Every Friday some of the best reporters in Minnesota dig into one important local story. Host Melissa Townsend brings her distinct curiosity and humor to these weekly deep-dive conversations with journalists from the Minnesota Star Tribune where they break down the facts, the players and the impact. No spin, pretense or A.I. – just great local stories that matter to Minnesota and beyond. It’s what we do best. Available Fridays at 4:30 A.M. Central.
Essential Minnesota
Claim This Podcastby Minnesota Star Tribune
5.0(11 reviews)
26 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
Podcast Overview
Every Friday some of the best reporters in Minnesota dig into one important local story. Host Melissa Townsend brings her distinct curiosity and humor to these weekly deep-dive conversations with journalists from the Minnesota Star Tribune where they break down the facts, the players and the impact. No spin, pretense or A.I. – just great local stories that matter to Minnesota and beyond. It’s what we do best. Available Fridays at 4:30 A.M. Central.
Language
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Publishing Since
1/29/2026
1 verified contact email on file for Essential Minnesota
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Recent Episodes
June 12, 2026
Mistakes and Mysteries: Inside the manhunt for assassin Vance Boelter
Boelter's escape was full of near misses, enduring mysteries and questionable decisions by law enforcement. Reporter Jeff Day digs into the largest manhunt in state history.
June 11, 2026
Bonus: Assassin Vance Boelter Pleads Guilty
Reporter Jeff Day takes us inside the courtroom and details what happened when Vance Boelter pleaded guilty to the shootings that killed state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark.
June 5, 2026
Behind the fall of the Minneapolis Chief of Police
The scandal that led to Brian O’Hara’s resignation was a surprise to many. Reporter Liz Sawyer tells the behind the scenes story of what led to him leaving and why so many people knew so little about it.
26 total episodes available
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Deep-dive analytics for Essential Minnesota
Frequently asked questions
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- What is Essential Minnesota?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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