The Sunday Take

We have heard the candidates, received your texts, phone calls and watched your ads on our different platforms - now we want to hear your voice and texts, what do YOU have to say ahead of this Tuesday’s Election Day! Blois shares your thoughts, breaks down the key races ahead of the big week! From the seats in Washington to the local rural areas of Minnesota - we break it all down for you!

Blois hosts a debate with the 3 top candidates for Secretary of State.

This week we have a different type of Sunday Take - we pull some excerpts from both the AG and Senate Debates as well as the CD1 perspectives on health care, tariffs and more as we fast approach Election Day in just a couple of weeks!

This coming Tuesday marks three weeks until Election Day - Blois discusses what to expect, what to look for as we wind down the clock! He chats with Senator Aric Putnam who is defending his Senate District 14 in Saint Cloud - we get into state budget, Ag, campaigning and what he is seeing and hearing, where he sits in contrast to other Senate seats and more! We also chat with Nels Pierson, senatorial candidate for District 24 in Rochester talking Mayo, growth in Rochester, split House Districts, Ag and more with him! Finally, Blois breaks down many of the key senate...

We begin with thoughts on the situation involving the Eden Prairie homecoming football game, the current state of the Minnesota economy as we approach November and more! This week Blois sat down with Minnesota Ag Commissioner Thom Petersen and also we replay an excerpt from this week’s Fluence Media Forum featuring Ag Economist Brian Buhr, MN Bio Fuels Executive Director Brian Werner, Compeer’s Perry Aasness and MN Pork’s Todd Marotz and then Blois shares this week’s take!

This week Blois Olson moderates an in-studio debate for the U.S. Congressional District Two Seat between DFL candidate and former Senator Matt Little and GOP candidate and Senator Eric Pratt - asking the hard pressed questions from Metro Surge, to fraud, Presidential influence, Ag and more!

It is oh so far away but oh so close! This week Blois sat down to chat with Senator Amy Klobuchar and Speaker Lisa Demuth at the LeadingAge Minnesota Annual Leadership Forum and Conference up at Grand View Lodge - covering any and all topics when it comes to the upcoming election, the needs an aging workforce, workforce care, access to care, financial sustainability and much more!

Blois Olson and Lindsey Brown in studio for this morning’s Sunday Take. To open the show Blois talks about Representative Cedric Frazier’s campaign ghosting him for a debate and Ryan Faircloth’s piece in the Star Tribune this morning about the Governor Tim Walz administration’s response to Minnesota's fraud problems. Blois opines the heavy reliance on campaign ads and social media to connect with voters versus being available to conversate which comes with the challenge to connect and think on their feet. He reads texts sent from listeners. In the back half of the hour, Blois focuses on Ryan...

It is the second Sunday of the Minnesota State Fair as we are in the home stretch for this year and we have Blois Olson LIVE on the WCCO Radio veranda hosting the Minnesota State Auditor's Debate on Sunday Take featuring Scott Jensen, Jay Reeves, and Zack Filipovich tackling any and all of the hot topics in the state from fraud to crime and much, much more in today's debate

Bois Olsen is joined live at Minnesota State Fair with Eric Eskola, former WCCO Radio personality/host and John McCormick with Wall Street Journal.

We are creeping ever so closely to the Minnesota State Fair - Blois previews what the first weekend of Sunday Take has in store, we discuss flock cameras, AI and data centers then pivot to chat with Representatives Brad Tabke (D) Shakopee and Representative Mary Franson (R) Alexandria discussing more on the controversy with flock cameras and much more! Plus Blois shares this week’s take!

What a week that was in Minnesota politics with Tuesday's primaries in the rear view mirror - Blois recaps some of the key points and how this plays out into which candidates have the best scope, the best future outlook for this state, then we shift to metrics of this state MN Chamber President and CEO Doug Loon on the true struggles with Minnesota when it comes to growth, workforce and the overall economy in this state and then head across the border and chat with Wisconsin Political Analyst, Bill McCoshen who is very plugged in to Wisconsin’s current po...

We are 48 hours away from Tuesday’s Primary Voting and Blois takes a deeper look into the races to watch for and the numbers going into this week’s voting from the top down he previews each race and the highs and lows of each candidate in each race!

This week marks another year of Farm Fest, Blois previews this as well as recapping the nice and not so nice interactions among campaigning this past week amid some turmoil in the Angie Craig and Peggy Flanagan race! Then we hear from Republican candidate for Senate Adam Schwarze who shares his non-establishment run in the GOP, what he is seeing and hearing amid his campaign travels, what he brings to the table when it comes to the economy, Iran War and overall representation in Washington and much more!

As we inch closer to primaries there seems to be somewhat of a disconnect between Minnesotans and around the country with candidates and races in politics - Blois addresses why he believes people have tuned out. Then we have an extended conversation with Representative Angie Craig (DFL) who is running against Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan for Senate and right out of the gate we dive into her vision for Minnesota and this country, the War in Iran under the current administration, the state of the LGBTQ+ community currently, Agriculture and much more! Then finally Blois shares his brief thoughts on...

This week Blois Olson hosts the Congressional District 2 DFL Debate featuring Matt Klein, Matt Little and Kaela Berg LIVE in studio!

We are edging closer to primaries and we have a few spots to fill both in DC and here in Minnesota so Blois previews next week's Sunday Take in studio debate featuring the three condidates for Congressional District 2 and what we can expect as we edge closer to primaries and then Blois sits down with Secretary of State Steve Simon about the Oversight Committee, ID when it comes to voting, voter integrity and what the Federal changes mean when it comes to reporting voting at the state level and beyond - that and much more with Sec. of State Steve...

This weekend marks 250 years as a country. Blois shares his thoughts on the historic Independence Day marker, previewing the primaries and Farm Fest coming up and then he sits down for an extended conversation with Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan discusses why she chose to run for U.S. Senate, her race against Angie Craig for the DFL seat, her reflection on how Operation Metro Surge was handled by Governor Walz and others a few months back, the education system in Minnesota, fiscal management with the state and much more and then Blois shares this week’s take!

As we slowly approach primaries in just over a month, there is a lot to keep track of as we look ahead. From the Tim Walz factor in these elections and DFL support, also where does rural Minnesota and even surrounding states stand when it comes to the GOP? That, the Senate race and much more as Blois shares and breaks down the five key things to keep an eye on as we are five weeks out and of course, Blois shares his take for this week as we approach the 250th birthday of America!

We begin today's show with Blois recapping the week that was as we had a lot of data flood in with fundraising numbers, also, Blois lays the ground for the conversation today on the 'party over principle' in today's politics and the state of being an independent candidate! We continue to highlight the third party candidacy with Chip Tangen, Libertarian candidate for Sec. of State as well as Jay Reeves, Forward Independence candidate for State Auditor in Minnesota! Finally, Blois shares this week's take!

It was one year ago today that many started their morning amid chaos when Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark and their dog Gilbert were gunned down in their home in the early Saturday morning hours in Brooklyn Park - along with Senator John Hoffman and wife Yvette being shot in their home as well and what could have been more political leaders. Blois reflects on the past year, what do we know now - especially following this past week’s guilty plea of Vance Boelter, and what we can take away and learn from this tragedy. Then Blois ch...

It has been an interesting week on both sides of the aisle, Klobuchar from the left and on the right we have seen some divisiveness and the non-endorsed candidates seem to have the backing financially - Blois begins by recapping that and much more from this week. Then we sit down with Congressional candidate Jake Johnson of the DFL CD1 and he shares his plans and thoughts when it comes to agriculture, deep dive into his plans for education, rising costs and much more! Then Blois shares his thoughts with this week’s take!

We had an upset in the GOP endorsement in yesterday’s convention up in Duluth where Kendall Qualls came away with the Republican nomination for the upcoming gubernatorial race - we talked to Kendall about this win, we chat with Adam Schwarze who received the Senate nomination and got Mike Lindell’s thoughts on coming up short in the GOP and then Blois shares this week’s take!

WCCO Political Analyst looks at races, trends and the issues going into state conventions in another crucial midterm year.

It is going to be a long final stretch into Monday for the members of the legislative session at the State Capitol to finish out this session leading up to the midnight deadline and Blois shares what needs to be done, if and how can Minnesota leaders reach an agreement on gun legislation, who has been the stronger side throughout the session, the latest development with HCMC and Rahul Koranne, President and CEO with Minnesota Hospital Association on the latest with this session, take some of your calls and texts and more!

We begin the show paying tribute to all of the moms out there, then we sit down with Michele Tafoya who is currently running for a Senate seat in Minnesota but also dive deeper into the War in Iran, caucuses, what Republicans need to do to turn the tide in Minnesota, and much more!

This Sunday Take we tried a different spin on the show - given the success of Minnesota sports on Thursday night where the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Wild both advanced to the next round with wins and while we are still riding the wave of winning - Blois chats with Dan Whenesota, Minnesota sports historian and Howard Sinker, sports editor for the Minnesota Star Tribune about the legacy of heartbreak in Minnesota sports and why the feeling is different this time around as we check in on the (sports) mood in Minnesota!

Right out of the gate Blois discusses a variety of topics from the week, including the incident last night in Washington D.C. with the Correspondents Dinner. Then we talked to Senator Ann Rest (DFL) about the current session and how effective a tax bill could be for Minnesota. Then we pivot to chat bonding bill and more with Representative Mary Franson (R), and finally Blois shares this week’s take including more reaction to the incident at the Correspondents Dinner, the new Walz book, State of the State this Tuesday and more!

We are nearing the end of the line for the session for 2026, with that said - legislative leaders Sen. Nick Frentz (DFL) Sen. Mark Johnson (GOP), Rep. Jamie Long (DFL) and Rep. Harry Niska (GOP) discusses the biggest session topics with 4 weeks left including any regrets from the past 3 years at the TwinWest Legislative Breakfast. Then Blois shares this week’s take!

Legislators returned this week to resume the session after the Easter/Passover break and now we look ahead to what is next. From Lisa Demuth running for Governor to some of the key debates coming up - Blois breaks it all down and then we dive into a very key part of this session and that is the schools in Minnesota from education to school safety and even an upcoming statewide ballot amendment slated potentially for Fall 2026 - Blois sits down with Representative Ben Bakeberg and Senator Mary Kunesh to sift through the importance of schools in this session, the...

It is the Easter and Passover break for those in the Minnesota Legislature so we talked to both Republican Leader Harry Niska and then DFL Rep. Matt Norris on things they have heard while on break, doorknocking in their districts and through various conversations and what can be expected to get done this session! Then Blois shares this week’s take!

To begin today’s show - Blois reflects on the events of 2026 and even some of the key events of 2025 and we reflect on the ‘No Kings’ rallies in Minnesota this weekend. We open up the texts and calls to your concerns and current mood of Minnesota from taxes, agriculture, budget spending concerns, even nationally when it comes to the Trump Administration, and much more. Also what does the outlook of the Election year look like for mid terms as right now it seems as if a “blue wave” is coming, Klobuchar’s role in Minnesota and much more - we leave it...

It was a busy Saturday in certain parts of Minnesota with two conventions being held - one went as planned, the other not so much - Blois reacts to the latest happenings with that, a panel he moderated this past week and the latest with the current session and that leads us to today’s topic - Transportation and Blois chats with Rep. Jon Koznick R-Lakeville and Sen. Scott Dibble DFL – Minneapolis about transportation in Minnesota whether it is transit, Waymo and much more! Finally, Blois shares this week’s take!

This week Blois provides a check in from the Capitol amid the few times he had the chance to sit in on the current session over in Saint Paul then Blois sits down with Senator Ron Latz to discuss gun legislation at the Capitol as well following hearings this past week being held on gun control! Then Blois shares this week's take!

This week Blois recaps the Minnesota Chamber Workforce Summit beginning with Sean O’Neil, Senior Director of Economic Development and Research – Minnesota Chamber. Then we hear from a panel of guests including Chancellor Scott Olson, Minnesota State, President Rob Vischer, University of St. Thomas, Dr. Rebecca Cunningham, President, University of Minnesota, Doug Loon, President and CEO, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, then finally we get this week’s take from Blois on the workforce!

It was a tumultuous Saturday in the country and the world as the United States and Israel has officially taken military action against Iran and vice versa - Blois gets into a little of that. Also it is the first week of the State Tournament for Boy’s Hockey over at Grand Casino Arena and we wanted to dive into the topic of mining and the Iron Range of Minnesota with Rep. Spencer Igo, Sen. Grant Hauschild and Mining Minnesota CEO Julie Lucas as it is a key topic of discussion in this new legislative session!

Well we got through the first week officially of the legislative session and as promised Blois dives into some of the key issues in Minnesota and with this session - this week it is housing! He sits down with both the CEO of First Housing James Vagle and Representative Esther Agbaje (D) to break down the needs of the housing situation in Minnesota, why so many times housing has never really reached a solution on the floor and what to expect this session when it comes to the housing market in Minnesota! Finally, Blois shares a story related to housing...

It has been a year of news in just the first five weeks in Minnesota - so we try to pivot into focusing on the upcoming session! First, Blois sits down with Richard Syverson, a farmer in Western Minnesota and a member of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association - we discuss the use of E-15 in our fuels and its importance to Minnesota corn growers! Then Blois sits down with Rep Michelle Fischbach on ICE and Homeland Security in Minnesota and what she hopes to see Congress get done early on here in 2026. Then Blois shares this week’s take!

We begin today’s show recapping the caucus week including a strong showing from Rep. Lisa Demuth in the Governor’s race and also begin to try to shift the focus on some of the pressing issues of the state and the upcoming session beginning with severe cuts from HCMC and the financial struggles Hennepin Healthcare (and other medical care facilities) are facing currently - Blois sits down with Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Lunde as well as HCMC co-CEO J. Kevin Crosston to break down the financial hurdles they face! Finally, Blois shares this week’s take!

It is finally February which means we made it through January - now Blois previews a busy first week as caucuses get underway this week and another month in politics begins! Then Blois sits down with Rep. Paul Torkelson on his service and why he’s retiring from the legislature, and what has changed after 9 terms and finally, Blois shares this week’s take!