CRABBY EXCLUSIVE: Jen Merrill, From the Cockpit to the Third Precinct: A Minneapolis Cop’s View from the Other Side of the Riots

CRABBY EXCLUSIVE: Jen Merrill, From the Cockpit to the Third Precinct: A Minneapolis Cop’s View from the Other Side of the Riots

Author: PodMN | Hubbard Radio August 19, 2026 Duration: 1:02:59
This week on News from the Crabby Coffee Shop, Kenny and Jay sit down with Jen Merrill. A Minneapolis Police officer, military helicopter pilot, Iraq and Afghanistan veteran, and longtime Third Precinct officer. Jen takes us inside life on the force before, during, and after the George Floyd riots. She shares what it was like working out of the Third Precinct, the same station that became a national flashpoint and was ultimately overrun and burned. Standing on the opposite side of the crowds, the chaos, and the flames consuming parts of the city, she gives access into the behind the curtain workings of the department. From the realities of day-to-day policing in Minneapolis to the intense, personal experience of defending order when large parts of the city were on fire, Jen offers a firsthand account rarely heard in the mainstream.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There’s a particular kind of clarity that comes with a good grumble, especially when it’s served with a laugh. That’s the atmosphere you’ll find each week on News from the Crabby Coffee Shop, a podcast from PodMN and Hubbard Radio. Hosts Kenny Olson of Garage Logic and former KSTP TV reporter Jay Kolls lean into their roles as seasoned curmudgeons, brewing up steaming hot takes on the issues and concerns of the day that are truly worth griping about. Their conversations feel like pulling up a chair at a familiar diner, where the news of the world-from Minnesota politics to global headlines-gets filtered through a lens of sharp wit and genuine exasperation. They’re often joined by a rotating cast of their so-called "famous" "friends," adding more voices to the mix. The charm of this podcast lies in its commitment to finding humor in the daily absurdities, arguing that no topic is too small for a proper grouse. It’s a refreshingly honest and consistently funny take on current events, perfect for anyone who prefers their news analysis with a strong dose of personality and a side of sarcasm.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

News from the Crabby Coffee Shop
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