City Cast Twin Cities

You don’t have to rewind time to rent physical copies of movies. Contributor and Racket co-owner Em Cassel tells us about Saturn Video, which hopes to combine video rentals with a cafe for the ultimate third space. We also pick our top five vintage stores to fit any aesthetic you’re looking for. Plus, the Trader Joe’s vs Aldi rave at First Ave is an April Fools’ joke turned real. We play a game wi...

Harry Singh brought previously unheard of levels of spice to Minnesota when he opened his Caribbean restaurant in Minneapolis over 40 years ago, and he was a pillar in the community until passing away peacefully in his home last Friday. On today's episode, Sean and contributor Tane Danger reflect on their experiences with Harry and his food. They also interview Justin Ellis, author of "The Cruelty...

Minnesota may be a blue state, but our House and Senate races are looking purple-y. MinnPost reporter Matt Blake tells us how these nailbiter races might affect everything from gun reform to data centers. Speaking of, Eagan is getting sued by a data center owner over their moratorium. The case could set a precedent for other cities looking to regulate these sprawling developments, sometimes shroud...

What makes Duluth punch so far above its weight in music and arts? Today we 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 mu...

A St. Paul ballot initiative wants to give renters the power to fix what their landlords won't, so we talked to Cole Hanson, political coordinator for the Safe Homes Saint Paul campaign, to break down how the right-to-repair measure would actually work, who's signing the petitions, and whether a $500 cap is enough to make a real difference. Then, Clint Combs of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder joi...

See if your Twin Cities knowledge serves you well! In the first-ever Your City Could Be Better trivia episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz goes head to head with journalist and historian Alexandra Petri to see who knows more about U.S. history, geography, and celebrities ahead of the country’s semiquincentennial. Sean McPherson, trivia wiz and City Cast Twin Cities host, leads four riveting rounds o...

A new chapter in Indigenous cuisine has arrived in Minneapolis. Today, we talk with James Beard Award-winning chef Sean Sherman about Indígena by Owamni, his just-opened restaurant at the Guthrie Theater and what it means to put Indigenous ingredients and culture at the center of a menu. Then, Sahan Journal reporter Joey Peters breaks down how contracts for deed are being used to exploit Somali ho...

July will happily remind you that summer is a marathon and a sprint. There’s a lot to do and you can’t do it all. Let us plan your month for you with tips on where to float, pick berries, see shows, and enjoy a picnic with a view. Then, our entire cast of contributors will share their greatest Twin Cities regrets. Don’t be like us! Avoid these rookie mistakes! Learn more about the topics discussed...

A heat dome has settled over the Twin Cities, and we’re sharing recommendations to beat the beat. Also tune in for a full roundup of the best spots Northeast has to offer. Food critic Kirstie Kimball and Midwest Excellence Newsletter writer Randball’s Stu share their survival strategies for the week ahead, while a backstage conversation with Sean Kershaw and Timothy Hawkins reveals how a backyard...

It’s our first ever live show! We take the stage at Pilllar Forum to talk about the state of indie venues with owner Corey Bracken. FYI, don’t bring your George Foreman grill into the green room. We prognosticate on the big issues facing the Twin Cities and play Hot Dish Hushhhhh. Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode: Become a City Cast Twin Cities Neighbor Learn more about the...

Today we head to Northeast Minneapolis – recording live at Pillar Forum – to dig into what's really happening with the neighborhood's beloved brewery scene and where the Northeast neighborhoods are headed next. Contributor Hans Buetow and the Northeaster’s Davis Steen break down which breweries are closing, what might fill those massive spaces, and whether Northeast can hold onto the artists and c...

Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill implements new work requirements for Medicaid recipients. That could disrupt or disappear addiction treatment for many Minnesotans. MinnPost’s Andy Steiner tells us what’s at stake. As America prepares to celebrate 250 years, we’re looking to the past to understand how the future can be different. “Summer of ‘76” is a documentary remembering how Minnesotans celebrate...

Minneapolis and St. Paul are both set to see some major developments along the Mississippi River in the coming years, and there's already plenty of great amenities to check out on the riverfront in North Minneapolis. There's also a lot of talk about bringing data centers to downtown Minneapolis as the city council is voting on whether or not to implement a six-month moratorium on new data center d...

The Minneapolis Park Board is decommissioning the Minnehaha Off-Leash Dog Park, but there are plenty of other places to let your doggy roam. But…should you? If you’re looking to start (or end) a night on the town, we have recs for best restaurants open late. Finally, don’t break the bank buying berries. We talk about the best places to pick your own. Learn more about the topics discussed in today'...

As the national media has largely moved on from ICE's actions in the Twin Cities, Minneapolis council member Jason Chavez has continued to spread awareness of ICE's ongoing presence. Sean and contributor PaviElle French sit down with Chavez to talk about what he is seeing in his neighborhood and hearing from his constituents. Sean and PaviElle also talk about a recent Star Tribune poll that found...

We’re spotlighting Northeast Minneapolis this June, which includes our week-long residency at music venue/coffee shop Pilllar Forum. Proprietor Corey Bracken tells us why the shop name has three ‘L’s.’ Treat your dad to a Father’s Day buffet without getting sick thanks to host dad Sean’s tips. We hop on a bike tour with Minneapolis Council President Elliott Payne, who talks about everything from t...

Federal prosecutors announce charges against people connected to anti-ICE demonstrations in Minneapolis, and the indictment may have implications far beyond the defendants. We dig into what happened at the DOJ press conference, what's in the indictment, and what community members are already doing to respond. Plus, Lisa Martelly joins to make the case for signing up your porch for Uptown Porchfest...

The best sports bar in America focuses on women’s sports, and it’s right here in Minneapolis. That’s according to USA Today Sports Reader’s Choice Awards. Owner Jillian Hiscock tells us the secret behind her 88% staff retention and the bar’s nonprofit helping women and girls afford sports. We also mark a year without Rep. Melissa Hortman – what local politics lost, and how we move forward. Plus, M...

The owners and operators of Har Mar Mall are finally thinking about putting the dead mall out of its misery. But what should replace it? Also, it's another big week of summer events in the Twin Cities, and we got you covered with insider scoops on where to hang out and what festivals you should hit up around town. One festival you definitely need to check out is Soul of the Southside, a Juneteenth...

The local brewery scene is going through a lot. It’s not just declining beer sales; just this week, 56 Brewing had to demolish their 9-year-old patio because it was built on Xcel Energy’s land. Fortunately, there’s other silver linings. We also talk to Mikki Morrissette of Minnesota Women’s Press and Jackie Renzetti of MinnPost about how they’re making local journalism accessible to all. We also c...

Minnesota was recently named the #1 state in the country for quality of life by the State of the Nation Project, but we came up short in some specific categories. Former employees at Cardamom, the recently-shuttered restaurant inside the Walker Art Center, have filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board alleging that DDP Restaurant Group retaliated against them f...

We found the one person willing to defend the University of Minnesota’s slogan “Leave A Future” publicly. Maybe too little too late, as the university has decided to ditch it two months after its launch. We also chat with up-and-coming rapper GR3G, who is celebrating the release of his new album “Voices in Between” on June 27 at the 7th Street Entry. Plus, food shelves still need your support.  Le...

The Twin Cities does breakfast better than anywhere else. But where do you go to get the best breakfast within the best breakfast scene in the world? Sean is joined by Kirstie Kimball of beyond beurre blanc and podcast producer Hans Buetow to talk about their favorite spots. Later, Racket co-owner Em Cassel and producer Adam Sage join the conversation to share the best double features around the c...

The Lynx are sitting near the top of the heap as they make their way to the championships. Star Tribune women’s sports reporter Cassidy Hettesheimer tells us about the rookie player leading the way, even in Napheesa Collier’s absence. We’re also joined by Minneapolis Park Board Commissioner Jason Garcia, who explains why the board is decommissioning the Minnehaha Off-Leash Dog Park. Plus, Sean’s c...

The Minnesota Star Tribune announced that they would be laying off about 15% of their work force, or 65 people. After Racket published the leaked layoff memo from Star Tribune CEO Steve Grove, Sean is joined by Racket co-owners Em Cassel and Jay Boller to talk about what we know so far. Renowned Prince Historian Andrea Swensson also joins the show to share some facts you probably didn't know about...