City Cast Twin Cities
❗ State Fair drama recap
September 9, 2026 · — Tiffany
Good morning, Twin Cities! Tiffany here. The wasp nest at the Lyndale Park Rose Garden might be Minneapolis’ next ephemeral curiosity à la Lake Chipotle. Artist Sammy Lett (also host of crow picnic) is putting on Nest Fest, a community picnic “cherishing” the park’s bald-faced hornets’ nest. This would be my fit.
What the Cities Are Talking About
Growing expenses: Overtime costs for St. Paul mayor Kaohly Her’s security detail have spiked, due to Operation Metro Surge and safety concerns following the assassination of Rep. Melissa Hortman. In 2025, overtime costs for previous mayor Melvin Carter were $92,761 (already higher than average), whereas Her’s security racked up $97,922 in overtime just through July. [Pioneer Press]
Kratom concerns: MinnPost’s Maddie Robinson explores the growing popularity of the substance kratom and its cousin 7-OH. Dinkytown smoke shops have pulled back their stock. Continual use can cause dependence, but experts fear an outright ban may lead to withdrawal or drive the market underground. [MinnPost]
‘Where is my friend?’: Kindergartners and preschoolers are still processing the sudden disappearance of their classmates during Operation Metro Surge. With back-to-school in full swing, MPR News’ Kyra Miles reports how teachers and parents are trying to navigate the trauma left behind in our youngest students. [MPR News]
Rewind: It’s been a politically-charged State Fair this year, with no lack of drama. On today’s podcast, we recap the most dramatic 2026 fair headlines and talk about what we’d do differently next year. [🎧 City Cast Twin Cities]
Good boys: These dogs have jobs. Chip is a 12-year-old Weimaraner and unofficial team dog of the Vikings. He was rescued by the team’s director of sports fields and spends his days patrolling (mostly napping) at TCO Performance Center. Trapper, a two-year-old lab, is busier. His job is sniffing out invasive zebra mussels for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Both all-around good dogs. [Pioneer Press / MPR News]
Today’s Must-Know
Back to school
The answers to today’s crossword are the names of high schools in Minneapolis or St. Paul. If you’re not a childless former suburbanite like me, you might have better luck. You can check your answers here. [Crossword Labs]
What To Do
Wednesday, Sep. 9
- 🎶 Half Ivory | Yes We Are | Dave’s Manual | Day Block Brewing
- 🤘 “Is This It: The Never-Ending Rise and Fall of the Strokes (and Rock 'n' Roll)” | Turf Club
- 💖 The Dolly Horror Picture Show! | Bumbling Fools Mead
- 🧲 Air Dry Clay Magnets | Mojo Coffee Gallery
- 🏳️🌈 “Gay Mormon Dad” by Chad Anderson | Magers & Quinn Booksellers
- 🧶 Inkwell Craft Club | Inkwell Booksellers
Thursday, Sep. 10
- 🐓 Lotería Night | Café Milagro
- 🧠 Big Big Brain! Album Release | 7th St Entry
- 🎶 Jeff Buckley “Grace” Tribute Show | Cedar Cultural Center
- 💧 Learning from Place: Little Mekong Cultural District | XIA Books & Cafe
- 🖊️ Inkwell Story Lab | Inkwell Booksellers
- 🥸 Nerd Night | Black Hart of St. Paul
- 🎂 Cake as Canvas | Walker Art Center
Twin Cities Job Board
- Program Lead, Marketing Operations at Land O'Lakes | $108k–$162k per year
- Director of School Partnerships at MacPhail Center for Music | $80k–$97k per year
- Communications Associate, Political Science at University of Minnesota | $46k–$52k per year
- Event Manager, U.S. Bank Stadium at U.S. Bank Stadium | $65k–$75k per year
- Associate Social Director at Carmichael Lynch | $100k–$120k per year
- Design Manager, Client Experience at Thrivent | $139k–$189k per year
Picklemaxxing doesn’t end at the State Fair. I tried Dreamstate Cafe’s pickle lemonade, which comes with a pickle spear and fried tofu. Unlike at the fair, you can get a shot of vodka with it. Without alcohol, it’s just a novelty. Add vodka in, and I think it would be my drink of choice at the bar.
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