'Unionbusting' at a Punk Merch Warehouse, and the Aquatennial's Ugly History

How Did the Feds Get Private DMs? Plus, Bike Lane Fight Gets Heated

Lyndale Avenue needs a facelift, but the issue has been overshadowed by a fight over whether to install bike lanes. Star Tribune columnist Eric Roper says while the plan (bike lane and all) is all but set in place, local government should focus on keeping small businesses afloat during construction. The feds are relying on Signal messages to indict 15 protesters on conspiracy charges but reporter Clint Combs asks: how did they get those secure, private chats? Plus, local TikTok influencers called out a homebuilder for allegedly botching their $1 million home. The company tried to silence them. Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode: Become a City Cast Twin Cities Neighbor [https://account.citycast.fm/become-a-neighbor/twincities?utm_source=show_notes&utm_medium=pod&utm_campaign=pod_promo] Roper: Lyndale Avenue bike lane fight misses the real problem [https://www.startribune.com/lyndale-avenue-bicycle-lane-hennepin-county/601853630] (Star Tribune) Lyndale Avenue reconstruction public meeting [https://www.instagram.com/reels/DZEXVk7xs9G/] (Taylor Dahlin) Government Says Terabytes of Signal Chats are Central to the Case Against Minnesota 15 [https://unicornriot.ninja/2026/government-says-terabytes-of-signal-chats-are-central-to-the-case-against-minnesota-15/] (Unicorn Riot) Minnesota Social Media Stars’ Legal fight with local homebuilder goes viral [https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-social-media-stars-legal-fight-with-local-homebuilder-goes-viral/601859266] (Star Tribune) @momchats [https://www.tiktok.com/@momchats/video/7641789089355713823] (Tik Tok) Learn more about the sponsors of this July 14th episode: The Cedar Cultural Center [https://www.thecedar.org/] Studio J-Bo [https://www.studioj-bo.com/] Twin Cities PBS [https://tpt.org/] Minnehaha Falls Art Fair [https://www.homespunevents.com/minnehahafallsartfair] Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastTwinCities on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/citycasttwincities/], or email us at twincities@citycast.fm [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 [https://citycast.fm/advertise/].

'Unionbusting' at a Punk Merch Warehouse, and the Aquatennial's Ugly History

Workers at the Northeast Minneapolis Kings Road Merch warehouse have provided merch for some of the biggest names in punk music. But after they voted to unionize, parent company Sony Music announced plans to close their warehouse for good. Tim Lunning, a representative from the Kings Road Merch Union, joins the podcast to talk about why he believes Sony's actions amount to unionbusting, and how the workers are fighting back. Later, legendary musician and producer Gary Hines joins the conversation to talk about why he made the decision to pull his Black drum corp, the Sabathanites, out of the Aquatennial parade in the 1960's – and why he eventually returned to the festival in 2010. Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode: minneapolis punks voted to unionize a merch warehouse. sony music plans to shut it down. [https://see-saw.fun/minneapolis-punks-voted-to-unionize-a-merch-warehouse-sony-music-plans-to-shut-it-down/] (see/saw) Paradox: Echoes of Reform & the Minneapolis Police [https://www.pbs.org/show/paradox-echoes-of-reform-the-minneapolis-police/] (PBS) Sabathanites return to Aquatennial [https://www.insightnews.com/news/local/sabathanites-return-to-aquatennial/article_7cfd9f37-d0b0-522c-9441-bda102a7e250.html] (Insight News) Sabathanites Drum Corps [https://www.mnhs.org/mnopedia/search/index/group/sabathanites-drum-corps] (MNopedia) Become a City Cast Twin Cities Neighbor [https://account.citycast.fm/become-a-neighbor/twincities?utm_source=show_notes&utm_medium=pod&utm_campaign=pod_promo] Learn more about the sponsors of this July 13th episode: The Cedar Cultural Center [https://www.thecedar.org/] Studio J-Bo [https://www.studioj-bo.com/] Twin Cities PBS [https://tpt.org/] Minnehaha Falls Art Fair [https://www.homespunevents.com/minnehahafallsartfair] Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastTwinCities on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/citycasttwincities/], or email us at twincities@citycast.fm [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 [https://citycast.fm/advertise/].

Top 5 Vintage Shops, Grocery Rave, and Video Stores Are So Back

You don’t have to rewind time to rent physical copies of movies. Contributor and Racket co-owner Em Cassel tells us about Saturn Video, which hopes to combine video rentals with a cafe for the ultimate third space. We also pick our top five vintage stores to fit any aesthetic you’re looking for. Plus, the Trader Joe’s vs Aldi rave at First Ave is an April Fools’ joke turned real. We play a game with the (also real) DJ Hampster Dance. Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode: ⁠Become a City Cast Twin Cities Neighbor⁠ [https://account.citycast.fm/become-a-neighbor/twincities?utm_source=show_notes&utm_medium=pod&utm_campaign=pod_promo] ⁠Saturn Video Instagram⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/saturnvideo.cafe/] ⁠Does Minneapolis have a 'Video Rental Guild'? If So, Saturn Video Is Its Newest Member.⁠ [https://racketmn.com/does-minneapolis-have-a-video-rental-guild-if-so-saturn-video-is-its-newest-member] (Racket) ⁠The Video Store MPLS: Bringing Brick-and-Mortar Movie Rentals Back to the Twin Cities⁠ [https://racketmn.com/the-video-store-mpls-bringing-brick-and-mortar-movie-rentals-back-to-the-twin-cities] (Racket) ⁠Trader Joe’s vs. Aldi Rave ★ First Avenue⁠ [https://first-avenue.com/event/2026-07-trader-joes-vs-aldi-rave/] ⁠Love Token⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/lovetokenmpls/?hl=en] ⁠B. resale⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/bresalempls/?hl=en] ⁠Moth Oddities⁠ [https://www.mothoddities.com/] ⁠The Mall of St. Paul⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/mallofstpaul/] ⁠Time Bomb Vintage⁠ [https://www.timebombvintage.com/] If you enjoyed this interview with Sam Holt, the Senior Partner Development Manager for TaskRabbit, learn more here [https://www.taskrabbit.com/]. Learn more about the sponsors of this July 10th episode: ⁠The Cedar Cultural Center⁠ [https://www.thecedar.org/] Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastTwinCities on ⁠Instagram⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/citycasttwincities/], or email us at ⁠twincities@citycast.fm⁠ [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 [https://citycast.fm/advertise/].

'The Cruelty of Nice Folks' in Minneapolis, Minnehaha Art Fair Tips, and Remembering Harry Singh

Harry Singh brought previously unheard of levels of spice to Minnesota when he opened his Caribbean restaurant in Minneapolis over 40 years ago, and he was a pillar in the community until passing away peacefully in his home last Friday. On today's episode, Sean and contributor Tane Danger reflect on their experiences with Harry and his food. They also interview Justin Ellis, author of "The Cruelty of Nice Folks", about Minneapolis' complicated history and how we tend to fall short of effecting real progressive change in the long run. Later, events manager Nichole Showalter joins the conversation to talk about the upcoming Minnehaha Falls Art Fair, which runs from July 17 through 19. Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode: Twin Cities Caribbean food 'trailblazer' Harry Singh dies at 81 [https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/07/07/harry-singh-restauranteur-dies-at-81] (MPR News) The Cruelty of Nice Folks: Why Minneapolis Is the Story of America [https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-cruelty-of-nice-folks-justin-ellis?variant=44065276493858] (Harper Collins Publishers) Minnehaha Falls Art Fair [https://www.homespunevents.com/minnehahafallsartfair] (Homespun Events)  Become a City Cast Twin Cities Neighbor [https://account.citycast.fm/become-a-neighbor/twincities?utm_source=show_notes&utm_medium=pod&utm_campaign=pod_promo] Learn more about the sponsors of this July 9th episode: ⁠⁠The Cedar Cultural Center⁠⁠ [https://www.thecedar.org/] Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastTwinCities on ⁠Instagram⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/citycasttwincities/], or email us at ⁠twincities@citycast.fm⁠ [https://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 [https://citycast.fm/advertise/].

Secret Companies Want More Data Centers. Plus, Yacht Club’s Sibling and Close Races

Minnesota may be a blue state, but our House and Senate races are looking purple-y. MinnPost reporter Matt Blake tells us how these nailbiter races might affect everything from gun reform to data centers. Speaking of, Eagan is getting sued by a data center owner over their moratorium. The case could set a precedent for other cities looking to regulate these sprawling developments, sometimes shrouded in secrecy. Finally, country music is on the rise; the Minnesota Country Club Festival, sibling to the popular Yacht Club, comes to Harriet Island this week. But the headliners show the definition of “country” is getting blurry. Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode: ⁠⁠Become a City Cast Twin Cities Neighbor⁠⁠ [https://membership.citycast.fm/twincities] ⁠⁠Minnesota legislative battlegrounds⁠⁠ [https://www.minnpost.com/elections/2026/07/minnesota-legislative-races-2026-battlegrounds/] (MinnPost) ⁠⁠Data center company sues Eagan over development pause⁠⁠ [https://www.twincities.com/2026/07/06/data-center-company-sues-eagan-over-development-pause/] (Pioneer Press) ⁠⁠Making sense of Minnesota Yacht Club’s new ‘country’ offshoot festival⁠⁠ [https://www.startribune.com/making-sense-minnesota-country-club-offshoot-yacht-harriet-island-st-paul-red-clay-strays-treaty-oak/601862969] (Star Tribune) ⁠⁠Minnesota Country Club Festival⁠⁠ [https://www.minnesotacountryclubfest.com/] Learn more about the sponsors of this July 8th episode: ⁠⁠The Cedar Cultural Center⁠⁠ [https://www.thecedar.org/] Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastTwinCities on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/citycasttwincities/], or email us at ⁠⁠twincities@citycast.fm⁠⁠ [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 [https://citycast.fm/advertise/].