City Cast Twin Cities

Four candidates are running for two at-large seats on the Minneapolis School Board in November's election. Today, we hear from candidates Christin Crabtree, Michael Baskins, and Stephanie Johnson on whether they agree with the district's recent proposal to close up to 16 schools, how they would approach solving budget problems in the long term, and how they would approach recruiting new students into the district. Incumbent candidate Collin Beachy was invited to join the forum as well, but he was unable to attend. 

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⁠Long-awaited Minneapolis district transformation pro...

Today we take a look through recent headlines, including the Department of Justice's investigation into Rep. Ilhan Omar’s immigration papers just weeks before Election Day. We also chat with writer Morgan Grayce Willow about “Nick of Time,” a new book from the University of Minnesota Press, which brings together the stories of women 65 years and over. Plus, City Cast contributor and restaurant critic Kirstie Kimball of beyondbeurreblanc. is tired of restaurants selling us “girl dinner.”

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Nick of Time (University of Minnesota Press)

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Today we dig into how to make the most of Restaurant Week in the Twin Cities with food writer and City Cast contributor Kirstie Kimball of beyond beurre blanc. Then, baseball enthusiast and glove repair shop owner Jimmy Lonetti stops by with his definitive ranking of the best bars in the Twin Cities to catch a game. Finally, journalist and Prince scholar Andrea Swensson and musical icon Lori Barbero join to play "First Ave or Fictional Ave" ahead of the "Made Here, Heard Everywhere" exhibit at the Galleria in Edina.

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When writer Alyssa Joy Miller talks about how her parents chose to raise her in North Minneapolis, it’s shocking to some. But was it the right choice? In the wake of journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones’ piece in the New York Times, Alyssa reflects on how her family found belonging and safety in a neighborhood where others only saw violence. Plus, Jada Pulley of Queer and Funny Improv Festival talks about their biggest year yet. 

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It's Friday, so we kick off today's episode with some Twin Cities Wins – a roundup of good news from around the metro this week. Then, we chat with Harry Gao, an instructor at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, about how the teachers are negotiating for more pay and protections from AI in their work. Artistic Director of TaikoArts Midwest Jennifer Weir also joins the conversation to discuss Swingposium – an immersive performance by TaikoArts Midwest, Theater Mu, and San Jose Taiko that combines taiko, jazz, and swing dance to tell the story of how Japanese Americans maintained morale in W...

For years, Minneapolis and St. Paul residents have read Naomi Kritzer’s election guides to parse through hyper-local races. Ahead of the midterms, she joins the show to talk about how she endorses candidates. Plus, Minneapolis Public Schools’ superintendent is taking school closures off the table. But there’s still more work ahead. Finally, the Theater of Public Policy hosted a debate between Rep. Cedrick Frazier and former Acting U.S. Attorney Anders Folk. We rewind on a critical moment. 

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Federal agents raided Rep. Ilhan Omar's Washington, D.C., home over the weekend, and President Trump urged non-Somali Minnesotans to "fight back" against Somali Minnesotans just a few days earlier. Mosques and some Somali-owned businesses are ⁠beefing up security measures⁠ and some neighbors are ⁠rebooting patrols⁠ that started during Operation Metro Surge. Also, gas prices are up – so we interviewed Lonnie McQuirter of ⁠36 Lyn Refuel Station⁠ on what that's like for a local gas station operator. And we released a new Neighborhood Session today! Tune in to see Society of Chemists play some ripping jazz fusion at Indeed Brewing's distribution w...

Catch live horror at Twin Cities Horror Fest beginning this Friday through Halloween. Directors Duck Washington and Nissa Nordland highlight shows you can’t miss, whether you’re thirsty for gore or looking for something family-friendly. Plus, author Sasha Maria Suarez’s new book “An Ojibwe Home in the City” details how generations of Ojibwe women created a home for their community and tribal members in the Twin Cities. In the birthplace of the American Indian Movement, she writes how Ojiwe women quietly but powerfully refused to let their culture and knowledge disappear. 

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Now that Minnesota has mandated that all schools have policies on cell phones, which ones stand out? A strong example is St. Paul Central High School, which is going into the second year of a strict no-phone policy and has lots of positive feedback to show for it. Sean McPherson joins David to talk about how the school is succeeding at enforcing a phone-free school environment, the surprising ways that some students approach it, and how these kinds of bans can even affect adults like Sean.

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It's Friday, so we're celebrating some Twin Cities Wins! We're rounding up some good things that happened around town this week. Later, we talk with DJ Stage One about Twin Cities Hip Hop Day, which is happening on Sunday at the Minnesota Historical Society. Chef Imani Jackson of Chopped and Served also joins the conversation to share how she has built a business around her Blewish (Black and Jewish) traditional cuisine.

Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode:The ‘Gay Bowl’ flag football championship is coming to Minnesota for the first time (MPR News)

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Three hospital mergers have been announced just this year, leading to labor unrest and what’s believed to be the state’s first doctor’s strike. Contributor Clint Combs explains why union hospital workers walked off the job in September. Plus, we ask our contributors: what’s your most surprising political takes? Try this with your friends – but we’re not responsible for your relationship afterwards. 

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Allina Hospice Nurses Strike Overtime Pay (Minnesota Spokesman Recorder) 

Healthcare mergers in Minnesota and what it means for patients (MPR...

Today we're revisiting a few conversations about hyper-local Halloween costume ideas, Bon Iver's super catchy jingle for a Stillwater bar's "Meatloaf Dippers," and food critic Kirstie Kimball's top 5 matchas in the Twin Cities.

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Bon Iver Made a Jingle for a Local Bar’s Meatloaf Dippers (Pitchfork)

Best Matcha in the Twin Cities (City Cast Twin Cities)

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Today, we get into Minnesota's Attorney General race with contributor Tane Danger, break down the judicial candidates nobody's talking about, and ask whether gas prices could actually swing the election. Contributor and musician PaviElle French and host Sean share their top five weekly live music events in the Twin Cities — the kind of low-key, high-reward spots where you become a regular. Then, Natalie Jablonski and Madeleine Baran of the acclaimed podcast In the Dark join to talk about "The Journey," the new season hosted by New Yorker staff writer Ava Kofman.

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Today we dig into an investigation of how the Minneapolis Police Department spent nearly $2 million in overtime in just four days following the ICE killing of Renée Good with veteran journalist Molly Priesmeyer revealing surveillance overreach, ignored 911 calls, and a department breaking its own rules. Then, Luke Hanson, co-chair of Sustain St. Paul, explains why 50-year-old zoning laws are the reason you can't build a corner bookstore next to a duplex and what the city's T-district study could change. Plus, the mailbag overflows with Peanuts sculpture tips, and we’re grateful for them!

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The report on St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her’s conduct just dropped. Findings by an external law firm cleared the mayor of sexual harassment allegations, but found multiple instances where she behaved inappropriately. BTW, taxpayers will foot the bill for the mayor’s legal defense. Plus, Renée Good’s family is suing the federal government, and we take a bike ride through St. Paul with City Council President Rebecca Noecker.

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'We are in a horrible position': St. Pau...

After St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her announced that closing the Dayton's Bluff Library would be a part of her proposed city budget, neighbors quickly organized a campaign to save it. One such neighbor was Stephanie Harr, and she joins the podcast today to talk about what went into the successful campaign to convince the city to keep the Dayton's Bluff Library open. Rep. Spencer Igo, who represents District 7A in the Iron Range, also joins the conversation to talk about an amendment to the state constitution that will provide more funding for schools without raising any taxes if voters...

As Minneapolis Public Schools considers closing schools, we reached out to parents to understand how it will impact their families. Shakiya Carter and Alyssa Olson share their frustrations with the district’s communication, and the difficulties of talking to their children about losing their school. Then, we gear up for October with local leaf-peeping spots, outdoor scary movies, and a puppet extravaganza. 

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Your Guide to the Twin Cities in October 

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Something about spotting a Snoopy sculpture tucked into an unexpected corner of the cities just hits different, and Sean has been gleefully building out his personal Top 5 list of Peanuts sculptures still scattered across the Twin Cities more than 25 years after they first appeared. He's joined by Jeff Freeland Nelson, founder of toy company YOX and the guy who helped make the whole sculpture project happen on the ground in St. Paul. Then, Sean and contributor Tane Danger dig into the political fallout from the Minneapolis Public Schools "transformation" plan, what the Henry v. Her investigation could reveal about...

We dive into all the ways to catch a movie in the Twin Cities with Racket co-owner Keith Harris as our Yoda. After the Cities Church protest, DHS set independent journalist Georgia Fort squarely in their sights. City Cast contributor Clint Combs reports the government used an obscure tariff law to subpoena Fort’s phone records. How does that affect freedom of the press? 

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Georgia Fort Phone Records DHS Investigation (Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder)

I...

Less than a week after St. Paul's top human resources official announced that Mayor Kaohly Her did not sexually harass employees (but did create an "uncomfortable work environment"), St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry filed a lawsuit against the mayor and the city. Sean is joined by producers Adam Sage and Tiffany Bui to discuss the lawsuit, which sharply escalates claims Henry previously made in an official complaint. Later, Nadira McGill of Gully Boys, the Twin Cities United Performers, and Minnesota United Performers joins the conversation to talk about MNUP's statewide tour to organize musicians that includes a concert...

Racket published a masterlist of what to do in the Twin Cities this fall. Like a leaf pile, we dive in headfirst. Plus, Racket writer Betsy Hoody details the humiliation ritual of having to pester a bartender to put on the Lynx game (despite them being the winning-est team in Minnesota!). Renée Good's mom and brother testified in front of Congress earlier this week, demanding accountability for her killing. They were joined by Stella Carlson, who captured Alex Pretti’s last moments on video. No Republicans attended the hearing.

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We're just over a month out from Election Day, and recent polling from KSTP and co/efficient show statewide races tightening across Minnesota. Contributor and political moderator Tane Danger joins the podcast to discuss what these polls show and why the shift may be happening. Later, we kindly remind our listeners NOT TO PICK UP ANIMALS OFF THE SIDEWALK after a Minneapolis bat recently tested positive for rabies. MinnPost reporter Trevor Mitchell also joins the conversation to break down a new Minneapolis noise ordinance that affects how loud Ring Doorbells are allowed to be when they yell at passersby.<...

City Cast contributor and food critic Kirstie Kimball delivers her definitive top 5 matchas in the Twin Cities. Then, Minneapolis School Board Director Sharon El-Amin and Hennepin County Commissioner District 2 candidate Irene Fernando each make their case ahead of November 3, weighing in on the HERC incinerator, HCMC's financial future, and what county government can actually do for residents.

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Today we are revisiting this delightful episode where we tackle winter coping mechanisms and ask a rotating cast of contributors: what would you actually do with one day of unchecked mayoral power? Hear their wildly varied visions for what the Twin Cities could look like under their (brief) executive reign. 

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It’s Fridayyy. MSP is once again the best airport in North America, and we celebrate some other Twin Cities Wins. We also have a special treat for those of you who text us. Finally, we interview Abdihakim Ibrahim, a former member of the St. Louis Park School Board, who is running to be District 3’s commissioner in Hennepin County. 

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⁠2026 North America Airport Satisfaction Study - JD Power⁠

⁠Christian Castro, accused of lying about Minneapolis ICE shooting, b...

On Tuesday night, Minneapolis Public Schools unveiled their plan to close up to 16 schools in hopes of "right-sizing" the district due to low enrollment. Sahan Journal education reporter Becky Dernbach joins the podcast to break down what the district is lobbying for and how the community is responding. Sean fills us in on the second beloved St. Paul institution to be facing foreclosure this week: HmongTown Marketplace. Later, local relationship coach Jordan Czerner Garcia shares some tricks to implement and common pitfalls to avoid for strong, fulfilling relationships.

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Justin Vernon of Bon Iver created a meatloaf jingle for Howard’s Bar in Stillwater. Bar owner Adam To explains how the meatloaf dippers captured the hearts of patrons. The Chroma Zone Mural & Art Festival is later this week, which transforms an industrial neighborhood of St. Paul into an outdoor gallery. Mike Davis of the graphic design studio Burlesque talks about bringing together 70 plus large murals for this festival. Plus, we pitch some topical Halloween costume ideas. 

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Summit Brewing, one of Minnesota's largest and oldest breweries, is in danger of losing control of their operations after BMO Bank ⁠filed a lawsuit⁠ against them for missing a major loan payment. Contributors Em Cassel and PaviElle French chat with Sean about what could be next for Summit, and Em recounts her ⁠wonderful and harrowing experience⁠ attempting the Race Across Duluth bike race this past weekend. Later, journalist Clint Combs joins the conversation to explain his ⁠recent reporting⁠ on how the Department of Homeland Security is using facial recognition technology as a part of their operations to spy on Minnesotans...

Two candidates are vying for the same Ramsey County Commissioner seat, and we sit down with each of them to find out what they'd actually do with the job. St. Paul City Council President Rebecca Noecker and State Representative María Isa Pérez-Vega both make their case on housing, ICE enforcement, property taxes, and why county government matters more than most people realize.

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⁠Meet Your Candidates: City Cast Twin Cities' 2026 Election Interviews⁠

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Yesterday, local grilled cheese restaurant and nonprofit social enterprise All Square celebrated 10 years of empowering people who have been impacted by the criminal legal system to get back to their families and their lives. We talked with All Square CEO Maya Pennington about how their restaurant provides jobs for formerly incarcerated folks and other initiatives of the nonprofit including their partnership with St. Paul’s Mitchell Hamline School of Law to help people earn law degrees while they are incarcerated. Later, Risky Connections founder Hailey Sprinkel comes on the show to talk about the viral sapphic speed dating events sh...

St. Paul neighbors don’t want the H Line on their street, and Minneapolis council members want to regulate Waymo. We dig into the bubbling transportation debates. Plus, ever been to an art park? Or listened to the sounds of nature in concert? Veteran musician James Everest is bringing a permanent sound garden to Caponi Art Park in Eagan. 

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Minnesota's new school bus safely law is in effect. Here's what to know. (CBS Minnesota) 

Minneapolis may...

The 2026 Minnesota State Fair is over, and boy did it have some drama this year! Host Sean McPherson and contributor Tane Danger dig into the most drama-filled headlines from this year’s fair. Then, Star Tribune political columnist Rochelle Olson breaks down the governor's race, the fraud-heavy Republican pitch, and why Twin Cities legislators have long irritated their Capitol colleagues. Plus, Mohannad Ghawanmeh, executive director of Public Art St. Paul, previews the Wakpa Triennial Festival – a month-long public art event launching this weekend on the St. Paul riverfront.

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Today, we tackle winter coping mechanisms and ask a rotating cast of contributors: what would you actually do with one day of unchecked mayoral power? Hear their wildly varied visions for what the Twin Cities could look like under their (brief) executive reign. 

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It’s been about a month since the City of St. Paul closed the Pig’s Eye encampment on Fish Hatchery Road. A new encampment formed on Shepard Road, and Kat Hunter of Rising Waters Mutual Aid followed to help. Then, local filmmaker Alec Fischer is bringing your State Fair memories to the big screen. The Fair Documentary captures the traditions and rituals, new and old, of this beloved Midwestern event. Plus, contributor PaviElle French’s three-hour journey to get into the State Fair underscores how dang hard it’s gotten to park there. 

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With the State Fair in full swing, concerns about gang violence have brought a record number of officers to the fairgrounds, and some unexpected federal agents spotted near the entrance. Host Tiffany Bui, filling in for Sean, breaks it down with contributor Tane Danger, then welcomes community organizer Lisa Crawford to talk about Southside Back in the Day, the beloved free festival returning to Phelps Park for its 17th year. Plus, local food writer and former cheesemonger Roseanne Pereira makes the case for getting a little wild with your Labor Day cheese board.

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Today we’re revisiting an episode wherein a South Minneapolis sex store used their virality and social media reach to fundraise hundreds of thousands of dollars in mutual aid during Operation Metro Surge. We dive deep into the story of Smitten Kitten, and how they went from almost closing forever to rallying a community behind them. Their partnership with a nonprofit serving Somali women shows how perceived differences fall away in moments of crisis, and why anyone can answer the call to service. 

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The City Cast team tried foods new and old at the State Fair this week. We defend some eye-brow raisers and muse that you can indeed bring your own whipped cream. Plus, it’s pre-fall; check out these parks, concerts, and Oktoberfests before it gets too cold. We wrap with a story about why Anoka County is beefing with Anoka the city, in a perennial reminder to electeds to be careful about what they text. 

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DoRe #MeToo started six years ago, featuring femme performers reclaiming sexist rock songs to fundraise for abortion access. The show returns at the Parkway Theater on Sept. 12. DJ Tricky Miki tells us there’s no shortage of Rolling Stones songs that fit the bill. Producer Adam Sage is bringing our version of Tiny Desk to the Twin Cities. Our first Neighborhood Sessions featured local rapper GR3G and his band at Recovery Bike Shop. Plus, your State Fair takes and a plea to buy the CC Club. 

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A massive Meta settlement is sending $214 million to Minnesota. What does that mean for how kids actually experience social media? St. Paul Central Principal Cherise Ayers joins to talk about the school's strict phone-away policy, AI in the classroom, and why consistency is the answer to chaos. Then Patina Park, Chief Operating Officer of NATIFS, previews Indigenous Peoples' Day at the Minnesota State Fair, and host Sean McPherson and contributor Tane Danger give you a couple of Twin Cities wins (and one loss!). 

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Indigenous Peoples Day a...

Church bells toll at 8:26 a.m. today in remembrance of the mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church one year ago. Sean talks about the fear and hope of sending your child off to school in America. We also talk to Minnesota treasure Kevin Kling ahead of his show at Open Eye Theater, celebrating 50 years of his storytelling work. Plus, will Amber of Twin Cities Toilet Paper divulge her number one place to go number two at the State Fair?

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