The Matt McNeil Show

On today’s show:

— Insanely high grocery bills

— MAGA will always excuse Trump no matter what

— A look at skyrocketing healthcare costs.

— Lies from the Trump regime about economic information.

— Inexpensive holiday gift ideas.

— Katseye comes to Minnesota!

— Krispy Kreme returns!

— Why Matt sometimes loses patience with rural America

— A closer look at the supposed $50 Billion Rural Health Fund.

— Rural healthcare suffers under Trump

More Epstein documents released that look bad for Trump; Jeff Stein joins to continue the discussion around the Epstein files vote; northern lights; underage drunk driver crashed with care home passengers; in Duluth; Hennepin County Attorney’s Office shortcomings; Maren Ward pf zAmya Theater speaks with Matt.

MAREN WARD is a Twin Cities performer, director and community-based theater maker – named Best Theater Performer of 2018 in MN Monthly Magazine. Maren has been zAmya’s creative director since it started in 2004. She has been awarded a McKnight Theater Artist Fellowship (2007) and has attended the Cornerstone Institute for Community Based Theater and the Sojourn Theater/Center for Performance and Civic Practice Institute.

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

Mar-a-Lago look; Veterans’ Day; Mike Johnson can’t keep the House adjourned much longer; Epstein files much worse than reported; Patrick Coolican makes his Tuesday visit; Michael Brodkorb elaborates on a restraining order filed against a GOP guberantorial candidate; possible hemp ban in Congress could devastate local industries.

Brett has our weekly conversation with Patrick Coolican, editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer. Today they talked about how the deal to reopen the federal government could hurt Minnesota’s hemp industry, Lisa Demuth picking a running mate, Bernie Sanders endorsing Peggy Flanagan and thoughts on last week’s elections. Find more about what they talked about at:

https://minnesotareformer.com/briefs/hemp-growers-retailers-targeted-in-section-of-government-shutdown-legislation/

https://minnesotareformer.com/briefs/house-speaker-lisa-demuth-picks-ryan-wilson-as-running-mate-in-campaign-for-governor/

https://minnesotareformer.com/briefs/sen-bernie-sanders-endorses-lt-gov-peggy-flanagan-for-senate/

https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/11/04/rep-kaohly-her-wins-stunning-upset-in-st-paul-mayoral-race-making-history/

Matt’s colonoscopy; Senate Democrats break to end shutdown; Cliff Schecter talks about the disgraceful ending of the shutdown; SNAP’ gay marriage ruling won’t be revisited by the Supreme Court; Primary Trust at the Guthrie; 50th anniversary of the sinking of the Fitzgerald; Demuth has a running mate; strike averted with Minneapolis teachers; Michael Brodkorb recaps yesterday’s game.

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

Cliff Schecter/David Shuster didn’t just discover the GOP’s bad, find our voices & switch sides. We’ve been at it for 25 yrs. Cliff wrote the ads that helped Biden beat Trump in ’20. David exposed GOP corruption as an Emmy-winning anchor at MSNBC & CNN.

https://www.blueamp.co/subscribe

On today’s show:

— Winter weather is coming!

— Will Dems cave on the gov’t shutdown?

— Yesterday’s bizarre Oval Office scene.

— Elon Musk’s ridiculous payday from Tesla.

— Trump bails out Argentina but won’t fund SNAP benefits.

— Calling out Trump supporters who receive SNAP benefits.

— The White House explanation for RKF’s bizarre behavior yesterday.

— Rural healthcare getting decimated.

— Is grade inflation a problem?

— Previewing Ravens vs. Vikings

Matt and Brett fill in for Matt and preview this week’s Vikings vs. Ravens game!

Matt addresses his criticism of double standards covering perceived political leans of races; “sandwich guy” found not guilty; Trump falsely claims Thanksgiving prices are lower; US hoping China will buy products; Matt reviews his predictions of what Trump said he would do vs. what has been done now; labor market begins downward slide; FIFA establishes a peace prize; state lawmaker assassin now divorced; Rev. Trish Vanni, the show’s spiritual advisor, returns; Mike Lindell sued again over unpaid loan.

Rev. Trish Sullivan Vanni, Ph.D

While grounded in the Christian tradition, I have been a life-long spiritual seeker open to grace beyond its boundaries.

The many threads of my life and the countless wonderful people who have touched it have led me to a deep appreciation for the many paths human beings follow to the Divine. The Ecumenical Catholic Communion is my home.

UPS plane crash in Kentucky; Matt’s election analysis; Jeff Stein makes his Wednesday visit for more election discussion; Wild overtime winner; Kaohly Her’s upset win over Melvin Carter in St. Paul; Frey wins third term; special election status quo; school referendum questions.

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

The decline of pizzerias as Pizza Hut struggles; Election Day 2025 updates; continued denials of Trump’s health concerns; revisiting Daylight Savings Time discussion; more on election coverage; rural America grocery stores.

Brett and Patrick Coolican (editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer) have an election day preview as they talk about two races that will determine control of the MN State Senate, mayor races in Minneapolis and St. Paul, school levies and a new GOP contender for governor. Find more about what they covered at:

https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/11/04/today-is-election-day-make-your-voice-heard/

https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/11/03/voters-will-decide-tuesday-who-controls-the-minnesota-senate-heres-what-you-need-to-know/

https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/11/02/gop-minnesota-house-speaker-lisa-demuth-launches-campaign-for-governor/

Halloween weekend; please get a colonoscopy; Trump intervenes to help Dilbert cartoonist with cancer battle; Matt gets targeted by Nancy Mace’s office; Trump will “partially” fubd SBAP; 2025 elections; Kennedy Center headaches; man arrested for swindling money for gambling; double murder in Brown County; more on the 2025 elections from a state level; GOP speaker enters governor race.

On today’s show:

— How Trump is choosing not to fund SNAP even though he could.

— House Speaker Mike Johnson and Ag. Sec. Brooke Rollins have a gaffe at a Press conference.

— Paul Metsa previews his new album and birthday bash this Sunday!

— “Responsible” gun owner news.

— How people who receive SNAP benefits often live in rural areas of Minnesota.

— Michael Brodkorb previews Lions vs. Vikings

Matt and Michael have our weekly Vikings preview as they talk about Vikings vs. Lions this Sunday!

Matt is joined by Minnesota music legend Paul Metsa! They talk about his his 70th birthday that’s also a special benefit show for AM950. It takes place Sunday, November 2 at 7 PM at the Aster House in Minneapolis. Find tickets and details at: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/83991706/songs-of-resistance-and-respectpaul-metsa-70th-birthday-and-cd-release-partybenefit-for-am-950-minneapolis-aster-house

On today’s show:

— What actually happened with Trump’s meeting with Xi?

— We’re actually in a recession that’s not being reported.

— Greg Bakun previews the Halloween GhostBox Radio broadcast tomorrow from 7-11 PM!

— Matt was joined by Varajita Singh of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. They talked about the museum’s new special exhibit, “Royal Bronzes: Cambodian Art of the Divine.”

— Why Minnesota is a great place for employment, despite what right wingers say.

— Problems when AI data centers force Minnesota cities into secrecy when being built.

—...

Matt was joined by Varajita Singh, the Chief Diversity Officer at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. They talked about the museum’s new special exhibit, “Royal Bronzes: Cambodian Art of the Divine.” They discuss the massive international collaboration required to bring over 200 bronze masterpieces, many from the 11th century, from Cambodia and Paris to the United States for the first time. A highlight of the exhibit is a monumental 7-foot-long reclining Vishnu, a restored Cambodian national treasure that will return to its home country permanently after this rare showing. Learn more and get tickets at: https://new.artsmia.org/exhibi...

Greg Bakun previews the Halloween GhostBox Radio broadcast tomorrow from 7-11 PM! He is going live from the haunted Pillsbury Club in Minneapolis, home of the Minneapolis Trolley Tours! Greg will be joined by Adam, Refined Divine, Char Savoie, and other guests for a real paranormal investigation inside the Pillsbury Club—filled with spirits, stories, and maybe… a few surprises!

Halloween candy prices soar; numerous mass layoffs in corporate America; charges in Illinois anti-ICE protests; Jeff Stein makes his Wednesday visit; man charged in St. Paul vandalism targeting LGBT and anti-Trump sentiments; right-wingers cannibalizing each other; comedian Patrick Strait discusses his new book and the history of standup in Minneapolis; more economy news.

Patrick Strait has been writing about comedy for more than 15 years in Minnesota, and has been featured in City Pages, The Growler, Thrillist, Bring Me the News and others. His first book, “Funny Thing About Minnesota…” is available now through the Minnesota Historical Society Press. He himself is not very funny.

Jeff Stein of KXEL/Waterloo joins Matt every Wednesday at 3:30 to cover national news.

Hurricane Melissa slams into Jamaica; Target layoffs; the ulterior motives of the wealthy; worst sports years; Patrick Coolican joins Brett; Minneapolis may not be liable for police misconduct; drunk driving tragedy invilving young teens.

Brett has our weekly visit with Patrick Coolican, editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer. Today they talked about what Minnesota is doing to help those who will be cut off from SNAP benefits, Minneapolis potentially not being on the hook for police sued for wrongful conduct during the 2020 protests, Allina doctors going on strike and previewing mayoral races in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Find more about what they talked about at:

https://minnesotareformer.com/briefs/walz-directs-4-million-to-food-shelves-as-snap-cutoff-approaches/

https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/10/28/court-minneapolis-not-on-the-hook-to-defend-some-cops-sued-for-conduct-during-floyd-protests/

https://minnesotareformer.com/briefs/allina-doctors-physician-assistants-and-nurse-practitioners-plan-one-day-strike-for-nov-5/

There are no bounds for how low the right will fall; Republicans’ rabid excitement to cut SNAP benefits; Trump visits Walter Reed; booze lets people off the hook for some reason; drinking and driving; man assaults date with his car; anarchist tries to have Pam Bondi killed; Gov. Walz infuses food shelves with money in shadow of government shutdown; rural township being sued.

On today’s show:

News media dismisses anti-Trump protests; dramatic price increases; Canada hurts Trump’s feelings; Dr. Joe Eastman discusses the latest disease models; Como Zoo fun; the Vikings disaster last night; former Mpls Chamber of Commerce head charged with fraud; Target’s layoffs;

Dr. Joe Eastman is an expert disease modeler who frequently provides updates on COVID, influenza, and more on the Matt McNeil Show.

Brian Ronholm of Consumer Reports is in studio to speak with Matt; Democrats missing opportunities again; multiple arrests of NBA personnel in gambling investigation; Metro Transit and MnDOT contract to replace Northstar Line; Glen Taylor tried to tank sale of Wolves; Republicans and fraud; Minneapolis mayor’s race; Michael Brodkorb talks tonight’s Vikings game; shooting victim discharged from hospital.

Michael Brodkorb is a noted author, FOP political figure, and Matt’s official football correspondent.

Brian Ronholm is the Director of Food Policy for Consumer Reports. He leads CR’s advocacy efforts to advance a safe and healthy food system.

On today’s show:

— Matt talks fall weather.

— The “No Kings Rally” was the biggest political protest in U.S. history, but the national media is barely covering it.

— Matt argues that media bias is creating a dangerous political environment where Democrats are villainized.

— The consequences of unchecked political extremism are severe, as Matt and Jeff Stein discuss the absurdity of people believing a Democratic Socialist is worse than a Nazi.

— Trump’s reckless behavior is highlighted, including his plans to add a ballroom to the White House and the lack of media...

National and presidential expert Jeff Stein joins Matt for his regular Wednesday conversation to break down the latest in national politics. They dive into the ongoing government shutdown, the lack of negotiation from the Republican side, and the growing evidence of a Nazi problem within some GOP circles and its staff. Jeff and Matt also touch on why this political climate is driving people away from politics and how the current Supreme Court is actively rolling back established law.

Matt breaks 20K on Bluesky; Trump fighter jet video; continued coverage of the No Kings rallies; right-wing threats and violence at No Kings; man threatens to kill Jeffries; another man threatens Atlanta airport; Patrick Coolican joins the show; accountability; firebombing of Minneapolis ice cream shop; update on school shooting survivor.

It’s our weekly Tuesday afternoon conversation with Patrick Coolican, editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer. This week we cover Keith Ellison seeking a third term as MN AG, Tom Emmer saying No Kings Protestors don’t love America, and possible school closures in Minneapolis. Find more at:

https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/10/15/tom-emmer-talks-tough-reveals-weakness/

https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/10/21/minnesota-ag-keith-ellison-to-seek-third-term/

https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/10/20/minneapolis-school-board-signals-potential-school-closures/

Cliff Schecter returns to the show; Patrick and Matt talk about Paul McCartney’s concert; No Kings; ceasefire falters in the Middle East; Trump says US may buy Argentinian beef; state Republicans struggling to find a candidate for US Senate; violent crime stats a mixed bag; daycare issues.