Episodes

May 29, 2025
May 29, 2025
19 min
On this episode of FreepCast, we dispense with the usual format to introduce you to the newest, freshest face in the Free Press newsroom: Leah Call.
Leah graduated form Utah State University and was born and raised in Ketchikan, Alaska, and will bring a ton of new energy to our evolving newsroom.

May 23, 2025
May 23, 2025
15 min
On this episode, Joe and Robb talk baseball, and a great story in the print edition this week by Edie Schmierbach about a rural Minnesota cemetery caretaker.

May 15, 2025
May 15, 2025
26 min
Recent court cases, an appearance by an award-winning author and ways to have fun with the family this summer were among the topics discussed on the latest episode of FreepCast.

May 9, 2025
May 9, 2025
21 min
On this episode we get into: a pair of court cases that grabbed headlines this week, the continuing saga plaguing international students and progam cuts at MSU.

Apr 30, 2025
Apr 30, 2025
22 min
In this episode, Free Press Managing Editor Joe Spear and reporter Robb Murray discuss the latest news coming out of the Mankato city government, including an addition $1 million in overlooked costs. Also discussed: A former Mankato East hoopster transfers to the U, and a Hairball concert announcement.

Apr 24, 2025
Apr 24, 2025
18 min
In this episode, Free Press Managing Editor Joe Spear and writer Robb Murray break down some of the biggest stories of the week, including the arrest of a man who was supposedly/allegedly/reportedly planning/contemplating/considering a mass shooting. They also talk about a game called Senior Assassins being played by area teens, and the reMARKable story by our beloved writer Mark Fischenich about a heart attack with a happy ending.

Apr 10, 2025
Apr 10, 2025
36 min
This is a special episode of FreepCast. In light of the ICE crackdown international students — including students at MSU and SCC — we brought in Will Coghill Behrends, MSU's dean of global education, who shed much-needed light on what's going with students here and across the country.

Apr 4, 2025
Apr 4, 2025
19 min
On this episode we get into the recent activity at Minnesota State University involving international students and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency. We also discuss Bob Dylan's third visit to Mankato, which happens Friday!

Mar 27, 2025
Mar 27, 2025
24 min
There's another proposal for what to do with the scenic, storied and unique part of Mankato known as Good Counsel, and this one so far hasn't seen the resistance we saw with the last one.
Also discussed: The lack of a town hall meeting from First District Rep. Brad Finstad.

Mar 19, 2025
Mar 19, 2025
22 min
On this episode of FreepCast, Joe Spear and Robb Murray discuss the murder that took place at the Madison Avenue Kwik Trip.
Also discussed: Madelia and Mankato East High School basketball.



