City Cast Twin Cities

Good pop-ups are restaurant quality. We’ll talk about the ones worth waiting down the block for. Election Day is closer than you think, and with all the big-ticket races you might miss the ones that really matter close to home. Here’s why you should pay attention to who's your county commissioner. Finally, we’re joined by Francesca Fiorentini, host of the podcast The Bitchuation Room. Catch her at the Parkway Theater with special guests Sen. Zaynab Mohamed and comedian Lizz Winstead.

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

⁠Become a City Cast Twin Cities Neighbor⁠

⁠The Bitchuation Room LIVE⁠

Pop-ups to follow: ⁠@_fish_food812⁠, ⁠@bangkoksweetheart.mn⁠, ⁠@ratio.matcha.mpls⁠, ⁠@cafecitohouse⁠, ⁠@brookefaudree⁠ for Tatin

Learn more about the sponsors of this August 19th episode:

⁠Ordway Center for the Performing Arts⁠

⁠Science Museum of Minnesota⁠

⁠Xcel Energy⁠

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.

Today we are revisiting a conversation about what makes Duluth punch so far above its weight in music and arts. We’ll head north with Kristi Olson, publisher of the biweekly print zine On the Record, who maps out the Duluth arts scene and shares what's worth catching this summer. Then, Duluth fiddle artist and NPR Tiny Desk Contest winner Gaelynn Lea joins to talk about her debut memoir “It Wasn't Meant to Be Perfect”, a candid look at music, disability, and life as a touring artist.

Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode:It Wasn't Meant to Be Perfect (Gaelynn Lea)

On the Record Zine (Kristi Olson)

Duluth Homegrown Music Festival

Magic Smelt Parade (Visit Duluth)

Become a City Cast Twin Cities Neighbor

Learn more about the sponsors of this August 18th episode:

Ordway Center for the Performing Arts

Science Museum of Minnesota

Xcel Energy

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.

Today, we dig into Minneapolis's long-running and expensive ShotSpotter gunshot detection program with Ella Stern of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, then historian Drew M. Ross joins to unpack the swindles, land grabs, and bitter rivalries that explain why Minneapolis and St. Paul never merged into one city. Plus, hear guitarist Conor Lee perform an original composition on the White Squirrel patio.

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

⁠Following policing and surveillance concerns, Minneapolis to receive audit of ShotSpotter technology ⁠(MSR)

⁠Conor Lee⁠

⁠Become a City Cast Twin Cities Neighbor⁠

Learn more about the sponsors of this August 17th episode:

⁠Ordway Center for the Performing Arts⁠

⁠Science Museum of Minnesota⁠

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.

With the State Fair just around the corner, Minnesota and Ramsey County are taking an unusual legal step – suing two local gangs to stop a brawl that one of them literally advertised on social media. We’ll break down what the civil gang nuisance law actually does and why the Somali community has real reason to be nervous, then we’ll sit down with Eric Harris Bernstein, vice president of the Minneapolis Board of Estimate and Taxation, to untangle a $32 million budget gap, a double-digit property tax hike, and what it means that a police department keeps blowing past its budget. Plus, a rousing game of Hot Dish Hushhh (for members only!), and find out why Sean thinks “squash is trash”.

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

Become a City Cast Twin Cities Neighbor

Bauhaus Brew Labs will reopen on August 15, 2026

Injunctions banning Somali gangs from State Fair receives support from community members (Sahan Journal)

State, Ramsey County sue gangs to prevent MN State Fair violence (Pioneer Press)  

Minnesota State Fair assistant police chief sues Ramsey County sheriff for retaliation (MPR News) 

Twin Cities Somali leaders criticize Ramsey County sheriff's approach to youth gang violence (MPR News) 

Minneapolis mayor proposes millions in cuts, over 100 job cuts and 11.3% property tax increase (Star Tribune)

Frey outlines new approach to Minneapolis police spending for 2027 city budget (MPR News)  

Eric Harris Bernstein on police spending (Instagram)

Judge: St. Paul ‘right to repair’ measure must appear on November ballots (Star Tribune)

New Twin Cities LGBTQ magazine set to launch this October (Star Tribune)

Learn more about the sponsors of this August 14th episode:

Ordway Center for the Performing Arts

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.

Have you ever watched a primary election this closely? From the voter turnout to the candidates, Tuesday’s election was historic. We run down the results and what they mean. Plus, theater critic Wesley Hortenbach and Racket editor Jessica Armbruster have watched a lot of shows at Fringe Fest. Here’s what’s worth seeing. A new way to get farm-to-table produce has arrived in the Minneapolis Lynnhurst neighborhood. Lily Gross opened Radish Farm Stop, which makes it easier for small farmers and producers to reach customers. 

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

Become a City Cast Twin Cities Neighbor

The latest: Minnesota primary election (MPR News)

Minnesota Primary Results 2026: Senate, House and Governor  (Associated Press)

Ramsey County to get a new commissioner, replacing 30-year veteran (Pioneer Press)Watership Down

Magical Athlete Stadium Showdown

1 Hour Left to Live: A One Puppet Show by That Felt Good

I Will Become The Silver Surfer. I Will Protect You.

First Bite: Radish Farm Stop (Mpls - St. Paul Magazine)

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

Learn more about the sponsors of this August 13th 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.

Minnesota's thriving THC beverage industry is under threat of a looming federal ban that is set to go into effect on November 12. Indeed Brewing Chief Business Officer Ryan Bandy is on the podcast today to talk about how that would impact breweries, and why a proposed 30-day delay on the ban is actually a pretty big deal. Also, Sean chats with contributor Tane Danger about a tenants' "Right to Repair" ballot measure that will go to St. Paul voters after advocates collected over 5,300 signatures and won a lawsuit against the city.

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

State Supreme Court denies St. Paul's last ditch effort to remove right to repair ballot measure (MPR News)

Judge orders St. Paul to put Tenant Right to Repair initiative on November ballot (KARE 11)  

What a federal ban on THC-infused drinks and snacks could mean for the hemp industry (MPR News)

Senate Continues Spending Bill Talks Today—Here's The Hemp Ban Holding It Up (Forbes)

Spending Bill with Hemp Extension Passes the Senate (Amy Klobuchar)

Become a City Cast Twin Cities Neighbor

Learn more about the sponsors of this August 12th 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.

Late-night hangs don’t have to center alcohol. Writer Ali Elabbady tells us about how Yemeni, Egyptian, and Somali coffee shops are bringing back third spaces. Plus, it’s primary day, where voters decide which party candidates will compete in the general election. We sit down with two more candidates; Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan is running for the U.S. Senate seat, and Kendall Qualls is running for governor. Hear each candidate’s top priorities for Minnesota. 

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

Become a City Cast Twin Cities Neighbor

Slow Down! Cultural Cafes Are Offering Places to Settle in With Friends (Racket)

Qualls and Lindell pitch ‘radical change’ in vision for governor’s office (Star Tribune) 

Learn more about the sponsors of this August 11th 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.

Minnesota's Office of Restorative Practices funds and coordinates restorative approaches across pretrial diversion, juvenile justice, schools, and community violence prevention. Alica Nichols leads the office, and she joins the podcast today to talk about what restorative justice looks in violence prevention and in healing communities after violence has taken place. Later, Rep. Angie Craig talks about what she would prioritize if elected as a U.S. Senator, and state Rep. Cedrick Frazier discusses how he would lead if elected as Hennepin County Attorney. Minnesota's primary elections are tomorrow – find your polling place here, and make a plan to vote. You can see transcripts of all of our interviews with candidates this election season here.

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

Minnesota's Office of Restorative Practices

Angie Craig

Cedrick Frazier 

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

Become a City Cast Twin Cities NeighborWant 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.

As much as you love the Twin Cities, city living inherently means sharing space and resources with your neighbors, and y’all certainly have complaints, questions, and quandaries. On today’s very first call-in episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz is joined by Bridget Todd, host of City Cast DC, and Jane C. Hu, host of City Cast Seattle, to respond to your dilemmas, from when it’s acceptable to intervene on a bike path to what to do about that neighbor who really lets it all hang out.

Have more city dilemmas? Send them in for our next call-in show.

Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now! 

We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter

Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

What’s new at the State Fair? Maria Hayden from the Minnesota State Fair tells us about the ‘America Wheel’ for the country’s 250th birthday and more things to check out when you go. Thomas Berry, vice president of the Minneapolis NAACP, says the city has yet to relocate residents who want to leave Heritage Park. Cat Polivoda-Grae of Cake Plus-Size Resale and Fat Beach Day has created welcoming spaces based on fat liberation. Finally, we’re interviewing primary candidates for state and local offices. Our first is Hao Nguyen, who is running for Hennepin County Attorney. 

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

⁠Become a City Cast Twin Cities Neighbor⁠

⁠Minnesota State Fair app⁠

⁠Residents frustrated with slow pace of repairs, relocations from troubled Mpls housing complex⁠ (MPR News)

⁠Fat Beach Day⁠ - August 9 

⁠Hao Nguyen⁠

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.