Episodes

  • The NEW FreeCast, Episode 25 — John Brady and the canine kerfuffle
    Nov 20 2024

    John Brady, former Mankato mayor and current president of the board of directors at the Blue Earth Nicollet County Humane Society, stopped by chat about what's going on at BENCHS. A great conversation with a good dude.

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    39 mins
  • The NEW FreepCast, Episode 24 — Humane society, major development, mental illness
    Nov 13 2024

    Mental health coverage, a new manufacturing expansion and the local humane society troubles are featured topics in the latest episode.

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    25 mins
  • The NEW FreepCast, Episode 23 — #ELECTIONS2024
    Nov 7 2024

    In the journalism world, there's not bigger night than an presidential election. Managing Editor Joe Spear and photographer Casey Ek talk about covering the races as well as other news, including layoffs at KEYC and the story of a young boy who received a heart transplant.

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    25 mins
  • The NEW FreepCast, Episode 22 — Election talk with election guru Mike Stalberger
    Oct 30 2024

    On this episode of we take a deep dive on the elections with Blue Earth County's Mike Stalberger. Also, reporters Holly Marie Moore and Brian Arola join Managing Editor Joe Spear in a discussion about partisan groups influencing the non-partisan school board race.

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    47 mins
  • The NEW FreepCast, Episode 20 — We talk SPORTS with special guest Chad Courrier.
    Oct 16 2024

    In this episode of FreepCast we've got special guest Free Press Sports Editor Chad Courrier. Chad takes us behind the scenes a bit on the annual Jug Game between Mankato East and West, and the special guest that brought heightened security to the game.

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    34 mins
  • The NEW FreepCast, Episode 19 — More Dam talk, new top cop
    Oct 10 2024

    In this episode we discuss the continued love affair Mankato has with the beloved Dam Store. We also talk a bit about Mankato's new director of public safety.

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    18 mins
  • The NEW FreepCast, Episode 18 — Some *Dam* good news!
    Oct 2 2024

    In this episode of FreepCast we trumpet the return of the Dam Store to the site of the former Wagon Wheel restaurant in downtown Mankato.

    We also discuss the felony charges filed in the case of the dog that was shot in South Bend Township back in March, the highly anticipated decision on the hiring of the new director of public safety, and the city of Mankato making affordable housing a priority.

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    21 mins
  • The NEW FreepCast, Episode 17 — Ricky Necessary, Jr., former fentanyl user, talks about drug use, recovery
    Sep 26 2024

    This week on FreepCast, we're doing something a little different.

    Reporters Brian Arola and Robb Murray sat down with Ricky Necessary, Jr., an Ohio native who has lived in Minnesota for several years. His experience, struggles and nightmares with drug use are a cautionary tale. You won't want to skip this one, folks. This interview was part of our ongoing coverage of the fentanyl crisis and its impact on southern Minnesota.

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    49 mins