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City Cast Twin Cities

🙌 Rondo revival

March 20, 2026 · Anna Weggel and Sean McPherson edited the City Cast Twin Cities newsletter this week. Feedback? Email [email protected].

Good morning, Twin Cities! Tiffany here. Are you a recent transplant to the Twin Cities? In the wake of Operation Metro Surge, we’re collecting stories from people who chose to move here, whether it’s for our trans refuge laws, schools, parks, housing, or anything else. Leave us a voicemail at 612-217-0637. We might play your message in a future show. 💜

Today’s Must-Know

A pedestrian view of a building. The sign says "Rondo Exchange"
The new Rondo Exchange at 856 Selby Ave. in St. Paul. (Courtesy of Rondo Community Land Trust)

This Saturday, the Rondo Community Land Trust is celebrating the grand opening of a new 2,800 square feet retail space called the Rondo Exchange. The incubator offers business owners an affordable space, as well as coaching and marketing support. Rondo was home to a thriving commercial corridor of Black-owned businesses prior to the creation of I-94, which displaced more than 600 families. [Pioneer Press / Rondo Community Land Trust]

  • What to expect: The grand opening will feature mural unveilings from local artists and treats from Golden Thyme. Illustrator Kp Inspires, one of the Rondo Exchange’s new tenants, posted a video previewing her set-up for opening day. March 21, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. [Rondo Community Land Trust]
  • “Rondo renaissance”: Selby Avenue is seeing some new energy these days, as the Rondo Community Land Trust hopes to spur a “Rondo renaissance.” Golden Thyme, under the ownership of the land trust, opened up two locations on the street. The land trust is also building an affordable condo and retail space at 642 Selby Ave. called the Beasley Project. [Racket / KSTP]

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What the Cities Are Talking About

Public transit check: Metro Transit saw a drop in ridership in 2025 compared to the year before, from about 62 million to 60 million riders. Suburban transit providers saw a lot of new riders, but that was offset by a decline in light rail ridership. [Star Tribune]

Liam at risk again: A judge has denied the asylum claim of Liam Conejo Ramos and his family. If their appeal is denied, the family expects to be deported to Ecuador. The decision stems from a motion filed by the federal government in February seeking to end the family’s asylum claims. [MPR]

A group of no king protestors with an assortment of signs showing a crossed out Trump in a crown. There are U.S. flags as well in the crowd
No Kings Rally in Minneapolis on October 18, 2025. (Kerem Yucel via Getty Images)

Big protest: The next “No Kings” rally is planned for March 28, and Brianna Kelly reports the Capitol is expected to host the biggest protest. Celebrities Jane Fonda, Joan Baez, and Maggie Rogers will be in attendance, along with Minnesota officials. This is the third rally since President Donald Trump began his second term. [Bring Me The News]

Troubled legacy: Academia Cesar Chavez in St. Paul released a statement calling recently surfaced abuse allegations against its namesake “deeply troubling.” It’s unclear what the school will do, if anything, in response to the news. Minnesota is among several states that recognize March 31 as Cesar Chavez Day. [Star Tribune / New York Times]

Sunday listen: This week’s episode of Your City Could Be Better is with Dayvid Figler, and is about brothel workers’ unionization efforts in Nevada, and the broader implications for gig workers. Check the City Cast Twin Cities feed on Sunday! [Your City Could Be Better]

What to Do

Friday, Mar 20

Saturday, Mar 21

Sunday, Mar 22

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Eid Mubarak to all those observing the end of Ramadan. 🌒

— Tiffany

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