🚗 Got a stealable car?

Kia and Hyundai must add anti-theft protection to Minnesota cars

Thanks to a settlement agreement between Minnesota’s Attorney General and Kia and Hyundai, you could get anti-theft equipment installed in your car for free. The companies will send eligible vehicle owners a notice in 2026 to have zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protectors installed at a local dealership. You can check if your car model qualifies here. [Pioneer Press]

• Background: Kia and Hyundai cars became targets for theft after a TikTok trend started by the “Kia Boys” showed how to exploit the vehicles’ vulnerabilities. According to the lawsuit, the 2011 - 2022 models were sold without anti-theft hardware in the U.S., although protectors were sold with cars in other countries. [MPR]
• “Profits ahead of safety”: Two victims of the auto thefts joined Attorney General Keith Ellison’s press conference announcing the lawsuit. Michael Christenson said his Kia had been stolen nine times, leading to skyrocketing insurance premiums and stolen music equipment. Pakou Hang spoke about her mother, Phoua Hang, who was killed by the driver of a stolen Kia. [Star Tribune]

Great taste: After two years of research and visits to 600 restaurants, my favorite food critic, Kirstie Kimball, released her top 50 restaurants in Minnesota. Kirstie joins the show to talk about some of her picks and her impressive code of ethics. Kirstie’s tip: don’t just follow the hype cycle. [🎧 City Cast Twin Cities]

Day in court: The American Civil Liberties Union branch of Minnesota is suing ICE on behalf of six residents, alleging the federal agency violated their First and Fourth Amendment rights. One of the residents is Susan Tincher, a citizen observer who was arrested for confronting ICE while they were detaining her neighbors. [ACLU-MN]

No new gun laws: Governor Walz signed executive orders addressing gun violence after talks broke down in the Legislature. Michelle Griffith at the Reformer reports the orders are pretty modest; the first order creates a council which will then put together an “action plan” to prevent mass shootings. The second is a broad directive to protect Minnesotans from gun violence and provide education about “red flag” laws. [Minnesota Reformer]

Happy place: We’re highlighting notable Twin Citizens in our new series, “We Live Here On Purpose.” Our first star is the artist and unofficial mayor of Lowertown, Ta-coumba Aiken. Check out our interview with Aiken about his happy place, the Union Depot. Who else should we feature? Reply to this email and let us know. [City Cast Twin Cities]

Musical chairs: In Tuesday’s primary, St. Paul voters chose labor lawyer Meg Luger-Nikolai to fill the seat vacated by former Rep. Kaohly Her after she won the mayoral election. Luger-Nikolai will face Republican Dan Walsh in the January special elections. [MPR]

Good neighbor: Southwest Voices recently highlighted South Uptown neighbor Pam. She and other neighbors watched over a person sleeping on the street in November, and she walked him to Simpson Housing for a shower and food. Minneapolis police later found out he was an endangered and missing person. [Southwest Voices]

Thursday, December 18

• 🪐 Museum Nights: Lost in Space | Science Museum of Minnesota
• 🦪 Oyster School with Chef Russell Klein | Meritage
• 🎧 Guest Selector Series ft. Jake Rudh | Small Hours
• 👗 The Friend Zone: A Girls Only Clothing Exchange | Brühaven Craft Co.
• 🎹 Cornbread Harris & Friends – Holiday Blues Show | Hook and Ladder
• 🕎 Adam Bohanan Presents A Very Funky Hanukkah Show | Cedar Cultural Center
• 🎤 Chloe Radcliffe + Jeff Pfoser (CCU Reopening Party Weekend) | Comedy Corner Underground
• 👑 Flip Phone Superstar 2025: Twin Cities' Next Drag Superstar | First Avenue

Friday, December 19

• 🌙 Winter Solstice Family Fun Night 🆓 | Minneapolis American Indian Center
• 🎶 Black “Co-MingL” Nativity Matinee | Capri Theater
• 📚 An Evening of Children's Literature with Kao Kalia Yang & Friends | Ordway Concert Hall
• 📻 Mysterious Old Radio Listening Society: A Christmas Carol | Crooners
• 🪩 Call Your Girlfriend - A Robyn Dance Party | Fine Line
• 🔥 Le Cirque Rouge: Cabaret & Burlesque Show | 331 Club
• 🥁 Onwa December with Obi Original & The Black Atlantics | The Cabooze

• IT Services and Infrastructure Manager at Minnesota Historical Society | $86k - $108k per year
• Director of IT at Guthrie Theater | $120k – $130k per year
• Software Engineer / Front-End Developer at Room & Board | $120k – $130k per year
• Associate Buyer (Soap and Deodorant) at Target | $56k - $101k per year
• Bricklayer at City of Saint Paul Parks and Recreation | $93k – $103k per year