Shows / City Cast Twin Cities
City Cast Twin Cities
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 residents, we celebrate our wins with beaming pride, critique our shortcomings with the attention of a seed art judge and mutter “that’s interesting” for anything in between. Alongside our daily newsletter, we put the spotlight on the news and culture of the Twin Cities from every perspective we…
Episodes
- City Cast Twin Cities
Democrats Win Big. What Will They Do Next? (w/ Mary Lahammer)
It’s blue most of the way down, as Democrats have regained control of the Legislature. What will they do with the power? Who will replace Amy Klobuchar as U.S…
- City Cast Twin Cities
DFL Trifecta is Back, With First Woman Governor
Minnesota woke up to a new political reality, and we were up at 5 a.m. to break it all down, including Amy Klobuchar's historic governor's win, Lt. Gov. Peggy…
- City Cast Twin Cities
How To Stay Engaged After Election Day. Plus, SPPS Budget Woes and Best Soups
After a five hour school board meeting filled with protesters, the St. Paul School Board decided not to eliminate about 16 English language teaching positions…
- City Cast Twin Cities
Sizzling County Politics. Plus, Local Solidarity with Cornell’s Jane Doe
Last month, a Cornell University student testified she’d been sexually assaulted by several frat brothers. Minnesota Daily journalist Kyra Deters reports that…
- City Cast Twin Cities
How the Media Legitimizes Racist Rhetoric. Plus, November's Best Concerts, Theater, and Bike Rides
Independent journalist Molly Priesmeyer recently dug into the Star Tribune's use of the term "Somali gangs" in its reporting, and found that the use of the…
- City Cast Twin Cities
The Right to Repair Your Sink. Plus, 12 AM Releases Are so Back
St. Paul, you’ll be voting on a new ordinance that would let renters make their own repairs. We’ll explain why the city is fighting this policy in court…
- City Cast Twin Cities
Mpls School Board Candidate Interviews, and Chloe Radcliffe's Very Petty Billboards
Incumbent school board member and board Treasurer Abdul Abdi and challenger Ben Lattimore are running against each other to represent Northeast and Southeast…
- City Cast Twin Cities
Get Off Ya Hands and Vote! Plus, Hospital Mergers and Kara Swisher
Gary Hines, music director for Sounds of Blackness, has your new Election Day anthem. Major hospital mergers are shaking up healthcare in Minnesota. Wanda…
- City Cast Twin Cities
Ojibwe Survival and Resistance in the Twin Cities. Plus, Free Money for Schools
Today we're revisiting two of our favorite recent interviews on the podcast. First, we hear from author Sasha Maria Suarez about her new book “An Ojibwe Home…
- City Cast Twin Cities
Disability Culture Onstage. Plus, Hennepin County Commissioner Candidate
Marion Greene represents Hennepin County’s District 3, and she makes her pitch for re-election. Duluth-based musician Gaelynn Lea is coming to the Ordway with…
- City Cast Twin Cities
Minneapolis School Board Candidate Forum
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…
- City Cast Twin Cities
Why Is Rep. Ilhan Omar Being Investigated Now? Plus, Art and Aging
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…
- City Cast Twin Cities
Top Baseball Bars, Twin Cities Restaurant Week, and (Fake) First Ave Shows
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…
- City Cast Twin Cities
Where Should I Raise My Kids? One Northside Family’s Answer
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…
- City Cast Twin Cities
St. Paul Art Crawl, MCAD Faculty vs. AI, and Taiko Drum Swing Music
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…
- City Cast Twin Cities
MPS Walks Back School Closures. Plus, Close Senate Race
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…
- City Cast Twin Cities
Why Was Ilhan Omar Raided? Plus, Gas Prices From Behind the Counter
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…
- City Cast Twin Cities
‘An Ojibwe Home in the City’ and Twin Cities Horror Fest
Catch live horror at Twin Cities Horror Fest beginning this Friday through Halloween. Directors Duck Washington and Nissa Nordland highlight shows you can’t…
- City Cast Twin Cities
‘Your City Could Be Better’: A St. Paul Cell Phone Ban Teens Might Actually Like
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…
- City Cast Twin Cities
Twin Cities Hip Hop Day, Gay Super Bowl, and Bussin' Black-Jewish Cuisine
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…
- City Cast Twin Cities
Why Nurses and Doctors Went on Strike. Plus, Surprising Political Takes
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…
- City Cast Twin Cities
Where's the Best Matcha in the Twin Cities? Plus, Hyper-Local Halloween and Bon Iver's Meatloaf Song
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,"…
- City Cast Twin Cities
Election Races to Watch, Twin Cities' Best Weekly Live Music, and In the Dark’s Journey
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…
- City Cast Twin Cities
Mpls Blew Its Overtime Budget on a Vigil. Plus, St. Paul Wants Walkable Blocks
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…
- City Cast Twin Cities
Mayor Her Investigation Released, Renée Good’s Family Seeks Justice, and Biking with Rebecca Noecker
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…
- City Cast Twin Cities
How Neighbors Saved a Library. Plus, Free Money for Schools On the Ballot
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…
- City Cast Twin Cities
‘Many Will Leave’: MPS Parents on School Closures. Plus, Your Oct. Guide
As Minneapolis Public Schools considers closing schools, we reached out to parents to understand how it will impact their families. Shakiya Carter and Alyssa…
- City Cast Twin Cities
Lakeville’s Billion-Dollar What?! Plus, MPS School Update and Top 5 Peanuts Sculptures
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…
- City Cast Twin Cities
DHS Nabs Phone Records of Indie Journalist. Plus, Film Fests!
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…
- City Cast Twin Cities
St. Paul Police Chief Sues Mayor. Plus, Musicians Fight for Living Wage
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…
- City Cast Twin Cities
Everything To Do This Fall. Plus, Renée Good’s Brother Speaks Out
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…
- City Cast Twin Cities
Klobuchar's Race Is Closer Than You Think. Plus, Rabies and Ring Doorbells
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…
- City Cast Twin Cities
Hennepin County Commissioner Hopefuls. Plus, Top 5 Twin Cities Matchas
City Cast contributor and food critic Kirstie Kimball delivers her definitive top 5 matchas in the Twin Cities. Then, Minneapolis School Board Director Sharon…
- City Cast Twin Cities
Winter is Coming. Plus, What Would You Do as Mayor?
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…
- City Cast Twin Cities
From Mogadishu to County Commissioner Hopeful. Plus, Taco Bike Ride
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…
- City Cast Twin Cities
School Closures and More Foreclosures
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…
- City Cast Twin Cities
Bon Iver's Meatloaf Jingle, Mural Art Festival, and TC Halloween Costumes
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…
- City Cast Twin Cities
The Feds Know Your Face. Plus, Trouble Brewing at Summit and a Harrowing Duluth Race
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…
- City Cast Twin Cities
Two Candidates Face Off and a Mailbag of Hot Takes
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…
- City Cast Twin Cities
10 Years of All Square, Sapphic Speed Dating, and Lake Lizzo
Yesterday, local grilled cheese restaurant and nonprofit social enterprise All Square celebrated 10 years of empowering people who have been impacted by the…
- City Cast Twin Cities
Como Ave Bus Wars, Drivers in Waymos, and Immersive Outdoor Listening
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…
- City Cast Twin Cities
Fair Drama: Stolen Posters, Failed Handshake Stunt, and a Doxxed Crop Artist
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…
- City Cast Twin Cities
What Would You Do as Mayor? Plus, Winter Coping Strategies
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…
- City Cast Twin Cities
Where Did Pig’s Eye Residents Go? Plus, The Fair Documentary
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…
- City Cast Twin Cities
Cowboy-Hat Feds at the State Fair. Plus, Southside Back in the Day and Cheese Ooze
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…
- City Cast Twin Cities
The Adult Store on the Front Lines
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…
- City Cast Twin Cities
Best/Worst Foods at the Fair, ‘Revenge’ in Anoka, Oktoberfests
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…
- City Cast Twin Cities
Reclaiming Sexist Songs at the Parkway. Plus, Hear Our Version of Tiny Desk
DoRe #MeToo started six years ago, featuring femme performers reclaiming sexist rock songs to fundraise for abortion access. The show returns at the Parkway…
- City Cast Twin Cities
Meta's $214 Million Minnesota Settlement, St. Paul's Phone-Free Schools, and Indigenous Peoples' Day at the Fair
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…
- City Cast Twin Cities
Where to Poop at the Fair. Plus, 50 Years of Storytelling
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…
- City Cast Twin Cities
Two Target Dramas, One Big Mining Ban, and Minneapolis' Lead Pipe Scramble
A racist Halloween costume lands Target in hot water AGAIN and this time teachers are calling for a full boycott. Today we dig into what the apology reveals…
- City Cast Twin Cities
State Fair Must-Eats, Union Bingo on Dan Patch, and a 4-H Musical That'll Wreck You
It's State Fair week at City Cast Twin Cities, and we’re going all in. But before the fair talk, we dig in to a stack of listener mailbags including a heads-up…
- City Cast Twin Cities
What Happens When a Restaurant Has No Prices? Plus, the Local Dinner Series Run by Grandmas
A Twin Cities dinner series is turning immigrant home cooking into radical acts of storytelling. Mecca Bos, founder of BIPOC Foodways Alliance and creator of…
- City Cast Twin Cities
A $5 Million Park Board Showdown. Plus, Pinocchio Returns to Children's Theatre
Minneapolis parks are ranked among the best in the country, so what happens when the mayor proposes cutting their funding nearly in half? Park Commissioner…
- City Cast Twin Cities
These Suburbs are More Diverse than the TC. Plus, MN's First-Ever Black Book Fair and Reuniting Pets with Deported Owners
This weekend, Minneapolis becomes home to the very first Midwest Black Book Fair. Dr. Terresa Hardaway shares how she built it (and how to get your free…
- City Cast Twin Cities
Why All Elections Should Get the MN Treatment. Plus, Pop-Ups Worth the Line
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…
- City Cast Twin Cities
Duluth's Best Kept Secrets. Plus, Gaelynn Lea On Her Debut Memoir
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…
- City Cast Twin Cities
ShotSpotter's False Positives, the Whiskey Scheme that Built St. Paul, and Korean-Inspired Live Guitar
Today, we dig into Minneapolis's long-running and expensive ShotSpotter gunshot detection program with Ella Stern of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, then…
- City Cast Twin Cities
State Fair's 'Biggest Battle,' a $32M Budget Hole, and Bauhaus Brewery's Dramatic Comeback
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…
- City Cast Twin Cities
All-Women Governor’s Race. Plus, Nudity at Fringe Fest and Radish Farm Stop
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…