Ex-Cardamom Workers Allege Retaliation. Plus, Queer Folk Music and MN Tops Another List

Ex-Cardamom Workers Allege Retaliation. Plus, Queer Folk Music and MN Tops Another List

Minnesota was recently named the #1 state in the country for quality of life by the State of the Nation Project, but we came up short in some specific categories. Former employees at Cardamom, the recently-shuttered restaurant inside the Walker Art Center, have filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board alleging that DDP Restaurant Group retaliated against them for organizing efforts. Sean is joined by contributor Tane Danger to break down these stories, and local musician Emmy Woods joins the conversation later to talk about an upcoming queer country music concert at the Turf Club. Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode: * Minnesota ranked best in country for quality of life [https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-tops-quality-of-life-us-study/601854426] (Star Tribune) * Minnesota full State of the States Report [https://stateofnation.org/assets/stateofnation/downloads/sots/Minnesota.pdf?v=1.0.42] (State of the Nation)   * Former employees of Walker Art Center restaurant file labor complaint [https://www.startribune.com/former-employees-of-walker-art-center-restaurant-file-labor-complaint/601855093] (Star Tribune)   * Country Queers Make Do [https://first-avenue.com/event/2026-06-emmy-woods-lake-davi-tomboyy-pine-fire/] (Turf Club) * Become a City Cast Twin Cities Neighbor [https://membership.citycast.fm/twincities] Learn more about the sponsors of this June 11th episode: * Ordway Center for the Performing Arts [https://ordway.org/] * Vida y Deportes [https://vidaydeportes.com/] * North Canna [https://www.northcanna.com/] - get 30% of your first purchase at northcanna.com 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/].

Is the U of M Slogan Really That Bad? Plus, GR3G Wants to Get Vulnerable

We found the one person willing to defend the University of Minnesota’s slogan “Leave A Future” publicly. Maybe too little too late, as the university has decided to ditch it two months after its launch. We also chat with up-and-coming rapper GR3G, who is celebrating the release of his new album “Voices in Between” on June 27 at the 7th Street Entry. Plus, food shelves still need your support.  Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode: * Become a City Cast Twin Cities Neighbor [https://membership.citycast.fm/twincities] * UMN ‘Leave a Future’ tagline scrapped by officials following public response [https://mndaily.com/campus/umn-leave-a-future-tagline-scrapped-by-officals-following-public-response/06/07/2026/eicmndaily-com/] (MN Daily) * GR3G ★ 7th St Entry - First Avenue [https://first-avenue.com/event/2026-06-gr3g/] * Operation Metro Surge has receded, but food shelf demand is still setting records [https://www.startribune.com/operation-metro-surge-has-receded-but-food-shelf-demand-is-still-setting-records/601847584] (Star Tribune) * Hunger Solutions [https://www.hungersolutions.org/] Learn more about the sponsors of this June 10th episode: * Ordway Center for the Performing Arts [https://ordway.org/] * Vida y Deportes [https://vidaydeportes.com/] * North Canna [https://www.northcanna.com/] - get 30% of your first purchase at northcanna.com 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/].

Best Breakfast Spots and Double Features in the Twin Cities

The Twin Cities does breakfast better than anywhere else. But where do you go to get the best breakfast within the best breakfast scene in the world? Sean is joined by Kirstie Kimball of beyond beurre blanc and podcast producer Hans Buetow to talk about their favorite spots. Later, Racket co-owner Em Cassel and producer Adam Sage join the conversation to share the best double features around the cities – where you go to one location and chain together multiple activities for one awesome night or day out on the town. Check out the excellent breakfast spots mentioned in today's episode: * Al's Breakfast [https://www.alsbreakfastmpls.com/] for a waffle * Dahlia [https://www.eatatdahlia.com/] for a croissant * Darling [https://www.darlingmpls.com/] for savory waffles (old birchwood location) * Herbst [https://www.herbstsaintpaul.com/menu] in St. Paul for the duck waffle * Churchill St. [https://www.churchillst.com/] for blueberry hotcakes cooked in bacon fat * Isles Bun and Coffee [https://islesbun.com/] for the best cinnamon bun in the Twin Cities * Diane's Place [https://dianesplacemn.com/] (go at 8 a.m. on a weekday to easily get a spot at the bar) * Post Modern Times [https://www.moderntimesmpls.com/] for vegan donuts Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and their Southside Hash * Our Kitchen [http://www.our-kitchen.com/] for the best hashbrowns in the Twin Cities * Scramblin' Egg [https://www.scramblinegg.com/] for their deep-fried hashbrown bites * So Yen [https://www.soyendesserts.com/menu] for their congee  * Lito's Burritos [https://order.toasttab.com/online/litosburritos] for their breakfast burrito * Andy's Garage [https://www.andys-mpls.com/] in Midtown Global Market for the best breakfast tacos in the Twin Cities * El Taco Riendo [https://eltacoriendomn.com/] for the best chilaquiles in the Twin Cities  * Black Walnut [https://www.blackwalnutbakery.com/] for the best quiche in the Twin Cities * Bellecour [https://bellecourmn.com/] for a close runner-up for best quiche Want ad-free listening and access to bonus content and exclusive invites to members-only events? become a City Cast Twin Cities Neighbor [https://membership.citycast.fm/twincities] today. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 9th episode: * Ordway Center for the Performing Arts [https://ordway.org/] * Vida y Deportes [https://vidaydeportes.com/] * North Canna [https://www.northcanna.com/] - get 30% of your first purchase at northcanna.com 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/].

Let’s Leash Our Dogs at Minnehaha Park. Plus, Lynx on Top

The Lynx are sitting near the top of the heap as they make their way to the championships. Star Tribune women’s sports reporter Cassidy Hettesheimer tells us about the rookie player leading the way, even in Napheesa Collier’s absence. We’re also joined by Minneapolis Park Board Commissioner Jason Garcia, who explains why the board is decommissioning the Minnehaha Off-Leash Dog Park. Plus, Sean’s cabin questions for when you’re sitting around a campfire (or taking a poop).  Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode: * Become a City Cast Twin Cities Neighbor [https://membership.citycast.fm/twincities] * Park Board Takes Step Toward Closing Minnehaha Dog Park [https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/06/02/park-board-proposal-close-minnehaha-dog-park?fbclid=IwY2xjawSN5BdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeUFkLYoXHEdsdapBxa_Mq6tJzeUjnpDq2ehWOO5py-LcfSMzXvYg8gmW55nM_aem_YWdncwAQggNp3S8gmiQPAMZVo0Hu&brid=YWdncwGneA98IgbM5g6QDqyyVMpr] (Axios Twin Cities) * Stories by Cassidy Hettesheimer [https://www.startribune.com/author/cassidy-hettesheimer/600370730] If you enjoyed today's interview with Jill Hornbacher, the Senior Director of Public Relations at Comcast, learn more here [https://www.xfinity.com/overview]. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 8th episode: Ordway Center for the Performing Arts [https://ordway.org/] Vida y Deportes [https://vidaydeportes.com/] North Canna [https://www.northcanna.com/] - get 30% of your first purchase at northcanna.com 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/].

Star Tribune Layoffs, Prince's Secret Cookie, and Indie Music Venues

The Minnesota Star Tribune announced that they would be laying off about 15% of their work force, or 65 people. After Racket published the leaked layoff memo [https://racketmn.com/read-star-tribune-publisher-steve-groves-leaked-memo-announcing-dramatic-job-cuts-updated-vision] from Star Tribune CEO Steve Grove, Sean is joined by Racket co-owners Em Cassel and Jay Boller to talk about what we know so far. Renowned Prince Historian Andrea Swensson also joins the show to share some facts you probably didn't know about the superstar as Sunday marks what would have been his 68th birthday, and local venue operators James Taylor and Josh Cragun talk about the challenges of running an independent music venue in the Twin Cities in the big '26. In a bonus segment only for City Cast Twin Cities Neighbors, the entire city cast staff joins to play a game of "Hot Dish Hush," where they try to get each other to guess common Twin Cities landmarks without saying certain prohibited words. To get bonus segments like this, ad-free listening, and exclusive invites to members-only events, you can sign up to become a Neighbor today [https://membership.citycast.fm/twincities]. Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode: * Read Star Tribune Publisher Steve Grove's Leaked Memo Announcing Dramatic Job Cuts, Updated 'Vision' [https://racketmn.com/read-star-tribune-publisher-steve-groves-leaked-memo-announcing-dramatic-job-cuts-updated-vision] (Racket) * Minnesota Star Tribune cuts jobs and pursues nonprofit ownership structure [https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-star-tribune-cuts-jobs-and-pursues-nonprofit-ownership-structure/601852356] (Star Tribune)   * Star Tribune planning job cuts, exploring new ownership model [https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/06/03/star-tribune-planning-job-cuts-exploring-new-ownership-model](MPR News)  * Mpls Police Chief's Epic Downfall. Plus, Sing Purple Rain With 1,000 Strangers [https://twincities.citycast.fm/podcasts/mpls-police-chiefs-epic-downfall-plus-sing-purple-rain-with-1000-strangers] (City Cast Twin Cities) * Prince Singalong [https://www.paisleypark.com/celebration2026blockparty] (Paisley Park)  * NIVA Conference June 7-10 Minneapolis [https://www.nivassoc.org/conference] * The Cedar Cultural Center [https://www.thecedar.org/] * Gobo Tickets [https://www.gobo.show/about-us/] Learn more about the sponsors of this June 5th episode: * Ordway Center for the Performing Arts [https://ordway.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/].