City Cast Twin Cities

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. Senator? Will Republicans reconsider their messaging and strategy? Veteran political reporter Mary Lahammer from Twin Cities PBS joins us to prognosticate on what the results tell us about voter priorities. Take a swig each time we say “tri...

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 Flanagan’s win for a U.S. Senate seat, the DFL's path to another trifecta, and tight local races from Hennepin County to Ramsey County. Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode: Minnesota general election results 2026 (Star T...

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 in the middle of the school year. The district is short on funding as after Operation Metro Surge, they have less English language learners enrolled than projected. Sahan Journal education reporter Becky Dernbach joins today's episode to bre...

Last month, a Cornell University student testified she’d been sexually assaulted by several frat brothers. Minnesota Daily journalist Kyra Deters reports that students at the University of Minnesota took to the streets in solidarity. Will this case change how colleges address rape culture? Plus, writer Taylor Dahlin helps us brace for impact before Election Day, and Lonely’s Bar in St. Anthony Mai...

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 term skyrocketed after Republican Congressman Tom Emmer made it one of his main talking points. Today, Molly joins the podcast to talk about the real-world consequences that can be caused by framing a story the wrong way, and how media outlets...

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. Reporter Brian Martucci explains how election officials are bracing for federal interference, and why that’s extraordinary. Plus, Inkwell Booksellers Co. hosted a midnight release party for the new “A Court of Thorns and Roses.” In the digital ag...

Incumbent school board member and board Treasurer Abdul Abdi and challenger Ben Lattimore are running against each other to represent Northeast and Southeast Minneapolis on the Minneapolis Public Schools Board. Today, they both join the podcast to discuss how they would govern if they win next week's election. Later, Minnesota-born comedian Chloe Radcliffe talks about her new comedy special from C...

Gary Hines, music director for Sounds of Blackness, has your new Election Day anthem. Major hospital mergers are shaking up healthcare in Minnesota. Wanda Malden and Dr. Matt Hoffman are with the Save MN Healthcare coalition, pushing for a legally binding contract to protect patients and workers. Plus, Kara Swisher is returning to Minneapolis for an Election Day podcast show.  Learn more abou...

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 in the City,” which 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 Ojibwe women quietly but powerfully r...

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 friends. Expect a show showcasing disability culture, in all its beauty and diversity. Plus, the 15 people facing conspiracy charges after Operation Metro Surge made their first court appearance. We’ll talk about how that case led to the cou...

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 i...

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 cri...

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 Barbe...

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 abo...

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 discus...

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....

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 intervie...

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 membe...

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...

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 Jewi...

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...

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. Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode: Bon Iver Made a Jingle for a Local Bar’s Meatloaf Dippers (Pitchfork) Best Matcha in the Twin Cities (City Cast Tw...

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, N...

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 r...

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 Pres...