The Matt McNeil Show – August 27, 2021

Hour 1 segment 1: Matt has some stories about moving his son Charlie into his first apartment at the University of Minnesota. Turnout at the Minnesota State Fair appears to be down. Salon has an excellent breakdown of the mess that is the Minnesota Republican Party. Hour 1 segment 2: More on the Salon story…

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Matt McNeil Interviews Jay Boller of the Racket (8/27/21)

We’re joined by Jay Boller, co-editor and co-founder of the new Minnesota news site, the Racket (https://racketmn.com/). Many former City Pages journalists are behind the efforts of the Racket. We talk about some of their recent stories, including one about fake abortion clinics in Minnesota.

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The Matt McNeil Show – August 26, 2021

Hour 1 segment 1: We finally got rain! How outgoing Republican presidents typically leave  policy traps for their Democratic successors. Can Republicans really play the blame game after Trump abandoned our Kurdish allies? The MN COVID-19 update. An update of the fires in northern Minnesota. Hour 1 segment 2: MN state senators led by Mary…

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Matt McNeil Interviews Sven Sundgaard (8/26/21)

Matt is joined by meteorologist Sven Sundgaard of Bring Me the News. They discuss today’s quick moving heavy rain storm, how the heavy rain actually led to some wildfire smoke in the Twin Cities, more storms on the way Friday and Saturday, drought conditions throughout Minnesota, and the warmest summer ever on record in Minnesota…

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Matt McNeil Interviews Jack Rice (8/26/21)

Matt is joined by Jack Rice to talk about today’s suicide bombing attack in Afghanistan. They discuss the intelligence community, inner power struggles within Afghanistan, whether we can get all of the Americans (and allies) out of Afghanistan, America’s history of nation building and more.

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The Matt McNeil Show – August 25, 2021

Upcoming unsettled weather; fisherman finds a submerged truck in a lake in Chisago County; Minnesota coronavirus update; are GOPers intentionally killing their own to make Biden look bad?; the effect of Sturgis on western South Dakota’s virus rates; the results of Dr. Osterholm’s visit with the Vikings yesterday; the Milk Crate Challenge!; the latest antics…

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The Matt McNeil Show – August 24, 2021

Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts passes away at 80, with Matt’s recollections; COVID update; the latest developments on the Lazzaro case; update on the Greenwood Fire and several other fires now burning in the Superior National Forest; Brett Johnson stops by and then has his Tuesday conversation with Patrick Coolican from the Minnesota Reformer about…

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Deloris Pringle with Matt – August 24, 2021

Deloris Pringle, trustee from the Penn Center in Beaufort, South Carolina joins Matt to discuss African-American history in South Carolina and the Penn Center’s role in preservation efforts. http://www.penncenter.com/

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The Matt McNeil Show – August 23, 2021

Hour 1 segment 1: We start today’s show with Kris Ehresmann, director of the Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention, and Control Division at the Minnesota Department of Health. Matt and Kris discuss data on super spreader events like Sturgis, schools that have recently opened around the country having trouble with COVID, staying safe at the MN…

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Matt McNeil Interviews Kris Ehresmann of the MN Dep. of Health

Matt speaks with Kris Ehresmann, director of the Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention, and Control Division at the Minnesota Department of Health. Matt and Kris discuss data on super spreader events like Sturgis, schools that have recently opened around the country having trouble with COVID, staying safe at the MN State Fair, Pfizer’s COVID vaccine getting…

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The Matt McNeil Show – August 20, 2021

Jennifer Carnahan resigned as MN GOP chair late last night; Michelle MacDonald’s law license remains suspended as the state supreme court rejects a rehearing on the matter; possible rain overnight!; Matt recalls his story of going through a hurricane while living in Rhode Island; Matt goes in=depth on the Carnahan departure; Briana Biersbach reports on…

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The Matt McNeil Show – August 19, 2021

Today’s Jennifer Carnahan updates; Matt notes the sad rise in drownings and motorcycle/ATV deaths this summer; Aaron Klemz, chief strategy officer with the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy joins Matt to discuss the latest on the PolyMet Mine developments; the Greenwood Lake fire update; today’s COVID update and Matt unloads on the continuing idiocy of…

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The Matt McNeil Show – August 18, 2021

Hour 1 segment 1: The Twins blow another lead. How dry Minnesota is compared to other states not experiencing as extreme of a drought. The Greenwood fire in northeastern Minnesota continues to burn uncontrollably. How Republicans use hyperbole to scare people when they don’t have an argument. Hour 1 segment 2: MN COVID-19 update. Hour…

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The Matt McNeil Show – August 17, 2021

Matt is back from vacation and a lot happened while he was gone. Matt starts out with another racist racetrack incident, this time at the Kandiyohi County Fair; COVID news and updates; Matt relates a story he heard in the South about the “Disney Version of America”; Brett Johnson’s Tuesday conversations with Patrick Coolican are…

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The Matt McNeil Show – August 16, 2021

Hour 1: – Jack Rice fills in for Matt today and walks us through the history of the British Empire and Soviet Union occupying and then attempting to leave Afghanistan, with similar results of what we’re seeing now with the US trying to withdraw from Afghanistan. – How the British and Soviet approaches differed in…

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Jack Rice Speaks with Jerry Blackwell

Jack Rice is joined by Minneapolis attorney Jerry Blackwell, who was named Minnesota attorney of the year in 2020. He was one of the prosecuting attorneys during the Derek Chauvin trial. We’ll talk about his experience on that case. But mainly we discuss Blackwell’s efforts to successfully posthumously pardon an African American man, Max Mason,…

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The Matt McNeil Show – August 13, 2021

Brett Johnson guest hosts today’s show. Matt McNeil joins us “on assignment” live from the “re-installation” of Donald Trump to the Presidency; the future of Mike Lindell in the GOP; how the DFL should seize on the Caledonia baseball equipment factory closure and turn it into a push for rural jobs; counterpoint: Brett says getting…

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The Matt McNeil Show – August 12, 2021

Hour 1 segment 1: Todd Mikkelson fills in for Matt today. We start the show with Rep. Kelly Morrison (DFL-33B). They discuss the past year’s legislative session, how most legislative members have other jobs since serving is technically a part time job, GOP gubernatorial candidate Scott Jensen turning towards anti-vax mentality and more. Hour 1…

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Todd Mikkelson with Rep. Kelly Morrison (DFL-33B)

We start the show with Rep. Kelly Morrison (DFL-33B). They discuss the past year’s legislative session, how most legislative members have other jobs since serving is technically a part time job, GOP gubernatorial candidate Scott Jensen turning towards anti-vax mentality and more.

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The Matt McNeil Show – August 11, 2021

Todd Mikkelson guest hosts today. The ridiculous nature of the Trump tax breaks; “Casey Kasem’s Top 40 Stupidest GOP Maneuvers of the Week” as the bigger infrastructure bill takes a step forward in Congress; Florida Governor Ron “DeathSantis”; Josh Hawley; Ted Cruz; going back to Richard Nixon’s treason accusations; Dominion Voting Machines’ lawsuit against right-wing…

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The Matt McNeil Show – August 10, 2021

Todd Mikkelson guest hosts today. DFL Chair Ken Martin joins Todd for a conversation about new bipartisan legislation being passed at all levels; Todd discusses the much needed improvements that will result to our infrastructure; leaked polling showing Democratic House members are already falling behind in polling, and strategizing to overturn this; why it makes…

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The Matt McNeil Show – August 9, 2021

Hour 1 segment 1: Todd Mikkelson fills in for Matt McNeil today. We start the show talking about some dire warnings from the UN about climate change. Also some unexpected good economic news. And how Republicans are using the term “woke” as their new insult to Democrats. Hour 1 segment 2: News on more testimony…

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The Matt McNeil Show – August 6, 2021

Todd Mikkelson is today’s guest host. It’s Infrastructure Week and Todd is joined by Mary Morse Marti and Alex Burns of the new I-94 Stakeholders Coalition to discuss the future of urban freeways; “Why Awake is Called Awake” from Tommy Mischke; recollections of Tommy Mischke; the Democrats are getting the things done that they promised,…

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The Matt McNeil Show – August 5, 2021

Jack Rice is today’s special guest host. Jack has an extended conversation for the first hour with Mitchell Hamline law professor Rick Petry about Derek Chauvin, his trial, and a broader look at the functions of the criminal justice system; looking at the lingering COVID world; caller asks if mask mandate bans are potentially illegal…

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The Matt McNeil Show – August 4, 2021

Hour 1 segment 1: It’s Matt’s last show until he takes a vacation. Jack Rice, Brett Johnson and Todd Mikkelson will be filling in the next few weeks. The Duluth News Tribune reports a trail camera helped tip authorities to the whereabouts of a murder suspect, Eric Reinbold, of Oklee, Minnesota, who had eluded police…

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Matt McNeil with Jeff Stein (8/4/21)

Jeff Stein joins Matt for his usual Wednesday. They discuss how Republican politicians are responding to the current COVID wave, whether Dr. Anthony Fauci can remain an effective messenger when Republicans have politicized him (Matt and Jeff clarify that’s not Fauci’s fault), Trump being forced to release his tax returns, Trump not blocking his DOJ…

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The Matt McNeil Show – August 3, 2021

National Night Out; the first half-hour of today’s show focuses on COVID issues; author and journalist Austin Frerick joins Matt to discuss agricultural issues and the corporate farms strangling rural America; man goes crazy on a flight and has to be duct taped down; the Vikings’ ongoing vaccination woes; Patrick Coolican’s Tuesday interview with Brett;…

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Austin Frerick With Matt – August 3, 2021

Austin is the Deputy Director of the Thurman Arnold Project at Yale University, an initiative that brings together faculty, students, and scholars to collaborate on research related to competition policy and antitrust enforcement. He is also a Fellow at The Harkin Institute at Drake University and a Senior Fellow at Data for Progress. Check out…

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The Matt McNeil Show – August 2, 2021

Hour 1 segment 1: Matt took a trip to the Iron Range over the weekend and shares some thoughts about conversations we had with residents. They agree with progressives on some issues, and disagree on others (getting vaccinated). On vaccines Matt talks about how anti-vaxxers love the diamond in the rough theory, even though it…

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The Matt McNeil Show – July 30, 2021

Poor air quality continues locally; an early look at the GOP gubernatorial race; Matt muses on the one name who he thinks could give Tim Walz some trouble in 2022; COVID update; Twins trade deadline update; Mike Lindell update; Brett is joined by Matt Gertz of Media Matters; update from the Fairmont Raceway racist announcer;…

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The Matt McNeil Show – July 29, 2021

Matt and Rep. Todd Lippert discuss the passage of clean cars in Minnesota and the victory for both consumers and the environment; updates on the continuing Line 3 accidents up north and the unwillingness of the MPCA to do anything; today’s COVID numbers; man arrested in yesterday’s horrific crime in Shakopee;, amd Matt criticizes the…

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The Matt McNeil Show – July 28, 2021

Hour 1 segment 1: Lots of news today as we start the show with the MN COVID-19 update. Our hospitalizations in Minnesota have dramatically increased thanks almost entirely to the unvaccinated. The state Department of Health released guidance on masking for schools this fall. Hour 1 segment 2: Continuing with COVID, we talk about how…

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Matt McNeil with Ogimaa Giniw Ikwe (7/28/21)

We’re joined by Ogimaa Giniw Ikwe of Native Roots Radio. She and Matt talk about how Enbridge massively screwed up doing a frac-out under the Willow River among other locations, exposing the water to dangerous chemicals. We also have news that Enbridge has had at least 3 other frac-outs now on the Mississippi River. Ogimaa…

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Jeff Stein with Matt McNeil (7/28/21)

Jeff Stein joins for his usual Wednesday visit. We start non-political with Iowa’s giant cross state bike ride, RAGBRAI. They also discuss whether broadcasters (TV, radio, etc.) have a responsibility to promote vaccinations. And thoughts on yesterday’s hearings at the Jan. 6 insurrection commission.

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The Matt McNeil Show – July 27, 2021

Jack Rice joins Matt to discuss the first day of the 1/6 Commision and continuing Republican efforts to sabotage and discredit it; Matt continues yesterday’s “Crossfiring” the news discussion as it relates to the Fairmont racist track announcer; today’s virus update; Brett joins Matt to begin the second hour, as Patrick Coolican has his Tuesday…

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The Matt McNeil Show – July 26, 2021

Hour 1 segment 1: Matt starts today’s show speaking with Cliff Schecter. They discuss the House Jan. 6 committee beginning tomorrow and what we can expect. Hour 1 segment 2: Matt wonders if it’s time for Democrats to go to their old school moderate Republican neighbors  and ask them whether they want to be part…

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The Matt McNeil Show – July 23, 2021

The Cleveland Indians announce their new name as the “Cleveland Guardians” for 2022; sports and vaccinations; racist track announcer in Fairmont; today’s COVID update; Eleanor Bader of TruthOut discusses right-wingers taking over library boards; the misunderstanding by the right about the “Black National Anthem”; Minneapolis citizens will get the chance to vote on restructuring the…

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The Matt McNeil Show – July 22, 2021

Kris Ehresmann from MDH joins Matt to discuss the worrying uptick of COVID cases in the state and nationally; Hennepin County adds incentives to get the community vaccinated; Matt discusses the troll who got on air yesterday; Minneapolis City Council pushes comprehensive police reform measure; what was being destroyed by the police as the 3rd…

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The Matt McNeil Show – July 21, 2021

Matt, Patrick, and Gary discuss some baseball parks; local YouTube star arrested in assault case; “Helmet Boy” is sentenced for his role in the 1/6 insurrection; Jeff Stein’s Wednesday visit; a Mike Lindell update as he continues to push election fraud; Roseville man reaches plea deal in confrontation with neighbors over inclusive yard signs; COVID…

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The Matt McNeil Show – July 20, 2021

Hour 1 segment 1: Matt talks about how his military service expanded his worldview from growing up in Edina in the 80’s. Also how Americans have continually violated treaties they signed with Native Americans. And why we need to do more than just “recognize” Native Americans and actually enforce the treaties we signed with them.…

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The Matt McNeil Show – July 19, 2021

Hour 1 segment 1: Matt attended last weekend’s raspberry festival. Do peanuts work together with hot dogs? Republican cancel culture!!! A teenage 4-H’er’s Pennington County fair photo submission of a Trump-Pence sign on fire draws ire of local Republicans. Hour 1 segment 2: DFL party leaders call for the resignation of state rep. John Thompson…

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Matt McNeil with Rep. Rick Hansen (7/19/21)

Matt is joined by state Rep. Rick Hansen (52A), chair of the Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy committee and the agriculture and finance committee. They discuss chronic wasting disease and how that affects deer, elk, reindeer, sika deer and moose.

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The Matt McNeil Show – July 16, 2021

virus cases back on the rise; Torrey Westrom attacks SNAP benefits being used at farmers’ markets; Eden Prairie family swindles over $504K from PPP loans; Duluth man swindles $150K and pleads guilty to PPP theft; man drives his car into a house -hat was your first car?; Kendall Scudder of Pod Bless Texas joins Brett…

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The Matt McNeil Show – July 15, 2021

Hour 1 segments 1/2: An update on speeding semi truckers in Matt’s neighborhood. Andy Mannix of the Star Tribune breaks a story showing that as Third Precinct burned last summer, the Minneapolis police destroyed case files (some possibly active) with little to no oversight. What was the MPD thinking? And who ordered the files destroyed?…

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Matt McNeil with Sven Sundgaard (7/15/21)

Matt is joined by meteorologist Sven Sundgaard of Bring Me the News. It’s a rare day where we can actually talk about rain! Unfortunately we’re still so far behind on rain that almost all of Minnesota remains in a drought. They also discuss how the heat dome that’s currently over the western US could move…

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Ogimaa Giniw Ikwe & Julius Kapushinski on Line 3

Matt is joined by Ogimaa Giniw Ikwe of Native Roots Radio and Julius Kapushinski of the Democratic Socialists of America Brained chapter. They discuss how Enbridge’s Line 3 drilling process is basically like fracking and how line 3 construction caused a spill of over 80-100 gallons of drilling fluid. And now Enbridge wants to use…

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The Matt McNeil Show – July 14, 2021

Hour 1 segment 1: Matt’s search begins for the Hopkins golden raspberry! Mike Lindell backtracks his claim that Trump will be reinstated August 13. The MN COVID-19 update. Hour 1 segment 2: A preview of a story we’ll highlight next hour from the MN Reformer that shows the ignorance and stupidity of unvaccinated people. Hour…

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The Matt McNeil Show – July 13 2021

Matt’s early-morning confrontation with inconsiderate trucker guy; soccer; the Delta variant report from the Minnesota Reformer; Line 3 aquifer accident update; Rep. John Thompson update; a bear makes off with a handgun; MinnPost’s Greta Kaul joins Brett; Matt reviews the body cam footage from Thompson’s traffic stop; the Minnesota DNR’s Director of Parks and Trails…

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The Matt McNeil Show – July 12, 2021

Hour 1 segment 1: Matt McNeil starts today’s show speaking with Cliff Schecter. They discuss the clown show from the weekend that was CPAC, COVID vaccine conspiracy theories, Republican gaslighting on the 1/6 insurrection and BLM and more. Hour 1 segment 2: Tim Pawlenty gives a disastrous interview defending CPAC’s embrace of far-right, anti-government militia…

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Matt McNeil with Dr. Jeffrey Butts (7/12/21)

Matt is joined by Dr. Jeffrey Butts of the Research & Evaluation Center at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. They discuss alternative community methods to policing and public safety and data showing how some of those alternatives methods have and have not worked.

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The Matt McNeil Show – July 9, 2021

Uptown Art Fair cancelled earlier this week and Matt suggests the police union has an indirect hand in this; weekly COVID update; Deena Winters’ Minnesota Reformer article about why hospitality employees do not want to return to those jobs even as the pandemic has abated; Louis CK has upcoming tour stops in Minneapolis amid his…

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The Matt McNeil Show – July 8, 2021

The resurgence of COVID and how Republicans continue to enable its spread; Line 3 construction ruptures an aquifer and spills mud and sediment into the Willow River; Matt moves the environmental discussion to mining; no spectators at the Tokyo Olympics; Matt and Patrick talk movies; update from the Olivia police shooting; outstate farmers sue the…

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The Matt McNeil Show – July 7, 2021

Hour 1 segment 1: Some sad news about the passing of Gordon “Gordy” Lundquist of Gordy’s Hi-Hat restaurant in Cloquet has died at age 93. The Delta variant is spreading rapidly spreading throughout the US and Minnesota. US Rep. Jim Hagedorn from CD1 in MN has unfortunately had his kidney cancer resurface. And state rep.…

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Matt McNeil with Jeff Stein (7/7/21)

Jeff Stein joins to talk about prosecuting the domestic terrorists responsible for the Jan. 6 insurrection. US Rep. Mo Brooks blames Trump for his appearance at the Jan. 6 Capitol rally, saying he only spoke because the White House told him to. Why Republicans are trying to turn Jan. 6 insurrection terrorist Ashli Babbitt into…

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The Matt McNeil Show – July 6, 2021

Welcome to the new Rudy Luther Toyota studios at AM950; news and notes from the weekend; the Paul Gazelka Execution Hour as the state senate votes to confirm or remove Walz commissioners; Michael Brodkorb joins Matt to discuss the Michelle MacDonald developments; Senate Minority Leader Susan Kent recaps the end of session with Matt; Matt…

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The Matt McNeil Show – July 1, 2021

Matt recaps his up north vacation, including restaurant follies; Jeff Stein makes a special Thursday visit; Robert Baril stops by to preview his sets at Acme Comedy Company this weekend; Matt laments the messaging issues in the DFL; Sven Sundgaard discusses our weather in-depth; closing the week with Woody Guthrie.

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The Matt McNeil Show – June 30, 2021

Hour 1 segment 1: Todd Mikkelson fills in for Matt today. He’s joined by Caitlin Cahill, 2020 candidate for MN House seat 33A, for both hours. We talk through the final day of the legislative session, Gov. Tim Walz agreeing to give up his emergency powers. Hour 1 segment 2: A conversation about how the…

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The Matt McNeil Show – June 29, 2021

Brett Johnson fills in today. Edina logo standoff between the school and its creator who owns its copyright; sports-related news and nuggets; Arizona audit update; new State Fair foods for 2021; breaking down the final days of the special session and the contentious public safety bill, with Patrick Coolican joining for a more in-depth look.

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The Matt McNeil Show – June 28, 2021

Hour 1 segment 1: Todd Mikkelson fills in for Matt. We start by talking about methane masks for cows and a Pentagon report that confirms that UFOs can’t be explained. Hour 1 segment 2: Public safety continues to be a major issue as the legislature tries to negotiate a final budget before a possible government…

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The Matt McNeil Show – June 25, 2021

Brett Johnson fills in for Matt today. Derek Chauvin sentenced to 22 1/2 years in prison; Patrick Coolican makes a special Friday visit with the big news as well as the ongoing special session and housing issues in the metro; Brett continues the analysis on Chauvin’s sentencing; reaction from Keith Ellison; updates on the death…

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The Matt McNeil Show – June 24, 2021

Todd Mikkelson fills in for Matt today. State Sen. Melisa Lopez Franzen speaks to Todd about the ongoing special session; Todd continues the conversation on the nuances of the special session; Todd discusses the topics of the day; bipartisan agreement on a national infrastructure ad – Todd discusses the pros and cons as well as…

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The Matt McNeil Show – June 23, 2021

Hour 1 segment: Todd Mikkelson fills in for Matt McNeil today. Gen. Mark Milley responds to accusations from Rep. Matt Gaetz that the military is teaching critical race theory. We then dive deeper into why critical race theory has become such a red meat issue for far right conservative Republicans. Hour 1 segment 2: Updates…

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The Matt McNeil Show – June 22, 2021

Ongoing petition to rename Minneapolis’s Dight Avenue; spicing up Kurt Daudt’s Monday meltdown; Senate Republicans blocking safety improvements at refineries and factories; today’s virus update; continuing discussion on the death of Adam Johnson; Delta Airlines in trouble for falsely accusing a man of human trafficking; two COVID idiot stories dovetail together; Kevin Featherly joins Brett;…

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The Matt McNeil Show – June 21, 2021

Hour 1 segment 1: More on Matt’s thoughts about US Catholic bishops essentially voting to deny communion to Joe Biden because of his political stance on abortion. Due to those actions Matt and his family made the difficult decision to leave the Catholic Church. He explains why and how he came to the decision with…

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The Matt McNeil Show – June 18, 2021

Matt starts out with his anger toward the Catholic Bishops for attempting to deny Joe Biden communion over abortion issues; charges dropped against the truck driver who drove into the George Floyd protesters; charges filed against man who hit and killed a skateboarder; update on the gruesome discovery in Minneapolis; agreement on tax bill at…

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The Matt McNeil Show – June 17, 2021

Actor Frank Bonner dies; Juneteenth federal holiday signed into law and takes effect immediately; update on Bill Ingebrigtsen’s Alaska adventure; Letter to the Editor; Sen. John Marty joins the show from the special session; garbage collections up north; latest developments in Winston Smith’s death; disturbing and gruesome discovery in Minneapolis; restaurants still struggling with staffing…

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