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We're reviewing five years of Minneapolis politics since George Floyd's murder with guest D.A. Bullock. We pick apart the records of two very different police chiefs - Medaria Arradondo and Brian O'Hara. We talk about the backlash to the backlash: fear politics is bigger than ever in 2025. Minneapolis has two PACs aligned with Mayor Frey using crime as a wedge to get us to vote for candidates who reject the idea of any renter and worker protections. John tells the story of how this political agitation led to the most Minneapolis thing he's ever witnessed: seeing Walter Mondale's son get shoved by a rich dick at the Ward 7 DFL Convention. We get D.A.'s thoughts on why we need a new mayor; what he thinks of candidates DeWayne Davis and Omar Fateh; we discuss how remarkable it is that Emily Koski was tagged with being too DSA before being run out of the race; and we find out what bothers D.A. about local news coverage. Most importantly, we learn what D.A. is an acronym for.Unfortunately this episode was recorded before Chief Brian O'Hara made comments about the ‘bourgeois liberal mentality' in Minneapolis. Imagine the fun we could've had with that.Watch: https://youtube.com/wedgeliveJoin the conversation: https://bsky.app/profile/wedge.liveSupport the show: https://patreon.com/wedgeliveWedge LIVE theme song by Anthony Kasper x LaFontsee
Elliott Payne reflects on his first two years as President of the Minneapolis City Council. We talk about the stakes of this year's city election; the recent surge of corporate money and PACs trying to influence the results; an assessment of the city's public safety situation; and why he both loves and hates being the man in the middle of all those complicated personal relationships on the council. Payne tells me work on a rent stabilization policy is still happening; I ask if we really want to put ourselves through the St Paul experience. And we talk about the strange absence of Mayor Frey from the public conversation about setbacks in his own administration -- like mismanagement of the Neighborhood Safety Department. I ask him to endorse a mayoral candidate, and he dodges my question by saying he likes three of them not named Frey.Watch: https://youtube.com/wedgeliveJoin the conversation: https://bsky.app/profile/wedge.liveSupport the show: https://patreon.com/wedgeliveWedge LIVE theme song by Anthony Kasper x LaFontsee
Caucus season is almost upon us. It's your chance to become a superlobbyist and wield influence with local candidates on behalf of the issues you care about. Josh Martin joins John to talk about why you need to get involved and why there's no reason to feel intimidated by the process.We're talking about the story of the unsuspecting flower shop owner who says she had little interest in politics for most of her adult life, until the county started planning the reconstruction of Lyndale Avenue. Before you know it, in 2024, she had made a donation to MAGA (the Republican party of Minnesota). Then in 2025 she's running a local PAC (We Love Minneapolis), teaming up with Mayor Frey's former campaign manager, with a mission is to turn people out to the DFL caucus. Is this raising any red flags?We're also talking about the violence interrupting preacher Jerry McAfee who threatened violence against members of the city council; then made dramatic pronouncements about how he doesn't preach non-violence; but was nonetheless all set to receive a $640,000 contract for violence interruption work -- until two of his violence interrupters were arrested for their actions during a shootout.And a stupid human interest story: A Minneapolis firefighter is running for city council. But along the way he'll be forced to overcome the fact that he plagiarized a portion of his website from a candidate running for city council in a different ward. Complicating matters, he forgot to delete the other candidate's name from the plagiarized text.We'll also be taking a look at candidates for mayor and city council, with a particular focus on the competitive wards.Information on the April 8 Minneapolis DFL caucuses: https://minneapolisdfl.org/Watch: https://youtube.com/wedgeliveJoin the conversation: https://bsky.app/profile/wedge.liveSupport the show: https://patreon.com/wedgeliveWedge LIVE theme song by Anthony Kasper x LaFontsee
The Minneapolis City Council voted today to override Mayor Frey's veto and push forward with their plan for a pedestrian mall at George Floyd Square. Chad says it's not the move he wanted but at least it's a decision.
Bill Guerin joins Chad with talk about leading Team USA at GM at the 4 Nations Face-Off as well as what's happening with the Wild before Chad reacts to the Minneapolis City Council vetoing Mayor Frey and pushing ahead with their plan for a pedestrian mall at George Floyd Square.
Jason talks about today's announcement that Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey is seeking a third and final term in office. What might the voters of Minneapolis do?
Hour 2: Jason talks about today's announcement that Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey is running for a third and final term. Then he's joined by Twin Cities Radio Vet Paul Fletcher for this week's "Rank You Very Much" where they rank the simple pleasures in life!
Mayor Frey's administration has a plan to add "vibrancy" to Nicollet Mall by adding additional programming and events, but that means removing the buses. The longtime transit mall would transition to a full time pedestrian mall. Bus riders Amity Foster and Taylor Dahlin join John for a conversation about whether this is a good idea; why buses aren't the problem; why you should be demanding a bus lane on Hennepin Ave downtown; and whether the city can address issues of safety and comfort on the streets where transit riders would be pushed if the plan goes forward. We also talk about what motivates some, especially the downtown business community, to push for bus removal: clearing out poor people. Bill Lindeke's post on solving Nicollet Mall's problems: https://www.minnpost.com/cityscape/2025/01/nicollet-mall-needs-bikes-and-other-wheeled-wanderers/ Take the downtown transit survey here: https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/programs-initiatives/transportation-programs/nicollet-mall-downtown/community-engagement/ Watch: https://youtube.com/wedgelive Join the conversation: https://bsky.app/profile/wedge.live Support the show: https://patreon.com/wedgelive Wedge LIVE theme song by Anthony Kasper x LaFontsee
Let's talk about a great American mayor who is fighting back against the Trump administration's plans to stop police reform.https://www.youtube.com/live/U...
Because way too much local news is happening all at once, John is joined by Josh Martin for an Emergency Episode. We take up urgent issues like the Minneapolis City Council adopting a budget for 2025 - overriding Mayor Frey's veto in the process; Council Member Vetaw horsing around while accusing others of being "unserious"; Josh discloses a conflict of interest; John admits his embarrassment at how excited he was by Council Member Emily Koski's mayoral campaign announcement speech; and we look ahead to 2025 city council candidates, including the weirdest elected official in Minneapolis, Becka Thompson, announcing she will run for office in a place that is not the part of the city she currently represents on the Park Board. Watch: https://youtube.com/wedgelive Join the conversation: https://bsky.app/profile/wedge.live Support the show: https://patreon.com/wedgelive Wedge LIVE theme song by Anthony Kasper x LaFontsee
Sen. Omar Fateh is running for mayor of Minneapolis. We talk about his record in the state legislature, the state rideshare law he helped pass, public safety, homelessness, the case against Mayor Frey, and what it's like to be a super chill low-key guy. Watch: https://youtube.com/wedgelive Join the conversation: https://bsky.app/profile/wedge.live Support the show: https://patreon.com/wedgelive Wedge LIVE theme song by Anthony Kasper x LaFontsee
FBI agents searched two Minnesota autism centers Thursday morning as questions arise around Medicaid fraud in the industry.Plus, the Minneapolis City Council and Mayor Frey are at odds over the city's budget. After a historic breaking point, we learn what's next.Scientists are pleading with senators to reject president-elect Trump's cabinet on public health. A Nobel Prize Laureate explains why.A business leader reflects on how her transgender identity helped her excel in her field.Plus some are rethinking holiday gift-giving to be more earth-friendly.And speaking of the holidays, many are making and consuming cookies. A big-time baker shares festive tips.The Minnesota Music Minute was “Merry Christmas Baby” by Davina and the Vagabonds.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey joins Adam and Jordana hours after the City Council overrides his veto of their budget proposal.
12-12 Adam and Jordana 11a hour
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey joins Chad to talk about the city council failing to override his veto related to the Labor Standards Board, continued inaction in revamping George Floyd Square and his struggles earlier today with breaking open a piñata.
Crackpot hospital administrator in Duluth apologizes for serving free Chick-Fil-A. Mayor Frey vetoes new labor board. Only one state pays more on welfare than Minnesota. Johnny Heidt with guitar news. Reusse with his weekly sports report.Heard On The Show:Jury convicts 2 men accused of smuggling family who froze to death at U.S., Canadian borderCrews fight Minnesota Equestrian Center fire for 8 hours, 3 animals killedTrump chooses loyalist Pam Bondi for attorney general pick after Matt Gaetz withdraws Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Crackpot hospital administrator in Duluth apologizes for serving free Chick-Fil-A. Mayor Frey vetoes new labor board. Only one state pays more on welfare than Minnesota. Johnny Heidt with guitar news. Reusse with his weekly sports report. Heard On The Show: Jury convicts 2 men accused of smuggling family who froze to death at U.S., Canadian border Crews fight Minnesota Equestrian Center fire for 8 hours, 3 animals killed Trump chooses loyalist Pam Bondi for attorney general pick after Matt Gaetz withdraws Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
11-20 Adam and Jordana 11a hour
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey joins Jordana to talk about a controversial speaker scheduled to talk to teachers this week.
Council Member Linea Palmisano takes me on a bike tour of the future E Line bus rapid transit route through Ward 13 (about a quarter of the total route). We talk about the exciting prospect of a 17 minute bus ride from Linden Hills to downtown, the pain of street infrastructure upgrades for local business in her ward, her thoughts on the Davis Moturi shooting and MPD Chief Brian O'Hara's initial reaction, the City Council's worsening relationship with Mayor Frey, and a look ahead at next year's city election. Watch: https://youtube.com/wedgelive Join the conversation: https://twitter.com/wedgelive Support the show: https://patreon.com/wedgelive Wedge LIVE theme song by Anthony Kasper x LaFontsee
With the 2024 election and the fate of the nation still hanging precariously in the balance, the 2025 city election season has already begun. This is my conversation with Rev. Dr. DeWayne Davis as he embarks on his mayoral campaign (recorded Oct 23, 2024). Davis is the lead minister at Plymouth Congregational Church in the Steven's Square neighborhood; served as co-chair of Mayor Frey's Community Safety Work Group in 2021; is a former congressional staffer; and served as chaplain of the MN State Senate. Watch: https://youtube.com/wedgelive Join the conversation: https://twitter.com/wedgelive Support the show: https://patreon.com/wedgelive Wedge LIVE theme song by Anthony Kasper x LaFontsee
10-28 Adam and Jordana 11a hour
Dr. Travis Yates, a police training expert and retired police major, reflects on Mayor Frey's ban on "warrior training" and how a lack of leadership has compromised the Minneapolis Police Department.Support the Show.
Tuesday afternoon, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey will join city officials to announce that the city has completed all recommendations from the 2022 After-Action Review. Those were the recommendations put in place after a stinging analysis came out of law enforcement's response to the civil unrest following the murder of George Floyd.Mayor Frey will be joined by the city's safety commissioner, police chief and fire chief. They will also announce the implementation of a new emergency communications tool for Minneapolis. MPR's own Matt Sepic is following this story, he joined MPR News Host Cathy Wurzer to explain what we know so far.
Hour 1: Can we just change our clocks and move on already?! And Mayor Frey vents his frustration over the City Council's rideshare ordinance.
Hour 2: Jason talks with writer and content creator Ali Elabbady on DeRusha Eats. Then President of the Downtown Council, Adam Duininck joins him to talk about yesterday's awkward joke from Mayor Frey and the revitalization of downtown's business district.
The health care system is facing gridlocks and delays in the discharges of patients who are awaiting beds in long-term care and rehab facilities, resulting in fewer available hospital beds for new patients. And Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has vetoed a resolution calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war which was passed by the city council last week.This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.
We are back from vacation with Robbie's Rundown which features stories on one state removing Trump from their primary ballot, Mayor Frey makes a fashion statement and one popular band changes their lyrics to the dismay of many former fans.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey joins Adam to talk about a good year for the city.
Jon talks about a story from Minneapolis dealing with renters insurance and mentions Mayor Frey's involvement then we chat about Trump and Jack Smith before talking to Dan Starry, a sheriff from Washington County, about the Wild/Flames game coming up Thursday and honoring first responders this holiday season.
We're biking Ward 13 with Linea Palmisano, Vice President of the Minneapolis City Council. We talk Bryant Ave politics, what the critics are saying, her relationship with Mayor Frey, her position on housing and the 2040 Plan, and much more. Watch: https://youtube.com/wedgelive Join the conversation: https://twitter.com/wedgelive Support the show: https://patreon.com/wedgelive Wedge LIVE theme song by Anthony Kasper x LaFontsee
Hour 2 of the Chad Hartman show features a discussion with Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey about the 3rd precinct. Later on Sheletta Brundidge joins the program for Feisty Friday's, from her timing to how she treats Halloween and her recent Autism Job Fair.
Blois Olson joins the program to discuss Mayor Frey's ultimatum on the 3rd police precinct in today's morning take.
Robbie's Rundown includes stories on Mayor Frey picking a new commissioner, McDonald's makes a shift that could be the last straw for some and Aaron Rodgers' debut for the Jets goes anything but planned.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey joined Jason to talk about today's announcement that he's nominated Hennepin County Chief Judge Todd Barnette to be the next Community Safety Commissioner
Hour 1: Jason talked with listeners about a day 22 years ago forever imbedded in our minds. Then Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey joined him to talk about his new nominee for Community Safety Commissioner
Robbie's Rundown gets Friday started with stories such as ones on Springsteen taking a break, one local police department getting creative with its road signs and Mayor Frey making quite the unpopular decision.
A conversation with José A. Zayas Cabán, the executive director of bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organization Our Streets Minneapolis, about the future of Open Streets. The City of Minneapolis confirmed on Monday they're ending the partnership with Our Streets that makes the popular annual series of street festivals possible. We talk about the 12 year history of the event, the work that goes into putting them on, the importance of partnership with the city, why continuing to put the events on for free was unsustainable for Our Streets, and what people can do to keep Open Streets alive into the future. We also talk about whether this is about politics. Just last week, Mayor Frey announced $600,000 in his 2024 recommended budget for the Downtown Council (a group allied with the mayor) to continue putting on a series of underwhelming, sparsely attended block parties called Warehouse District Live. Watch: https://youtube.com/wedgelive Join the conversation: https://twitter.com/wedgelive Support the show: https://patreon.com/wedgelive Wedge LIVE theme song by Anthony Kasper x LaFontsee
With the City Council candidate filing deadline elapsing while we recorded this episode (5 pm on August 15), John is joined by google docs maven Josh Martin (@JoshMartinMpls) for a rundown of Minneapolis Election Battlegrounds. Please get in your car and drive to the nearest interstate on-ramp, because this episode is performed in the style of Drive Time Radio. We're paying special attention to the races that will decide control of the City Council, specifically candidates in wards 5, 6, 7, 8, and 12. Other topics include: the launch of a progressive PAC trying to influence this year's election, and their new poll showing Mayor Frey to be almost as unpopular as our nationally derided police department; the proposed rideshare ordinance giving Uber and Lyft drivers the equivalent of the Minneapolis minimum wage; and we ponder the question, is legislating via ballot measure a good idea? Watch: https://youtube.com/wedgelive Join the conversation: https://twitter.com/wedgelive Support the show: https://patreon.com/wedgelive Wedge LIVE theme song by Anthony Kasper x LaFontsee
Did you believe Mayor Frey's explanation for the resignation of the Public Safety Commissioner after just 1 year? Jason gave his reaction.
The city of Minneapolis confirms that Cedric Alexander is retiring from his job as the city's first Community Safety Commissioner. A press release included statements from Alexander and Mayor Frey, but Chad wants to know why they didn't address the biggest question. Why is he leaving?
On Friday and Saturday, Minneapolis will be Swiftieapolis; thank you Mayor Frey. Hotels in downtown Swiftieapolis is how much? What about TSwift's merch? Beer ice cubes, anyone? And what is drinkflation and what's going on in the UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
On Friday and Saturday, Minneapolis will be Swiftieapolis; thank you Mayor Frey. Hotels in downtown Swiftieapolis is how much? What about TSwift's merch? Beer ice cubes, anyone? And what is drinkflation and what's going on in the UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
John and Josh Martin have teamed up for the 2023 city election year to cover Minneapolis DFL conventions in all 13 wards. In this episode we recap what's happened so far (aside from Ward 5, whose convention endorsed incumbent Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw after we recorded). What did we learn in wards 3 and 12? Why was the Ward 5 convention cancelled? Josh takes his pundit hat off in Ward 8 (his home ward). John remixes Mayor Frey's "state of the city" address to a classic song. We ponder crime stats and what Mayor Frey is calling the "downtown rebound." Will Josh take the mayor's advice and return to work in the office downtown on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays? We talk about the what's next for the Charter Commission on government structure (more appointment power for the mayor?). John celebrates the unanimous Planning Commission decision to legalize corner stores. The city's rent stabilization work group produced an unwanted result for rent stabilization opponents, but it did serve as a successful delay tactic. At John's urging, Josh reveals a piece of himself and forms a bond with the audience. Follow Josh Martin on Twitter: @JoshMartinMpls Watch: https://youtube.com/wedgelive Join the conversation: https://twitter.com/wedgelive Support the show: https://patreon.com/wedgelive Wedge LIVE theme song by Anthony Kasper x LaFontsee
Hour 1: Jason talked about the breaking news today that the Twins have resigned SS Carlos Corea, plus he talked about Vikings playoff ticket prices. Then Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey joined him to talk crime, snow and revitalizing downtown. Finally, when gender-neutral terms go too far
In 2021, Minneapolis voters approved a ballot question giving the go-ahead for a rent control ordinance. In 2022, the City Council and Mayor Frey formed a Rent Stabilization Work Group to make policy recommendations. Those meetings began in September and wrapped up last week. A majority of the work group (14 of 25) voted for a policy recommendation that, if placed on the ballot and approved by voters in 2023, would be the most strict in the country. We start the episode with a ten-minute check-in with Jimmy Harris about his experience as a renter and tenant organizer -- and the precarious housing situation facing many Minneapolis renters. Then, a conversation about rent control policy, and the city's Rent Stabilization Work Group, with Jennifer Arnold, co-director of the tenant advocacy non-profit Inquilinxs Unidxs por Justicia (IX). The headline is the proposed 3% cap on annual rent increases, but there's a lot more to it. In addition to giving us the perspective of rent control advocates, Jennifer explains key concepts like rent banking, inflation adjustment, exemptions for affordable housing or new construction, and how rent control would be enforced. We explore the issue of "vacancy control" -- and how "decontrol" would interact with the city's current lack of just cause eviction protections. Watch: https://youtube.com/wedgelive Join the conversation: https://twitter.com/wedgelive Support the show: https://patreon.com/wedgelive Wedge LIVE theme song by Anthony Kasper x LaFontsee
Brooklyn Center High School is proudly displaying a mural denigrating the police. Mayor Frey is hoping to rejuvenate downtown Minneapolis with such hard-hitting businesses as doggy daycare. Ilhan Omar update. Johnny Heidt with guitar news. “REFERENCED ON THE SHOW” Metro Transit investigating double-fatal shooting near central Green Line station, no one in custody St. Paul City Council president to step down in Dec. 2023 Ilhan Omar defends Qatar's slavery while trashing America (again)