City Cast Twin Cities
🗳️ Go vote, Twin Cities
August 11, 2026 · — Adam
Happy primary election day, Twin Cities! It’s Adam today. If you're a Salted Nut Roll candy bar fan who's worried about the impending closure of Pearson's Candy Co.'s St. Paul manufacturing facility, never fear. The Pioneer Press republished their decades-old recipe to make the candies at home, and it's possible the company will keep producing Nut Rolls from another location.
If you want the chance to try the candy before they (maybe) disappear forever, you can join the annual St. Paul Nut Roll bike ride on Aug. 22.
Today’s Must-Know
It's Election Day, Twin Cities
For everyone who procrastinated like I did, it's time to vote. Find your polling location, and head over there sometime between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.
- Make the time: If it's difficult for you to make it outside of work hours, go during work! Employers are legally required to pay you for the time you need to vote, and you can give your boss this letter from the Minnesota Secretary of State if they need proof. [Minnesota Secretary of State]
- Get to know the candidates: On the podcast, we've interviewed U.S. Senate candidates Peggy Flanagan and Angie Craig, Hennepin County Attorney candidates Hao Nguyen and Cedrick Frazier, and Republican gubernatorial candidate Kendall Qualls. You can read the transcripts from all of the interviews on our website. [City Cast Twin Cities]
- More resources: Sahan Journal released a fantastic quiz where you can see how your views match up with each Hennepin County Attorney candidate. MPR News also put together an extremely comprehensive voter guide where you can put in your address to see information on every candidate that will be on your specific ballot. [Sahan Journal / MPR News]
What the Cities Are Talking About
No fighting at the fair: Ramsey County and state officials are suing two gangs to prevent violence at the Minnesota State Fair. Local gangs Muddy and The Ville have used the State Fair and nearby neighborhoods as a venue for brawls and violent clashes in recent years, and members have posted on social media advertising planned fights at this year's fair. Ramsey County Attorney John Choi is seeking an injunction from a judge that would bar alleged gang members from "engaging in certain nuisance-causing conduct." [Pioneer Press]
Scooter takeovers: No injuries, arrests, or citations were reported after two massive Lime scooter meetups occurred in downtown Minneapolis over the weekend. In an Instagram broadcast channel, promoter Johan Vargas said the next scooter meetup is planned for this Friday, Aug. 14. We'll see how that plays out, as MPD Public Information Officer Sgt. Garrett Parten said, "If similar activity continues or occurs again, MPD will work with the appropriate city resources and scooter companies in an effort to regulate where and how the scooters may be operated." [Star Tribune]
Displaced: Residents of the homeless encampment off Randolph Ave. and Shepard Rd. report the population has doubled since the city of St. Paul closed the encampment at Pig's Eye Park over safety concerns. The city also plans to close the Randolph camp, and state Rep. Leigh Finke, who represents parts of St. Paul, stated, "We should not be mass moving people around the city." [CBS News]
Slice of summer: I finally made it up to Mississippi Gateway Regional Park in Brooklyn Park this weekend, and it is such a gem. I was filled with nostalgia while looking for crawfish in rocky, ankle-deep waters of the Mississippi and checking out the salamanders, snakes, and turtles in fish tanks in the visitor center. I'll definitely be going back to take advantage of their kayak rentals before the season ends and to snowshoe in the winter.
Right to vote on right to repair: The Right to Repair measure will be on the ballot for St. Paul voters in November after a Ramsey County judge overruled the City Council's decision to block it. If approved by voters, the measure would allow St. Paul renters to make necessary repairs to their homes and deduct the cost from their rent if their landlord fails to make them. Duluth voters overwhelmingly passed a similar ordinance in 2025. [Star Tribune]
What to Do
Tuesday, Aug. 11
- 🫸 Stanley Clarke N*4EVER | Dakota
- 🆓 Rocky Roots Walking Tour | Landmark Center
- 🌳 Roots of Resilience: Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities | Crosby Farms
- 📚 The Land of Everlasting Sky with Jill D. Swenson | Magers & Quinn
- 🎸 Micky and the Motorcars with Laura Hugo | The Cedar
- 🆓 Percolators Band: Concert on the Lawn Summer Series | Brooklyn Park Community Activity Center
- 📽️ Black Panther with Pre-Movie Trivia | Parkway Theater
Wednesday, Aug. 12
- 📚 Reader’s Resistance: A Social Justice Book Club: Encampment | Next Chapter Booksellers
- 🇲🇽 The Mexico City Experiment | Berlin
- 🆓 Deb Brown and Brian Ziemniak | Crooners
- ⏺️ Starlight Vinyl Night with MAKR | Icehouse
- 🧩 Jigsaw Puzzle Contest | Lake Monster
- 📚 Milkweed Books Presents Leslie Bazzett’s Book Launch | Open Book
- 🌲 Legacy Trees of Lakewood: Public Walking Tour | Lakewood Cemetery
Twin Cities Job Board
- Deputy Director of Human Rights and Labor Standards at City of St. Paul | $112k–$166k per year
- Zamboni Driver at Minneapolis Parks and Recreation | $18.75 per hour
- Lead Art Party Host at Mess Hall Arts | $16–$18 per hour
- Official/Umpire at City of St. Paul | pay varies by game
- Automotive Parts Buyer at Hennepin County | $48k–$69k per year
I want to give a big thank you to our newest members Monique J., Jess R., Andrea S., and Pieter T. for becoming City Cast Neighbors! They'll all be receiving a spiffy new Twin Cities loon pennant and getting access to ad-free episodes, an extra newsletter directly from host Sean McPherson, and invites to exclusive members-only events.
Learn more and become our next new Neighbor today.
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