
Advertise on podcast: River Radio
Rating
5from
This podcast has
104 episodes
Language
EnglishPublisher
Jim Maher & Gayle KnutsonExplicit
No
Date created
2021/01/14
Latest episode
2026/10/24
Average duration
54 min.
Release period
27 days
Description
News and information featuring interviews with prominent newsmakers from Minnesota, across the U.S. and the St. Croix Valley of Minnesota and Wisconsin. Hosted by Jim Maher and Gayle Knutson, with technical director Matt Quast.
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Check latest episodes from River Radio podcast
October 24, 2026 – A local and regional environmental update
2026/10/24
Send us your questions or comments
Hosts Gayle Knutson and Jim Maher discuss key environmental issues affecting our area. Gayle speaks with Craig Beckman and Laurel Quill of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources about plans for William O’Brien State Park, specifically Lake Alice and the St. Croix River boat launch following last year’s unintended draining of the lake (4:00). Jim gets an update on mining near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness with Chris Knopf, executive director, Friends of the Boundary Waters (26:45). Plus an update of local news (50:00). Matt Quast is technical director.
This Week’s Guests
Craig Beckman & Laurel Quill, Minnesota DNR Parks & Trails
Lake Alice-Boat Launch Photos
Chris Knopf, Friends of the Boundary Waters
Email us:
[email protected]
Government Links:
City of Marine on St. Croix
City of Scandia
May Township
Washington County
Election information – MNVotes.gov
Marine Comprehensive Plan Survey
Osceola Bridge Project
Washington County Climate Action Plan
DNR Hunting information
News links
WCCO-TV story on Fiddlehead Kitchen
KARE-11 story on Marine’s Straightest Stick contest
Event links
Arrow Broken Event with Mona Susan Power – Oct. 29
Marine Documentary Night – The Trial of Alec Baldwin – Nov. 5
Photographer Craig Blacklock – Nov. 17
Business/Organization Links:
Marine Community Library
October 7, 2026 - Marine City Council and Mayor Candidate Forum
2026/10/08
Send us your questions or comments
River Radio hosts Jim Maher and Gayle Knutson conduct a public forum (recorded at the Marine Village Hall) with mayoral candidate Dan Willenbring and two of the three City Council candidates, Rosetta Peters and Diane Mills. Matt Quast is technical director.
October 3, 2026 – The Midterms Are Upon Us
2026/10/03
Send us your questions or comments
Back for an 8th season! The Marine Community Library’s own River Radio podcast returns for Season 8 with a focus on the upcoming elections. Hosts Jim Maher and Gayle Knutson welcome Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon to discuss what voters should prepare for this election season (5:00). Then a discussion with the political roundtable of Lori Sturdevant of the Minnesota Star Tribune and River Radio national political editor Brian Gruis to preview what’s ahead on November 3 (27:00). Plus, an update of local news (55:45). Matt Quast is technical director.
This Week’s Guests
Steve Simon, Minnesota Secretary of State
Lori Sturdevant, Minnesota Star Tribune
Brian Gruis
Email us:
[email protected]
Government Links:
City of Marine on St. Croix
City of Scandia
May Township
Washington County
Election information – MNVotes.gov
Marine Comprehensive Plan Survey
Osceola Bridge Project
Highway 36/Lake Elmo Ave. Project
Event links
Marine Candidate Forum
Ryan Rodgers Program
Arrow Broken October Event with Mona Susan Power
Business/Organization Links:
Marine Community Library
Sign up for the Stillwater Tattler
May 2, 2026 – The Summer 2026 Book Show
2026/05/02
Send us your questions or comments
Jim talks to Craig Fehrman, author of the new book “This Vast Enterprise: A New History of Lewis and Clark,” about additional details he’s uncovered about this historic adventure (3:00). Gayle gets a fresh batch of summer book recommendations from Literary Fairy Godmother Pamela Klinger-Horn (28:30). Plus and update of local news (51:00). Matt Quast is technical director.
This Week’s Guests
Craig Fehrman, author, This Vast Enterprise: A New History of Lewis & Clark
Pamela Klinger-Horn, Valley Bookseller
Pamela’s Book Recommendations
Email us:
[email protected]
Government Links:
City of Marine on St. Croix
City of Scandia
May Township
Washington County
Article links
New York Times Book Review of This Vast Enterprise
Event links
Karin Winegar Program
Scandia Heritage Alliance Programs
Business/Organization Links:
Marine Community Library
Contact Linda about Volunteering at Stone House Museum/Settler’s Cabin
April 4, 2026 – Travel with Cameron Hewitt…Outdoors with Angie Hong
2026/04/04
Send us your questions or comments
Gayle talks with Cameron Hewitt, travel guidebook writer for Rick Steves’ Europe, about his best tips for travelers heading into the busy season (3:00). Jim discusses environmentally-friendly yard and garden ideas with Angie Hong, coordinator of Minnesota’s East Metro Water Education Program (30:00). Plus an update of local news (50:30). Matt Quast is technical director.
This Week’s Guests
Cameron Hewitt, Rick Steves’ Europe
Angie Hong, East Metro Water Resource Education Program
Email us:
[email protected]
Government Links:
City of Marine on St. Croix
City of Scandia
May Township
Washington County
Previous River Radio Shows
March 21, 2026 program featuring Keith Ellison and John Tunheim
Feb. 14, 2026 featuring Secretary of State Steve Simon
April 3, 2021 show with Cameron Hewitt
April 23, 2022 show with Cameron Hewitt
Feb. 1, 2025 program featuring Rick Steves
Business/Organization Links:
Marine Community Library
Registration for Arrow Broken Writer’s Workshop at Marine Library
Midco Scandia Service Expansion Map
Midco Signup for Eligible Scandia Residents
March 21, 2026 – Attorney General Keith Ellison and Judge John Tunheim
2026/03/21
Send us your questions or comments
In a time when legal matters are at the forefront, Jim and Gayle welcome two of Minnesota’s most prominent legal figures. This show features conversations with Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison about the follow-up to ICE’s Minnesota incursion and his office’s ongoing challenges to Trump administration actions (3:15); and U.S. District Judge John Tunheim, one of many federal judges at the center of recent notable court rulings (26:45). Plus, an update of local news (50:00). Matt Quast is technical director.
This Week’s Guests
Keith Ellison, Minnesota Attorney General
John Tunheim, U.S. District Judge, District of Minnesota
Email us:
[email protected]
Government Links:
City of Marine on St. Croix
City of Scandia
May Township
Washington County
Event Links
St. Croix Valley Big Read
Once Upon A River Event in St. Croix Falls
Previous River Radio Shows
Our First Show – March 28, 2020
Feb. 14, 2026 featuring Secretary of State Steve Simon
Business/Organization Links:
Marine Community Library
Marine Mills Folk School Board Application
February 28, 2026 – Fixing Lake Alice and Mining Near the BWCAW
2026/02/28
Send us your questions or comments
Gayle speaks with Stacy Smith, DNR Acquisition and Development Program Supervisor, about plans to address the inadvertent draining of Lake Alice in William O’Brien State Park (3:45). Jim discusses efforts to reverse a mining ban now in effect in the Superior National Forest, next to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, with Kevin Proescholdt, Conservation Director, Wilderness Watch (24:00). Plus, an update of local news (46:15). Matt Quast is technical director.
This Week’s Guests
Stacy Smith, Minnesota DNR
Kevin Proescholdt, Conservation Director, Wilderness Watch
Email us:
[email protected]
Government Links:
City of Marine on St. Croix
City of Scandia
May Township
Washington County
Article/Letter Links:
Dave McGrath Op-Ed –“They Don’t Tell You How Fun the Resistance Can Be”
Marine City Council Letter to National Park Service
Business/Organization Links:
Marine Community Library
Stillwater Tattler Subscription Page
February 14, 2026 – Hidden Figures....Outright Threats
2026/02/14
Send us your questions or comments
Gayle explores the lives of Minnesota residents who are afraid to leave their homes, speaking with a Latin American native who is reluctant to leave her Minnesota home (3:30). Jim talks to Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon about threats to a free and fair election in November (13:30). Matt Quast is technical director.
This Week’s Guests
Maria, immigrant in Minnesota
Steve Simon, Minnesota Secretary of State
St. Thomas study on non-citizen voting
Email us:
[email protected]
Government Links:
City of Marine on St. Croix
City of Scandia
May Township
Washington County
Business/Organization Links:
Marine Community Library
January 24, 2025 – Local Learnin’ and Lutefisk
2026/01/24
Send us your questions or comments
River Radio’s focus turns local this week. Jim talks with Dr. Curtis Windham, Executive Director, Marine Village School (1:45). Gayle learns about what it takes to put on Christ Lutheran Church’s Swedish (Lutefisk) Dinner from Cheryl Reinitz (24:00) and Mark Rossi (34:15). Plus a news update (46:00). Matt Quast is technical director.
This Week’s Guests
Dr. Curtis Windham, Executive Director, Marine Village School
Cheryl Reinitz, Christ Lutheran Church
Mark Rossi, Christ Lutheran Church
Email us:
[email protected]
Government Links:
City of Marine on St. Croix
City of Scandia
May Township
Washington County
National Park Service Comprehensive River Management Plan
Previous Shows
Jan. 17, 2026 program on Minnesota’s ICE Invasion
Jan. 29, 2022 program with Chad Salmela
Feb. 26, 2022 program with Kris Hansen
Feb. 10, 2024 program on America’s gambling addiction
Event Links
Dakota Culture and Urban Ecology Walk
Arrow Broken Poetry Collective
Red Cross Blood Drive at Christ Lutheran Church
Business/Organization Links:
Marine Community Library
January 17, 2026 – Minnesota's ICE invasion
2026/01/17
Send us your questions or comments
In this special episode, Jim and Gayle explore the rapid escalation of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities across Minnesota. Guests include St. Paul City Council Vice President Hwa Jeong Kim detailing what’s happening in her area of the city (3:00); Washington County Board Commissioners Fran Miron and Bethany Cox talking about ICE activities in our area (20:00); and immigration attorney Marc Prokosch to discuss ICE’s stepped-up activity and what people need to know about immigration law (37:00). Matt Quast is technical director.
This Week’s Guests
Hwa Jeong Kim, Vice President, St. Paul City Council
Fran Miron, Washington County Board Commissioner
Bethany Cox, Washington County Board Commissioner
Marc Prokosch, Managing Attorney, Prokosch Law LLC
Marc’s extended presentation on Current Status of Immigration Law
Email us:
[email protected]
Government Links:
City of Marine on St. Croix
City of Scandia
May Township
Washington County
News Links
Washington Post stories on ICE targeting indigenous Americans
PBS Newshour story on ICE activities in Twin Cities
Event Links
Dakota Culture and Urban Ecology Walk
Business/Organization Links:
Marine Community Library
December 13, 2025 – The food show
2025/12/13
Send us your questions or comments
Jim talks to Paris-based journalist Julia Belluz, co-author of “Food Intelligence: The Science of How Food Both Nourishes Us and Harms Us" (1:40); Gayle talks to recently retired Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema about his fascinating life reviewing food and restaurants (23:00). Also included is an update of local news (51:45). Matt Quast is technical director.
This Week’s Guests
Julia Belluz, Journalist and Co-Author, Food Intelligence
Julia’s NYT Op-Ed, “The French Secret to Eating Healthy”
Tom Sietsema, Food Critic
Email us:
[email protected]
Government Links:
City of Marine on St. Croix
City of Scandia
May Township
Washington County
Donation Links
Marine Village School Double Down Challenge
Marine Community Library Donation Page
Event Links
Marine Documentary Night – Jan. 15, 2026 – YOU GOT GOLD trailer
Bill Simpson’s Top Books of 2025
Previous Shows
November 8 show with DNR officials on Lake Alice
November 22 book show
Business/Organization Links:
Marine Community Library
November 22, 2025 – The holiday book show
2025/11/22
Send us your questions or comments
Jim talks to author Jack El-Hai about his book, “The Nazi and the Psychiatrist,” the basis of the current movie NUREMNERG (3:00); Gayle gets a list of holiday book recommendations from local literary fairy godmother Pamela Klinger-Horn (28:00). Also included is an update of local news (51:00). Matt Quast is technical director.
This Week’s Guests
Jack El-Hai, Author, The Nazi and the Psychiatrist
Jack’s original article that led to the book
Pamela Klinger-Horn, Valley Bookseller
Pamela’s List of Book Recommendations
Email us:
[email protected]
Government Links:
City of Marine on St. Croix
City of Scandia
May Township
Washington County
Glacial Hills Regional Trail Long-Term Plan
Donation Links
Holiday Hope Wish List
Marine Community Library Donation Page
Event Links
Marine Documentary Night – December 4
Arrow Broken Poetry Collective – December 5
Library Family Fun Night and PJ Storytime – December 12
Previous Shows
January 2022 program with Chad Salmela talking about Jessie Diggins
February 2022 program with Kris Hansen talking about Jessie Diggins
Business/Organization Links:
Marine Community Library
Join the Library’s Email List
November 8, 2025 – A local environmental update
2025/11/08
Send us your questions or comments
Jim and Gayle update the local environmental scene, including the latest on the status of Lake Alice at William O’Brien State Park after the lake’s unintentional draining in August. Guests include DNR Resource and Asset Management Official Kelli Bruns (2:30); Greg Seitz, founder of the weekly online newsletter and email St. Croix 360 (17:30); and Laurie Schneider, Founder and Program Director, Pollinator Friendly Alliance (34:00). Also included is an update of local news (52:00). Matt Quast is technical director.
This Week’s Guests
Kelli Bruns, Minnesota DNR
Greg Seitz, St. Croix 360
Laurie Schneider, Pollinator Friendly Alliance
Email us:
[email protected]
Government Links:
City of Marine on St. Croix
City of Scandia
May Township
Washington County
Donation Links
Marine Community Library Donation Page
Vote for the Library at River Market Coop
Event Links
William O’Brien State Park hunt
Business/Organization Links:
Marine Community Library
Stillwater Tattler Sign Up
October 18, 2025 – Journalist Lori Sturdevant on the legacy of former Congressman Martin Sabo and the state of politics today.
2025/10/18
Send us your questions or comments
Jim and Gayle welcome longtime Minnesota Star Tribune political reporter and columnist, and River Radio political roundtable member Lori Sturdevant for an extended discussion. They talk about her newest book, Martin Sabo: The Making of the Modern Legislature. The conversation continues with Lori’s take on the current political environment. Matt Quast is technical director.
This Week’s Guest
Lori Sturdevant, Political Columnist, Author, Martin Sabo, The Making of the Modern Legislature
Email us:
[email protected]
Government Links:
City of Marine on St. Croix
City of Scandia
May Township
Washington County
Event Links
Replay of Where the Waters Remember: Dakota Life Along the St. Croix
Business/Organization Links:
Marine Community Library
October 11, 2025 – Minnesota’s forgotten bestselling nature writer and the state of today’s farm economy.isode
2025/10/11
Send us your questions or comments
Gayle speaks with author David Hakensen about his new book, HER PLACE IN THE WOODS: THE LIFE OF HELEN HOOVER (3:30). Jim discusses the state of the farm economy today with agricultural journalist Brian DeVoer of the Land Stewardship Project (25:00). Plus, an update of local news (47:00). Matt Quast is technical director.
This Week’s Guests
David Hakensen, Author, Her Place in The Woods: The Life of Helen Hoover
Brian DeVore, Managing Editor, Land Stewardship Project
Email us:
[email protected]
Government Links:
City of Marine on St. Croix
City of Scandia
May Township
Washington County
News Links
New York Times on Lake Alice
Washington Post on Lake Alice
Event Links
Courthouse by Candlelight registration
Business/Organization Links:
Marine Community Library
Podcast reviews
Read River Radio podcast reviews
Billbiter 2021/04/16
The Podcast that Punches Above its Weight
For a show that is ostensibly about local matters in the St. Croix Valley, River Radio consistently brings in a broad range of guests (often with high...
DMorales123 2021/02/13
Informative and down to earth
Gayle and Jim are marvelous show hosts. I very much enjoy the mix of global scale stories and small town charm. They always invite very engaging guest...
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