After Border czar Tom Homan announced that 700 immigration enforcement officers would leave Minnesota, reports emerged that county sheriffs were exploring ways to honor "ICE detainers" despite state law barring them from holding inmates beyond their release dates. It's legally complicated, and thankfully Ana Pottratz Acosta, a visiting law professor at the University of Minnesota and a lawyer specializing in immigration and human rights, was able to chat with host Sean McPherson on the podcast today to break it all down. Longtime local news producer, media consultant, and adjunct journalism professor Sam Choo and Producer Adam Sage also join the conversation to cover a new lawsuit being brought by multiple school districts against the DHS and to share some Twin Cities wins from the week.

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Tom Homan, the White House border czar, announced on Wednesday that 700 federal agents will be drawing back from Minnesota. But the president’s goal of mass deportation is still front and center. We’ll talk about how local law enforcement is collaborating with federal immigration and what Homan has to say to protesters in the streets. Director Siddeeqah Shabazz tells us about her stellar all-kid cast in “Home on The Mornin’ Train.” The play draws parallels between enslavement in 1839 Alabama and Jewish persecution in 1939 Germany. As ICE operations interrupt the day-to-day lives of schoolkids, Shabazz’s young actors are finding their voice in this timely play. 

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Learn more about the sponsors of this February 5th episode: Xcel Energy

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St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her took office just three days before Renee Macklin Good was killed by ICE agent Jonathan Ross. Today she joins host Sean McPherson and contributor Tane Danger to reflect on what has worked, what hasn't worked, and how she plans to lead the city after a chaotic first month in charge.

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Operation Metro Surge faced another test in federal court this weekend, and while a judge declined to pause the operation for now, her words signaled just how devastating its impact has been across Minnesota. We break down what the ruling actually means, why Columbia Heights schools are under intense strain, and why Liam Conejo Ramos’ return home still matters when so many other children remain detained.

Plus, the Twin Cities’ arts community gets global backup, from protest rides and singing resistance to a surprise Bruce Springsteen appearance at First Avenue. And because the Super Bowl is coming, whether you care about football or not, we’ve got our favorite takeout picks from dill pickle fried chicken to Indian comfort food to help you get through Sunday.

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Food recommendations:

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Tish Jones is an award-winning, trailblazing poet and the executive director of TruArtSpeaks. The arts collective, which focuses on nurturing young artists through the medium of hip-hop and Spoken Word, is celebrating 20 years. Jones reflects on the highlights and discusses her poem “The Children Are Watching,” performed at a Timberwolves game earlier this month. Also, we’re making “enjoy the world you’re fighting for” our mantra. MPR newsroom coordinator and contributor Denzel Belin, who coined the phrase, highlights some events to help you do just that. 

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With border czar Tom Homan now heading up ICE operations in the Twin Cities, many folks are positioning him as a more moderate voice than the previous leadership – but is that true? Host Sean McPherson is joined by contributor PaviElle French to dig into Homan's background, what he's been saying now, and why protests of ICE's occupation seem noticeably "whiter" than protests following the murder of George Floyd. Later, local rapper Nur-D joins the conversation to open up about his harrowing experience being tackled, tear-gassed, and detained by ICE last weekend when he was walking away with his hands in the air. We also hear from librettist, playwright, and television writer Harrison David Rivers about his new work that is premiering with the Minnesota Opera tomorrow. 

Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode: 

Tom Homan Is Supposed to Fix Trump’s Minnesota Crisis. His Record Raises Serious Questions. (Mother Jones)

Tom Homan is coming to Minneapolis to lead ICE. Who is he? (Star Tribune)

Border czar Tom Homan argues US justified in removing 'public safety threat' Abrego Garcia to El Salvador (ABC News)

Video shows local rapper Nur-D being aggressively detained by federal agents (Bring Me The News)

Full Video of Nur-D's Detainment - viewer discretion advised (Status Coup)

My Name Is Florence (Minnesota Opera)

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Every movement needs some music. The Twin Cities United Performers put out a call for protest music and got an overwhelming response. Organizers Nadi of Gully Boys and Dante of  Space Monkey Mafia and Runaway Ricochet talk about how musicians are meeting the moment. Plus, we’ve heard your complaints about St. Paul’s plowing. We bring on Sean Kershaw, director of Public Works for the city, who says it’s not an engineering problem, but a money problem. Finally, ICE caused an international incident in northeast Minneapolis, and Rep. Ilhan Omar stands up for herself. 

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Learn more about the sponsors of this January 28th episode:

Ordway Center for the Performing Arts

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Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino has been sent back to California, where he is expected to return to his previous job and retire soon. In the meantime, President Trump has sent in border czar Tom Homan to head up ICE's ongoing operations in the Twin Cities. Host Sean McPherson and contributor Tane Danger break down what this means for the Twin Cities, and unpack an ongoing court case that could spell the end of Operation Metro Surge. Later, acclaimed journalist and co-host of Pivot, Kara Swisher, joins the conversation to discuss the deafening silence from Twin Cities corporations over the past several weeks, and the "less than bland" open letter released by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce over the weekend.

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Learn more about the sponsors of this January 28th episode:

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Have you ever wondered which Twin Cities restaurant has the best toilet paper? Amber runs Twin Cities Toilet Paper Reviews and talks about how TP helped her find community. Em Cassel, contributor and co-owner of Racket, shares a story about how Copper Hen on Eat Street opened its doors to protesters over the weekend. We also get fancy-shmancy and predict which Minnesota restaurants and chefs will win a James Beard Award. 

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Learn more about the sponsors of this January 27th episode:

Ordway Center for the Performing Arts

Xcel Energy

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The Twin Cities are reeling after federal agents killed two residents in less than three weeks. Sean McPherson talks with Creative Producers Tiffany Bui and Adam Sage about the latest events of the weekend before we start the original episode we had planned, where poet and activist Kyle Tran Myhre discusses what artists can do in a time of crisis – from convening audiences to turning poetry, zines, and whistles into tools for community care and resistance. Plus, City Cast Contributor and MPR Newsroom Coordinator Denzel Belin joins us for a look ahead at Twin Cities events worth showing up for this week, because joy, culture, and connection still matter. And find out what event prompts producer Tiffany Bui to utter the phrase, “ as a bisexual Aquarius, I feel seen, called out, respected and feared.”

Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode:

Learn more about the sponsors of this January 26th episode:

Minnesota Opera

Ordway Center for the Performing Arts

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