Wedge LIVE! John Edwards
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- News
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A show about Minneapolis politics from the maker of Wedge LIVE, the award winning local news website.
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A Harrowing DFL Convention Experience
Today, we're talking about people who think Roberts Rules is an acceptable form of bullying. It turns out, shouting "Point of order! Point of order!" over and over again is not an excuse to get up in a parliamentarian's personal space. Our conversation is inspired by Deborah Copperud's recent experience at the Minneapolis DFL City Convention. We talk about what's wrong with the DFL process, some potential solutions, and importantly, why those fixes will never happen. In a surprising twist, we agree the current deeply flawed process is still better than a primary.
John's guests are Conrad Zbikowski, new chair of the Minneapolis DFL, and Deborah Copperud of the new substack "Deborah Copperud Shops at Target."
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 -
Anquam Mahamoud, candidate for MN House District 62B
This is part of a series of conversations with 2024 candidates for MN House district 62B to be published ahead of the DFL Convention on Sunday, April 14. This episode features candidate Anquam Mahamoud (https://www.anquam62b.com).
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 -
Londel French, candidate for MN House District 62B
This is part of a series of conversations with 2024 candidates for MN House district 62B to be published ahead of the DFL Convention on Sunday, April 14. This episode features candidate Londel French (londelfrench.org).
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 -
Bill Emory, candidate for MN House District 62B
This is part of a series of conversations with 2024 candidates for MN House district 62B to be published ahead of the DFL Convention on Sunday, April 14. This episode features candidate Bill Emory (billemory.org).
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 -
Stopping MN Environmental Laws From Being Weaponized Against Environmentalists
John is joined by PeggySue Imihy Bean (President of the Minnesota Chapter of the American Planning Association) and Alex Schieferdecker (also a planner). We're talking about the effort at the state legislature to protect municipal comprehensive plans from bad-faith environmental lawsuits (contact your state legislators!). The group of wealthy pretend environmentalists currently holding up the Minneapolis 2040 plan in court - over too much housing density - could be a sign of things to come for every city in the region. Not only is this potentially costly for cities who can't afford it, it has the potential to distort the process and discourage thoughtful and thorough long-range planning. The world's climate scientists agree that dense pedestrianized cities are good for the environment, allowing people to use less energy and driving less. PeggySue explains how comprehensive plans are already a form of environmental review. And as she wrote in a recent Star Tribune opinion, the tools available for environmental review in Minnesota are intended for specific projects or sites, not for speculative visions of the future, like citywide comprehensive plans. Alex notes that what's missing from the discussion and the court record is that the 2040 Plan isn't solely about housing density - it's about planning for stormwater runoff and a less car-centric transportation system. While a dozen of the state's realest environmental organizations (like Sierra Club) have signed on to fix state law, the plaintiffs in the anti-2040 case were created for the sole purpose of this lawsuit (and are represented by a lawyer who typically represents big polluters). We talk about how the Moorhead, MN and Washington state examples (of places that use environmental review for their comprehensive plans) are bad ones. And much, much more.
It also comes to light during this episode that PeggySue is draining my small business of cash by purchasing her Wedge LIVE apparel through ad links, wiping out my already thin margins - so it's more important than ever to support Wedge LIVE (patreon.com/wedgelive).
PeggySue's Star Tribune opinion: https://www.startribune.com/counterpoint-from-an-urban-planning-perspective-2040-dispute-is-mystifying-worrisome/600348208/
Please only use the direct link to the Wedge LIVE store, never an ad: https://www.etsy.com/shop/WedgeLIVE
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 -
Melody Investigates: Special Delivery: A Cold Turkey Mystery
Melody Hoffman (southwestvoices.news) joins us for a conversation about serious allegations made against a US mail carrier in southwest Minneapolis. Witnesses recount a series of assaults that ultimately ended a beloved neighborhood turkey's life. First, an attack with a shovel. Then a brutal hit-and-run attack with a mail truck.
We also talk about: Uber and Lyft threatening to leave Minneapolis, or the metro area entirely, due to the recently passed pay increase; the war of words between Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara and Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty; reopening Nicollet Ave at Lake St where the old Kmart stood; and John reminds people about the race for the MN House in 61A and reflects on his recent conversations with the candidates. Plus, Melody makes friends with the publisher of a Longfellow neighborhood newsletter.
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
Customer Reviews
Informative community hero
John does great work, he is an admirable investigator and journalist. I have learned so much about Minneapolis and beyond from him. Don’t miss the cat tour, it remains one of my favorite activities I’ve ever participated in!
Fabulous local politics coverage with humor!
The WedgeLIVE! podcast has helped me be more engaged in city politics and neighborhood events. Plus, John the host has a great sense of humor. So grateful for this podcast!
“A real thing” for learning about local issues in Minneapolis
This podcast has been a great way for me to get the great local coverage I expect from Wedge Live while reducing my screen time. I'm keeping up with local candidates’ and other Minneapolis residents’ perspectives on policy. If you’re a Minneapolis resident looking to learn more about your community, this is the podcast for you!