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

    'Your City Could Be Better': What the Twin Cities Needs To Know About Pittsburgh's Plan To Fix Downtown
    2026/03/01
    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.
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    25 分
  • Downtown St. Paul Gets an Aldi, Feds Target MN Medicaid, and Snowplow Names

    Downtown St. Paul Gets an Aldi, Feds Target MN Medicaid, and Snowplow Names
    2026/02/27
    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.
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    29 分
  • Frey at State of the Swamp, Writers Assemble, and a Special Dinner

    Frey at State of the Swamp, Writers Assemble, and a Special Dinner
    2026/02/26
    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.
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    32 分
  • Shelter Forgives Attackers, and Legalizing Foraging

    Shelter Forgives Attackers, and Legalizing Foraging
    2026/02/25
    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.
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    34 分
  • Biggest Rent Strike in 100 Years? Plus, Mutual Aid and Weekend Getaways

    Biggest Rent Strike in 100 Years? Plus, Mutual Aid and Weekend Getaways
    2026/02/24
    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 TITS, 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.
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    42 分
  • Catching Stories, Honoring Black History. Plus, Whipple Open Mic and Skyway 5k

    Catching Stories, Honoring Black History. Plus, Whipple Open Mic and Skyway 5k
    2026/02/23
    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.
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    36 分
  • ‘Your City Could Be Better’: What the Twin Cities Needs To Know about Madison's Data Centers Fight

    ‘Your City Could Be Better’: What the Twin Cities Needs To Know about Madison's Data Centers Fight
    2026/02/22
    Everyone’s talking about AI these days, including residents of the Twin Cities. And now, more data centers are popping up across the country, thanks in part to the AI revolution. But some cities are stemming the tide, including Madison, Wisconsin, who recently passed a one-year moratorium on new data center construction. City Cast CEO David Plotz feels strongly that this was the wrong choice! He’s sitting down with City Cast Madison podcast host Bianca Martin to weigh the pros and cons of data centers, and debate the economic, ethical, and ecological considerations at the heart of this debate. Plus, David and Bianca share must-know tips for making it in Madison and DC. We also mentioned this City Cast Madison episode. 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.
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    28 分
  • What's Happening at the Capitol? Plus, Fight Over Alex Pretti Evidence, and Twin Cities Wins

    What's Happening at the Capitol? Plus, Fight Over Alex Pretti Evidence, and Twin Cities Wins
    2026/02/20
    Minnesota state Sen. Scott Dibble joins host Sean McPherson and contributor Tane Danger for a look ahead at the 2026 legislative session and to share what it has been like returning to the Capitol for the first time since the assassinations of Melissa and Mark Hortman, the Annunciation school shooting, and ICE's surge in Minnesota. Later, producer Adam Sage joins the conversation to discuss Minnesota's continued fight with the federal government over access to evidence in the killing of Alex Pretti and some Twin Cities wins for the week. Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode: After unprecedented string of tragedies, Minnesota legislature will return Tuesday for 2026 session (KARE11) Here are 5 big issues facing lawmakers as they return for the 2026 legislative session (MPR) FBI takes over investigation into fatal shooting of Renee Good (MPR) Despite having warrant, BCA denied access to scene where federal agents shot, killed man in south Minneapolis (KARE11) 2 federal agents who shot Alex Pretti put on leave (MPR) Two CBP Agents Identified in Alex Pretti Shooting (ProPublica) ProPublica reporter: ‘It's been a tradition that we can identify our law enforcement’ (MPR) Minnesota BCA pursuing ‘path forward’ for investigation with FBI into shooting death of Alex Pretti (Star Tribune) FBI formally refuses to share evidence in Alex Pretti shooting with Minnesota BCA (MinnPost) Trump administration formally denies Minnesota access to Alex Pretti evidence (Star Tribune) Minnesota prosecutors demand evidence from federal government in Alex Pretti killing (Minnesota Reformer) Anthony Edwards earns Kobe Bryant Trophy as Kia 2026 NBA All-Star MVP (NBA) A 54-year-old lawyer from Minnesota just became the oldest U.S. Winter Olympian (MPR) Report: Young offenders more likely to stay out of trouble under new Ramsey County initiative (Pioneer Press) From plastic sax to Hall of Fame (Spokesman-Recorder) Learn more about the sponsors of this February 20th 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.
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    39 分