City Cast Twin Cities

City Cast
  • 5.0 (23)
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  • UPDATED DAILY

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 “that’s interesting” 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 – including yours. It’s like a potluck where everyone’s 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 ⁠twincities.citycast.fm⁠.

  1. 5H AGO

    Our Biggest Hospital Might Close. Plus, Best Fish Frys in the Twin Cities

    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 Fleming joins the conversation to chat about her list of the best fish fries in the Twin Cities, and to argue with Sean and Denzel over what the top 5 grocery stores in the Twin Cities should be. Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode: Commissioner says HCMC could close as expenses continue to rise (MPR) Commissioner says HCMC could close if revenue streams not found (Bring Me The News) Process to close HCMC could start in 90 days (FOX 9) It’s Friday fish fry time! Here’s where to catch your fill (Pioneer Press) Learn more about the sponsors of this March 3rd episode: Ordway Center for the Performing Arts 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.

    30 min

  2. 1D AGO

    Obi Original Wants You to Dance. Plus, Book Bedazzling and Polar Plunge 5k

    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 authority. Plus, your weekly events round-up features free theater, smutty book bedazzling, and a chilly run.  Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode: Obi Original and The Black Atlantics Residency Ozone Creations Backcountry Film Festival | Utepils Brewing  Omnifest | Science Museum of Minnesota  Slum Village | Dakota  Book Bedazzling | Graze Food Hall  Rage Against the Regime | Turf Club Ukrainian Lenten Fish Fry | Ukrainian American Community Center Portraits of Curiosity | In the Heart of the Beast Theatre  Abolish ICE Fundraiser w/ Dropkick Murphys | Alex Pretti Memorial Introduction to Mahjong Series | Ampersand Shops Minneapolis Polar Plunge 5K Race | Lake Nokomis  The Highlight | Sabathani Community Center  International Women’s Day March | Powderhorn Park  Learn more about the sponsors of this March 2nd episode: Ordway Center for the Performing Arts 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.

    40 min

  3. 2D AGO

    'Your City Could Be Better': What the Twin Cities Needs To Know About Pittsburgh's Plan To Fix Downtown

    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 Harris about why their downtown emptied out, whether this program will bring new businesses downtown for the long-term, and other revitalization plans that are in the works. Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

    25 min

  4. 4D AGO

    Downtown St. Paul Gets an Aldi, Feds Target MN Medicaid, and Snowplow Names

    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 Vice President JD Vance and Dr. Oz that the federal government will be withholding $259 million of Medicaid funding from Minnesota. Later, Racket owner-editor Jay Boller joins the conversation to chat about the results of the 2026 MnDOT Snowplow Naming Contest, and why the Twin Cities were once again deprived of a plow named "Abolish ICE". Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode: U of M to license new fruit varieties, including a sequel to the Honeycrisp apple (MPR) Nearly a year after Lunds & Byerlys closed, Aldi to open in downtown St. Paul (Star Tribune) White House to pause $259M in Minnesota Medicaid dollars in fraud crackdown (Star Tribune)  Trump administration halts some Medicaid funding to Minnesota (Minnesota Reformer) Report: Groundwork for fraud in Minnesota human services goes back 50 years (Minnesota Reformer) Based on Nominations, Minnesota Should Have an ‘ABOLISH ICE’ Snowplow. Here’s Why We Don’t. (Racket) Learn more about the sponsors of this February 27th episode: Ordway Center for the Performing Arts 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.

    29 min

  5. 5D AGO

    Frey at State of the Swamp, Writers Assemble, and a Special Dinner

    Minnesota mentioned!! But in the worst way. We’ll talk about what President Trump said at the State of the Union and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey’s appearance at the counter-address. Minnesota writers are addressing the moment at the Loft Literary Center. We’ll get a sneak preview. Plus, Owamni is hosting a dinner to commemorate Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives. There’s an excellent menu for an important cause. Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode: Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey calls for fight against federal overreach as Trump delivers State of the Union (CBS Minnesota) Trump slams Somalis for fraud in State of the Union, Rep. Ilhan Omar shouts back (Star Tribune) Jailed for “Standing Up”: DHS Assault Victim Aliya Rahman Arrested at State of the Union Address (Democracy Now!) Minnesota Writers Respond: A Public Literary Event Love for Our Missing and Murdered Relatives - A MMIR Dinner Minnesota Indian Women’s Sexual Assault Coaliton Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Center Native Lives Matter Coalition Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Office Learn more about the sponsors of this February 26th episode: Ordway Center for the Performing Arts Xcel Energy 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.

    32 min

  6. 6D AGO

    Shelter Forgives Attackers, and Legalizing Foraging

    St. Anne’s Place, a shelter for families, was attacked by its very own neighbors across the street in the fall of 2024. But instead of finding justice through punishment, they asked for mercy for one of the assailants. Director Cheryl Paynes shares how staff sought to repair relationships with their neighbors. Plus, when Sen. Susan Pha realized she was potentially breaking the law by foraging for plants at state parks, she created a task force to help clear up the rules. We’ll dive into the gray areas in our state laws around foraging.  Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode: Minneapolis shelter vandalized more than year ago asked for leniency for attacker as it mends (Star Tribune)  Walz introduces gun violence package in Minnesota legislature (KARE 11)  State foraging task force set to review Minnesota rules (MinnPost)  Learn more about the sponsors of this February 25th episode: Ordway Center for the Performing Arts 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.

    34 min

  7. FEB 24

    Biggest Rent Strike in 100 Years? Plus, Mutual Aid and Weekend Getaways

    It has been an exhausting few months for everyone in the Twin Cities, and taking a quick weekend trip is a great way to regain some energy and keep going. Today, Host Sean McPherson is joined by contributor Sam Choo and food writer Kirstie Kimball of beyond beurre blanc to recommend four places to get away within two and a half hours of the Twin Cities. Isi Breen, an organizer with the Twin Cities Tenants Union, joins the conversation later to discuss the 10,000-tenant rent strike that the union is calling for on March 1 if certain demands aren't met. Sean and Sam also interview Kirstie about how she has been engaging in mutual aid to help Minnesotans impacted by ICE, how you can get plugged into mutual aid networks in your community, and how she has been continuing on with grace despite a recent breast cancer diagnosis.  Dive into our recommended weekend getaways: Lanesboro  Lanesboro Pastry Shoppe Aroma Pie Shoppe Root River State Bike Trail (Visit Lanesboro) Duluth Northern Waters Smokehaus Fitgers Sarah's Table Chester Creek Cafe Pizza Luce Duluth New Scenic Café is the North (beyond beurre blanc) 24 hours in Duluth, Beyond Beurre Blanc style. (beyond beurre blanc) Red Wing Friday Fish Fry at Kelly's Tap House Hanisch Bakery and Coffee Shop Chef Shack (Bay City, WI) Winona Bloedow Bakery Minnesota Marine Art Museum Acoustic Cafe Minnesota Beethoven Festival Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode Tenants advocates call on state to support renters affected by surge of federal agents (MPR) Twin Cities Tenants Beyond Beurre Blanc (Instagram) ICE hasn't left Minnesota. We still need you. (beyond beurre blanc) REALLY GOOD T**S, Or: Rejecting the male gaze is a special kind of death (beyond beurre blanc)  Learn more about the sponsors of this February 24th episode: Ordway Center for the Performing Arts 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.

    42 min

  8. FEB 23

    Catching Stories, Honoring Black History. Plus, Whipple Open Mic and Skyway 5k

    What does it take to create groundbreaking and timely documentaries about Minnesota? We ask acclaimed director Daniel Bergin at Twin Cities PBS, who needs more room for all his Emmys. Bergin talks about empathy as an interviewing skill and pioneering the Black narrative space of public media. Plus, we’re looking forward to so many cool events this week, like Dildo Bingo and a 5k race in the skyways.  Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode: Jim Crow of the North  Paradox: Echoes of Reform & the Minneapolis Police  Hoop Dreams (1994) - IMDb Minneapolis approves street renaming to Lena Smith Boulevard (MPR) The Moth StorySLAM: Love Wins  Dildo Bingo Minnesota United FC Kickoff Concert Whipple Witness Open Mic Lunar New Year with the Minnesota Orchestra Wabasha Street Caves.  Heart To Gold at First Ave Skyway 5K Twin Cities BIPOC Music Showcase Forest Bathing & Sauna Learn more about the sponsors of this February 23rd episode:  Ordway Center for the Performing Arts 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.

    36 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
23 Ratings

About

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 “that’s interesting” 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 – including yours. It’s like a potluck where everyone’s 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 ⁠twincities.citycast.fm⁠.

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