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 āthatās interestingā 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 can find ā including yours. Itās like a potluck where everyoneās invited and no one brings grape salad. So whether you've been here long enough to remember the Halloween blizzard of 1991, or you just bought your first winter coat, bring your dish over and let's talk. Learn more and subscribe to our newsletter at ā twincities.citycast.fmā .
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Uptown Back From the Dead, ICE Updates, and 'Thirsty' Colleges
Wednesday, October 29, 2025 ⢠Duration 32:25
It's our FIRST EPISODE! Are you excited for Hennepin Ave to FINALLY reopen in Uptown? Host Sean McPherson is joined by MPR Newsroom Coordinator Denzel Belin and City Cast Twin Cities Executive Producer Anna Weggel to chat about Uptown's revival, ramifications from Kristi Noem's press conference in Minneapolis last week, and how Minnesota high school students are being admitted to colleges they haven't even applied to. The team also dips into the mailbag to share some of the kind words you all have shared in response to our newsletter so far!
Learn more about the stories discussed in this episode:Ā
After 18 months of closures, Hennepin Avenue to reopen in Uptown this week [Bring Me The News [Bring Me The News]
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem assails lack of ICE cooperation during Twin Cities visit [Sahan Journal]
Minneapolis council members taking on update of cityās separation ordinance [MinnPost]
Three Minneapolis mayoral challengers back a stronger separation ordinance. Frey says they go too far. [Star Tribune]
Minnesota high school seniors are getting college acceptance letters, without ever applying [MPR News]
Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastTwinCities on Instagram, or email us at twincities@citycast.fm. You can also call or text us at 612-217-0637.
For more Twin Cities news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, City Cast Twin Cities.
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Join the Twin Cities Conversation
Tuesday, October 14, 2025 ⢠Duration 01:56
City Cast Twin Cities is your daily guide to Twin Cities news, culture, food, and more. Our host Sean McPherson and the City Cast team let you in on what the Twin Cities are talking about with smart, curious conversations that help YOU feel more connected. Itās like those barbecues we have during the couple of months here that arenāt winter. Put something in the cooler, grab a plate, and join the conversation. Subscribe today so you never miss an episode.
Wave of Layoffs, Where To Trick-or-Treat, and Saying Goodbye to Jack Jackman
Friday, October 31, 2025 ⢠Duration 26:19
It's more than just Target ā several major employers have recently announced layoffs in the Twin Cities. Host Sean McPherson is joined by improviser extraordinaire Tane Danger and Trivia Mafia Co-Founder Chuck Terhark to talk about what this means for our cities. The team also gets into Chuck's experience organizing the infamous Zombie Pub Crawl in Minneapolis, where to go Trick-Or-Treating tonight, and the legacy of Jack Jackman, the longtime Co-Publisher of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, who recently passed away.
Read more about the stories discussed in this episode:
Cargill laying off 80 more employees at Minnesota headquarters [Star Tribune]
Target cutting 800 jobs across Minneapolis and Brooklyn Park, raising concerns about broader economic slowdown [MPR News]
WCCO staff among those impacted by widespread Paramount cuts [Bring Me The News]
Minnesota preparing to cut as many as 100 state health workers, inspectors amid federal shutdown [Star Tribune]
Whatever happened to Minneapolisā Zombie Pub Crawl? [Star Tribune]
Twin Cities Halloween Guide [City Cast Twin Cities]
R.I.P. Former Spokesman-Recorder Publisher Wallace āJackā Jackman [Racket]
Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastTwinCities on Instagram, or email us at twincities@citycast.fm. You can also call or text us at 612-217-0637.
For more Twin Cities news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, City Cast Twin Cities.
Looking to advertise on City Cast Twin Cities? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.
We Need More Homes, Restaurants Inside Restaurants, and Rattiest City Ranking
Thursday, October 30, 2025 ⢠Duration 33:58
How would you feel if you went inside a restaurant, only to find ANOTHER one nestled inside? Em Cassel, co-owner and editor of Racket, did exactly that at French Hen and found great pizza. Em also tells Sean McPherson and producer Tiffany Bui why ājust finding a houseā isnāt a silver bullet to the homelessness crisis. Plus, weāre side-eyeing a Rattiest City ranking, which puts Minneapolis at number nine.Ā
Em also tells Sean McPherson and producer Tiffany Bui why ājust finding a houseā isnāt a silver bullet to the homelessness crisis, and weāre side-eyeing a Rattiest City ranking which puts Minneapolis at number nine. Plus, we talk about how our ad partners at Xcel Energy are joining forces with the Minnesota Wild to support and grow youth hockey in the area. Find out more about the Community Power Play program (including how to apply) here!
Learn more about the stories discussed in this episode:Ā
Moonflower Pizza Goes From Cathedral Hill Alley to a Regular Evening Gig at French Hen (Racket)Ā
For the Homeless, Finding a Place to Live Is Only Part of the Problem (Racket)
Minneapolis among 10 "rattiest" cities in U.S., Orkin says (CBS Minnesota)
Pop-up bakery Dahlia finally finds a brick-and-mortar space in Minneapolis (Bring Me The News)
Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastTwinCities on Instagram, or email us at twincities@citycast.fm. You can also call or text us at 612-217-0637.
For more Twin Cities news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, City Cast Twin Cities.
Looking to advertise on City Cast Twin Cities? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.
Your Last Minute Election Guide, and More Reasons To Leave the Couch
Monday, November 3, 2025 ⢠Duration 39:32
Tomorrow, St. Paul and Minneapolis residents will vote for new mayors. Like their cities, each race has its own quirks and styles. Contributors Tane Danger and Winter Keefer join the show to break down whatās on Twin Citizensā ballots and look at some of the more contentious races. Plus, producer Tiffany Bui tells Sean McPherson whatās worth leaving the comfort of your warm homes for this week.Ā
Check out the awesome events we talked about in this episode:
Monday: Equitable Dinners hosted by Mixed Blood TheatreĀ
Thursday: MidWest Murder Podcast at Hook and LadderĀ
Friday and Saturday: Dessa Returns at the Minnesota OrchestraĀ
Saturday: Twin Cities Book Fest at Union DepotĀ
Read more about what we talked about:
Minneapolisā election calendar
Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastTwinCities on Instagram, or email us at twincities@citycast.fm. You can also call or text us at 612-217-0637.
For more Twin Cities news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, City Cast Twin Cities.
Looking to advertise on City Cast Twin Cities? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.
āPurple Rainā Review, Chi Chiās 2.0 and Twin Cities Wins
Friday, November 7, 2025 ⢠Duration 31:04
The Twin Cities team watched the āPurple Rainā musical, and the takes may be sacrilegious, but we promise theyāre from the bottom of our sequined hearts. Plus, James Norton of ā ā Heavy Tableā ā joins Sean McPherson and contributor Denzel Belin to talk about the return of Chi Chiās. Is it as good as you remember? Or were you just seven? We also celebrate some good news in the cities.Ā
Read more about the stories discussed in today's episode:
Stay updated with the American Indian Center ā ā hereā ā Ā
ā ā Review: āPurple Rainā gets our critics delirious, sort ofā ā (Star Tribune)Ā
ā ā The Return of Chi-Chiās and the OāShaughnessy Spice Bagā ā (Heavy Table)Ā
ā ā Miltonās restaurant was going to close, but its customers had other plansā ā (Star Tribune)Ā
ā ā Herbivorous Butcher set to reopen after spring fireā ā (Star Tribune)Ā
ā ā Minnesota Childrenās Museum offers free admission during federal shutdownā ā (Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder)Ā
Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastTwinCities on ā ā Instagramā ā , or email us at ā ā twincities@citycast.fmā ā . You can also call or text us at 612-217-0637.
For more Twin Cities news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, City Cast Twin Cities.
Learn more about the sponsors of this November 7th episode:
ā Xcel Energyā - ā Subscribeā to learn about upcoming programs and volunteer opportunities.
Looking to advertise on City Cast Twin Cities? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads atā ā citycast.fm/advertiseā ā .
Election Results, Doctor Strike and Where To Trip in the Twin Cities
Wednesday, November 5, 2025 ⢠Duration 41:00
Incumbent Mayor Jacob Frey won a third term in Minneapolis, and State Representative Kaohly Her unseated incumbent Mayor Melvin Carter in St. Paul. Host Sean McPherson is joined by contributor Tane Danger and producer Tiffany Bui to break down the election results, talk about the doctors' strike that happened today, and share tips from the internet on where to trip acid in the Twin Cities.
Read more about the stories discussed in today's episode:
Live Election Results: Key Elections in Minnesota [MPR News]
In a first in Minnesota, hundreds of Allina doctors go on one-day strike [Star Tribune]
Recommendations on where to go for a day trip on acid? [Reddit]
Where could I buy a sword in person? [Reddit]
Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastTwinCities on Instagram, or email us at twincities@citycast.fm. You can also call or text us at 612-217-0637.
For more Twin Cities news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, City Cast Twin Cities.
Looking to advertise on City Cast Twin Cities? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.
Voting Vibes, Veto-Loving Frey and Big Milk
Wednesday, November 5, 2025 ⢠Duration 34:22
Shout out to everyone counting votes! Weāll have another episode out later today about results. In the meantime, John OāSullivan (One Minute Tours) joins contributor Winter Keefer and host Sean McPherson to suss out the vibes of this election. Winter also tells us about the veto-rama at Minneapolis City Hall. Mayor Jacob Frey has used his veto power more than any of his recent predecessors, and council members have hit right back. Can anyone agree? Finally, our grocery store milk is probably coming from the same place (with different pricing).Ā
Read more about the stories mentioned in today's episode:
Looking back at Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Freyās 2024 veto efforts (MinnPost)Ā
Mayor Frey vetoes ordinance requiring notice of commercial property sales (MPR News)
Minneapolis City Council overrides Mayor Frey's veto on plans for George Floyd Square (Sahan Journal)
Early voting in Minneapolis on second-highest pace ever (Star Tribune)
Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastTwinCities on Instagram, or email us at twincities@citycast.fm. You can also call or text us at 612-217-0637.
For more Twin Cities news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, City Cast Twin Cities.
Looking to advertise on City Cast Twin Cities? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.
How To Vote, Where To Donate Food, and Drones Fighting Forest Fires
Tuesday, November 4, 2025 ⢠Duration 29:19
If you haven't done so yet, go out and vote! Today's election is set to be one of the most impactful in a decade for the Twin Cities. Minneapolis's mayor and all 13 city council seats are on the ballot, and St. Paul's is voting for mayor and two ballot measures. Host Sean McPherson is joined by Contributor Winter Keefer and Creative Producer Adam Sage to go over how you can make sure your voice is heard. They also talk about Twin Cities food shelves you can support, as SNAP recipients may not be receiving their November disbursements, and how U of M researchers are using AI to detect and track wildfires.
Voting resources:
See what your ballot will look like
Find your polling location
Check out and consider donating to the food shelves mentioned in today's episode:
Second Harvest Heartland: Volunteer or Donate
The Food Group: Volunteer or Donate
Joyce Uptown Food Shelf: Volunteer or Donate
Calvary Food Shelf: Volunteer or Donate
Grace Lutheran Church Northeast: Donate
Pillsbury United Communities: Donate
Keystone Community Services: Volunteer or Donate
Merrick Community Services: Volunteer or Donate
Read more about the stories mentioned in today's episode:
Voter guide: 2025 Minneapolis mayoral election (Bring Me The News)
Federal judges order release of funds that would help Minnesotans losing SNAP (MinnPost)
U of M researchers launch smoke-sensing drones that one day could fight wildfires (Star Tribune)
Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastTwinCities on Instagram, or email us at twincities@citycast.fm. You can also call or text us at 612-217-0637.
For more Twin Cities news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, City Cast Twin Cities.
Looking to advertise on City Cast Twin Cities? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.
Teacher Strike Averted, Your House Might Be Racist, and Target's New Forced Smiling Policy
Tuesday, November 11, 2025 ⢠Duration 33:06
Minneapolis Public School teachers were set to go on strike starting today, but the Minneapolis Federation of Educators Union managed to reach a tentative agreement with Minneapolis Public Schools over the weekend. Host Sean McPherson is joined by Contributor Hans Buetow and Executive Producer Anna Weggel to break down what we know about the tentative agreement and whether or not Minneapolis educators are likely to end up in the same spot again when the new contract expires. The team also talks about how a project at the U of M is working to undo past harms of racial covenants on home deeds in the Twin Cities, and how Target is now mandating all employees to smile at you if you get within 10 feet of them.
Learn more about the stories discussed in today's episode:Ā
Minneapolis teachers, school district leaders tout tentative deal (KSTP)
Minneapolis educators, school district announce tentative contract deal, averting strike (MPR News)
Mapping Prejudice (U of M)
Target Mandates Worker Smiles, Friendliness To Boost Sales (Bloomberg)
Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastTwinCities on Instagram, or email us at twincities@citycast.fm. You can also call or text us at 612-217-0637.
For more Twin Cities news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, City Cast Twin Cities.
Looking to advertise on City Cast Twin Cities? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.
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