City Cast Twin Cities

John Cook House Saved. Plus, Rondo Time Travels Through Roblox

We explore the vibrant pulse of the Twin Cities as Memorial Day kicks off our outdoor season. Contributor PaviElle French and Sean share their picks for the week's best events, from Books & Bars at Urban Growler to the meaningful "Flowers Now" celebration at Cedar Cultural Center honoring Black arts elders. Then we dive into the "Rondo-verse," an innovative Roblox game that lets players walk through both historic and modern Rondo. Finally, we welcome Recovery Bike Shop's Seth Stattmiller and Elizabeth Richardson to discuss their community effort to save the 137-year-old John Cook House from demolition. Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode: * Rondo in Roblox pairs St. Paul time-travel with modern verve [https://www.minnpost.com/news/top-story/2026/05/rondo-in-roblox-pairs-st-paul-time-travel-with-modern-verve/] (MinnPost) * Historic home to change hands [https://www.mynortheaster.com/news/historic-home-to-change-hands/] (My Northeaster) * Cook House [https://www.minneapolismn.gov/resident-services/property-housing/preservation/landmarks-districts/landmarks/cook-house/] (City of Minneapolis) * Dilapidated 137-year-old Minneapolis house saved from wrecking ball [https://www.startribune.com/dilapidated-137-year-old-minneapolis-house-saved-from-wrecking-ball/601833149] (Star Tribune) * Help Us Save the John Cook House [https://recovery.bike/johncookhouse/] (Recovery Bike Shop) * Become a City Cast Twin Cities Neighbor [https://membership.citycast.fm/twincities] Learn more about the sponsors of this May 26th episode: * Ordway Center for the Performing Arts [https://ordway.org/] * Project for Pride in Living [https://www.ppl-inc.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/].

In Defense of TJ’s Parking Lots, Beagles Find Forever Homes, and Netflix’s George Floyd Controversy

We dive into the controversial world of Trader Joe's parking lots with Bill Lindeke, who's defending the cramped lots that make Twin Cities shoppers lose their minds. Then we celebrate wins including HCMC's financial rescue and the return of Loring Park's beloved dandelion fountain, plus rescued beagles finding Minnesota homes. And don’t miss our special members-only segment where we talk about a reference to George Floyd that was made in a comedy roast of Kevin Hart, and how we feel about it as Minnesotans. Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode: * In praise of Trader Joe’s parking lots - MinnPost [https://www.minnpost.com/cityscape/2026/05/in-praise-of-trader-joes-parking-lots/] (MinnPost) * HCMC funding passes in omnibus health and human services finance, policy bill [https://www.house.mn.gov/sessiondaily/Story/19200] (MN Legislature / Winter Keefer) * Loring Park's Berger Fountain funded by state bonding bill [https://taylordahlin.com/f/loring-parks-berger-fountain-funded-by-state-bonding-bill] (Taylor Dahlin) * Pup-date from Ridglan beagle foster mom ahead of dog's adoption day [https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/05/21/ridglan-beagle-foster-update-ahead-of-dog-adoption-day] (MPR News) * George Floyd Netflix Roast Joke Minneapolis Community Response 2026 [https://spokesman-recorder.com/2026/05/19/george-floyd-netflix-roast-joke/] (Spokesman-Recorder) * Become a City Cast Twin Cities Neighbor [https://membership.citycast.fm/twincities] Learn more about the sponsors of this May 22nd episode: * Ordway Center for the Performing Arts [https://ordway.org/] * Bakken Museum [https://thebakken.org/events] * Berlin [https://www.berlinmpls.com/calendar] * Project for Pride in Living [https://www.ppl-inc.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/].

Who Wins Summer in the USA? Twin Cities Makes Its Case

City Cast Twin Cities host Sean McPherson hosts this showdown where 12 City Cast reps, including City Cast CCO and Twin Cities local Andi McDaniel, compete head-to-head and debate which city is the best for a weekend trip this summer. From hot tub boats (exactly what they sound like) to epic outdoor summer festivals, our hosts are bringing the best of what their city has to offer this season. Can Andi beat out her competitors from Chicago, DC, Denver, Las Vegas, Madison, Nashville, Philly, Pittsburgh, Portland, Salt Lake, and Seattle? Learn more about the sponsors of this May 21st episode: * Ordway Center for the Performing Arts [https://ordway.org/] * Bakken Museum [https://thebakken.org/events] * Berlin [https://www.berlinmpls.com/calendar] * Project for Pride in Living [https://www.ppl-inc.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/].

School for Teen Moms Faces Cuts. Plus, ICE Agent Charged and the Art of Clowning

A second immigration agent has been charged by the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office. One week after Renee Good was killed, agent Christian J. Castro allegedly shot a Venezuelan man in the leg and lied that it was in self-defense. The county has a nationwide warrant out for his arrest. Plus, Sahan Journal’s Becky Dernbach reports that students at Longfellow Alternative High School have a lot to lose in upcoming budget cuts. The school serves teen moms and their kids. Finally, we’re joined by Kathryn Cesarz of Cahoot?! Physical Theatre, a real-life clown. Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode: * Become a City Cast Twin Cities Neighbor [https://membership.citycast.fm/twincities] * ICE agent charged in shooting of immigrant during Operation Metro Surge [https://www.startribune.com/ice-agent-charged-in-shooting-of-man-in-north-minneapolis-during-operation-metro-surge/601843874] (Star Tribune) * For teen moms at Longfellow Alternative School, Minneapolis budget cuts have outsized impact [https://sahanjournal.com/education/minneapolis-public-schools-budget-cuts-longfellow-high-teen-moms/] (Sahan Journal) * Cahoot?! Physical Theatre [https://www.cahootphysicaltheatre.org/] * TigerLion Arts [https://tigerlion.org/] * Circus Juventas [https://circusjuventas.org/] * In the Heart of the Beast Puppet & Mask Theatre [https://www.hobt.org/] * Fox & Beggar Theater [https://www.foxandbeggar.org/] * Kate Tobie [https://www.instagram.com/teamtobie/] Learn more about the sponsors of this May 20th episode: * Ordway Center for the Performing Arts [https://ordway.org/] * Bakken Museum [https://thebakken.org/events] * Berlin [https://www.berlinmpls.com/calendar] * Project for Pride in Living [https://www.ppl-inc.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/].

Transplant's Guide to the Twin Cities and How Data Centers Could Affect Us

We love our transplants here in Minnesota (even if we won't invite you to our cabin). Here’s everything we forgot to tell you about Minnesota, from why we refuse to eat the last bite to why we don’t dance at concerts. Plus, we’ll hear some heartwarming stories from real life transplants. Also, if you don’t know what the heck a data center is and why there’s so much controversy, join the club. Professors Elise Harrington and James Coleman from the University of Minnesota will share what you need to know if a tech company comes a’knockin to town. Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode: * We’re So Glad You Moved to Minnesota, Here’s What We Forgot to Tell You [https://twincities.citycast.fm/guides/we-re-so-glad-you-moved-to-minnesota-here-s-what-we-forgot-to-tell-you] (City Cast Twin Cities) * MN residents opposed to data centers take their fight to legislators [https://www.minnpost.com/state-government/2026/03/minnesota-residents-opposed-to-data-centers-look-to-legislators-for-moratoriums-and-transparency/] (MinnPost) * 'It's David vs. Goliath': Inside the Fight to Kill Google's Secrecy-Shrouded Hermantown Data Center [https://racketmn.com/google-data-center-hermantown-minnesota-nda] (Racket) Learn more about the sponsors of this May 19th episode: * Ordway Center for the Performing Arts [https://ordway.org/] * Bakken Museum [https://thebakken.org/events] * Berlin [https://www.berlinmpls.com/calendar] * Project for Pride in Living [https://www.ppl-inc.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/].