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After a long hiatus, we're back! And we've never had a more interesting guest. Simon Isaac was born in raised in Caracas, Venezuela. I met him over a year ago. He's a student at MSU and writes for the student newspaper, where I happen to be an advisor. On this episode, Simon talks about what it's like to grow up in a dictatorship, what it's like to watch friends get killed in a governmental crackdown, how it felt to be kidnapped — twice — because of his outspoken views on oppression and government corruption. Despite all that, Simon remains hopeful his country can get beyond the turmoil and become stable again. And one day, if that happens, he hopes to be Venezuela's president.

Hey guys, we're pretty stoked about this episode. James Wolner, the mind behind a podcast enterprise called Dakota Spotlight, joins us to discuss at length the latest season of his true crime podcast empire: "Meanwhile in Mankato." In six episodes Wolner takes a deep dive on the 1965 murder of Ray Dahms at the hands of Brian Hendrickson. But it's not just a story of a murder. It's also the story of a system that failed dramatically when it let Hendrickson go free after just a few years in prison, leaving him free to commit more crimes.

In this episode, Free Press Managing Editor Robb Murray sits down with Sports Editor Mitch "The Big Dog" Vosburg to talk about the latest sports action, as well as Mitch's excellent recent column about the Mankato East girls soccer team.

In this episode we sit down with Justin Ek to talk about Saturday's Dia De Los Muertos celebration.

In this episode, we let Joe talk about his retirement after 75 years at The Free Press. Listen, kid, ol’ Joe’s been runnin’ this newsroom since ink came in buckets! They say he’s got printer’s ink in his veins — and decaf coffee in his arteries! Guy edits copy like a surgeon with a hangover. Clean, precise, and somehow, someone still ends up in traction! Back in my day, the boss didn’t need no Google Docs — he just yelled your rewrite across the room and hoped you were fast enough to duck the typewriter ribbon! Y’know, I once saw Joe take a five-word lede and turn it into a three-part series. Now that’s journalism, sweetheart. They say he’s so old-school, his spellcheck’s a Webster’s from 1912. The man still thinks AP Style stands for Always Panic. Every time he says, ‘Let’s keep it tight,’ a feature writer loses their wings.

On this episode Managing Editor Joe Spear and Features Editor Robb Murray discuss Minnesota State University's big news, how local colleges and universities might be thinking about the threat of gun violence, and a new facility being built for youth wrestlers.

In this episode we bring in Mike Lagerquist for the vacationing Joe Spear. Mike and reporter Robb discuss the slate of theatrical productions at area colleges (and a deepish dive on Pete Bloedel, his heart attack, and his son taking the helm of Theater Physics in his absence). We also get into the cool new big thing MSU announced Wednesday.

In this episode Joe Spear and Robb Murray talk about the odd disclaimer that greeted a Joe Tougas & Associates gig, the opening of Mankato's first dispensary selling recreational cannabis, and the legendary JUG — the traveling trophy between Mankato's two public high schools —  heads EAST after 20 years in the west.

Joe and Robb reflect on the recent political assassination of Charlie Kirk while expressing the desire for a collective cooling of political temperatures. Plus, the pair discuss new costs at the Rapidan Dam site, a daycare expansion and more. Finally, Joe sits down with Free Press Sports Editor Mitch Vosburg as they preview the upcoming Kato Jug game.

A Free Press deep dive into police incidents at the College Town apartments in Mankato, a tragic fire that claimed the lives of two children and an update on local football were among the topics discussed on the latest episode of FreepCast.

In this episode, Joe Spear and Robb Murray talk about a group brawl at the College Town apartment complex. They also get into the case of a St. Peter Police Department officer who ran a stop sign and smashed into a passing motorist.

On this episode we get to know Mitch Vosburg, the new sports editor with a great back story.

In this episode, Joe Spear and Robb Murray discuss the Athletes of the Year awards bestowed this week on area high schoolers. They also get into the new rules governing public comment at city council meetings.

Free Press Photo Editor Casey Ek and reporter Ethan Becker take the reins on the latest episode of FreepCast. Casey checks in with Ethan, who has been at the newspaper for about a month, and talks about the latest goings on at local government meetings. Plus, Model T Fords make an appearance in town.

On this episode hosts Joe Spear and Robb Murray talk about the construction at West High School, the tragic suicide of an Amboy firefighter, and the Mankato City Council's concerns about safety in the wake of the Melissa Hortman assassination.