👁️ Flock cameras sent police after the wrong guy

One month to move: Citing security and safety concerns, the city of St. Paul announced plans to start clearing out homeless encampments starting Aug. 5. City and county officials will be visiting the encampments on a "near-daily" basis to help residents identify housing options, replace key documents, and prepare for the transition. Advocates worry that the one-month notice is not enough time to secure housing, and that displacing the encampments will only move the same health and safety concerns to a new location. [Pioneer Press]

Oops: Local journalist Joel Feder was ambushed and boxed in by four police cars in a Kohl's parking lot after Flock cameras had misidentified the Range Rover he was driving as stolen. Plymouth police had been using Flock to track Feder for days. Due to a simple error, four other cars with the same plate structure around Minnesota were being tracked by Flock the same week, and it's likely that similar cars around the country were being treated as stolen by police departments that have partnerships with Flock. [The Drive]

Solidarity brewing: Baristas at an Edina Starbucks voted to unionize, joining over 700 unionized Starbucks locations across the country. The 50th and France location is the 17th Starbucks in Minnesota to become part of the Starbucks Workers United union. [Star Tribune]

Secondhand score: On today’s episode, we ranked our top five vintage stores based on price, selection, and shopping experience. We also make the subtle yet important distinction between thrift and vintage shops – reply to this email and let us know if we nailed it or are just splitting hairs. [🎧 City Cast Twin Cities]

Not quite there: Proponents of a St. Paul “Right to Repair” ballot initiative are about 300 signatures short of getting their measure on the ballot in November after Ramsey County rejected a number of the signatures initially submitted. Safe Homes St. Paul, the organization behind the ballot initiative, has until July 25 to collect the remaining signatures. The organization plans to be out collecting signatures at upcoming Lowertown Sounds concerts in Mears Park. [Pioneer Press / Safe Homes St. Paul]

Blockbuster memories: Video stores are making a comeback, Racket’s Em Cassel reports. Em tells us about Saturn Video, a physical media store/cafe, coming soon to Minneapolis. She previously wrote about The Video Store MPLS, which is also hoping to fill the DVD-shaped hole in our hearts caused by the streaming era. [🎧 City Cast Twin Cities / Racket]

Shout Out Your Favorite Spots

This summer, we've received some great local shoutouts from our City Cast Neighbors. That's one of the perks of being a Neighbor – you get to shine the spotlight on the places that matter to you. If you want to submit your own shoutouts, you can sign up to be a neighbor today.

• Lyndsey R. is shouting out Up Coffee Shop. They're her preferred spot to stay stocked up on beans, and they have great drip pours and some awesome seasonal drinks. Plus they have great indoor and outdoor spaces for working, catching up, or just enjoying a coffee and a "treat-yo'self pastry."
• Therese K. thinks you should check out the Listening House of St. Paul. She calls it a truly special corner of Dayton's Bluff that accepts anyone who drops in as someone worth listening to and worthy of hospitality. She says she's blown away by the skills, joy, and care of the employees and volunteers, and that she's loved getting to know more of her St. Paul neighbors, housed or unhoused. In her words: "If you want some joy in your life, step into Listening House."
• Jason C. is giving a shoutout to Saint City Mahjong Club. He says they teach mahjong and offer the chance to play while connecting with neighbors and disconnecting from your devices.
• Sarah W. is shouting out Phoenix Flight Studio — they say it's an amazing place to build strength and community.

Friday, Jul 10

• 🎤 Nur-D | Dakota
• 🆓 The Belfast Cowboys | Lake Harriet Bandshell
• 🎵 Death Cab for Cutie | Armory
• 🤖 Trader Joe's vs. Aldi Rave | First Avenue
• 🎬 Willow | Walker Art Center
• 🆓 Roller Disco in Rice Park | Rice Park
• 🆓 Sunset Sounds: Eli Gardiner | Dual Citizen Brewing Co.
• 🆓 Fanfiction Read-A-Loud | Black Garnet Books

Saturday, Jul 11

• 🛍️ Frogtown Flea Market | 499 Charles Ave, St. Paul
• 🎤 Sounds of Blackness feat. Jamecia Bennett | Dakota
• 📚 Book Fair for Grown-Ups | Minnesota State Fair Grandstand
• 🌳 Obi Original | Grand Oak Opry
• 💃 North Star Nerdlesque Festival 2026 | Mounds Theatr
• 🤘 The Bouncing Souls | First Avenue
• 🎶 Fret Rattles, Vacant, The Cobra Jets | Cloudland Theater

Sunday, Jul 12

• 🪗 Tight & Nerdy | The Parkway Theater
• 🆓 Prairie Fire Choir | MetroNOME Brewery
• 🎸 Zaq Baker | PILLLAR
• 🎷 Rebirth Brass Band | Dakota
• 🎼 Grady Drugg, Rock Melon & Dogpile | Zhora Darling
• 🤖 Paul Oakenfold and The Crystal Method | First Avenue
• 🎹 Dorothy Doring and Dale Alexander | Crooners

• Hotel Deal Analyst & Reporter at Thrifty Traveler | $60k – $70k per year
• Salesforce Architect, CRM at American Public Media | $140k – $158k per year
• Development Officer at Twin Cities PBS | $65k – $75k per year
• Vice President, Earned Revenue & Marketing at Ordway Center for the Performing Arts | $140k – $160k per year
• Sr. Corporate & Foundation Engagement Officer at University of Minnesota Foundation | $105k – $120k per year