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City Cast Twin Cities

👶 Good news for 2025 babies

November 13, 2025

Hey Twin Cities! Tiffany here. I feel so lucky the northern lights are sticking around this week. The gorgeous displays are thanks to a severe geomagnetic storm. Thank you to everyone who sent in their slice of the sky.

The northern lights over downtown St. Paul with a view of the city's skyscape.
The northern lights over downtown St. Paul on Tuesday night. (James Napoli / City Cast Twin Cities)
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What the Cities Are Talking About

A newborn wearing a hospital blanket is caressed by their mother's hand which is connected to IVs, next to a person wearing blue.
A parent and baby have some bonding time at the Mercy Hospital - Unity Campus in Fridley. (Education Images/Universal Images Group / Getty Images)

Get paid time off with your infant in 2026

Starting next year, Minnesotans will be able to claim up to 12 weeks of paid family or medical leave. People have noticed a quirk that allows parents who had kids in 2025 to “double-dip,” meaning they will be able to take leave under the state program as well. Michelle Griffith, Minnesota Reformer reporter, joined today’s episode to give us the inside scoop. [🎧 City Cast Twin Cities]

  • Load the chip: Griffith says companies must opt in to the program unless they offer a better program. So you can’t double-dip if your company is particularly generous, but she says most companies will have to adopt the state program.
  • High demand: Minnesota estimates 12,000 to 15,000 people will take paid parental leave. Employers have a lot of questions and are anxious for a smooth rollout. [KSTP]
  • Portal worries: Minnesota doesn’t have the greatest track record with portal launches (remember MNLARS?). The paid leave portal isn’t up yet, but if you’re concerned, Michelle talked to the director, who says he’s sleeping well.

Also Worth Your Time

“Hot SexWorld Now”: SexWorld in downtown Minneapolis closed in June after 30 years of “giddy smuttiness." But for $800, you can own original signs from North Loop’s horny history. [Facebook Marketplace]

Assault weapons ban: St. Paul City Council passed a largely symbolic ban on assault-style guns on Wednesday. Minnesota law forbids cities from passing their own gun bans, but if that’s ever overturned, St. Paul’s goes into effect. The nonprofit Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus is planning to take the ordinance to court. [Star Tribune]

A corner of the Sonder The Fitz Apartments in downtown St. Paul with a green walkway in view.
Sonder The Fitz Apartments in downtown St. Paul. (James Napoli / City Cast Twin Cities)

Check out time: The Sonder hotels in St. Paul and Minneapolis closed suddenly when their partnership with parent company Marriott Bonvoy ended. Customers at Sonder locations nationwide said they were left stranded after being told to leave their rooms. Have you been affected by the Sonder closures? Reply to this email and let us know. [CNN / Pioneer Press]

High-profile carjacking: Minneapolis Council Member Jamal Osman was carjacked by two people Monday night. Osman says he’s unharmed and wrote: “This incident is another reminder of the work ahead to keep all our communities safe.” [Bring Me The News]

Cheaper grocery runs: Target and other retailers are lowering prices on essentials ahead of this holiday season. Cub Food has reduced the price of 30 grocery items by 40%. Carson Hartzog reports Target is trying to hold onto customers leaving for more budget-friendly grocers like Walmart. [Star Tribune]

What to Do

Thursday, November 13

Friday, November 14

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If you bought the Kitty Kat Klub sign for $2,000, please let us know. Someone should consider opening a museum of defunct Twin Cities business signage.

— Tiffany

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