City Cast Twin Cities
🧑⚖️ Will MN prosecute Renee Good and Alex Pretti’s killers?
July 15, 2026 · — Tiffany
Staying cool, Twin Cities? It’s Tiffany. As Minnesota struggles against the biggest heat dome on earth, we’re putting together a list of our top five beaches. Having grown up in Maple Grove, I frequently miss the spacious Fish Lake Regional Park. What’s your must-visit beach? Reply to this email and let us know!
Today’s Must-Know
Will Minnesota Prosecute Renee Good and Alex Pretti’s Killers?
Half a year after immigration agents shot three Minnesota residents, the federal government handed over its evidence to local authorities. This follows public outcry and a joint lawsuit against the Trump administration filed by the Minnesota Attorney General and Hennepin County Attorney. The evidence includes the car Renee Good was driving when she was killed, agents’ body camera footage, and officer statements. This may clear the path for local authorities to pursue criminal charges against the involved agents. [Sahan Journal]
- Why now? It’s not clear why the federal government decided to hand over the evidence after all this time, but the state reportedly shared its own evidence on the shootings with federal officials. At the same time, Hennepin County Mary Moriarty said her office is not closing the lawsuit against the Trump administration. In May, Moriarty announced charges against the ICE agent that shot a man in the leg the same month Good and Pretti were killed. [Minnesota Reformer / Associated Press]
- Killings continue: The contentious and drawn-out battle for evidence shows state prosecutors face an uphill battle if they choose to bring legal action against federal agents. Meanwhile, the list of victims continues to grow. An ICE agent fatally shot a Colombian man in Maine on Monday, marking the ninth fatality at the hands of federal immigration enforcement. [Associated Press]
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What the Cities Are Talking About
Tree tyrants strike again: The St. Paul Parks Conservancy is offering a $5,000 reward for “credible information” on who vandalized the saplings on Shepard Road. This is the third time tree haters have snapped or uprooted newly planted trees along the street. Who has beef with trees?! [Pioneer Press]
Pack it up: How does the U.S. Forest Service plan to evacuate Boundary Waters campers amid the heat wave? With four two person teams traveling via canoe, paddling their way across the sprawling wilderness. Rangers seem confident they can empty out stragglers in about a week. The Star Tribune reports most people already evacuated this past weekend. [Star Tribune]
One giant leap for Minnesota: Astronaut Anil Menon, of Minneapolis, headed to the International Space Station yesterday. He’ll spend his eight months there conducting research on topics like an “in-space ultrasound.” Menon told MPR News the Science Museum of Minnesota inspired his career. Do you think astronauts still talk about the weather when they’re up there? [MPR News]
Diva down: Lizzo dropped her fifth album “BITCH” last month, which garnered only 2,000 sales its first week. Has the nation – and Minnesota – moved on from her “Juice?” Music journalist Andrea Swensson joins the show to determine the star’s level of “flop-osity.” [🎧 City Cast Twin Cities / The Atlantic]
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What to Do
Wednesday, July 15
- 🇵🇷 Bombazo with Maria Isa and Alexis Santos | Rice Park
- 🤡 Queer Clown Connection | Queermunity
- 🆓 Summer Deep Listening | The Cedar Cultural Center
- 🔮 Intuitive Tarot Reading | Hewing Hotel Rooftop
- 🎬 The Beirut Trilogy | The Main Cinema
- 🆓 Book Launch: Sea Salt Eatery | Moon Palace Books
- 🎹 Pearl & the Oysters | Turf Club
- 😂 Erica Rhodes | Acme Comedy Co.
Thursday, July 16
- 🆓 Zero Waste Fest 2026 | Como Midway Picnic Pavilion
- 🆓 LAAMAR & Friends | California Street Farm
- 🎬 Do The Right Thing | The Parkway Theater
- 🪩 Hired Goons w/ Sean McPherson (DJ Set) | Berlin
- 😂 Comedy Night! | Gatherings at Station 10
- 🎸 Minnesota Yacht Club Presents: Semisonic | Varsity Theater
- 🌅 Sunset Yoga | Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
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- Operations Manager, Music Services at American Public Media Group | $70k – $85k per year
- Digital Marketing & Analytics Lead at UMN College of Science and Engineering | $84k – $110k per year
- Director of Development at Northside Boxing Club | $60k – $70k per year
- Deputy Director of Human Rights and Labor Standards at City of Saint Paul | $112k – $166k per year
I’m headed to Bogart’s Doughnut for a soft serve/donut combo. I take full responsibility for the inevitable tummy troubles later.
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