PODCAST

Better Minneapolis Podcast

Terry White

Newsletter focused on local Minneapolis politics and resident stories. www.betterminneapolis.com

news news commentary

All Episodes

53:34

Interview with Francis Shen, Candidate for Hennepin...

Better Minneapolis Podcast ·

2026/01/11

Francis Shen Interview SummaryIn this wide-ranging interview, Francis Shen introduces himself as a nontraditional candidate for Hennepin County Attorney, grounded less in courtroom litigation and more in systems thinking, neuroscience, and innovation. Raised in a Catholic family with roots in both Chinese and Irish heritage, Shen traces his path from Jesuit education to the University of Chicago and Harvard, where he completed both a JD and a PhD. His career ultimately led him to the University of

8:13

Reflections on the Unrest in Minneapolis

Better Minneapolis Podcast ·

2026/01/11

The Revolution Will Be Live StreamedMinneapolis became the epicenter of national attention this week after Renee Good was shot and killed by an ICE officer. The killing sparked immediate outrage, intensified by the federal government’s self-serving interpretation of what occurred and by the rapid arrival of media figures and online personalities from around the country. What began as a local tragedy quickly spiraled into a national spectacle.Renee Good’s death on January 8 sent a shockwave outward

8:44

A Volatile Year Ahead for Minnesota Politics

Better Minneapolis Podcast ·

2026/01/07

Just hours before Minneapolis’ newly elected City Council convened for its first meeting, Governor Tim Walz announced he would not seek a third term. The decision immediately reshaped the state’s political landscape and underscored how volatile the moment has become.That volatility was also evident inside City Hall. What might have been a routine organizational meeting instead revealed deep mistrust between council members. Tensions flared over committee assignments and the creation of new

12:13

Rage Bait Comes to Minnesota

Better Minneapolis Podcast ·

2026/01/04

Are you ready for the new year?Saturday morning, the U. S. invaded Venezuela and removed its leader. The federal government is withholding money intended for childcare and small businesses in Minnesota. Locally, Mayor Frey and the newly elected City Council will be sworn in on Monday, followed by the council’s first meeting on Tuesday. We expect the council to elect Jamal Osman as Vice President despite his well-documented connections to fraud.The DFL Doesn't Get ItIf you were fortunate enough to

7:30

Medicaid-Reimbursable Recuperative Care

Better Minneapolis Podcast ·

2025/12/23

2025 — A Preview of 2026When First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson talks about being understaffed, given the level of fraud his office is uncovering, we believe him. As we write this, it’s being reported that Rep. James Comer, the Republican chair of the U.S. House Oversight Committee, is expanding his investigation into Minnesota’s social services programs.For most people outside the legislative process, which is to say, most of us, it’s tough to understand how bills are formed, passed, and

49:35

Uptown Roundtable

Better Minneapolis Podcast ·

2025/12/21

Brief OverviewAs Uptown turns a corner after years of construction and disruption, community leaders and business owners say the neighborhood is showing real signs of life, with new transit, events, and openings drawing people back. But the roundtable made clear that lasting revival will depend on tackling public safety concerns and building stronger, locally driven systems to support businesses and public spaces.ICE OutSaturday, December 20, 2025. Thousands of people braved bitter cold and high

6:54

Behind Closed Doors at City Hall

Better Minneapolis Podcast ·

2025/12/17

Brief SummaryOn December 16, Mayor Jacob Frey and City Council Vice President Aisha Chughtai reached a late-breaking agreement that allowed the mayor to sign Minneapolis’s budget. The deal, which requires a series of budget amendments after the council formally adjourns, was publicly framed as a win for collaboration.Not everyone saw it that way.Council Member Robin Wonsley sharply criticized the process, objecting to what she described as closed-door negotiations between the mayor and council

43:47

Interview: Mike Newcome, Candidate for Governor

Better Minneapolis Podcast ·

2025/12/14

Brief Introduction:Mike Newcome is running for Minnesota governor as an independent with the Forward Independence Party, motivated by a belief that partisan politics and special interests have left state government disconnected from everyday Minnesotans.Interview Summary:Mike Newcome is running for Minnesota governor as a candidate of the Forward Independence Party, driven by a sense that the state’s politics have drifted away from the people it’s meant to serve. A lifelong Minnesotan from White

34:30

Interview: Anders Folk, Candidate for Hennepin County...

Better Minneapolis Podcast ·

2025/12/10

Hi,If you’re not a paid subscriber yet, now is a good time. Help support the interviews and political commentary you’ve come to appreciate. We’re able to do this work because of supporters like you!Interview SummaryAnders Folk, a lifelong Minnesotan and former federal prosecutor, is running for Hennepin County Attorney with a focus on restoring public safety and rebuilding the office’s reputation. Drawing on experience from the Marine Corps, the Department of Justice, and earlier work in the

8:51

The DFL Doesn’t Get It

Better Minneapolis Podcast ·

2025/12/07

Brief Summary:In today’s newsletter, we examine how Minnesota’s nonprofit fraud scandals have evolved from local oversight failures into a national political vulnerability for the DFL. With leaders slow to confront the scale of the problem, Republicans have stepped in with investigations, audits, and messaging that could shape the 2026 elections. A Party Unwilling to Police Its OwnIn October 2022, the Minnesota Reformer reported that a nonprofit connected to Ward 6 Council Member Jamal Osman’s

28:30

Interview: Rep. Angie Craig, Candidate for U. S. Senate

Better Minneapolis Podcast ·

2025/12/03

INTRODUCTIONToday on Better Minneapolis, we’re bringing you a conversation with Congresswoman Angie Craig as she launches her run for the U.S. Senate. We talked about the experiences that shaped her—growing up in a mobile home park without reliable healthcare—and how that fuels her push to lower costs, improve community safety, and reform Washington.We cover healthcare affordability, the $35 insulin cap, housing shortages, childcare costs, and what it will take for families to get ahead in every

7:48

Public Restrooms Downtown Are a Practical Test of...

Better Minneapolis Podcast ·

2025/11/30

BriefAs Minneapolis leaders debate whether to add eight public restrooms downtown, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports that the City Council is considering a $700,000 budget amendment to build them. It’s a welcome recognition of a real need; private businesses shouldn’t be expected to function as the city’s bathroom system, but the proposed amount is far from the full cost.What Practical Governance Looks LikeGood governance means budgeting for the entire lifecycle of a project, not just the

6:39

Mpls Budget Increases by $140 million

Better Minneapolis Podcast ·

2025/11/26

The Bear BonesLet’s start with a disclaimer: we haven’t spent the dozens of hours it would take to fully dissect Minneapolis’s proposed 2026 budget. At nearly 500 pages, it’s a beast. But one thing is immediately clear: if the City Council approves the plan in December, Minneapolis will spend about $140 million more in 2026 than it did in 2025.To cover that increase, residents are being asked to pay higher property taxes. The impact isn’t uniform. Our own bill is set to rise by about 10%, while

34:45

Interview: Latonya Reeves, CD 5 candidate

Better Minneapolis Podcast ·

2025/11/23

IntroductionIn this interview, Latonya Reeves shares her background and the priorities driving her campaign to become Minnesota’s next representative for the 5th Congressional District.The seat has been held by Rep. Ilhan Omar since she won the DFL endorsement in 2018, defeating Margaret Kelliher. Any challenger—including Reeves—faces steep odds. Omar has demonstrated consistent strength in DFL primaries, winning by a wide margin over Antone Melton-Meaux in 2020, narrowly defeating Don Samuels by

59:38

Life at 46th & Hiawatha: A Conversation on Ongoing...

Better Minneapolis Podcast ·

2025/11/21

IntroductionThis interview began after a chance conversation with Nancy Ford at her shop, Repair Lair. (Zelda, our dog, had chewed through a small shoulder pack we were dropping off for repair.) We started talking about how business was going and whether conditions in the neighborhood had improved. According to Nancy, the area around the 46th & Hiawatha transit station remains deeply troubled. Quick errands—like picking up dog food at 47th and Hiawatha—can involve witnessing public drug use, people

37:51

Interview: Becka Thompson — Reflections on the Park...

Better Minneapolis Podcast ·

2025/11/19

IntroductionIn this interview, Becka Thompson and I discuss the upheaval at the Park Board, the realities of campaigning, and the growing strains on Minneapolis’s budget.One of the biggest surprises this election cycle was the defeat of longtime Park Board Commissioner Steffanie Musich by Kay Carvajal Moran in District 5. Moran, a recent Augsburg University graduate with degrees in sociology and history, works as a case manager assistant for Hennepin County, helping tenants access rental assistance,

53:20

Interview: A Primer on the Forward Independence Party

Better Minneapolis Podcast ·

2025/11/16

IntroductionOur interview with Phil Fuehrer and Bill Halter was a reminder that politics doesn’t have to look the way it does today. As we continue to search for a political home, we were reminded that there is another option beyond the current DFL/Republican duopoly. The newly formed Forward Independence Party is positioning itself as that alternative, with an emphasis on ethical candidates, problem-solving, and a willingness to work across traditional party lines.The Forward Independence Party

7:16

The DFL Listening Tour Arrives in Minneapolis

Better Minneapolis Podcast ·

2025/11/12

The TourThe state DFL Listening Tour stops in Minneapolis this Thursday, November 13, at the Sabathani Community Center (6:30–7:30 p.m.). We’ll be there — curious to see whether the event brings clarity to a party struggling to define its message and direction.If you’d like to participate but are unable to attend, you can still add your comments on the DFL website.Now is the TimeWe applaud State Party Chair Richard Carlbom for bringing the Listening Tour to Minneapolis. His effort comes at a time

9:35

2025 Minneapolis Election Review

Better Minneapolis Podcast ·

2025/11/07

Brief SummaryThe politics we’re seeing now will continue for another four years. The question is whether the results change, and Minneapolis experiences less crime, more investment, and a broader group of people reaping the benefits of our economy.Prediction ReviewWe did well in our pre-election predictions — correctly calling the mayoral race and 9 of 13 City Council contests. Here’s where we missed, and what those results tell us about the city’s political mood.Ward 2Robin Wonsley won with 3,825

11:22

2025 Minneapolis Pre-Election Predictions

Better Minneapolis Podcast ·

2025/11/03

IntroductionElection Day is tomorrow — Tuesday, November 4, 2025.What follows are our predictions, drawn from close observation over the past year and the surveys we’ve conducted. These are not endorsements, but simply our best attempt to forecast the outcomes.If you’re still finalizing your choices, we encourage you to revisit our many candidate interviews — available on the Better Minneapolis YouTube channel, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.MayorPrediction: Jacob Frey wins.Confidence level: 70 out of

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