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

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/].

Should You Care About Conventions? Plus, Gully Boys and a MN Book Award Author

Glow sticks, a moment of silence for Derek Chauvin (!), and a political upstart. These were all headlines from the GOP and DFL conventions last week. But how important are these events to people who aren’t hardcore partisans? Dr. Christopher Lehman shares the story of Eliza Winston, an enslaved woman brought to Minnesota on vacation. Here, Eliza Winston won her freedom. Plus, hometown fave Gully Boys are returning from tour to play Grand Old Day in St. Paul.  Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode: * Become a City Cast Twin Cities Neighbor [https://membership.citycast.fm/twincities] * Listen to the moment of silence MN GOP delegates held for Derek Chauvin [https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/06/01/listen-to-the-moment-of-silence-mn-gop-delegates-held-for-derek-chauvin/] (Minnesota Reformer) * Lisa Demuth to run in GOP primary for governor, setting up three-way election in August [https://minnesotareformer.com/briefs/lisa-demuth-to-run-in-gop-primary-for-governor-setting-up-three-way-election-in-august/](Minnesota Reformer) * It Took Courage – Minnesota Historical Society [https://shop.mnhs.org/products/it-took-courage?srsltid=AfmBOopB1jwAV8OlRTFzEU8sSjDZtl-_fpKbpMidj0KZ7irByP-hukqh] * Grand Old Day 2026 [https://www.grandave.com/events/grandoldday] If you enjoyed today's interview with Tess Rowser, the Marketing Manager of the Water Lantern Festival, learn more here [https://www.waterlanternfestival.com/events/st-paul]. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 4th 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/].

To Bike Lane or Not To Bike Lane? Plus, Must-Try Hot Dogs and Summer Pies

After reading the New York Times' Best Hot Dogs [https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-hot-dogs/] article, we were inspired to put together our own list of best hot dogs in the Twin Cities. Sean did his homework trying out several hot doggeries over the weekend, and he shares his findings. Our new newsletter writer Roseanne Pereira joins the show to talk about City Cast's free newsletter "Keep It Local," where Roseanne shines a light on some of her favorite local businesses you should check out each week (today's newsletter is all about summer pies!). Later, Sean chats with MPR newsroom coordinator Denzel Belin and producer Adam Sage about the ongoing drama surrounding bike lanes on Lyndale Ave., and Sean shares a tribute to longtime Twin Cities broadcaster and journalist Larry Fitzgerald Sr. Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode: * Sign up for the Keep It Local Newsletter! [https://twincities.citycast.fm/keep-it-local] * 620 Club [https://620clubstp.com/saint-paul-west-7th-620-club-food-menu] * Nordic Dogs [https://nordicdogs612.com/] * The Wienery [https://www.wienery.com/] * Kyatchi [https://kyatchi.com/] * Kramarczuk’s [https://kramarczuks.com/] * Litt Pinball Bar [https://littpinballbar.com/food-menu] * St. Paul Meat Shop [https://www.stpaulmeatshop.com/] * Lyndale Avenue South redesign debate: Uptown business owners clash with bicyclists over parking [https://www.fox9.com/news/lyndale-avenue-south-redesign-debate-uptown-business-owners-clash-bicyclists-over-parking-june-2026] (FOX9) * Clip from Uptown Association Meeting [https://www.instagram.com/p/DZEXVk7xs9G/] (Taylor Dahlin) * 6.1.2026 - Jacob Frey speaks at the Uptown Association event for the Lyndale Ave reconstruction [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-GmL0QpjJg] (Taylor Dahlin) * Interactive community feedback map of the current reconstruction plan [https://www.arcgis.com/apps/instant/reporter/index.html?appid=ad2bdc684e834c839078c4ca295dc8fd] (Hennepin County) * Lyndale Avenue South reconstruction [https://beheardhennepin.org/lyndale-avenue] (Hennepin County) * Become a City Cast Twin Cities Neighbor [https://membership.citycast.fm/twincities] Learn more about the sponsors of this June 3rd 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/].

Nonprofit Fraud, Sober Thursdays, and Taco Bell 50k

Nonprofit fraud has been all over the news lately, especially after the Attorney General announced a $2 million lawsuit against two North Minneapolis pastors. DeAnna Cummings, a co-owner of Juxtaposition Arts, shares her perspective on how this might impact the community. Plus, you don’t have to drink with your friends or coworkers after work. Food critic Kirstie Kimball talks about third spaces for a sober hang. Meanwhile, producer Adam Sage is fresh off the Taco Bell 50k. Did he survive? Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode: * Become a City Cast Twin Cities Neighbor [https://membership.citycast.fm/twincities] * Northside pastors and their followers prepare to fight fraud claims [https://mynorthnews.org/stories/2026/5/28/northside-pastors-and-their-followers-prepare-to-fight-fraud-claims] (North News) * Twin Cities Taco Bell 50k [https://www.instagram.com/twincitiestacobell50k/] (@twincitiestacobell50k) Learn more about the sponsors of this June 2nd 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/].

ICE's Search Warrant Blunder, Pride Pro Tips, and Reconnecting with MN Food

Recently unsealed court documents in the Cities Church case revealed that a judge denied five search warrants to federal investigators as the warrant requests failed to set out probable cause. MPR newsroom coordinator Denzel Belin and host Sean McPherson break down the latest. And it's June (already?!), so we're highlighting all of the best things to do around town this month, including pro-tips for how to get the most out of Twin Cities Jazz Fest and Pride. Later, Sean interviews acclaimed food writer Beth Dooley about the importance of connecting with traditional foods local to Minnesota and reimagining Indigenous foods in a contemporary context. Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode: * ⁠Judge: Cities Church protest search warrant applications didn't meet basic legal standards⁠ [https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/05/26/judge-says-cities-church-protest-search-warrant-application-doesnt-meet-legal-standards] (MPR News) * ⁠Your Guide to June 2026 in the Twin Cities⁠ [https://twincities.citycast.fm/things-to-do/your-guide-to-the-twin-cities-in-june] (City Cast Twin Cities) * ⁠Beth Dooley's Kitchen⁠ [https://bethdooley.substack.com/] (Substack) * ⁠Become a City Cast Twin Cities Neighbor⁠ [https://membership.citycast.fm/twincities] Learn more about the sponsors of this June 1st episode: * ⁠Ordway Center for the Performing Arts⁠ [https://ordway.org/] * ⁠Project for Pride in Living⁠ [https://www.ppl-inc.org/] * ⁠Indeed Brewing Company⁠ [https://indeedbrewing.com/] 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/].