Stories from the State Fair

Pronto pups or corn dogs? Ye Old Mill or Mouse Trap? Crop art or Fine Arts Building? These are the sorts of debates that arise every year at the Minnesota State Fair.

Usually, they are relegated to family squabbles or friendly banter. But this year, MPR brought them to the Minnesota Public Radio stage and put them in front of two folks — one a Republican, one a Democrat, and both co-hosts of the podcast “Wrong About Everything” — for an entertaining debate about things that absolutely don’t matter.

From left to right: Amy Koch, Javier Morillo and Mike Mulcahy at the MPR Booth on Aug. 28 at the Minnesota State Fair.

Tom Campbell | MPR

At noon on Monday, MPR News host Jacob Aloi guides you through a special broadcast from the The Great Minnesota Get-Together — conversations, stories and events all held at the fair.

First, a lively and somewhat civil debate from the 2025 Low-Stakes Debate from MPR News. Later, Anika Besst tells us how a Minnesota beekeeper makes State Fair ribbon-winning honey.

Then, we round out the hour with Minnesota Now host Nina Moini and her Out to Lunch conversation with Malorie Thorson, Princess Kay of the Milky Way.

Malorie Thorson, the 72nd Princess Kay of the Milky Way, sits down for lunch at the MPR Stage with Minnesota Now host Nina Moini.

Tom Campbell | MPR News

Guests:

• Amy Koch, former Minnesota Senate Majority Leader and a conservative strategist at Hylden Advocacy and Law.

• Javier Morillo, former labor organizer and progressive strategist.

• Mike Mulcahy, former MPR host and senior editor.

• Malorie Thorson, the 72nd Princess Kay of the Milky Way.

Listen to the special broadcast live on the radio or on our website. The broadcast will be added to this story when audio is available.