City Cast Twin Cities

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City Cast Twin Cities episodes

May 12Legislature Might Pass Zero Bills. Plus, the Best Sports Ticket in Town
The Minnesota Legislature has six days left to get anything done before the May 17th deadline, but with no budget requirement this session, lawmakers might not pass anything significant at all. Host Sean McPherson talks with former DFL state senator Jeff Hayden and Republican lobbyist Brian McDaniel about what's passed, what's still possible, and how leadership is managing the session with a lame-duck governor and a speaker running for governor. Plus, Sean shares why Lynx games are the best sports ticket in the Twin Cities this summer.
Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode:
Five things to watch heading into the Minnesota Legislature’s final week (Star Tribune)

MN Lynx schedule

Become a City Cast Twin Cities Neighbor
Learn more about the sponsors of this May 12th episode:
Ordway Center for the Performing Arts

Northeast Tea House
Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastTwinCities on Instagram, or email us at [email protected]. You can also call or text us at 612-217-0637.
For more Twin Cities news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, City Cast Twin Cities.
Looking to advertise on City Cast Twin Cities? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.
39 min
May 11Art-A-Whirl Tips, Mosquito Outlook, and Big Trouble in Little Canada
Art-A-Whirl is coming to Northeast Minneapolis, and we get insider tips from producer Tiffany Bui on the best art events, from disco cowboy activities at the Flux Arts Building to dog lick art at Logan Park. We also hear from Mir Bear-Johnson from the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District on the summer mosquito outlook, and journalist Cole Hanson reveals how residents at a Little Canada manufactured home park are fighting water bills that tripled overnight due to unpermitted meter installations.
Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode:
Art-A-Whirl Sites 2026

Art-A-Whirl Activities 2026

Sign up to make a mosaic (Sharra Frank Mosaics)

ARTLESQUE 2026: A Dark Mythology Burlesque Show

Disco Cowboy Art-A-Whirl at the Flux

Earl A Whirl

How to Borrow a Bike (Sparcle / Recovery Bike Shop)

Tips for a Mosquito-Free Yard (Metropolitan Mosquito Control District)

Big trouble in Little Canada: Water bills at manufactured home park skyrocket after unpermitted work (Minnesota Reformer)

Become a City Cast Twin Cities Neighbor
Learn more about the sponsors of this May 11th episode:
Ordway Center for the Performing Arts

Northeast Tea House
Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastTwinCities on Instagram, or email us at [email protected]. You can also call or text us at 612-217-0637.
For more Twin Cities news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, City Cast Twin Cities.
Looking to advertise on City Cast Twin Cities? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.
37 min
May 08Planning the Perfect Mother's Day. Plus, the State of Mpls and a Horny Turkey
Mayor Jacob Frey delivered his state of the city address this week, focusing on public safety, affordable housing, and business support – but will his agenda work with a more progressive city council? The team also celebrates 50 rescued beagles coming to Twin Cities shelters, cries over Lloyd the loneliest turkey, and discusses an Airbnb host turning guest leftovers into care packages for unhoused neighbors. Plus, listeners share their dream Mother's Day plans and restaurant recommendations. And if you’re a City Cast Neighbor, you’ll get to listen to a special members-only conversation about our bedtime beliefs!
Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode:

Mayor Frey's 2026 State of the City Address (City of Minneapolis)

Ridglan Farms Beagles heading to Animal Humane Society (Animal Humane Society)

Lloyd the loneliest Turkey (Star Tribune)

Minneapolis Air BnB Host turns leftover food into care packages for the unhoused (Washington Post)

Become a City Cast Twin Cities Neighbor
Learn more about the sponsors of this May 8th episode:
Ordway Center for the Performing Arts
Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastTwinCities on Instagram, or email us at [email protected]. You can also call or text us at 612-217-0637.
For more Twin Cities news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, City Cast Twin Cities.
Looking to advertise on City Cast Twin Cities? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.
32 min
May 07MPS’s $21M Accounting Mistake. Plus, the Future of MN Weed
Minneapolis Public Schools mysteriously "found" $21 million during a $50 million budget crisis, but deeper financial chaos reveals years of mismanagement, missing healthcare funds, and IRS penalties. We explore the district's struggles with federal cannabis regulations threatening local hemp businesses, and highlight the upcoming Riot Mom Art and Self Care Festival on St. Paul's West Side.
Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode:
⁠⁠⁠⁠Riot Mom Art & Self Care Fest⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Backpocket Vintage⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Budget update: Special education revenue⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Minneapolis Public Schools)

⁠⁠⁠⁠IRS penalties, blistering external audit, mysterious deficit: Chaos in the finance department of Minneapolis Public Schools⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Racket MN)

⁠⁠⁠⁠Minneapolis Public Schools paid $5.3 million in tax penalties in past four years⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Minnesota Reformer)

⁠⁠⁠⁠The Future of MN’s Weed Biz Is Looking Good—Unless the Feds Kill It All⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Racket)

⁠⁠⁠⁠Become a City Cast Twin Cities Neighbor⁠⁠⁠⁠
Learn more about the sponsors of this May 7th episode:
⁠⁠⁠⁠Ordway Center for the Performing Arts⁠⁠⁠⁠
Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastTwinCities on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠, or email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠. You can also call or text us at 612-217-0637.
For more Twin Cities news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, City Cast Twin Cities.
Looking to advertise on City Cast Twin Cities? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at ⁠⁠⁠⁠citycast.fm/advertise⁠⁠⁠⁠.
38 min
May 06Minneapolis is Opening its Doors. Plus, a Northeast Café Fighting Back
Doors Open Minneapolis is back this weekend with 75 venues across the city unlocking their doors for free, giving you access to places you'd never otherwise get inside. Today we've got Heidi Swank, Executive Director of Rethos, walking us through where to go, how to plan your day, and some of the coolest new additions this year. Then we sit down with Stephanie March of Salt Cure Restaurant Recovery Fund and Melissa Borgmann of Café Marguerite to talk about the Salt Cure Restaurant Recovery Fund and how the Twin Cities food community rallied together in the wake of Operation Metro Surge. Plus, City Cast is hosting an event at Café Marguerite on May 12th. Come hang with us! And a quick sports update: the Wolves bandwagon is getting full. Jump on now.
Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode:
City Cast at Cafe Marguerite

The Salt Cure Restaurant Recovery Fund

“This Is What It Means to Be Minnesotan” (ProPublica)

Become a City Cast Twin Cities Neighbor

Doors Open Minneapolis
Learn more about the sponsors of this May 6th episode:
Ordway Center for the Performing Arts
Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastTwinCities on Instagram, or email us at [email protected]. You can also call or text us at 612-217-0637.
For more Twin Cities news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, City Cast Twin Cities.
Looking to advertise on City Cast Twin Cities? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.
39 min
May 05Are the Twin Cities #1 for Women’s Sports? Plus, What To Buy Right Now at the Farmers Market
As spring ramps up, you might be wondering what the best produce to get at farmers markets is – besides ramps of course! City Cast Twin Cities Host Sean McPherson gets the down low from beyond beurre blanc’s Kirstie Kimball on what to snag and how to act (please don’t try and barter with the farmers) at our farmers markets. Plus Saara Hassoun, president of our USL W Soccer team the Minnesota Aurora, gets into why the Twin Cities might be America's best metro area for women athletes … and what we could still improve. Finally, we open up a big, overflowing mailbag and Executive Producer Anna Weggel gives her cottage cheese power ranking.
Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode:
Guide to Mill City Market (beyond beurre blanc)

3 Places to Get Local Vegetables All Year Long (beyond beurre blanc)

Aurora FC
Learn more about the sponsors of this May 5th episode:
Ordway Center for the Performing Arts
Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastTwinCities on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠, or email us at ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠. You can also call or text us at 612-217-0637.
For more Twin Cities news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, City Cast Twin Cities.
Looking to advertise on City Cast Twin Cities? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at⁠⁠⁠ citycast.fm/advertise⁠⁠⁠.
36 min
May 04Don’t Fall For These Scams! Plus, St. Paul's (Un)banned Influencer
Take heed as we dig into the world of scams with contributors sharing their own tales of getting duped, from garage door schemes to fake e-vites to the classic "car got towed" con. Then Axios reporter Kyle Stokes breaks down the messy saga of TikTok star Josh Liljenquist, who was banned from St. Paul parks for allegedly exploiting homeless encampment residents for content, only to have the ban reversed six days later.
Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode:
St. Paul parks ban TikTok star who gives to homeless people (Axios)

St. Paul lifts park ban on TikToker Josh Liljenquist (Axios)
Learn more about the sponsors of this May 4th episode:
Ordway Center for the Performing Arts
Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastTwinCities on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, or email us at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠. You can also call or text us at 612-217-0637.
For more Twin Cities news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, City Cast Twin Cities.
Looking to advertise on City Cast Twin Cities? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at⁠⁠ citycast.fm/advertise⁠⁠.
39 min
May 01May Day Strike, Grooming Felony Bill Passes, HCMC Gets $150M
It's May Day, and organizers are calling for no work, no school, and no shopping. Sean and PaviElle dig into the history and meaning of one-day strikes. Then they’ll share a handful of Twin Cities wins including a show recommendation, HCMC funding, and the Minnesota House's unanimous 133-0 vote to make child grooming a felony. Finally, Melissa Townsend, Senior Audio Producer at the Star Tribune, joins to talk about Essential Minnesota, the Strib's new weekly podcast that goes deep on one important local story at a time. BONUS CHAT: If you’re a Neighbor, you can stick around for a discussion where the team shares genuinely helpful mental health tune-ups for spring.
Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode:
Working-Class Resistance Forced ICE Out of Minneapolis (Jacobin)

The History and Meaning Behind Minnesota's General Strike and Economic Blackout (MPR News)

Some Businesses That Closed for Minnesota General Strike Won't Shut Down for National One (CBS News)

Minnesota Senate approves funding to rescue Hennepin Healthcare from closure (CBS News)

Senate Passes Bill to Stabilize HCMC and Struggling Minnesota Hospitals (MN Legislature)

Minnesota bill that would make grooming a felony unanimously passes House (CBS News)

HMong Futures: The Future of Us (Theater Mu)
Learn more about the sponsors of this May 1st episode:
TaskRabbit

Ordway Center for the Performing Arts

Minnesota Opera
Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastTwinCities on ⁠Instagram⁠, or email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠. You can also call or text us at 612-217-0637.
For more Twin Cities news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, City Cast Twin Cities.
Looking to advertise on City Cast Twin Cities? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at⁠ citycast.fm/advertise⁠.
31 min
April 30Big Tomato Conspiracy, Theater Bag Essentials, and Must-Dos for May
We kick off May in the Twin Cities with a curated guide to the month's best activities, including theater recommendations, Cinco de Mayo, and Art-A-Whirl. Sean, Anna and Tane dive into Minnesota Statehood Day traditions and social media controversy over gardening. Then, they open up an overflowing mailbag with listener feedback on everything from Boundary Waters mining to transit dreams, plus ice cream recommendations and Mother's Day planning tips.
Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode:
May in the Twin Cities (City Cast)

The Wizard of Oz (Children’s Theater)

Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women (Guthrie Theatre)

Minnesota State Capitol's Unique Electrolier (Minnesota Senate Media Services)

Mayday Parade

Cinco De Mayo on the West Side (West Side Fiestas)

Art-A-Whirl Event Website (Art-A-Whirl)

Save the BWCA

Learn more about the sponsors of this April 30th episode:

TaskRabbit
Ordway Center for the Performing Arts
Minnesota Opera
Xcel Energy
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastTwinCities on Instagram, or email us at [email protected]. You can also call or text us at 612-217-0637.
For more Twin Cities news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, City Cast Twin Cities.
Looking to advertise on City Cast Twin Cities? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.
38 min
April 29Rising Xcel Bills, Street Band Fest, and How Would Klobuchar Govern?
Is your Xcel bill going up? It’s not your imagination. The utility company is allowed to temporarily raise prices on your utilities while the government considers its request for a more permanent price hike. Annie Levenson-Falk of the Citizens Utility Board shares what you should know about the increase. Plus, you’ve probably heard and seen Brass Solidarity on your social media. They’re celebrating the power of sonic resistance at MinneHONK this weekend, a festival of street bands. Finally, what would an Amy Klobuchar governorship look like? We consult our oracle Patrick Coolican, editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer.
Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode:
MinneHONK!

Citizens Utility Board

Xcel Rate Increase Public Hearings

What kind of governor would Amy Klobuchar be?
Learn more about the sponsors of this April 29th episode:
TaskRabbit
Ordway Center for the Performing Arts
Minnesota Opera
Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastTwinCities on ⁠Instagram⁠, or email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠. You can also call or text us at 612-217-0637.
For more Twin Cities news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, City Cast Twin Cities.
Looking to advertise on City Cast Twin Cities? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at ⁠citycast.fm/advertise⁠.
40 min

About City Cast Twin Cities

From the publisher's feed

Join Sean McPherson and the City Cast Twin Cities team every weekday morning as we bring you the day's conversations about life in the Twin Cities. With our cast of journalists, activists, experts and…