City Cast Twin Cities

The Minnesota Department of Transportation is closing out public comment on its “Rethinking I-94” project, which aims to reconstruct 10 miles of the interstate. But MinnPost columnist and urban planning enthusiast Bill Lindeke believes not a lot is going to change. At least, not if the department is focused on car-centered traffic. We talk about how highways have changed people’s lives beyond how...

The demolition of the long-vacant CVS building in Hamline-Midway felt like a major step forward for many in the neighborhood – but what comes next? Host Sean McPherson and contributor Hans Buetow are joined by Ward 4 Council Member Molly Coleman and Hamline Midway Coalition executive director Lisa Nelson to talk about the neighborhood’s next chapter. Later, executive producer Anna Weggel shares ho...

Star Tribune columnist Eric Roper believes Minneapolis public schools are in a “doom loop.” What can be done to fix it? Plus, a friendly PSA about the No Kings Rally, whether you’re attending or not: it’s expected to be the biggest protest of its kind in the country, so travel accordingly. Finally, Sean sits down with Rep. Leigh Finke, the first openly trans woman elected to the state legislature....

After spending $15 million with a marketing agency that will be helping the University of Minnesota over the next five years, the school has announced its new slogan: "Leave a Future." Host Sean McPherson is joined by Racket co-owner Em Cassel and executive producer Anna Weggel to try to figure out what that means.  Joe Davis, a nationally touring spoken word poet, teaching artist, cultural worker...

In the age of political deadlock, you can look no further than John Choi at the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office for an example of someone doing their job right. That’s according to Patrick Coolican, discerning editor at the Minnesota Reformer. Sean talks to Coolican and Choi about how the police killing of Philando Castile changed Choi as a prosecutor. Plus, Ashley Fairbanks has helped thousands o...

The unionization efforts of sex workers in Nevada might have implications for gig workers in the Twin Cities. At Sheri's Ranch, a legal brothel 45 minutes outside Las Vegas, some of the workers are seeking both recognition as employees and union representation. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with former City Cast Las Vegas podcast host, current contributor, and longtime Nevada attorney Dayvid Fig...

After more than a year of back and forth, the East Phillips Neighborhood Institute and the city of Minneapolis have finally come to an agreement for the neighborhood to purchase the old Roof Depot site to build an urban farm – well, half of it. Host Sean McPherson is joined by vocalist and contributor PaviElle French and producer Adam Sage to break down the long saga of the Roof Depot urban farm a...

Earlier this week, a Facebook page for the St. Paul-based bluegrass band The Gillyweeds announced all six members had died in a plane crash. Turns out, The Gillyweeds were an invention of local designer Todd Pitman as part of an elaborate treasure hunt. Was it ethical to make people mourn for a made-up band? Plus, President Trump wants to require Americans to provide citizenship documentation befo...

In honor of almost nine inches of snow at MSP Airport, we’re revisiting an episode about plowing in St. Paul. Mostly, does it suck (some say yes), and what could be better? The city is piloting a program that would mean moving your car way less for snow plowing. Plus, we’re also rerunning our top 5 chicken wings list, because it’s too tasty not to hear twice. Listen to find your next bite.  Learn...

Looking for the best places to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in the Twin Cities? Host Sean McPherson and contributor Em Cassel run down their top spots for Irish music, culture, and yes – Guinness. Then we take a hard look at a question locals keep asking: Is Uptown dead? Sean chats with City Cast contributor Denzel Belin and producer Tiffany Bui to talk about what’s really happening in the neighbor...

When news broke last week claiming the national Target boycott had ended, it came as a surprise to the people who had actually organized the boycott. Attorney and activist Nekima Levy Armstrong joins the podcast today to talk about how the movement she started alongside Jaylani Hussein and Monique Cullars-Doty was "co-opted" by national activists who recently announced the boycott was over. Later,...

People in the Twin Cities are concerned about police accountability, especially with the increased presence of federal troops in many cities. DC Council in Washington recently passed emergency legislation requiring local police to release body-worn camera footage of incidents involving federal forces they patrol with, and to collect the names of federal officers who make arrests. It’s a big shift...

Happy (early) Pi Day! Kirstie Kimball, food critic and author of beyond beurre blanc, tells us where to get our fill of banana chocolate pie. If you also happened to just get dumped, comedian Alexa Kocinski shares what to do in the Twin Cities instead of telling everyone love’s not real. Department of Homeland Security attorney Julie Le made headlines after she told a judge, “this job sucks.” Now,...

Since the drawdown to Operation Metro Surge began, border czar Tom Homan has claimed ICE found 3,364 lost migrant children in Minnesota, while Kristi Noem recently said the Department of Homeland Security has located more than 145,000 children nationwide. On today’s episode, host Sean McPherson is joined by Racket co-founder Em Cassel and producer Adam Sage to fact-check those claims. Later, MSP M...

Did you know Minnesota has the second-highest number of eagles in the country? Ed Hahn from the National Eagle Center in Wabasha joins us to talk about how bald eagles almost disappeared but made a triumphant comeback. He also shares where you can go eagle viewing in Minnesota. Plus, a Minnesota win (?) – the state leads the Midwest in OnlyFans subscriptions. We also help Driver and Vehicle Servic...

City leaders in more than 30 suburban municipalities have joined forces to demand an immediate de-escalation of ICE's presence and financial support to help cover the economic impacts of Operation Metro Surge. Host Sean McPherson is joined by editor of the Northeaster newspaper Michael McKinney, vocalist and City Cast contributor PaviElle French, and producer Adam Sage to break down this story. La...

Emily Fairfax – a scientist from the University of Minnesota studying beavers – somehow ended up advising a Pixar movie, and she joins Sean to talk about it today. Then, City Cast contributor Tane Danger will help us wade through a delightful set of political ice breakers, and we’ve got your Twin Cities event picks for the week including a live score of a silent film, the hottest open mic in town,...

Homelessness is one of the major issues that places like the Twin Cities are trying to solve. The state of Utah is planning to build a 16-acre homeless campus on the outskirts of Salt Lake City, where unhoused people with mental illnesses or addiction issues could be sheltered and in some cases involuntarily committed. This controversial idea is the brainchild of conservative think tanks, and it’s...

Why is the legal weed rollout in Minnesota moving so slowly? Sean McPherson talks with contributor Sam Choo and cannabis entrepreneur Yoni Reinharz about where things actually stand in terms of dispensaries, tribal operations, THC drinks, and whether Minnesotans are still buying weed the old-fashioned way. Then, Pivot podcast co-host Scott Galloway joins Sean and City Cast contributor Tane Danger...

Between “Heated Rivalry” and the loon’s rise as a symbol of resistance, loon fever is sweeping the nation. So when local jeweler Larissa Loden realized there was no National Loon Day, she decided to create one herself. On today's episode, Larissa joins host Sean McPherson, contributor Em Cassel, and City Cast audience development manager James Napoli to talk about the celebrations planned for the...

St. Paul and the Minnesota Wild want $200 million from the state to renovate the Grand Casino Arena and Roy Wilkins Auditorium. Is it worth it? Journalist and author Joe Friedrichs explains the pending legislation that would lift a 20-year ban on mining near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Plus, podcaster Chris Stedman is documenting real-time stories of mutual aid through the We Help U...

As the largest level I trauma center and the largest safety net hospital in Minnesota, Hennepin County Health Center is an extremely expensive hospital to run. Now, they're in danger of closing if the state legislature can't help. Host Sean McPherson is joined by contributor and MPR newsroom coordinator Denzel Belin to discuss what it will take to save HCMC. Later, Pioneer Press food editor Jess F...

Obi Original is the live performer we all need right now. Obiora Obikwelu is an artist, producer, and musical visionary. He joins the show to talk about his residency “Afrodisia” at Icehouse. His focus on the highlife genre of music, with roots in Ghana and popular in Nigeria, is rooted in preservation. Not only does he want to be onstage, he needs it, and we welcome his talent and musical authori...

A lot of cities, including the Twin Cities, are trying to figure out how best to revitalize downtown. It's an issue that's especially top of mind for Pittsburgh, who is hosting the NFL Draft in April. To solve the problem of vacant properties and empty storefronts, the city is trying out a new rent abatement program. So, City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Pittsburgh podcast host Megan...

It's been almost a year since the St. Paul downtown Lunds & Byerlys closed, and Aldi just filed plans to open a store in the same space. Host Sean McPherson is joined by contributor and acclaimed vocalist PaviElle French and Adam Sage to celebrate the end of the downtown food desert and fight over whether or not Aldi is a good grocery store. The team also breaks down a recent announcement from Vic...