The Sunday Take

Well, the government shutdown has been averted...at least for 45 days. Blois chats with Rep. Betty McCollum to discuss the deal plus Punchbowl News' Mica Soellner about the state of the government.

During this week's edition of the show, Blois heads back to the classroom to bring up the role of parents in the world of local education.  Minnesota Parents Alliance executive director Christine Trooien and School Board Integrity Project founder Kyrstin Schuette present their perspectives on this issue.

On this week's episode, Blois digs into an industry he's quite familiar with.  Our host looks at local and national media cover politics and political leaders.  He invites TPT reporter Mary Lahammer and former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer to join in on the discussion.

On this week's episode, Blois dives into the growing controversy over the new state law restricting School Resource Officers (or any other school employee) from using prone restraints against students. Our host looks at both sides of the argument with guests Josh Crosson from EdAllies (in favor of the law) and Dave Titus from the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association (not in favor of the...

WCCO TV political reporter Caroline Cummings joins Blois to talk about the state of media coverage of politics in the state.

Our State Fair broadcast has Blois talking with Fergus Fall State Senator Jordan Rassmusson and Maple Grove State Representitive Kristen Robbins on the state of the Republican Party in Minnesota.

On this edition of the program, Blois discusses his goal for this year's State Fair.  He also invites the following guests on the show: Former WCCO news reporter and anchor Eric Eskola gives remembrance and perspective of the life of former Gov. and Rep. Al Quie, who died Friday at the age 99. In the wake of the tragic wildfires on the Hawaiian island of Maui, we hear from Kristi Rolllwagen (Direc...

On this edition of the program, Blois lets us know his thoughts on Gov. Walz's recent stumps in Iowa for the President's re-election.  He also conducts a sit-down interview with Rep. Dean Phillips.  The Congressman addresses the rumors he will run for President and whether either of the current frontrunners are the best candidates for the job.

Live from Farmfest, WCCO political analyst Blois Olson hosts a discussion the priorities and policy concerns from Minnesota’s political leaders. Panelists: Thom Peterson, MN Commissioner of Agriculture Sarah Strommen, MN Dept. of Natural Resources Commissioner Nancy Daubenburger, MN Dept. of Transportation Commissioner Peter Tester, MN Pollution Control Agency Deputy Commissioner Rep. Samantha Van...

This week, Blois dedicates the entire show on the 2023 Farm Bill and a recap of this year's FarmFest event.  He brings on the following guests to discuss the importance of the focus on agriculture: U.S. Rep. Brad Finstad Syverson Family Farms agronomy manager Richard Syverson U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer Second Harvest Heartland CEO Allison O'Toole

During this week's edition of the show, Blois' weekly take focuses on Gov. Walz, he takes some time to offer thoughts on healthcare access, and he talks with State Rep. Peggy Scott about taking a pause on the implementation of the new Recreational Marijuana law.

This week, Blois turns his focus from issue-based to a specific location.  He takes the hour to hone in on proposals and efforts to make Downtown St. Paul a destination for home and business.  He digs into the discussion with St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce VP of Government Affairs Amanda Duerr and St. Paul Downtown Alliance president Joe Spencer.

Blois gives us his take on some of the headlines of the week.  Plus, he welcomes the following guest on this edition of the program: MN Sen. Julia Coleman tells us about the issues that mothers that work in the Capitol chambers and how it informs their lawmaking decisions. Rep. Betty McCollum explains why she did not approve of the version of the National Defense Authorization Act that passed the...

Blois tells us about his week unplugging from the political world.  But he's back to work and chatting with the following guests: State Rep. Harry Niska discusses this year's legislative session and if litigation has become much more of a political player than in decades past. University of Minnesota Center for Forest Ecology director Lee Frelich talks about the Canadian wildfires, whether those a...

With the Supreme Court closing their 2023 docket this past week, Blois Olson uses this edition of the program to dive into the decisions made in Washington, D.C.  He sits down with Dennis Olson (Commissioner of the MN Office of Higher Education) and Jill Hasday (U of M Distinguished McKnight law professor) to discuss the major rulings the Court made on Thursday and Friday.

This week, Blois Olson takes us through a couple stories making headlines across the Twin Cities.  The following guests chime in as well: State Rep. Paul Novotny discusses the criminal charges brought against Derrick Thompson and whether stiffer punishments need to be considered for vehicular homicide cases. State Sen. Scott Dibble talks about the evolution of the recognition of Pride (and everyth...

On this edition of the program, Blois gives his thoughts on the money issues with the Minneapolis Public Schools district, as well as the impact of the Department of Justice's investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department.  We also hear from Minneapolis Star Tribune new CEO and Publisher Steve Grove about the paper's future.

On this week's edition, Blois takes a futuristic turn, looking into technology's effects on politics and government.  He welcomes State Rep. Jim Nash and current State Commissioner of Information Technology Tarek Tomes on the program to really dive into the impacts of this issue.

For this week's edition of the show, Blois digs in to the larger of the Twin Cities.  The Minneapolis-focused episode brings in the following guests: Kip Hedges, co-chair of the Democratic Socialists of America's Twin Cities chapter, explains his organization's platform and key causes.  How much will they play a role in this year's elections in the city of Minneapolis? Dave Orrick, Minneapolis Cit...

With the State Legislature finishing their regular session for 2023, the focus shifts to Washington D.C. this Memorial Day weekend.  Blois catches up with Minnesota Congressmen Dean Phillips and Brad Finstad to chat about topics after labor and the economy, most important being the ongoing Debt Ceiling negotiations.

As the State Legislature remains to end their year on Monday, Blois Olson takes some time to talk about the impact of the 2023 session for all Minnesotans.  He welcomes DFL Sen. Nick Frentz and GOP Sen. Minority Leader Mark T. Johnson on the program to hear their opinions on how the session went.  Plus, our host gets your input on whether the DFL reached too far with the laws they passed.

On this Mother's Day, Blois looks into this week's big stories effecting the scope of state politics: Outdoors sporting and broadcasting legend Ron Schara highlights the politics of fishing during this 2023 Walleye Opener. KSTP-TV political reporter Tom Hauser discusses the results of a recent poll the news outlet put together on how unified (or divergent) we are all when it comes to certain polit...

Blois gives his thoughts on the most pressing story making headlines this first week of May.  He also speaks to the following guests: United Steelworkers Local 2705 president Chris Johnson tells us about iron ore mineral rights leases being approved for Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. on the Iron Range. Twin Cities Public Television political reporter Mary Lahammar previews what to expect during the last co...

During this week's edition, Blois dives back into education and what help the industry is asking for from state lawmakers.  He gets help identifying some of the issues from Josh Crosson, executive director of EdAllies, and Kirk Schneidawind, executive director of the Minnesota School Boards Association.

The dreaded annual exercise that is Tax Day has passed for another year.  In the spirit of this past Tuesday's standard deadline, Blois undertakes the topic for this week's edition of the show.  He chats about it with the following guests: Eric Harris Bernstein, Policy Director for We Make Minnesota Mark Haveman, Executive Director of the Minnesota Center for Fiscal Excellence Paul Marquart, new c...