Author • Communications • Media • Research
On Friday, July 18, at 12:49 AM, a masked individual set off an explosive—possibly a large firework or incendiary device—inside my trash can outside my home.
The explosion and ensuing fire destroyed the can, damaged our driveway, and burned my lawn. My family is safe, but shaken. I’m declining at this time to speculate on a possible motive publicly, but let me be very clear: this was a targeted explosion and fire at my home. This was arson.
In their 150th episode of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky, hosts Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb celebrate the podcast’s growth, highlight past guests and panels, and thank their families.
Next, they interview Minnesota native and independent journalist Aaron Rupar. Rupar recounts his path from local media to ThinkProgress and Vox, and to his Substack Public Notice, explaining how he pioneered real-time political video clipping, his daily workflow, platform engagement, and how he decides what to amplify while managing competitiveness and mental health.
Afterward, Becky and Michael break down the dispute between President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV over the war in Iran, Trump’s attacks, and Trump’s posting an AI image of himself as Jesus Christ.
They discuss recent fundraising totals for major statewide races in Minnesota and criticize a Star Tribune column that claims Republicans are “ducking” the press, arguing that fundraisers are typically private and that the piece lacked context.
The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky will return with a new episode next week!
Get full access to On The Record with Michael Brodkorb at michaelbrodkorb.substack.com/subscribe
On this episode of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky, hosts Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb welcome back Erich Mische, the CEO of SAVE — Suicide Awareness Voices of Education — a Minnesota-based national suicide prevention nonprofit, to discuss his Star Tribune op-ed arguing for “Big Tobacco”-style accountability for Big Tech.
Erich also discusses how his organization is navigating social media company partnerships, beginning to refuse funding and partnerships, and recommends that others do the same. They also highlight SAVE’s upcoming Bright Night event on Saturday, April 11th.
Becky and Michael then recap President Trump’s primetime address on Iran, saying it raised as many questions as answers about goals and timeline, and connect it to polling headwinds for Republicans, including declining support among men.
They close with a Minnesota-focused discussion of ICE’s Operation Metro Surge, citing reporting that most arrests involved people without criminal records and debating mission, trust, and consequences.
The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky will return with a new episode next week!
Get full access to On The Record with Michael Brodkorb at michaelbrodkorb.substack.com/subscribe
Welcome to another episode of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky! This week, hosts Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb interview first-time guest Chris Madel, a Minneapolis trial attorney and former Republican candidate for Minnesota governor. In December 2025, Madel entered the GOP gubernatorial primary, campaigning on fighting government fraud, supporting law enforcement, and cutting state government costs.
Madel explains why he entered politics after representing law enforcement officers and seeing major problems, including fraud and leadership failures, and describes how Operation Metro Surge and reports of pretextual traffic stops targeting Hispanic and Asian officers shaped his views. Madel discusses how loyalty demands to President Trump make it difficult to win a Republican endorsement or compete in suburbs, argues the party is broken and needs more reasonable voices, and outlines positions on abortion, guns, and immigration.
Michael and Becky next break down recent polls on Americans’ views of the Iran war, President Trump, the issues, and the upcoming midterms.
The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky will return with a new episode next week!
Get full access to On The Record with Michael Brodkorb at michaelbrodkorb.substack.com/subscribe
Welcome to another episode of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky! This week, hosts Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb discuss the escalating conflict with Iran and Operation Epic Fury.
Becky and Michael debate whether to call it a war, criticize inconsistent administration messaging, and discuss rationales cited for the strikes, regime-change rhetoric, and concerns about casualties, including initial reports of an errant military strike on a girls’ school.
The episode then shifts to Minnesota politics, focusing on Rep. Meg Luger-Nikolai’s comment about possibly quintupling vehicle registration fees and the broader taxes-versus-fees debate, before closing with forecasts and banter about an incoming Minnesota snowstorm.
The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky will return with a new episode next week!
Donate: The family of 39-year-old Sgt. First Class Nicole Amor is fundraising to build a greenhouse in her honor and support a local nonprofit, Garden-in-a-Box.
Get full access to On The Record with Michael Brodkorb at michaelbrodkorb.substack.com/subscribe
Welcome to another episode of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky! Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb return after a week off for a packed episode covering President Trump’s State of the Union, including viewership trends, Democratic absences, key policy themes like immigration and affordability, and the Democratic responses.
Becky and Michael discuss the U.S. House Oversight Committee hearing featuring Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison, alongside a new report alleging that Minnesota leaders failed to act on major fraud, and debate the need for clearer solutions, such as creating an independent Office of Inspector General in Minnesota.
They also examine a Star Tribune article on Minnesota Republicans recalibrating abortion messaging versus policy, and analyze Rep. Angie Craig’s op-ed regretting her vote for the Laken Riley Act amid Minnesota ICE raids and her Senate primary against Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan.
They close by noting a developing military engagement in Iran and the death of Army Reserve Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor from White Bear Lake, Minnesota.
The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky will return with a new episode next week!
Get full access to On The Record with Michael Brodkorb at michaelbrodkorb.substack.com/subscribe
Welcome to another episode of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky! In this episode, hosts Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb interview Minnesota State Senator Matt Klein, a physician and chair of the Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee, who is also running for Congress in Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District.
Klein describes the opening days of the 2026 legislative session as emotional and bipartisan, including tributes to Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, a celebration of Sen. John Hoffman’s return, and recognition of the late Sen. Bruce Anderson.
He outlines his committee priorities, including data privacy, stopping “dynamic/surveillance pricing,” cracking down on cryptocurrency kiosks targeting seniors, and adding oversight to prediction markets operating in Minnesota.
Klein emphasizes his bipartisan approach and discusses a proposed two-year lobbying ban, as well as support for bipartisan legislation to establish an independent Office of Inspector General in Minnesota to address fraud and rebuild public trust after significant misuse of public programs.
Klein explains why he is running for Congress in Minnesota’s Second District, citing his medical background and the need to address looming healthcare challenges such as Medicaid cuts, misinformation about public health, and threats to rural hospitals and nursing homes; he also discusses his grassroots “pop-up town halls” approach and endorsements from across the Democratic spectrum.
The episode addresses immigration enforcement and ICE, with Klein calling for organizational reform, a review of civil liberties violations in Minnesota, and legislation to designate hospitals, clinics, and schools as protected spaces.
After the interview, Becky and Michael reflect positively on Klein’s bipartisan style and “bedside manner,” then discuss the start of the 2026 Minnesota Legislative Session.
They analyze expectations for a lame-duck Gov. Tim Walz, predict the session’s partisanship will increase, and explore parallels between fraud oversight and ICE oversight as trust-in-government issues. They also discuss how lawmakers running for higher office may affect session dynamics, make predictions about what might pass (including the Inspector General bill and technical fixes), identify issues that could dominate messaging (bonding, sanctuary city debates), and identify sports betting as a potential sleeper issue.
Join us for a sharp, fast-moving conversation breaking down the latest in politics, policy, and the stories shaping the moment.
The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky will return with a new episode next week!
Get full access to On The Record with Michael Brodkorb at michaelbrodkorb.substack.com/subscribe
Welcome to another episode of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky! This week, hosts Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb dive into the highlights of Super Bowl weekend, including their take on the halftime show controversy, commercials, and snacks. They welcome their first candidate interview of 2026, Dr. Scott Jensen, who discusses his campaign shift from a gubernatorial run to a run for state auditor.
Dr. Jensen shares his strategy for the 2026 election, focusing on state audits and advocating for common-sense governance.
Becky and Michael also break down recent Star Tribune poll results on immigration and Trump’s policies, and discuss the implications of Operation Metro Surge drawdown. Tune in for a lively discussion on politics, policy, and current affairs.
The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky will return with a new episode next week!
Get full access to On The Record with Michael Brodkorb at michaelbrodkorb.substack.com/subscribe
Welcome to another episode of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky! This week, hosts Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb discuss the recent update on Operation Metro Surge, noting a partial drawdown of 700 officers statewide and the introduction of body-worn cameras for ICE agents in Minneapolis.
Switching gears, they break down the 2026 precinct caucuses for both parties and analyze the gubernatorial straw poll results. The episode highlights Senator Amy Klobuchar’s entry into the Minnesota Governor’s race, touching on new polling numbers and campaign strategy.
Finally, Becky and Michael examine the race for the open U.S. Senate seat left by Tina Smith, discussing the key candidates and the dynamics within the Democratic Party.
Tune in for an insightful conversation about Minnesota’s political landscape!
The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky will return with a new episode next week!
Get full access to On The Record with Michael Brodkorb at michaelbrodkorb.substack.com/subscribe