facebook Group page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/AdventuresInDirtTONY's LINKS:5280 Adventures on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/5280adventures5280 Adventures on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/5280adventures5280 Adventures on Instagram:Welcome to another episode of Relics Radio yall!Thanks yall for spending your Thursday night with us. Appreciate you all!

Forty years ago, two women met on a basketball court and became close friends.  Those women were Ann Bancroft and Jan Malcolm. That was long before Malcolm went on to serve as Minnesota Health Commissioner under three Minnesota governors and guide the state through the COVID-19 pandemic. It was also before Bancroft became the first woman to reach the North Pole by foot with dog sled and inspire people around the world through her polar expeditions. Over the years, Malcolm and Bancroft have supported each other through intense challenges, weathered personal loss and encouraged each other to follow their dreams. Listen back to a conversation MPR News host Angela Davis had with Ann Bancroft and Jan Malcolm as part of her Power Pairs series.Guests:   Ann Bancroft is an adventurer, author and teacher. She was the first woman to reach the North Pole on foot with dog sleds with a group in 1986. She was also the first woman, with Norwegian adventurer Liv Arnesen, to ski across Antarctica.  She's completed a number of other expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic, inspiring school children and drawing attention to global warming. She's also the founder of the Ann Bancroft Foundation.    Jan Malcolm retired as Minnesota's health commissioner at the end of 2022, after serving under Governor Tim Walz and guiding the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. She was appointed as commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Health in 2018 by Gov. Mark Dayton and also served in the role under Gov. Jesse Ventura. She was also vice president at Allina Health and CEO of Courage Center and was the chief architect of the state's safety net insurance program MinnesotaCare while working at HealthPartners in the early 1990s.     Do you know a ‘Power Pair?'Know two Minnesotans who have a close relationship and lean on each other for support in the work they do? Maybe they're married or siblings or best friends. They could be business partners or a parent/adult child dynamic duo. We want to hear their stories on MPR News with Angela Davis at 9 a.m. weekdays.Read more about our Power Pair series and submit your ideas here. Or email who you think we should talk to and why to adavis@mpr.org. Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.  Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.    

Forty years ago, Ann Bancroft and Jan Malcolm met on a basketball court and became close friends. That was long before Malcolm went on to serve as Minnesota Health Commissioner under three Minnesota governors and guide the state through the COVID-19 pandemic.It was also before Bancroft became the first woman to reach the North Pole by foot with dog sled and inspire people around the world through her polar expeditions.During their long and close friendship, the two women have supported each other through intense challenges, weathered personal loss and encouraged each other to follow their dreams.MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Ann Bancroft and Jan Malcolm as part of her Power Pairs series.Guests:  Ann Bancroft is an adventurer, author and teacher. She was the first woman to reach the North Pole on foot with dog sleds with a group in 1986. She was also the first woman, with Norwegian adventurer Liv Arnesen, to ski across Antarctica.  She's completed a number of other expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic, inspiring school children and drawing attention to global warming. She's also the founder of the Ann Bancroft Foundation.   Jan Malcolm retired as Minnesota's health commissioner at the end of 2022, after serving under Governor Tim Walz and guiding the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. She was appointed as commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Health in 2018 by Gov. Mark Dayton and also served in the role under Gov. Jesse Ventura. She was also vice president at Allina Health and CEO of Courage Center and was the chief architect of the state's safety net insurance program MinnesotaCare while working at HealthPartners in the early 1990s.     Ann Bancroft Foundation inspires big dreams for girls Do you know a Power Pair? Send us your suggestion. We're talking with prominent Minnesotans you may recognize and who also have a close relationship with each other.Maybe they're married. Maybe they're siblings. Or maybe they are just good friends. We want to sit them down together and learn about their relationship. Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.  Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.   

Minnesota's Brenda Cassellius grew up in public housing in Minneapolis and she considers that her greatest asset.“I grew up in poverty but there was never a poverty of love,” she said, stressing that it's possible to get out of poverty and chart your own path. “It instilled in me to give back.” Cassellius has given back to communities by spending decades working in education.She was the first African American woman in Minnesota history to serve as the commissioner of education, under Gov. Mark Dayton.She was later the superintendent of Boston Public Schools, including throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and was a leader in bringing a climate plan that makes schools in the district more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. Now Cassellius is back in Minnesota and she recently started her position as the executive director of Fresh Energy, a nonprofit aimed at transitioning our state to clean energy. She also mentors women of color who are school district superintendents and leaders of large organizations. Also, hear from our listeners who called in to talk about their personal stories of growing up from humble beginnings and later overcoming a path of obstacles. Guests: Brenda Cassellius is the new executive director of Fresh Energy, a non-profit aimed at transitioning Minnesota to clean energy. She formerly worked for three decades in public education, including as Minnesota's education commissioner and as superintendent for Boston Public Schools.Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or RSS. Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.   

Minnesota's Brenda Cassellius grew up in public housing in Minneapolis and she considers that her greatest asset. “I grew up in poverty but there was never a poverty of love,” she said, stressing that it's possible to get out of poverty and chart your own path. “It instilled in me to give back.”  Cassellius has given back to communities by spending decades working in education. She was the first African American woman in Minnesota history to serve as the commissioner of education, under Gov. Mark Dayton. She was later the superintendent of Boston Public Schools, including throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and was a leader in bringing a climate plan that makes schools in the district more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.  Now Cassellius is back in Minnesota and she recently started her position as the executive director of Fresh Energy, a nonprofit aimed at transitioning our state to clean energy.  She also mentors women of color who are school district superintendents and leaders of large organizations.  Also, hear from our listeners who called in to talk about their personal stories of growing up from humble beginnings and later overcoming a path of obstacles. Guests:  Brenda Cassellius is the new executive director of Fresh Energy, a non-profit aimed at transitioning Minnesota to clean energy. She formerly worked for three decades in public education, including as Minnesota's education commissioner and as superintendent for Boston Public Schools. Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.  Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.   

Debra J. Stone's poetry, essays and fiction can be found in Brooklyn Review, Under the Gum Tree, Random Sample Review, Green Mountains Review (GMR), About Place Journal, Saint Paul Almanac, Wild Age Press, Gyroscope, Tidal Basin, and forthcoming in other literary journals. She's received residencies at the Vermont Studio Center, Callaloo, The Anderson Center for Interdisciplinary Studies, New York Mills Arts Residency and is a Kimbilio Fellow. Sundress Publishers nominated her essay, Grandma Essie's Vanilla Poundcake, Best of the Net, judged by Hanif Abdurraquib in 2019 and in 2021 her poem, year-of- staying–in place, was nominated Best of Net and Pushcart nominated. www.debrajeannestone.com Anna Farro Henderson is a scientist and artist. She served as an environmental policy advisor to Minnesota Senator Al Franken and Governor Mark Dayton. Her publications have appeared in Kenyon Review, River Teeth, The Rumpus, The Common, The Doctor T.J. Eckleburg Review, Seneca Review, Water-Stone Review, Cleaver Magazine, Punctuate, The Normal School, Bellingham Review, and Identity Theory. She is a recipient of a Minnesota State Art Board grant, a Nan Snow Emerging Artist Award, an Excellence in Teaching Fellowship at the Madeline Island School of the Arts, and a Loft Literary Center Mentor Award. She founded The Nature Library art installation that was up in the Landmark Center in Saint Paul for several months in 2019. She teaches creative process at the Loft Literary Center. www.eafarro.com

Former Governor Tim Pawlenty critiques the GOP in Minnesota and nationally. Plus, we learn why he and former Governor Mark Dayton are opposed to the Fairview-Sanford merger.

State lawmakers spent Tuesday talking about the proposed Sanford-Fairview Health merger. In a rare joint appearance Tuesday evening, former governors Tim Pawlenty and Mark Dayton with testify in a Senate committee against the merger. Fairview runs the University of Minnesota teaching hospitals and clinics, which is a snag in the merger deal. The University of Minnesota wants $300 million from the state to buy it's hospital back from Fairview and another $650 million to run it. In a letter sent to the University on Monday, Fairview's CEO said they'll sell the hospitals back to the university if it helps clear the way to Fairview's merger with Sanford Health of South Dakota. DFL Senator Melissa Wiklund is chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee who will hold the gavel in the Tuesday evening hearing. She joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to talk about the process. Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.  Subscribe to the Minnesota Now podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.    We attempt to make transcripts for Minnesota Now available the next business day after a broadcast. When ready they will appear here. 

In this episode, Elizabeth Frazee, CEO and Co-founder of TwinLogic Strategies, and Chani Wiggins, Principal at TwinLogic, join host Scott Maberry to discuss what's likely on the horizon for the 118th Congress, including prospects for the debt limit and the potential for bipartisan action on a farm bill, tax extenders, and immigration reform.   What We Discussed in this Episode: What are the biggest challenges and opportunities for global business coming out of the 117th Congress? Does a divided Congress set the stage for gridlock? Can you explain the connection between the budget, the debt limit, and the appropriations? What can we expect from the U.S. House of Representatives in light of the new leadership and rules package? What is the Sinema factor in the U.S. Senate? In terms of immigration reform, what does business need to see fixed? On taxation, is there bipartisan support for tax extenders? What does the makeup of the current Congress mean for the farm bill? How might the Republican-controlled House approach oversight? What will oversight look like in the Democratic-controlled Senate? What's the big takeaway for business in regard to the 118th Congress? If you had a crystal ball, what would it tell us about the 2024 elections?   About Elizabeth Frazee As Co-Founder and CEO of TwinLogic Strategies, Elizabeth Frazee is a 30-year veteran of Washington D.C. politics and was recently named a Top Lobbyist by The Hill. She worked for over a decade in senior positions on Capitol Hill, spent years as an executive, leading government relations for tech and entertainment companies, and since 2003 has consulted for companies, trade associations and nonprofits.   After working for her home state Senator from North Carolina, Elizabeth served as press secretary for the House Energy and Commerce Committee. An attorney, she completed her congressional service running the legislative office of Representative Bob Goodlatte. Once in the private sector, Elizabeth was director of government relations at the Walt Disney Company. She joined AOL in the late 90s as vice president of public policy and ran its Congressional team. In 2003 she left AOL-Time Warner to build the private lobbying practice that became TwinLogic Strategies in 2009.  Elizabeth is an expert at managing issue campaigns and running industry coalitions. She delivers results for her clients by combining a thorough understanding of policy, communications, and politics with an impressive network of relationships.      About Chani Wiggins As a Principal with TwinLogic Strategies, Chani Wiggins draws on 20 years of federal government experience to assist clients with various policy interests in Congress and within the Administration.    Chani spent 11 years on Capitol Hill, serving as Senator Claire McCaskill's (D-MO) Legislative Director, former Senator Mark Dayton's (D-MN) Deputy Chief of Staff, and former Congressman Bart Stupak's (D-MI) Legislative and Communications Director. She was also a senior policy aide for Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) and professional staff on the Health Education and Labor Committee. She later served as Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Since September 2010, Chani has represented clients with priorities in national security, telecommunications and technology, and energy policies. She also serves as a strategic advisor for the Government & Technology Services Coalition (GTSC), an organization of small and mid-sized company executives that develop and implement solutions for the federal homeland and national security sector. Chani is known for building relationships on both sides of the political aisle, co-founding the Bipartisan Legislative Directors Group in 2007 to find common ground among the Senate's 100 Legislative Directors.     About Scott Maberry As an international trade partner in Governmental Practice, J. Scott Maberry counsels clients on global risk, international trade, and regulation. He is also a past co-chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Working Group for the Washington D.C. office, serves on the firm's pro bono committee, and is a founding member of the Sheppard Mullin Organizational Integrity Group. Scott's practice includes representing clients before the U.S. government agencies and international U.S. Department of Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry & Security (BIS), the Department of Commerce Import Administration, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of State Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC), the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the International Trade Commission (ITC), the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS), He also represents clients in federal court and grand jury proceedings, as well as those pursuing negotiations and dispute resolution under the World Trade Organization (WTO), North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and other multilateral and bilateral agreements. A member of the World Economic Forum Expert Network, Scott also advises the WEF community in the areas of global risk, international trade, artificial intelligence and values.   Contact Information  Elizabeth Frazee Chani Wiggins Scott Maberry   Thank you for listening! Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive two new episodes delivered straight to your podcast player every month.   If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or Spotify. It helps other listeners find this show.   This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.  

We have been talking about an assessment that we have that can be life changing. On this episode we will talk about the Mattone Leadership Enneagram Inventory (MLEI) that over 12,000 global leaders have used to start their own personal leadership journey with. Some of those leaders include Steve Jobs, Roger Enrico of Pepsico, and Bill Logue of Fed Ex. All of whom used ILEC's methods to improve their leadership skills.Our guest today is Mark Dayton. Mark is currently the CMO for his organization, but is also an Entrpreneur, Author, Executive Mentor and has served in several Executive and C-Suite positions. Mark is going to discuss his experience with the MLEI with Rich and Maikel. Join us on this episode of Mainline Executive Coaching ACT Thank you to all of our listeners in over 70 countries and 580 cities worldwide, we greatly appreciate your support! We truly hope that what we bring to our listeners will improve your ability as leaders.Leaders, Lead Well!Mainline Executive Coaching ACT has been recognized by FeedSpot as the top Executive Coaching Podcast based on thousands of podcasts on the web and ranked by traffic, social media followers & freshness.https://blog.feedspot.com/executive_coaching_podcasts/Sign up for our newsletter:https://www.richbaronexecutivecoaching.com/contactDownload our document on the Hottest Item in Business Today.https://www.richbaronexecutivecoaching.com/resources2fbc974dRich Baron:rbaron@richbaronexecutivecoaching.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-baron/https://www.richbaronexecutivecoaching.com/Maikel Bailey:mbailey@intelligentleadershipec.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/maikelbailey/https://maikelbailey.com/

Purchase a copy of the book, Corruptible, here: https://amzn.to/2YZtC9g :A provocative and revelatory look at what power is, who gets it, and what happens when they do, based on over 500 interviews with those who (for a while, at least) have had the upper hand—from the creator of the Power Corrupts podcast and Washington Post columnist Brian Klaas.If you've pre-ordered/purchased CORRUPTIBLE, fill out this form and you can get access to an exclusive episode of Power Corrupts, only available through this offer.Dr. Brian Klaas is an Associate Professor in Global Politics at University College London and a columnist for The Washington Post. Klaas is also a frequent television commentator and political consultant. He was previously based at the London School of Economics and the University of Oxford. He is also the author of the forthcoming book CORRUPTIBLE: Who Gets Power and How It Changes Us and host of the Power Corrupts podcast.Dr. Klaas is an expert on democracy, authoritarianism, US foreign policy, American politics more generally, political violence, and elections. He has previously authored of three books: "The Despot's Apprentice: Donald Trump's Attack on Democracy" (Hurst & Co, November 2017); "The Despot's Accomplice: How the West is Aiding & Abetting the Decline of Democracy," (Oxford University Press, December 2016) and "How to Rig an Election" (Yale University Press, co-authored with Professor Nic Cheeseman; May 2018).Klaas has advised governments, US political campaigns, NATO, the European Union, multi-billion dollar investors, international NGOs, and international politicians.Dr. Klaas has extensive experience working in sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and United States politics.  Prior clients include the premier conflict management NGO in the world, International Crisis Group, the respected international election monitoring organization, The Carter Center, and large private firms.  He has conducted field research, interviewing prime ministers, presidents, ministers, rebels, coup plotters, dissidents, and torture victims in an array of countries, including Madagascar, Thailand, Tunisia, Belarus, Côte d'Ivoire, Zambia, and Latvia.His writing and research has also recently been featured in The New York Times, The Guardian, Foreign Affairs, the Times Literary Supplement, Financial Times, Newsweek, The Telegraph, The Los Angeles Times, USA Today, Foreign Policy, and many other publications. Klaas is a regular commentator on a wide array of international media outlets too, including MSNBC, CNN, BBC News, Sky News, NPR News, CNBC, Bloomberg TV, BBC World Service, Monocle 24, France 24, and many others.Prior to becoming an academic, Dr. Klaas worked on US campaigns -- including serving as the Policy Director / Deputy Campaign Manager for Mark Dayton's successful bid for Governor of Minnesota.Klaas, an American, speaks French and is proficient in Arabic in addition to his native English.  He received his DPhil in Politics from the University of Oxford (New College), an MPhil in Comparative Government from the University of Oxford (St. Antony's), and a Bachelor of Arts (Summa Cum Laude; Phi Beta Kappa) from Carleton College.Support the Show:https://www.patreon.com/preacherboysPurchase a Preacher Boys shirt, mask, sticker, or other merch to rep the show! https://www.teepublic.com/user/preacher-boys-podcast________________Find more stories regarding the IFB movement by visiting:– preacherboysdoc.com– https://www.facebook.com/preacherboysdoc/– https://twitter.com/preacherboysdoc– https://www.instagram.com/preacherboysdoc/To connect with a community who share the Eric Skwarczynski and the Preacher Boys Podcast mission to expose abuse in the IFB, join the OFFICIAL Preacher Boys Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1403898676438188Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/preacher-boys-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Rick King was reappointed to the Metropolitan Airports Commission by Governor Tim Walz in July 2019, at the same time being named Chair of the MAC board. He was first appointed to the Board in 2011 by Gov. Mark Dayton, who reappointed him in 2015. King is also past chair of both the MAC's Management and Operations Committee and the Planning, Development and Environment Committee.

Former Voice of the Vikings and one of us, Brad Nessler calls in. Then, it's Mace In Your Face, with Glen Mason in studio. And finally, checking in with Pat Kessler on everything from Bob Dylan price tag, to Mark Dayton's love life, and the election status.

Justice and Drew are joined by Brianne, and former Governor Mark Dayton is no longer a bachelor, but is it true love? Protests over the weekend, and a curfew in Hudson, WI is proposed. And, going down memory lane of the infancy and beginnings of cancel culture.

This episode of The BS Show features "Wrong About Everything" co-hosts Amy Koch and Brian McDaniel, Bialke Law's Dave Bialke and psychic Ruth Lordan.  

Raie Gessesse - Midwest Program Manager at IGNITE. Raie is a passionate advocate for racial and gender equity through blending her interests in culture, policy, and community organizing. During her undergraduate tenure, she has successfully engaged in numerous opportunities ranging from the non-profit, government, and philanthropy sectors. In recognition of her community advocacy, she was appointed by former Governor Mark Dayton to serve as a cabinet member on the first-ever Young Women's Cabinet. In this role she thoughtfully elevated the voices of young women across the state in impacting policy at the local, state and national level. She has also had the opportunity to speak to young women across the US, and internationally on the power of cultivating purpose into social impact. As the Midwest Program Manager, Raie oversees IGNITE’s high school and college programming as well as political engagement trainings for young women across the region. #VOTE FOLLOW IGNITE @Ignite_national Cece and Ryan have been enjoying @pressseltzer on the podcast this month. Their current favorite flavor “Pineapple Basil” --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/twisted-times/message

Mark Dayton - Teacher, street counselor and future governor of Minnesota. Interviewed when he was still the state auditor, the discussion includes growing up wealthy and his feelings of privilege, his consciousness being raised in the 1960s, as well as recovery from addiction.     This story is made possible by the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the citizens of Minnesota.

Minnesota is working hard to create more affordable housing. But if we build structures that are not super-efficient, residents will be saddled with high energy bills—and we will miss an opportunity to improve our built environment, a top source of carbon emissions in the state. Now more than ever the topic of affordable housing has become even more critical.In July 2020, Fresh Energy hosted conversations with Minnesota thought leaders and Fresh Energy staff about how super-efficient buildings can become the new normal in equitable affordable housing. This is the second in the four-part series featuring a discussion with Gina Ciganik, Chief Executive Officer of the Healthy Building Network.With the increased attention on affordable housing in this current crisis, we know that the conversation has only just begun and it’s crucial that energy efficiency be part of the equation. We must build new affordable housing that is so energy efficient it can be heated and cooled with small amounts of renewable electricity. It makes economic sense, it improves indoor air quality, and it also dramatically reduces carbon emissions.We have the know-how to build super-efficient housing that is affordable over the long term. Why isn’t all new housing built that way, and how can we do better? Fresh Energy is bringing people together from diverse areas of the affordable housing arena to explore this issue.Thank you to Stoel Rives LLP for sponsoring this event.Meet the SpeakersGina Ciganik is the Chief Executive Officer of the Healthy Building Network. In her previous role at HBN she established and led the HomeFree initiative, an expansion of HBN’s healthy materials work into the affordable housing sector. Prior to HBN, she was Vice President of Housing Development at a Minneapolis-St. Paul area affordable housing development organization, where she spent two decades creating thousands of healthy, affordable homes, including The Rose, a 90-unit apartment building that set a new national standard for healthy materials.As Director of Energy Access and Equity, Ben directs Fresh Energy’s work to advance equitable outcomes across Minnesota’s energy system, and also supports the organization’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. He joined Fresh Energy as a Policy Associate in May 2015. Ben’s previous experience includes legal clerkships with the Minnesota Department of Commerce and Honeywell International, and internships with Governor Mark Dayton and Senator John Marty. Ben holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Minnesota and a Juris Doctor from William Mitchell College of Law. He is a member of the Minnesota Bar.Listeners can stay up to date on our work via our once monthly email list, blog at www.fresh-energy.org, or by following us on Facebook and Twitter. You can support Fresh Energy’s work for a clean energy Minnesota by making a donation today! Click here to learn more and donate.

Shawntera M. Hardy is an award winning policy professional and serial entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience leading work in the areas of government affairs, healthcare access, economic and workforce development, environmental sustainability, city planning, and international affairs. Shawntera’s current leadership includes her roles as the founder of PolicyGrounds Consulting, a strategic management firm working at the intersection of public policy, organizational effectiveness, and placemaking; the cofounder and chief strategy officer for Civic Eagle, a tech company building policy intelligence software that automates state and federal legislative tracking; and as the cofounder of Fearless Commerce, a publication and platform focused on elevating Black women business owners.Prior to going full-time in her business ventures, Shawntera was appointed by Governor Mark Dayton as the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) where she led a team of 1300 public servants and an annual budget of over $600 million. While at DEED, she played a critical role in shaping the lives of everyday Minnesotans by spearheading the state’s investment in inclusive economic growth and operational excellence. Additional past leadership roles for Shawntera include: deputy chief of staff for Governor Mark Dayton; policy director for FreshEnergy; government relations manager for HealthPartners; and city planner for the City of Saint Paul. Shawntera has a strong commitment to serving in the community. She is currently a member of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis community advisory committee; Minnesota Public Radio board of trustee; Great North Labs advisor; and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, a global sorority grounded in servant-leadership. To ensure access to educational opportunities, Hardy co-founded and co-directs the Fatima Kinshasa Memorial Fund and the Pioneer Scholars Award, both at The Ohio State University. Born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio, Shawntera holds a Bachelor of Science in Consumer Affairs from The Ohio State University, and a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning. Shawntera lives in Saint Paul, MN with her husband Aasim.

Shawntera M. Hardy is an award winning policy professional and serial entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience leading work in the areas of government affairs, healthcare access, economic and workforce development, environmental sustainability, city planning, and international affairs. Shawntera’s current leadership includes her roles as the founder of PolicyGrounds Consulting, a strategic management firm working at the intersection of public policy, organizational effectiveness, and placemaking; the cofounder and chief strategy officer for Civic Eagle, a tech company building policy intelligence software that automates state and federal legislative tracking; and as the cofounder of Fearless Commerce, a publication and platform focused on elevating Black women business owners.Prior to going full-time in her business ventures, Shawntera was appointed by Governor Mark Dayton as the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) where she led a team of 1300 public servants and an annual budget of over $600 million. While at DEED, she played a critical role in shaping the lives of everyday Minnesotans by spearheading the state’s investment in inclusive economic growth and operational excellence. Additional past leadership roles for Shawntera include: deputy chief of staff for Governor Mark Dayton; policy director for FreshEnergy; government relations manager for HealthPartners; and city planner for the City of Saint Paul. Shawntera has a strong commitment to serving in the community. She is currently a member of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis community advisory committee; Minnesota Public Radio board of trustee; Great North Labs advisor; and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, a global sorority grounded in servant-leadership. To ensure access to educational opportunities, Hardy co-founded and co-directs the Fatima Kinshasa Memorial Fund and the Pioneer Scholars Award, both at The Ohio State University. Born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio, Shawntera holds a Bachelor of Science in Consumer Affairs from The Ohio State University, and a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning. Shawntera lives in Saint Paul, MN with her husband Aasim.

Shawntera M. Hardy is an award winning policy professional and serial entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience leading work in the areas of government affairs, healthcare access, economic and workforce development, environmental sustainability, city planning, and international affairs. Shawntera’s current leadership includes her roles as the founder of PolicyGrounds Consulting, a strategic management firm working at the intersection of public policy, organizational effectiveness, and placemaking; the cofounder and chief strategy officer for Civic Eagle, a tech company building policy intelligence software that automates state and federal legislative tracking; and as the cofounder of Fearless Commerce, a publication and platform focused on elevating Black women business owners.Prior to going full-time in her business ventures, Shawntera was appointed by Governor Mark Dayton as the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) where she led a team of 1300 public servants and an annual budget of over $600 million. While at DEED, she played a critical role in shaping the lives of everyday Minnesotans by spearheading the state’s investment in inclusive economic growth and operational excellence. Additional past leadership roles for Shawntera include: deputy chief of staff for Governor Mark Dayton; policy director for FreshEnergy; government relations manager for HealthPartners; and city planner for the City of Saint Paul. Shawntera has a strong commitment to serving in the community. She is currently a member of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis community advisory committee; Minnesota Public Radio board of trustee; Great North Labs advisor; and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, a global sorority grounded in servant-leadership. To ensure access to educational opportunities, Hardy co-founded and co-directs the Fatima Kinshasa Memorial Fund and the Pioneer Scholars Award, both at The Ohio State University. Born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio, Shawntera holds a Bachelor of Science in Consumer Affairs from The Ohio State University, and a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning. Shawntera lives in Saint Paul, MN with her husband Aasim.

Shawntera M. Hardy is an award winning policy professional and serial entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience leading work in the areas of government affairs, healthcare access, economic and workforce development, environmental sustainability, city planning, and international affairs. Shawntera’s current leadership includes her roles as the founder of PolicyGrounds Consulting, a strategic management firm working at the intersection of public policy, organizational effectiveness, and placemaking; the cofounder and chief strategy officer for Civic Eagle, a tech company building policy intelligence software that automates state and federal legislative tracking; and as the cofounder of Fearless Commerce, a publication and platform focused on elevating Black women business owners.Prior to going full-time in her business ventures, Shawntera was appointed by Governor Mark Dayton as the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) where she led a team of 1300 public servants and an annual budget of over $600 million. While at DEED, she played a critical role in shaping the lives of everyday Minnesotans by spearheading the state’s investment in inclusive economic growth and operational excellence. Additional past leadership roles for Shawntera include: deputy chief of staff for Governor Mark Dayton; policy director for FreshEnergy; government relations manager for HealthPartners; and city planner for the City of Saint Paul. Shawntera has a strong commitment to serving in the community. She is currently a member of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis community advisory committee; Minnesota Public Radio board of trustee; Great North Labs advisor; and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, a global sorority grounded in servant-leadership. To ensure access to educational opportunities, Hardy co-founded and co-directs the Fatima Kinshasa Memorial Fund and the Pioneer Scholars Award, both at The Ohio State University. Born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio, Shawntera holds a Bachelor of Science in Consumer Affairs from The Ohio State University, and a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning. Shawntera lives in Saint Paul, MN with her husband Aasim.

(S2, EP 12) For this week's episode of The Banh Mi Chronicles Podcast centering on the theme "1975", Lao American writer and playwright Saymoukda Vongsay aka "Refugenius" joins in as a guest and shares her family's migration journey from Laos to Minnesota after the Laos Civil War. She shares her experience growing up with the Lao community in Minnesota, the process of finding her voice through spoken word / poetry, and creating plays centered on the Lao experience in the theatre community. She recently received a large grant from the Mellon fund that will fund her work as a full-time playwright. In this episode, she also reads one of her personal poems. You won't want to miss this memorable episode! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Special thanks to my sponsor, Lawrence and Argyle, a Viet-American owned merchandise line representing immigrant empowerment. Get yourself a pin, hoodie or t-shirt and show off your immigrant pride. Visit them at www.lawrenceandargyle.com or on Instagram @lawrenceandargyle or on their Facebook page. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bio: Saymoukda Duangphouxay Vongsay is a Lao writer. CNN's “United Shades of America” host W. Kamau Bell called her work “revolutionary.” Governor Mark Dayton recognized her with a “Lao Artists Heritage Month” Proclamation. She's a recipient of a Sally Award for Initiative from the Ordway Center for Performing Arts which “recognizes bold new steps and strategic leadership undertaken by an individual...in creating projects or artistic programs never before seen in Minnesota that will have a significant impact on strengthening Minnesota's artistic/cultural community.” Her plays have been presented by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center, Theater Mu, and elsewhere. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/banhmichronicles/support

Our special host this episode is SOFREP writer and former Special Forces operator, Steve Balestrieri. He interviews Stephen "Butch" Whitehead, the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) national commander. Whitehead is a combat-disabled veteran of the Iraq War, was elected national commander for the more than 1 million-member DAV at the organization’s 2019 national convention in Orlando, Florida. A native of Trimont, Minnesota, Whitehead is a retired command sergeant major for 84th Troop Command Brigade in the Minnesota Army National Guard. Whitehead joined the Army in 1991 and completed two overseas deployments, receiving the Bronze Star in 2007 for combat service in Iraq. In 2012, he was awarded the Veterans Voices Award by then-Gov. Mark Dayton of Minnesota. Other military awards include a Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, five Army Achievement Medals, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal and the Humanitarian Service Medal. Currently, Whitehead serves as executive director of the Disabled American Veterans of Minnesota Foundation. He has served as adjutant for the DAV Department of Minnesota and is chair for multiple department-level committees. He was also recently appointed to the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center Consumer Advisory Board, where he will serve for three years. If you haven’t already noticed, we have a ton of new SOFREP t-shirt designs and gear available in our store. As always, be sure to check out our Crate Club for Spec Ops grade gear hand picked by military professionals. See you all again next week! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers

In this episode we talk to Lea B. Olsen. As a parent, sports broadcaster and former collegiate athlete, Lea B. Olsen has experienced sports culture from every angle. Since playing basketball for the University of Minnesota, where she studied journalism and mass communication, Lea has worked for NBCSN, ESPN’s national WNBA coverage, currently she is a game analyst for the Minnesota Lynx, and a sideline reporter for the Minnesota Timberwolves, on Fox Sports North. Lea also broadcast both the boys and girls Minnesota State high school basketball tournaments. Founder of her non-profit Rethink the Win, Lea now champions young athletes as complete people and the positive impacts of sports beyond the game. Lea has been a public advocate for promoting women in the media, served on the Minnesota Twins Community Foundation Board and served at the invitation of Gov. Mark Dayton on the Minnesota State High School League Board. She has also mentored African American athletes at the University of Minnesota, moderated a civil rights discussion featuring U.S. Congressman John Lewis and interviewed Bill and Hillary Clinton. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/athletesrising/message

What role does safety play in future planning? Can we really plan for a safer future? In this episode of Focus on the Future, host Allycia Wolff interviews Dr. Nancy Fitzsimons. Dr. Fitzsimons is a professor of social work at Mankato State University. She is also a board member of The Arc Minnesota. In their conversation, Allycia Wolff and Dr. Fitzsimons discuss how we can empower our children and re-think what it means to be safe.About Dr. Nancy FitzsimonsDr. Fitzsimons earned her MSW and PhD from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), Jane Addams College of Social Work and her Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Mankato State University. Her area of concentration has been in developmental disabilities, disability policy and services, and preparation of social workers for practice with people with disabilities. At Mankato State University, she teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in social welfare history, services and policy; social work policy practice, task groups, macro social work practice; and social work practice with people with disabilities and their families. Dr. Fitzsimons serves on the board of The Arc Minnesota. In 2015, Governor Mark Dayton appointed her as a representative to the Minnesota State Council on Disability.About Focus on the FutureYou can find more information about Focus on the Future at arcminnesota.org/podcast. If Episode 7 inspired a question for an Arc Advocate, call The Arc Minnesota at 833.450.1494.Focus on the Future is a podcast for caregivers and families supporting people with disabilities. In each episode, a conversation about the journey of discovering our best life and how to achieve it. While exploring legal, financial, and quality of life structures, Focus on the Future aims to get back to what matters most: living a fulfilling and meaningful life that is defined by each individual person.Support the show (http://www.arcminnesota.org/podcast)

Beauty comes in all colors. But sadly, skin color (colorism) features in defining standards of beauty due to the historical context of colonialism in large parts of the world. Our next guest, Amira Adawe, MPH was the researcher who discovered the high levels of mercury and other toxic chemicals in skin lightening creams. These chemicals were not identified on the label, which not only bucks FDA laws but led to harmful effects on unsuspecting women. Join us in this episode as Amira talks to us about her early research and ongoing advocacy through The Beautywell Project a non profit organization that aims to end skin-lightening practices and chemical exposures. She’s on a mission to help women embrace their identity and love themselves. Amira shares why she started her research on preventing skin-lightening products and the dangers it can cause. We also discuss the topic of beauty standards and how we can change the narrative around it. In this Episode, We Talk About: The origin of skin-lightening practices The reason why Amira started her research on preventing skin-lightening practices How colonialism affected the defining of beauty in many cultures around the world  The dangers of skin-lightening products What beauty means in the culture Is a career in public health really fulfilling? Educating individuals about wellness The reason why Amira chose to teach Where to reach Amira Adawe: LinkedIn Twitter Amira’s Bio: Amira is the Founder and Executive Director at The Beautywell Project, a non-profit organization that aims to combat skin-lightening and chemical exposures as well as addressing other environmental impacts in Minnesota, nationwide and international. She previously managed Minnesota’s Children Cabinet of Governor Mark Dayton where she worked on early childhood in all policies and systems using equity lens. She’s also a public health researcher and her research interests include women’s and children’s health in the areas of access to health care, skin-lightening practices, and chemical exposures. Amira is the host of Beauty-Wellness Talk at KALY Radio and Podcast. Amira has an undergraduate degree in Family Social Science from the University of Minnesota and a Master of Public Health from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. She was also a Policy Fellow 2015-2016 at Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. Amira's work has been featured on local and national media including StarTribune, Minnpost, STAT News, National Public Radio (NPR), Matter of Fact with Soledad O'Brien and WSB-TV.  Mentioned from this episode: BeautyWell Project Why black people discriminate among ourselves: the toxic legacy of colorism   Want to hear more stories from amazing Muslim Women? Please subscribe on Apple Podcast, Stitcher or on your favorite podcast platform. Get notified so you never miss out! Let us know what you think and what part of the podcast conversation you enjoyed the most by leaving us a review and rating here! And don’t forget to join us on our Facebook group Professional Muslim Women to continue the conversation and connect with a community of Muslim women like you!

Mark Dayton joins Dr. Paul for this conversation about some of the timeless principles that allow us to make sense of the wounds we are sure to sustain in our journey. Mark’s book by the...

The United States moved to officially withdraw from the Paris Agreement this week. The 2015 United Nations agreement commits nearly 200 countries to reducing greenhouse gas emissions at a rate that will keep the global temperature from rising 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. For the U.S., that requires reducing emissions by 26 to 28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025. Many states, including Minnesota, pledged to continue the work when President Donald Trump signaled earlier in his presidency that he would pull the U.S. out of the agreement. But are their efforts enough to counter the president’s move? Climate Curious: What's your question about climate change? 2017: What's the impact of pulling out of Paris agreement? “What I think is more significant are this suite of actions that the administration has taken in the last two to three years,” said Julie Cerqueira, the executive director of the U.S. Climate Alliance. “The withdrawal from Paris is significant in that it is sending a signal internationally that the U.S. federal government doesn't believe climate change is a priority. But what we're looking at domestically is an unraveling of all of our major national climate policies. “That, to me, is much scarier,” she said. The U.S. Climate Alliance is a coalition of 25 governors who have committed their states to meeting their share of the U.S. greenhouse gas reduction target. Minnesota joined the alliance in 2017 under former Gov. Mark Dayton. Related: MN conservatives praise Clean Power Plan rollback Cerqueira said the Trump administration’s rollback of Obama-era clean power rules and of federal car emissions standards, as well as its attack on California’s own, stricter emissions standards, is limiting states’ abilities to make good on their climate promise. “What we've seen when we look at the states that are part of our coalition is that has had a significant impact on their ability to meet both their own targets, but also the commitment they made to meet their share of the U.S. national greenhouse gas target,” she said. As Trump fights CA in court, Walz proposes 'clean car' rules MN to EPA: Reconsider rollback of car emission standards 2017: Minnesota on track to hit Paris climate goals While there is still hope for meeting the Paris agreement’s target, Cerqueira said Trump administration policies are more than a speed bump. “So the thing to keep in mind is, even if today you put back in place all of those regulations, it still takes several years for those to enter into effect, several more years before industry has picked that up and started implementing the solutions, and you actually start to see those reductions,” she said. “And so to some degree, we have already baked in the future emissions because of three years of a lack of framework.” Cerqueira and the alliance are in the process of pinpointing just how much progress their member states have made. That report is expected to come out in December. To hear more of Cerqueira’s conversation with CLimate Cast host and MPR Chief Meteorologist Paul Huttner, hit play on the audio player above.

Adrienne is currently an undergraduate student at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. She is studying Political Science with minors in Russian Language and Public Health. Adrienne is interested in World Health Policy, International Relations and American Politics. While at the University of Minnesota, Adrienne currently serves on the College of Liberal Arts Student Board. She also holds leadership positions as Communications Director of the Undergraduate Political Science Association and Co-President of She's the First. Adrienne has also completed an internship in the Office of Governor Mark Dayton and worked as an Organizing Fellow for Ilhan Omar's Congressional Campaign. Currently, Adrienne works at the University of Minnesota Office of Admissions as Specialized and Groups Visits Coordinator.

On this Episode of The Point of View Podcast: Trump vs Omar War and why it is happening. Fmr MN Gov. Mark Dayton tells the people of MN to LEAVE the state if they don't like it. Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney proposes raising YOUR property taxes 2 mills (roughly $21/year), and what you can do to STOP IT from happening. You have been told that the Renaissance Zones and TIFs are GREAT and will lower your property tax bill. So if that's the case, why is the Mayor proposing to RAISE YOUR PROPERTY TAXES? Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney and Fargo Commissioner Tony Gehrig share their Point of View on the #FakeNewsForum alleging that the Fargo PD is racially profiling people. Plus, how do they feel about Fargo Police Chief David Todd releasing the dashcam before the investigation was completed. --Producer Josh

On this episode of Plain Talk, an analysis of political contributions found not one reported contribution to a Republican from a member of the faculty or administration at NDSU. Is this a problem? Also, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has is dragging out the approval process for the Line 3 pipeline just as his predecessor Mark Dayton did. This episode is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Gov. Mark Dayton will be back at work this week in St. Paul after a more than month-long stay in the hospital ...

Brian, Carin, Javier are joined by Jeremy 'Otter' Estenson again this week! Election recounts and what's wrong with Florida? The gang tries to make sense of it all in the continuing fall out from the midterm elections. Nancy Pelosi vs Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez? Not exactly. And, show Mark Dayton some respect!

Justice and Drew are presented with Sam's top 5 stories she thinks you should know for the day, including news breaking that Governor Mark Dayton has been hospitalized for the last month.

Show Summary: (Full Transcript Below) October 11 is White Cane Day in Minnesota and the Blindness community came out strong to support the awareness of the White Cane. Speakers shared the history of White Cane day and others talked about the freedom and independence the white cane brings to them. The Minnesota State Academy for the Blind shared their voices and sang aloud in the Capital’s Rotundra. With the support of the local Lions Clubs, MSAB, NFB of MN and Blind, Inc. the White Cane Day event was a great event with a lot of participation. From joining in on the song to marching in the walk from the St. Paul Capital to the St. Paul Cathedral and bac, participants chatted and talked while blazing through the chilly and windy Autumn day in Minnesota. As Carol Pankow put it, “Rain, sleet or snow, we do it and the weather doesn’t stop us. We just keep moving and grooving with life. You can find out more about MSAB on the web. http://msab.msa.state.mn.us Check out the NFB of MN on the web at www.NFBMn.org http://members.tcq.net/nfbmn/ And be sure to see what opportunities and events are happening at Blind, Inc. on the web at https://www.blindinc.org And check out your local Lions Club and see what they are doing in your community.   Thanks for Listening! You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com Send us an email Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Store. Get the Free blind Abilities App on the Google Play Store   Full Transcript: What Does White Cane Day Mean to You? Voices at the Capital 2018 John Jasinski: So, on behalf of governor Mark Dayton, I have a proclamation.   Alycia Howard: Hi, I am Alycia Howard.   Brian Daniels: My name's Brian Daniels. I'm the representative from the Faribault area.   Holly Nordmeyer: My name is Holly Nordmeyer. I'm from the Minnesota State Academies.   John Jasinski: So, what does White Cane Day mean to me? My name is Senator John Jasinski. I'm from district 24 where the Minnesota Academies have a facility. So, I believe it's important to raise the awareness on White Cane Day and what it is and making sure that the people with disabilities, blind disabilities are safe on their streets in a safe area so they can walk and navigate through our communities.   Trume: My name is Trume and I feel like coming to White Cane Day means a lot because I know that I ... Although I've been blind for a really long time, I can still use my resources to my advantage.   Kristina T.: My name is Kristina Tinason. I am a teacher for the blind and visually impaired and I come today to celebrate equality and just awareness in general. White Cane Safety Day.   Quinn H.: My name is Quinn Hobble. I come to White Cane Day because being blind myself, I have seen just how much the long white cane gives me freedom and being a contract worker for the state of Minnesota teaching cane travel, I get to see how much freedom the long white cane gives each and every one of my students on a daily basis.   Sheila K.: My name is Sheila Koenig. I'm the transition coordinator at State Services for the Blind and I come to White Cane Day because it's a gathering of blind people from all over the state and we're here to show that we have a voice and a presence. I think it's amazing to kick off the program at the state capital, which is a place that really symbolizes people's voices.   Ryan Strunk: Back in 1928 I believe it was, we passed a resolution that said that we were approving a new travel device for getting safely across the street. And that new travel device was a whistle. The idea was you'd come up to the curb and you'd pull out your whistle and you would blow on your whistle until somebody heard you and came out and you would say, can you please help me across the street?   Eva: I'm Eva. White Cane Day is spreading awareness about blindness and the use of the canes and who we are and that we are out there.   Brian Daniels: My name's Brian Daniels. I'm the representative from the Faribault area. I've been in the legislature for four years and I have to tell you, this White Cane event I think is the best of all our functions that we have. It's showing that people are not disabled if they're blind or disabled in different way, and I love that. I love the school they have down in Faribault. They do a good job for all of our kids and I'm just proud to represent this area.   Carol Pankow: I'm Carol Pankow, Director of State Services for the Blind. Well, White Cane Day, I think, and I love it especially today because it's crappy out, the weather's crazy, but it's just representative of what people go through every single day. Whether it's rain, sleet, snow, beautiful weather, there are people who are blind, visually impaired, deaf-blind, all around this country going out, doing their thing. They're working, they're going to school, they're making it happen and they don't just stay in 'cause the weather got bad. You can't. You gotta keep moving and grooving with your life. So, I just think this day is really representative of all things that ... It's like another day, but it symbolizes what blind, visually impaired and deaf-blind people stand for and that they're able to go out and move around with confidence and do their thing and live their life.   Greg Smith: I'm Greg Smith and I'm here with a group of students from South High School and we're coming just to celebrate the freedom that the white canes provide the students and their independent. We think this is a great event.   Nick: My name is Nick. I come to White Cane Day because it's nice to see that there are other people that are visually impaired like me.   Ryan Strunk: Even though we had this idea in mind that it was now National White Cane Safety Day on October 15th, the public still wasn't always cool with it. You'd walk into a shop that sold glassware with your cane and you could be kicked out or you'd walk into a restaurant with your guide dog and you could be kicked out and so we started fighting across all 50 states to make sure that we had the right to participate.   Nadia: Hi, my name is Nadia and I'm a student at BLIND, Inc. What White Cane Day means to me is that this is a day of pride of us using our white cane. Our white cane shows that we can go anywhere and we're not scared to do anything out in the public. It's a symbol for people to know that we're out here doing our thing just like they are. I love using my white cane every day. I have so much pride in using it and I'm so glad that today we get to celebrate a day like this.   Jeff Thompson: Raise your canes.   Nadia: Oh, that'd be cool. I'm open to that.   Speaker 16: Yeah. I think today is really just good about for the public awareness of people ...   Nadia: I know, yeah.   Speaker 16: There's a lot of people in the general public ...   Nadia: They don't understand it.   Speaker 16: But no. They don't know anyone who's blind, so they're not really exposed to it. So, I think today is just really good ... It's a good day to just, yeah. Kind of makeup. This is one person.   Nadia: Right.   Speaker 17: It's like a chance to stand out from the crowd and understand that even though we're visually impaired or blind, we can still do whatever we set our mind to do.   Anya Swenson: My name is Anya Swenson and I come here to raise awareness about safety and about this important issue.   Ryan Strunk: Because that white came is not only a symbol of who we are, but it is at the core of what makes us independent.   Josie Lion: Hi, like John Davis said, my name is Josie Lion. I found about ... My disability about four years ago in Oklahoma and sadly Oklahoma doesn't have a lot of support, so I didn't really get my cane until about two years ago when I moved here. So, when I was in Oklahoma I was afraid and scared 'cause I didn't have anything to help me figure out what to do. So, I was not social. I was not getting good things. I was just ... I just lived in my own little room, kind of like a hermit crab. When I got here to Minnesota, I got my cane. I felt more positive and I felt more social. I finally went to my first party. So, finally did clubs after school. I finally made friends and actually did things with them and I wouldn't be able to if it wasn't for my white cane.   Kristen O.: Hi. I'm Kristen Orien, state specialist for the blind and visually impaired for the Minnesota Department of Education and I come to White Cane Day to celebrate independent travel.   Terry Wilding: Hello, my name is Terry Wilding. I'm not blind, but I am deaf. What I see for White Cane Day means what we can do to spread awareness about what our students need. The State Academy is what the blind community needs. How we can better advocate for more legislation and changes within our communities as well as changing the culture so that way people are aware of us and willing to work with us from this point forward.   Brent: My names Brent. I'm a new student. I've only attended BLIND, Inc. for about a month now.   Jeff Thompson: Oh, good for you.   Brent: I am from Hastings, Minnesota. White Cane Day means to me that it's a chance for everybody out in the big city and everywhere just to understand that there are visually impaired and blind people out there who deserve to be respected for their blindness, treated fairly just as anybody else and when it comes to street crossings and everything, they're just real willing to ...   Jeff Thompson: At least slow down a little bit, right?   Brent: At least slow down or give us the opportunity to cross. Yeah, yeah.   John Jasinski: Blind pedestrians have the right of way. Any person operating a motor vehicle in this state shall bring such motor vehicle to a stop and give the right away at any intersection of any street, avenue, alley, or other public highway to a blind pedestrian who was carrying a cane, predominantly white, metallic in color, or with or without a red tip or using a guide dog.   Jenny P.: My name is Jenny Pelletier. I'm the music therapist at MSAB and we're excited to be here with all these other folks from Minnesota and celebrate today.   Dan Wenzel: Dan Wenzel. I'm the Executive Director of Blindness: Learning in New Dimensions, BLIND, Incorporated. Love to be here. I think that White Cane Day means to me independence, but also a chance for us to get together as blind people and show the capabilities that we have. So, look forward to getting out there and walking with my friends.   Beth: Beth. I come to White Cane Day because I work with two students that are legally blind and it gives me an opportunity to see other students and how capable they can be.   Alycia Howard: Hi, I am Alycia Howard and to me White Cane Day means a celebration of independence and a celebration of how the long white cane has impacted not only the blind community but how sighted people perceive the blind community and just the positive light that White Cane Day sheds on that.   John Davis: Hi, this is John Davis. I'm the Director at the Minnesota State Academy for the Blind and what White Cane Day means to me, it's an opportunity to share and bring forth the importance of white cane awareness and for people to understand that when they're out driving that they need to be aware of individuals that have either a white cane or a guide dog and that they follow the rules of law, which means that they provide the right away for those individuals so that they can travel safely and those in the vehicles can travel safely as well. It also means that ... For our students in our academy, that white cane means that freedom to be able to get out and just participate in life like everybody else.   Isaac: My name is Isaac. I'm currently an intern student at BLIND, Inc. I'm student teaching there, hoping to obtain NOMC, which is the National Orientation and Mobility Certification. I think it's really great thing that they do here and it's good to get everyone out in the community.   Holly Nordmeyer: My name is Holly Nordmeyer. I'm from the Minnesota State Academies and I'm the Orientation Mobility Instructor and I'm also a teacher for the blind and visually impaired. Well, White Cane Day, for me, it's independence. It's recognition for our students. I mean, our students are a minority in the population overall. To me, it's a time for them to get together and meet other people that are cane travelers and travel at whatever level of skill that they have and show off those skills and let all the drivers out there know that there are white canes and to let the public know what the white cane law means. It means a lot to me.   Dan Wenzel: A lot of people talk about safety, but for me it also means opportunity. An opportunity to explore the world. An opportunity to get out there with our canes and our dogs and make a difference.   Betsy S.: I'm Betsy Shallbetter. I'm a teacher at the Academy for the Blind. White Cane Day means a whole lot to me as it has made a difference in my community. Whenever we do the walk in Faribault, Minnesota people start to pay attention.   Dan Wenzel: For me, it means participation. A chance through action to show the abilities of blind people as we go and live the lives we want.   Brittany T.: My name is Brittany Thomforde. I am the Director of Special Ed at the State Academies and this is my first White Cane Day.   Jeff Thompson: Your first?   Brittany T.: My first. I've never participated in a White Cane Day.   Jeff Thompson: Well, welcome.   Brittany T.: I'm really excited to see how this event works and see all the students and adults and teachers and staff and I'm excited to cheer everybody on. I'm the first one down at the end of the steps today, so I'm excited to do that.   Jeff Thompson: Oh, so they get a job for ya?   Brittany T.: I have a job. I chose to volunteer today.   Jeff Thompson: There you go.   John Jasinski: So, on behalf of Governor Mark Dayton. I have a proclamation.   Samantha: Hi, I'm Samantha and I think that the white cane is very important because to so many people it's such a symbol of independence.   John Jasinski: Whereas there are estimated 63,000 Minnesotans who are blind or visually impaired, many of them who've traveled with white canes.   Samantha: I know, for me, I've been blind my whole life. I've never not used a cane. I know a lot of kids sort of reject it and don't wanna be seen with it, but to me, I never felt safe traveling without one.   John Jasinski: And whereas the need for the orientation and mobility services and White Cane Safety awareness will continue to grow and remain vital to the educational, vocational and recreational needs of all Minnesotans who are blind or visually impaired.   Samantha: To me, it's always been a big deal. My mom is blind as well. I was using a cane from the time I could walk. I was walking around conventions and stuff when I was two with the canes.   John Jasinski: And whereas the Minnesota Department of Education and Minnesota Public Schools support educational outcomes for all children.   Samantha: Always been something I have had and I think it's something that it's important that people realize it's sort of a symbol of independence rather than a stigmatized symbol of needing assistance. I think there's an important distinction there.   John Jasinski: Now therefore, I, John Jasinski, on behalf of Governor Mark Dayton, do hereby proclaim Thursday, October 11th, 2018 as White Cane Safety Awareness Day.   Jennifer Pelletier: Our students at the Minnesota State Academy for the Blind have been working on composing a song in the last few weeks. Many of them have had the opportunity to put some thoughts together about what White Cane Day means to them. We talked about what it was like to use a white cane for the first time. We read the white cane law and had a little bit of discussion about that.   Ryan Strunk: So, as you walk today, as you stride out around the Capitol, down the streets, be proud of your white cane. Tap that white cane and let everybody know that we are here, we are not going anywhere and we are proud of who we are. Thank you ladies and gentlemen.   Kristen Oien: All right. Hello everyone. I'm Kristen [Oien, I would like to send out a special thank you to Holly Nordmeyer and Michelle Gip for helping arrange this awesome day. So, let's give them all a round of applause. I'd also like to thank all of our volunteers who will be along the route if you have some ...  

Carrie goes for a run with the mayor of St. Paul, Minnesota, Melvin Carter! Melvin discusses how he got into track and field at an early age, the importance of fitness in his life, and his priorities for his first term as mayor. Show notes for this episode can be found at ctollerun.com. Melvin Carter Melvin Carter is a fourth-generation Saint Paul resident, Saint Paul public school graduate, former Saint Paul City Council member, father, and Saint Paul's Mayor. Melvin grew up in the Rondo neighborhood as the son of one of Saint Paul's first black police officers, and a teacher (who now serves as a Ramsey County Commissioner). He attended Saint Paul public schools, ran track at his neighborhood rec center, and graduated from Central High School. He currently lives blocks away from where he grew up with his wife, Dr. Sakeena Futrell-Carter, and the youngest three of their five children. Melvin has been working to engage, enfranchise, and uplift people not only in Saint Paul, but also across the state and nation. Most recently, he served as Executive Director of the Minnesota Children's Cabinet, advising Governor Mark Dayton on early childhood policy. Prior to joining state government, Melvin represented Ward 1 on the Saint Paul City Council from 2008 to 2013. In the run up to his campaign for Mayor, Melvin spent a year in conversation with neighbors through a series of listening sessions called Imagine Saint Paul. His unconventional campaign focused on grassroots organizing and earning support from every corner of the city.

Vetos for everybody!!!!!!1!!1! Justice and Drew discuss Governor Mark Dayton vetoing pretty much all of the work the legislature put into the last several months.

Mark Dayton throws the legislature the veto party that nobody wanted, and Justice & Drew are here to discuss. Before that, though, they're joined by DC Correspondent Andrew Langer to discuss Trump, collusion, and more silliness.

Vice President Mike Pence made a rare visit to Minnesota this week to promote the Trump administration's newly passed tax cuts. The event at the Minneapolis Convention Center had more of a campaign rally feel to it. Pence said the tax cuts are helping to spur more growth in the economy. Gov. Mark Dayton made a push this week to make one-time funding for pre-kindergarten programs permanent. Last year, the Legislature approved $50 million in one-time funding to offer free pre-k programs across the state. He argues if that funding is not continued, dozens of districts will not be able to offer those programs again.

Gov. Mark Dayton proposed a budget on Friday that accounts for changes in the state economy and federal tax law since the budget was passed last year. A bipartisan group of Minnesota senators unveiled a pair of gun control measures in the wake of the deadly mass shooting at a Florida high school last month. One would impose background checks on almost all gun sales and transfers, and the other would require gun owners to report a lost or stolen weapon within two weeks.

Gov. Mark Dayton announced his plan for school safety and reducing gun violence this week at the State Capitol. Minnesota Weighs in on Possibility of Trump-Kim Meeting A Minnesota woman with ties to North Korea says she feels a range of emotions as leaders from the U.S. and North Korea mull a potential meeting.

Minnesota budget officials say lawmakers will have a $329 surplus with which to work in the upcoming biennium. However, Republican lawmakers and Gov. Mark Dayton are split on how to handle it. DFL leaders urge caution while Republicans are expressing optimism. In this week's "Political Insider," Brian McClung, communications director for former governor Tim Pawlenty, says Democrats are generally cautious about the money when it's projected, but at the end of the legislative session seem to want to spend every penny. Some lawmakers want to use the surplus to bring Minnesota's tax law in line with new federal guidelines. Dayton also plans to adjust his budget proposal following news of the surplus. That update is expected later this month.

Gov. Dayton Likely to Sign Legislative Funding Bill on Monday Minnesota state leaders are now back at the Capitol for the start of the 2018 legislative session. On Thursday, they officially got a "do-over" for a bill vetoed by Gov. Mark Dayton last spring that would provide nearly $130 million in funding for legislative operations. Gun Control Debate at the Capitol The gun control debate continues at the State Capitol. Dayton says he supports student efforts pushing for tighter gun control. The governor says he's donating $1,000 to a GoFundMe page paying for Minnesota students who are going to the "March For Our Lives" rally next month in Washington, D.C.

This week on "At Issue," Richard Davis, executive chairman of U.S. Bank and one of the Co-chairs of the Super Bowl Host Committee, stopped by to talk about the Super Bowl and related festivities. Meanwhile, the Minneapolis Armory opened its doors for its first major concert on Thursday, when Imagine Dragons took the stage. A new person is in charge at the Minnesota Department of Health. Gov. Mark Dayton made the announcement this week that Jan Malcolm will take over. The move comes after former commissioner Ed Ehlinger stepped down after reports about substantial backlogs in dealing with complaints about nursing home abuse. State officials say they need a lot more money to make corrections to the Minnesota Licensing and Registration System, or MNLARS.

Super Bowl festivities in the Twin Cities are in full swing. Fans from around the country will fly into Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport for the festivities. MSP is expecting almost 70,000 passengers to fly out Monday after the big game, which would be a record travel day for the airport. The state Management and Budget office recently released a report on how the state handles sexual harassment. Gov. Mark Dayton requested the department review policies and procedures after allegations of sexual harassment surfaced at the Capitol.

Super Bowl festivities in the Twin Cities are in full swing.Fans from around the country will fly into Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport for the festivities. MSP is expecting almost 70,000 passengers to fly out Monday after the big game, which would be a record travel day for the airport.The state Management and Budget office recently released a report on how the state handles sexual harassment. Gov. Mark Dayton requested the department review policies and procedures after allegations of sexual harassment surfaced at the Capitol.

Last week, a beloved contributor to our "At Issue" political panels for the last 18 years passed away. Sarah Janecek left us way too soon. She was a key contributor since the team first went on air in 2000. She was carefree and enjoyed life to the fullest.Gov. Mark Dayton's last bonding bill is a blockbuster that he says would create thousands of jobs. Republicans see it as more of a budget-buster.Dayton is pitching the $1.5 billion package of construction projects around the state. About one-third of that would go to the University of Minnesota and other state colleges.The Dayton Administration says the Public Works proposal will create nearly 23,000 jobs. About $ 542 million is proposed for projects at the U of M and Minnesota state colleges.

This week a new U.S. Senator took office in Minnesota. Former Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith is now Senator Smith, replacing Democrat Al Franken, after allegations of sexual misconduct.As Smith learns the new job in Washington, her replacement as lieutenant governor will be doing the same here in Minnesota.Republican State Sen. Michelle Fischbach became Gov. Mark Dayton's second-in-command. She says she will decline the much higher lieutenant governor's salary of almost $83,000 and stick with her $45,000 Senate salary. Democratic leader Tom Bakk has called on Fischbach to resign from the Senate, saying she can't hold two jobs at once.Minneapolis and St. Paul both swore in new mayors this week. And both were busy as they started their new positions.Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Police Chief Medaria Arradondo got together to talk about some of their top priorities, which includes creating a stronger bond between officers and the community.St. Paul's new mayor, Melvin Carter met with community members to learn more about the issues that are important to them.

Governor Mark Dayton has chosen his lieutenant governor, Tina Smith, to take over the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Al Franken.

Gov. Mark Dayton has announced the selection of Lt. Governor Tina Smith to fill the U.S. Senate seat that will be left vacant when Al Franken's resignation is finalized, and Justice & Drew discuss. Plus, Sam's top 5 things to know!

The Friday Roundtable + Lawyer Extraordinaire Jeff O'Brien hashes out all the details on the Minnesota Supreme Court upholding Gov. Mark Dayton's line-item veto of the legislature's operating budget. They also discuss allegations against Al Franken.

Meet Rakeb Max: Successfully Navigating the Transition from High School to College The State Services for the Blind Success Series continues as Rakeb Max sits down with Blind Abilities Team member Jeff Thompson and talks about preparing to transition from high school to college and the workplace. Rakeb was recently appointed by Governor Mark Dayton to the Young Women’s Initiative cabinet where she will assist the Governor and the Women’s foundation to develop initiatives and policies to close opportunity and disparity gaps between men and women, specifically women of color. Last summer Rakeb attended George Washington University for a summer intensive program giving her some experience that will help her make decisions for her transition to college next year. Rakeb has already began the process and has some good advice for others as she talks about her experiences and successes.   You can find out more about State Services for the Blind on the web. Or call the main office at 651-539-2300. Outside of Minnesota? Check out the State Agency Directory on the American Foundation for the Blind web site at www.AFB.org Thank you for listening. You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com Send us an email Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Store.

Podcast guests include social worker Janet Frazao-Conaci and retired state employee John Hollis join us for a Policy Watch analysis of the Connecticut state budget crisis. While Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton turned a $6 billion budget deficit into a $1 billion surplus by taxing the rich, Connecticut Gov. Dan Malloy and the Democratic Party controlled General… Read More

Podcast guests include social worker Janet Frazao-Conaci and retired state employee John Hollis join us for a Policy Watch analysis of the Connecticut state budget crisis. While Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton turned a $6 billion budget deficit into a $1 billion surplus by taxing the rich, Connecticut Gov. Dan Malloy and the Democratic Party controlled General… Read More

The value of a mentor and obtaining success. We talk with Brandon Randolph, resident chef to Governor Mark Dayton, as to how he found success and the path it took to overcome struggle to become successful. Join us as we joke around and chat about the importance of what you're eating, why eating local is crucial, and the fun things you learn on the road to chefdom.

On this episode of the LeftMN Radio Hour, the last episode of the LeftMN Radio Hour, we talk with the creator of the Stealing Home podcast David Temple. If you couldn't tell by the title, Stealing Home is a baseball themed podcast, and baseball is mostly what we talk about on the show this week. Before that we do one last Weekly Wrap primarily concerning Michele Bachmann, but also concerning the Minnesota Republican party's lack of any viable candidates to run against Mark Dayton in 2014. While I may actually cut together a sort of best of show, this will be the very last show with hot new political content. Don't fret though, while the LeftMN Radio Hour is going away, there will likely be something new that rises, phoenix-like, from the ashes of the LeftMN Radio Hour. But for now, I need a break. Selah.