Minnesota's Most Notorious: Where Blood Runs Cold

Crossing Jimmy Hoffa w/ Steven J Harper

My guest is Steven J. Harper, author of Crossing Hoffa: A Teamster's Story. His father, Jim Harper, was a member of Minneapolis Teamsters Local 544 who uncovered evidence of corruption within the union. In the late 1950s, he brought this information to the attention of the newly elected Teamsters president, Jimmy Hoffa. But his efforts to confront union leadership and root out corruption were met with severe resistance, including threats and even attempts on his life. More about the book at the author's website: https://www.stevenjharper.com/contact The book is available to purchase through the Minnesota Historical Society gift shop here: https://shop.mnhs.org/products/crossing-hoffa?srsltid=AfmBOooRjR8SomcEVQ_Y0WBg_gQgatZQiMX_2R4cZptmjaVTBa7nVNT It's available on ebook on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Crossing-Hoffa-Teamsters-Steven-Harper-ebook/dp/B01MT6I3B4/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Murder of Ruth Munson w/ Roger Barr

One of Minnesota's most fascinating unsolved murder cases began on the morning of December 9, 1937, when firefighters discovered the charred body of 31-year-old Ruth Munson in an abandoned Saint Paul hotel. As the investigation deepened, evidence would surface that suggested that Ruth had lived a very secret life.My guest, Roger Barr, is the author of "A Murder on the Hill: The Secret Life and Mysterious Death of Ruth Munson." He utilized an extensive collection of police files to piece this 1930s-era investigation together.Purchase the book here through the MNHS Press website: https://shop.mnhs.org/products/a-murder-on-the-hillPrefer the ebook version? You can get it here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Hill-Secret-Mysterious-Munson-ebook/dp/B0CTPYV2HN Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 1916 Iron Ore Strike w/ Gary Kaunonen

On June 2, 1916, forty mostly immigrant mineworkers at the St. James Mine in Aurora, Minnesota, walked off the job. This seemingly small labor disturbance would mushroom into one of the region’s, if not the nation’s, most contentious and significant battles between organized labor and management in the early twentieth century.My guest, Gary Kaunoen, is an International Falls labor historian and author of the book "Flames of Discontent: The 1916 Minnesota Iron Ore Strike". He talks about the origin of the conflict, the Finnish immigrant miners who fought mining company forces with help from the Industrial Workers of the World (aka "The Wobblies"), and how the deadly conflict ultimately ended. The author's University of Minnesota Press page: https://www.upress.umn.edu/book-division/books/flames-of-discontentNorthern Minnesota's Labor Wars: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AklJBH6SBGA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Scandalous Rise & Stunning Fall of Minneapolis' Metropolitan Building w/ Larry Millett

My guest is prolific author Larry Millett. His knowledge of Twin Cities architecture and history is unequalled in Minnesota, and he has used his knowledge to write some of the best local history books in the last thirty years.  We initially discuss downtown Minneapolis' lost crown jewel, the spectacular Northwestern Guaranty Loan Building (which would later become the Metropolitan) and how it was built through the shady dealings of real estate speculator Louis Menage - only to be torn down in 1962, along with the tragic destruction of the rest of the historic Gateway District.  He documents its existence in his book "Metropolitan Dreams: The Scandalous Rise and Stunning Fall of a Minneapolis Masterpiece". Then we move on to some of his other fascinating books, including "Strange Days, Dangerous Nights: Photos from the Speed Graphic Era", "Murder Has a Public Face: Crime and Punishment in the Speed Graphic Era", and his series of novels that brings Sherlock Holmes to Minnesota to solve crimes. More about Larry Millett can be found here at his website, including his history blog: https://www.larrymillett.com/If you'd like to begin his Sherlock Holmes series, the first book is called "Sherlock Holmes & the Red Demon". Buy it at your local bookstore or here: https://www.amazon.com/Sherlock-Holmes-Fesler-Lampert-Minnesota-Heritage/dp/0816674833 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Camilla Hall & the SLA w/ Rachael Hanel

It was a question asked by many Minnesotans in 1974, including her parents. How could Camilla Hall, the sweet and caring daughter of a small-town Lutheran pastor, become a member of the radical Symbionese Liberation Army? The abductors of Patty Hearst? The gun-toting militants who would end up battling police to death in Los Angeles?My guest is award-winning Mankato author Rachael Hanel, author of "Not the Camilla We Knew: One Woman's Path From Small-Town America to the Symbionese Liberation Army". She tells us about Camilla and her journey from Minnesota social worker to member of Los Angeles's notorious SLA.The author's website:  https://www.rachaelhanel.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices