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City Cast Twin Cities

🤳 The influencer (un)banned from St. Paul parks

May 15, 2026 · — Tiffany

TGIF, Twin Cities! Tiffany here. I asked readers for unspoken Minnesota rules they live by. Here’s what you said:

  • From Katrina: “When someone compliments your shirt/jeans/swimsuit/serving ware/etc., always tell them where you got it and how it was on sale or clearance. Even if it wasn't.”
  • From Jason: “Wave after merging on the highway.”

These are new to me! If you have more, reply to this email. And in the meantime, catch me waving while I get on I-94. 👋

Today’s Must-Know

Diptych of two men video chatting remotely, each wearing headphones with microphones in front of them
Sean McPherson and Josh Liljenquist. (City Cast Twin Cities)

Behind the cam with a mega “kindness influencer”

On April 6, the city of St. Paul banned “kindness influencer” Josh Liljenquist from all St. Paul parks for 6 months, accusing him “harassing, recording and profiting” off of unsheltered people at the Pig’s Eye Park encampment. But a little over two weeks later, the city lifted that ban. Perhaps in line with the Streisand effect, this incident has sparked debate over Liljenquist’s practice of filming himself providing aid to unhoused people and posting it online. On today’s show, we ask Liljenquist about the process behind creating this content. [🎧 City Cast Twin Cities / Axios Twin Cities]

  • Professional concerns: Liljenquist’s 10.9 million TikTok followers watch as he buys food from restaurants to distribute to the homeless, or goes on shopping runs to buy people whatever they need. But some local service providers to the homeless worry Liljenquist isn’t able to provide encampment residents with the stability and consistency they need after he turns off the camera.
  • His side: Liljenquist told City Cast Twin Cities prior to the ban, he was at the Pig’s Eye encampment seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. He would sit in his car and let people approach him to warm up or ask for resources. “ It's more about not necessarily making the video, you know? It's like, ‘Do you feel seen? Do you feel heard?’ Liljenquist said. “And if they say no, I say, ‘Do you want a chance to be on my platform and to be heard?’”
  • Interesting: Liljenquist said he’s working to build 12 mini homes on a church campus of Brooklyn Park. City Cast Twin Cities has reached out to the city for comment.

What the Cities Are Talking About

HCMC rescued: Governor Tim Walz and legislative leaders have struck a deal to save Hennepin County Medical Center from closure. HCMC will receive $250 million, as well as a $500 million reserve account. A Minnesota Reformer analysis found that last year, the safety net hospital served patients from 86 out of 87 counties in Minnesota. [Star Tribune / Minnesota Reformer]

Art everywhere: Have you noticed poems etched in the concrete of St. Paul’s sidewalks? You too could have your musings stamped where you stomp. The city is taking submissions for its annual Sidewalk Poetry Contest until June 3. In collaboration with the Capitol Region Watershed District, this year’s theme is water. [MSP Mag]

Pour one out: After 12 years in business, Bauhaus Brew Labs announced it will be closing up shop. In a social media post, the owners wrote that “the financial headwinds have proven to be insurmountable.” The brewery will still host Art-A-Whirl celebrations and will throw a going-away party June 26-28. [Bauhaus]

Multi-level fountain next to large brick residential building, and trees in the distance
The Berger Fountain in Loring Park. (Courtesy of Citizens For A Loring Park Community)

An icon returns: Minneapolis is beginning work to restore the Berger Fountain in Loring Park. Phase one will kick off with a party at the park on May 21. The project will also reconstruct the plaza and add seating. [Southwest Voices / Minneapolis Parks & Rec Board]

At City Hall: Frederick Melo has details about a complaint filed against St. Paul Council member Anika Bowie by her former legislative aide Biftu Adema-Jula. This is the second time an aide has raised concerns about Bowie’s workplace conduct. In August, Biftu Adema-Jula wrote she experienced “religious discrimination, pregnancy discrimination, unclear instructions, inconsistent expectations, and last-minute requests with unreasonable turnaround times.” Bowie apparently fired Adema-Jula just “hours” after she filed the complaint. [Pioneer Press]

Shameless plug: Can I let you in on a little secret? We’re just ten people away from 14,000 newsletter subscribers. I’m going to borrow some language from those 90s chain emails: Forward this email to ten people or a winter storm will come! Wait, too scary? Forward this email to ten people who really care about the Twin Cities!

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Chai the hairless cat and Earl the furry one. (Courtesy of Tay C.)

Your Friday Floofs are Chai and Earl. Chai is the floof-less kitty, but still precious nonetheless. Their owner Tay C. says: “They usually bite each other out of tough love but on rare occasions, they will tolerate each other and snuggle up for a nap.”

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