City Cast Twin Cities

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 celebratin...

Activists with the Zero Burn Coalition have ended a 12-day hunger strike protesting Minneapolis’ HERC trash incinerator, but what happens next? Host Sean McPherson and Racket co-owner Em Cassel dig into where Hennepin County's big trash debate goes from here. Plus, Laura Zabel reflects on her two decades leading Springboard for the Arts, and Dr. Tseganesh Selameab previews “The Art of Medicine” at...

Will the Lynx make it to the championships this year? ZoneCoverage reporter Andrew Dukowitz gives us a lay of the land. With new million dollar contracts and a new roster, we’re waiting for Napheesa Collier to come back and bring us to the championships. Plus, St. Paul’s West Side is the place to be during Cinco De Mayo. Santino Franco plans the celebrations and shares what not to miss. Learn more...

It's Friday, so we're celebrating some Twin Cities Wins with vocalist and contributor PaviElle French. We also chat with Wes Burdine, owner of the Black Hart of St. Paul, about a peace prize he was recently awarded by a German soccer club and how he saw the Midway neighborhood stand together during Operation Metro Surge. We also have a bonus segment exclusively for our City Cast Neighbors about ou...

The Biden-era moratorium on mining near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area is gone. Pete Stauber's bill passed Congress, and the future of one of Minnesota's most beloved wilderness areas is suddenly a lot less certain. We talk with Joe Friedrichs of Paddle and Portage about what it means, what comes next, and whether there's any reason for hope. Then: have you noticed a lot more cover bands on Twin C...

Beloved Lynx duo Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman, aka Studbudz, are breaking up as Hiedeman has signed with the Seattle Storm. Heartbreak all around. Minnesota Compass compiles all the info you’d want to know about the state, and apparently lots of people have been interested in us lately. Plus, the Minnesota Habeas Project is literally helping free immigrants from unlawful detention. Learn...

HCMC is in dire financial straits, and legislators are running out of time to provide funding to keep the hospital open. Hennepin County Commissioner Angela Conley joins the podcast to talk about how the hospital got into this position, and how they are trying to get out. Later, Lilydale Mayor Lyle Hanzal joins the conversation to talk about a river cleanup this weekend in "the most awesome square...

The Minneapolis City Council banned adult bathhouses 40 years ago. Now, they’re considering decriminalizing these spaces, which were often safe places for gay men to relax, get resources, and have sex. Public historian Noah Barth and MPR News producer Sam Stroozas tell us how the ban is a legacy of policing homosexuality. Plus, it’s 4/20 a.k.a Stoner Christmas. Racket editor and co-owner Jessica A...

Michelin announced that Minneapolis (and not St. Paul) will be included in its upcoming Great Lakes Guide, and they will be issuing stars to the restaurants in town that they deem worthy. Minnesota's independent food critic Kirstie Kimball joins host Sean McPherson and contributor PaviElle French to break down what that could mean for the Twin Cities food scene, and who Michelin is likely to leave...

Dungeons and Dragons is about to turn 52, which can trace its roots back to a basement right here in St. Paul. Contributor Hans Buetow and producer Molly Abbattista tell us how these game sessions have become a place to find community in the age of disconnection. Plus, why are flights out of MSP so costly compared to other airports? Kyle Potter of Thrifty Traveler says Delta’s eating up the compet...

The invasive lamprey fish once ran wild in the Great Lakes, eating into a bustling fishing industry. The federal program that got it under control is at risk of being cut. Journalist Katie Thornton talks about why us city slickers should care. Plus, when Pixar started making a movie about beavers, they called up beaver expert Emily Fairfax. By the end of the episode, you’ll be a beaver stan, too....

Who picks the beer at your local liquor store? Racket did a story focusing on the local superstar tastemakers and what they’re looking for. Talk about a cool job. Minneapolis is finally making rental assistance available to residents, we’ll tell you what you need to know. Plus, the Minnesota Music Archive Project is on a mission to preserve all of our music, not just the biggies. Executive Directo...

Welcome, Twin Cities newbies! Here’s everything we forgot to tell you about Minnesota, from why we refuse to eat the last bite to why we don’t dance at concerts. Plus, we’ll hear some heartwarming stories from real-life transplants. Also, if you don’t know what the heck a data center is and why there’s so much controversy, join the club. Professors Elise Harrington and James Coleman from the Unive...

The long-vacant Sears near the state Capitol has a new owner, and hopefully soon, a new life. The Rondo Community Land Trust is promising to replace it with a mixed-use space. Listen on to hear how the org is putting land back into community hands. Plus, although Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara was lauded as a changemaker at the start of his term, it’s not clear he’ll get a second. What can...

A masked vigilante in Minneapolis who goes by the name of "NoMark" has amassed over half a million followers on social media for his crime-fighting antics. But is that really what the city needs? Host Sean McPherson and contributor Tane Danger discuss. Musician Jeremy Messersmith joins to talk about his new album, “Fox Coyote,” and his April 24–25 release shows at the Parkway Theater, plus his dos...

What should you do if you see a loon falling from the sky? You’ll know after listening to this episode, and we’ll explain why Minnesota's state bird sometimes drops from the sky. Plus, the city of Minneapolis quietly released video footage from the night an ICE agent shot a man in North Minneapolis back in January, and it tells a very different story than what the Department of Homeland Security p...

If you don’t know Roy Blakey, you should. Blakey traveled the world as a theatrical ice skater and later became the forefather of male nude photography. His niece, Keri Pickett, captures his legacy in her new documentary “Uncle Roy,” premiering at the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival. Plus, after much controversy and many community workshops, the city’s plan for George Floyd Square...

Dan Suitor is one of many lawyers in the Twin Cities who have pivoted to helping free immigrants from ICE custody by filing habeas petitions. But he doesn’t do immigration law. As a self-described "dirtbag" lawyer, Suitor shares why the moment compelled him to step outside his comfort zone. Suitor also explains why advocates’ fight to temporarily change the pre-eviction notice window from 30 days...

If you are a fan of the WNBA's Minnesota Lynx, you already know how incredible women's sports are! While more and more people are embracing women’s sports, Denver is only the second city in the U.S. to build a stadium specifically for women’s soccer. Will betting on women’s sports drive Denver’s economy or will Denverites be left paying the price for another stadium? City Cast CEO David Plotz talk...

The Twin Cities punches above its weight when it comes to breakfast. In fact, host Sean McPherson will argue any day that we do breakfast better than anywhere else. With so many great spots to choose from, Sean is joined by celebrated food critic and our newest City Cast contributor, Kirstie Kimball, as well as contributor Hans Buetow, to highlight the best of the best. Later, executive director o...

In the future, grocery stores could use data they’ve collected on you to change the price of your bananas (or other food of choice). Though that reality isn’t here yet, Sen. Lindsey Port wants to preempt this “surveillance pricing.” Plus, we go chasin’ waterfalls (and hot dogs) for this month’s events guide. Also – Aldi or Aldi’s?  Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode: Backlash...

Bob Dylan recently launched a Patreon promising “a living archive of lectures from the grave, letters never sent, and original short stories curated by Bob Dylan.” Producer Adam paid the $5 to subscribe and reports back on what’s inside. It’s also contributor and MPR newsroom coordinator Denzel Belin’s birthday, so host Sean McPherson puts his news instincts to the test in a round of “Head-Lies,”...

Have you seen those billboards off the highway proclaiming “Free the Nukes”? We get into what that’s all about (spoiler alert: it’s pretty literal). Plus, Star Tribune columnist Ka Vang has a message for former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. Unlike the blizzard of 1991, Vang writes, “no one here will remember you fondly.” We also spotlight musician Leslie Vincent. Learn more about the topics discussed...

The Minnesota House and Senate voted unanimously to end observation of César Chávez Day after allegations of rape, grooming, and sexual abuse against Chávez were reported in the New York Times. Rep. Maria Isa Perez-Vega – a sponsor of the bill – argues the movement is bigger than one man, calls for broader accountability for honored historical figures, and says legislation is being drafted to comm...

More affordable housing is needed in places like the Twin Cities. Some cities, however, are doing better than others at meeting this need. Austin, Texas, for example, is building more affordable housing than any other American city right now — 50% more, by some measures, than the second most successful city. However, this fast-growing city is also seeing a shortage in housing that middle- and lowe...