The Matt McNeil Show

Brand new to you shows start tomorrow; Bari Weiss facing major blowback over pulling 60 Minutes segment on Venezuelans deported to Ecuador; right-wing grift; Epstein files release; divorce rates increasing in rural America; state GOP leaders not handing over fraud evidence; Trump indicates support for Mike Lindell as governor nominee; Michael Brodkorb previews and reviews the Vikings games; brand new to you starts tomorrow.

Matt and Michael preview this week’s game against the Lions on Christmas Day.

On today’s show:

— More updates on the Brown University shooting suspect.

— MAGA doesn’t really care about drug problems in the US.

— Trump tries to put his name on the Kennedy Center.

— Disturbing details about Trump and Epstein’s pursuit of women..

— RFK wants to end children’s vaccine schedules.

— Is Die Hard a Christmas movie?

— Jacob Frey vetoes Minneapolis City Council’s homeless encampment response ordinance.

— A crazy right wing stalker that goes by the screen name “Trump Batman.”

— Michael Brodkob has our Vikings-

Michael Brodkorbb joins Matt to talk Vikings vs. Giants and the big Bears-Packers game this weekend!

“Patriot Games” announced; Biden vs. Trump price check; Iowa US Senate candidate; Trump speech last night; man arrested for quoting Trump’s own words regarding mass shooting; Lake City shooting; pregnant woman dragged across ground; updates on fraud.

Legendary Iron Range band Cats Under the Stars are re-releasing their 45 RPM single “Louie, Louie” / “Blue Ghosts” from 1982 (recorded at the Children’s Theater studio) along with a previously unreleased rap song written by Cats guitarist Jack Pasternacki that Paul and Jack recorded in 1984 called “Under Grey Skies in the Buffalo Zone.” This release coincides with the band’s 50th Anniversary taking place at the Parkway Theater on Sunday, December 28, 2025. The Cats studied and played most styles of American music and were one of the first bands in the Twin Cities to play reggae and New Orleans music, along with swing jazz, blues...

Trump’s still their guy; Jack Smith alleges there was clear proof Trump committed crimes; Jeff Stein makes his Wednesday visit; Trump gestapo having hard impact on local businesses; Carnahan refusing to resign as Nissaw mayor; Hillman Township pettiness; fraud-related lawsuits.

Jeff Stein of KXEL/Waterloo and the Iowa Politics Report joins Matt every Wednesday at 3:30.

Trump approval ratings; Coast Guard delists hate symbols; unemployment highest in years; Trump’s chief of staff goes on the record; Minnesota man targeted in crypto scam; meth seized; Patrick Coolican is back with Brett this week; the adventures of Jennifer Carnahan; arrest in south metro bomb threats; executive orders on gun violence.

Patrick Coolican returns for our weekly conversation with Brett about what’s happening in the Minnesota Reformer. Today they talk about ICE raids impacting immigrant businesses, a Trump administration investigation of Minnesota’s unemployment insurance program and a new Republican Party MN Governor poll. Find more about what they talked about at:

https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/12/16/karmel-mall-once-a-bustling-center-of-community-falls-silent/

https://minnesotareformer.com/briefs/trump-admin-announces-target-review-of-minnesotas-unemployment-insurance-program/

https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/12/14/perennial-candidate-kendall-qualls-wins-minnesota-gop-gubernatorial-straw-poll/

Awful news weekend; Rob Reiner and wife murdered, and Trump’s disgusting response; Australia shooting; Brown University shooting, with no suspects in custody; sports roundup with Trump’s embarrassing 1980 US hockey team ceremony; protesters camp outside Edina hotel where ICE members stayed; history of Jingle Bells; fraud fallout.

US Navy veteran, freelance writer & investigative columnist, philosopher & community builder. Ally. Advocate. Armed with truth and a keyboard.

On today’s show:

— The importance of the US Postal Service.

— Kristi Noem gets schooled at a Congressional hearing about ICE.

— FIFA charging ridiculous ticket prices for next year’s World Cup.

— Updates on criminal charges against fired Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore.

— Tim Walz has setup a new fraud prevention program.

— Michael Brodkorb has our Vikings update.

Matt and Michael have our weekly Vikings update as they react to a much needed Vikings win and talk about Sunday’s game vs. the Dallas Cowboys.

Pacific Northwest flooding; Amanda Seyfried won’t apologize for critical comments about Kirk; US seizes oil tanker from Venezuela and will bring it to the US; Republicas electoral strugglies; arrest of Karoline Leavitt’s family member by ICE; Michigan football coach fired, and then arrested; Mike Lindell officially launches gubernatorial run; update on Jennifer Carnahan assault case; GOP state senator won’t seek reelection.

New Hampshire gun attacks on Christmas displays; Trump threatens ICC unless they vow to never prosecute him or his officials; major teachers’ union opposes crypto legislation; Jeff Stein makes his Wednesday visit; Matt details a conversation he had this morning; Florida man pleads guilty to threats to kill Rep. Omar; Republicans chafe at pushing back on Trump’s comments;

Jeff Stein of KXEL/Waterloo and the Iowa Politcs Report joins Matt every Wednesday at 3:30.

Nancy Mace’s issues; Paramount targets Warner Bros in hostile takeover bid; Australia restricts minors from social media; China buying US soybeans but well below previous numbers; Max Nesterak visits with Brett this week; Steve Simon running for 4th term of secretary of state; GOP caravan in Marshall; Winona LaDuke’s home attacked,

Brett was joined by Minnesota Reformer writer Max Nesterak, as they discussed his recent article, “Prosecutors have brought over 3,500 charges for marijuana possession in cars since legalization.” Read it at:

https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/12/09/prosecutors-have-brought-over-3500-charges-for-marijuana-possession-in-cars-since-legalization/

Trump bailing out farmers; Jonathan Larsen joins to discuss his pieces on the shadiowy elements pushing war in Venezuela; Mall of America, commercialism, and immigration enforcement; State Sen. Jim Abeler only Republican to stand up to the racism; Mary Franson lashes out at reporter for being asked about Trump’s comments on Somalis; fire at mosque in Prior Lake; Republicans silent on the R-word used agaisnt Walz.

Jonathan Larsen is a journalist who has worked at CNN, MSNBC, and The Young Turks (TYT). He created Up with Chris Hayes, helped launch Anderson Cooper 360, was a senior producer on Countdown with Keith Olbermann, and was managing editor/executive producer at TYT, America’s largest online progressive news network. His original reporting has been cited by members of Congress resisting Christian nationalism.

On today’s show:

— The 2026 World Cup draw was today, and FIFA awarded Trump a “peace prize”

— The Jan. 6 pipe bomb guy at the DNC headquarters may have already been pardoned already by Trump.

— RFK changes vaccine recommendations for Hepatitis B.

— Thoughts on the WBD sale to Netflix.

— How right wingers are trying to buy every media (and social media) outlet.

— Tom Emmer’s horrible false statements about crime with Somali Minnesotans.

— ICE is now trying to get into Minnesota grade schools.

— Michael Brodkorb has our Vikings...

Matt and Michael have our weekly Vikings update as they commiserate over the lost season and preview Sunday’s game vs. Washington.

Admiral questioned on second boat strike that killed survivors; Jan 6-associated alleged pipe bomber arrested; CDC postpones decisiosn to restrict Hep B vaccinations; San Francisco files lawsuits over ultra-processed foods; school districts overpaying for school supplies from Amazon; Christmas cookie contest; mountain lion spotted in Duluth; Lutsen Resort owner charged with arson; environmental groups targeted over BWCA mining withdrawal; ICE activities in the metro; Minnesota budget forecast.

Today’s not a good day for Republicans; Tennessee special election; Jeff Stein joins the show for his weekly appearance; Mike Lindell officially running for governor; other new candidates for governor; Blue Cross dropping Sliver Sneakers program;

Jeff Stein of KXEL/Waterloo and the Iowa Politics Report joins Matt every Wednesday at 3:30.

Government may end Hepatitis B vaccinations for children; very specific typo on Pete Hegsseth’s placard; more scrutiny of US boat strikes and Trump’s hypocritical pardon of former Honduran president; Jennifer Carnahan claims she was assaulted; Patrick Coolican joins the show with Brett; false racist stories target Somali community.

Brett has our weekly conversation with the editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer, Patrick Coolican. Today they talked about a new federal investigation about alleged ties between Somali-Americans convicted of stealing money from public programs and al-Shabaab, Tim Walz going on Meet the Press and more. Find more about what they talked about at:

https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/12/02/trump-administration-orders-up-investigation-of-minnesota-stepping-on-their-own-prosecutors/

https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/12/02/first-step-for-walz-take-responsibility/

https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/12/01/minnesota-paid-leave-launches-in-one-month-heres-what-you-need-to-know/

https://minnesotareformer.com/briefs/attorney-chris-madel-launches-campaign-for-minnesota-governor-seeks-gop-nomination/

Thanksgiving weekend recap; Cyber Monday; White House releases MRI results; anecdotes from Thanksgiving weekend; friction between Trump and some state politicians around the country; ongoing MnDOT issues long after Pawlenty is gone; man sentenced to paltry jail time for DUI ATV death; some good things happening in rural Minnesota; paid leave on the horizon.

Brett was joined by editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer, Patrick Coolican. They talked about Right-wing reporting on Somali money allegedly going to al-Shabaab and more a super PAC dropping big money in the Minnesota’s US Senate primary. Find more about what they talked about at:

https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/11/25/right-wing-reporting-on-somali-money-going-to-al-shabaab-is-sloppy/

https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/11/24/minnesota-dfl-leaders-respond-to-trumps-attacks-on-somali-minnesotans/

Woman thought to be dead wakes up right before scheduled cremation; Trump administration escalates against Democrats accused of telling the military not to violate illegal orders; another anti-vaxxer nominated for HHS post; the cruelty of the GOP as we aooriach Thanksgiving; Blue Cross ending gym subsidies for seniors; Patrick Coolican returns; Michael Brodkorb previews the Thanksgiving and Vikings games this week.

Michael Brodkorb joins weekly during football season to preview and review this week’s Vikings games.

Slender Man ssupect temporarily escapes custody; criminal cases against Comey and James thrown out; Terry John Zila joins for his annual Thanksgiving food discussion; first winter storm approaching this week; sports roundup; housing price crisis; Mamdani visits Trump in the White House; fencing installed along largely Native streets; heartlessness of billionaires.

Terry John Zila has been experimenting in the kitchen his entire life. Twenty years in the restaurant industry has exposed him to a wide variety of cooking styles. In his private dining and corporate events and in-home cooking classes, he uses that culinary knowledge to create unique events. Whatever cuisine you might like, be it Asian, European or American cuisines, he can create the exact culinary experience you’re looking for.

Terry is also the Chef Ambassador for Bosch/Thermador/Gaggenau appliance brands. This position allows him to utilize both his culinary and kitchen design background to br...

On today’s show:

— Trumpflation impacting Thanksgiving meals.

— Terrible jobs numbers and more layoffs are on the way.

— Dr. Joe Eastman joins for an update.

— Octopus’s are smart.

— MNDOT’s no fun police.

— A mother alleges Medicaid fraud after her son, who needed daily care, was found dead.

— Michael Brodkorb has our Vikings vs. Packers preview.

It’s border battle week! Matt and Michael Brodkorb preview this weekend’s Vikings vs. Packers game at Lambeau Field.

Dr. Joe Eastman joins Matt to talk about a rising COVID-19 variant, a poorly matched seasonal flu strain, and escalating measles outbreaks that could cost the U.S. its elimination status. He stressed concern over avian influenza (bird flu) acquiring human-to-human transmission, noting that continuous disease spread and deregulation are increasing overall vulnerability.

Grocery prep run for Thanksgiving; economic numbers; Jessica Lussenhop, co-author of a story about church abuse in Duluth, joins to discuss the story; Trump continues to lie that he had no connection to Epstein; Jessie Diggins announces final season of events; Trump accuses Democratic lawmakers of sedition; opioid settlement money; Addie Gorlin-Han returns to discuss A Christmas Carol at the Guthrie; home service health fraud.

Addie Gorlin-Han is the director of the Guthrie Theater’s presentation of A Christmas Carol, running now through December 28.

https://www.guthrietheater.org/shows-and-tickets/a-christmas-carol/

Addie is a director, producer, and educator invested in the regional theater movement, new musical development, and theater for all-ages. She works as Associate Producer at the Guthrie Theater.

Addie grew up in the Twin Cities acting in children’s theater. She attended Dartmouth College, the National Theater Institute, and then committed to Teach for America where she taught English and Drama in the Bay Area.

Mean...

Before becoming the host of our upcoming podcast, I was a reporter with ProPublica’s Midwest team covering Minnesota, my home state. I wrote about issues affecting vulnerable populations with a special interest in child welfare, criminal justice and housing. My reporting has changed state housing laws and touched off enforcement actions by the Minnesota attorney general.

Before coming to ProPublica, I was a senior staff writer for BBC North America and a fellow at the radio program “This American Life.” I hosted a BBC podcast called “Bad Cops,” based on my reporting about a rogue plainclothes police uni...