37 minAug 14, 2026

State Fair's 'Biggest Battle,' a $32M Budget Hole, and Bauhaus Brewery's Dramatic Comeback

Show Notes

With the State Fair just around the corner, Minnesota and Ramsey County are taking an unusual legal step – suing two local gangs to stop a brawl that one of them literally advertised on social media. We’ll break down what the civil gang nuisance law actually does and why the Somali community has real reason to be nervous, then we’ll sit down with Eric Harris Bernstein, vice president of the Minneapolis Board of Estimate and Taxation, to untangle a $32 million budget gap, a double-digit property tax hike, and what it means that a police department keeps blowing past its budget. Plus, a rousing game of Hot Dish Hushhh (for members only!), and find out why Sean thinks “squash is trash”.

Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode:

Become a City Cast Twin Cities Neighbor

Bauhaus Brew Labs will reopen on August 15, 2026

Injunctions banning Somali gangs from State Fair receives support from community members (Sahan Journal)

State, Ramsey County sue gangs to prevent MN State Fair violence (Pioneer Press)

Minnesota State Fair assistant police chief sues Ramsey County sheriff for retaliation (MPR News)

Twin Cities Somali leaders criticize Ramsey County sheriff's approach to youth gang violence (MPR News)

Minneapolis mayor proposes millions in cuts, over 100 job cuts and 11.3% property tax increase (Star Tribune)

Frey outlines new approach to Minneapolis police spending for 2027 city budget (MPR News)

Eric Harris Bernstein on police spending (Instagram)

Judge: St. Paul ‘right to repair’ measure must appear on November ballots (Star Tribune)

New Twin Cities LGBTQ magazine set to launch this October (Star Tribune)

Learn more about the sponsors of this August 14th episode:

Ordway Center for the Performing Arts Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastTwinCities on Instagram, or email us at [email protected]. You can also call or text us at 612-217-0637.

For more Twin Cities news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, City Cast Twin Cities.

Looking to advertise on City Cast Twin Cities? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

Recent EpisodesSee all

Lakeville’s Billion-Dollar What?! Plus, MPS School Update and Top 5 Peanuts Sculptures

37 minSep 29, 2026

Something about spotting a Snoopy sculpture tucked into an unexpected corner of the cities just hits different, and Sean has been gleefully building out his personal Top 5 list of Peanuts sculptures still scattered across the Twin Cities more than 25 years after they first appeared. He's joined by Jeff Freeland Nelson, founder of toy company YOX and the guy who helped make the whole sculpture project happen on the ground in St. Paul. Then, Sean and contributor Tane Danger dig into the political fallout from the Minneapolis Public Schools "transformation" plan, what the Henry v. Her investigation could reveal about St. Paul City Hall, and why Lakeville is betting nearly a billion dollars on a horticultural world's fair.  Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode: Horticulture-focused Expo 2031 chooses Lakeville as site for international event (Star Tribune) Lakeville Is Now Being Considered to Host Expo 2031. Here's What That Means (South Metro Scoop) Become a City Cast Twin Cities Neighbor Learn more about the sponsors of this September 29th episode: Ordway Center for the Performing Arts Enjoy Illinois Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastTwinCities on Instagram , or email us at [email protected] . You can also call or text us at 612-217-0637. For more Twin Cities news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, City Cast Twin Cities. Looking to advertise on City Cast Twin Cities? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise .

DHS Nabs Phone Records of Indie Journalist. Plus, Film Fests!

36 minSep 28, 2026

We dive into all the ways to catch a movie in the Twin Cities with Racket co-owner Keith Harris as our Yoda. After the Cities Church protest, DHS set independent journalist Georgia Fort squarely in their sights. City Cast contributor Clint Combs reports the government used an obscure tariff law to subpoena Fort’s phone records. How does that affect freedom of the press?  Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode: Become a City Cast Twin Cities Neighbor Hennepin Herald Georgia Fort Phone Records DHS Investigation (Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder) If you enjoyed today's interview with the VP of Destination Branding & Development at Experience Champaign-Urbana, Terri Reifsteck, learn more here . Learn more about the sponsors of this September 28th episode: Ordway Center for the Performing Arts Enjoy Illinois Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastTwinCities on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ , or email us at ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠ . You can also call or text us at 612-217-0637. For more Twin Cities news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, City Cast Twin Cities. Looking to advertise on City Cast Twin Cities? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at ⁠⁠⁠citycast.fm/advertise⁠⁠⁠ .

St. Paul Police Chief Sues Mayor. Plus, Musicians Fight for Living Wage

31 minSep 25, 2026

Less than a week after St. Paul's top human resources official announced that Mayor Kaohly Her did not sexually harass employees (but did create an "uncomfortable work environment"), St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry filed a lawsuit against the mayor and the city. Sean is joined by producers Adam Sage and Tiffany Bui to discuss the lawsuit, which sharply escalates claims Henry previously made in an official complaint. Later, Nadira McGill of Gully Boys, the Twin Cities United Performers, and Minnesota United Performers joins the conversation to talk about MNUP's statewide tour to organize musicians that includes a concert in St. Paul this Sunday. We also cap off the episode with some Twin Cities Wins to send you into the weekend on a high note.  And in honor of Randy, the rabies-infected bat that was found in downtown Minneapolis this week, our Neighbors get a special bonus chat featuring horrible and harrowing bat encounters from the City Cast Twin Cities team. To get ad-free listening and access to our weekly bonus conversations, become a Neighbor today . Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode: St. Paul police chief sues Mayor Kaohly Her alleging sexual harassment (Star Tribune) St. Paul Police Chief Sues Mayor, Accusing Her of Sexual Harassment (New York Times) St. Paul police chief sues Mayor Kaohly Her, alleging sexual harassment and retaliation (MPR News)    MN Needs Music Campaign Kickoff (Amsterdam Bar and Hall) Minnesota United Performers (TakeAction MN)  Twin Cities United Performers Art Hounds: ‘Wife of a Salesman,’ art and healing in Duluth and jazz at Crooners (MPR News) Residents, renters on quaint Minneapolis island band together to save historic houses (Star Tribune) Bat found in downtown Minneapolis tests positive for rabies (MPR News)  Become a City Cast Twin Cities Neighbor Learn more about the sponsors of this September 23rd episode: ⁠⁠Minnesota Opera⁠⁠ Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastTwinCities on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ , or email us at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ . You can also call or text us at 612-217-0637. For more Twin Cities news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, City Cast Twin Cities. Looking to advertise on City Cast Twin Cities? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at ⁠⁠citycast.fm/advertise⁠⁠ .

Everything To Do This Fall. Plus, Renée Good’s Brother Speaks Out

29 minSep 24, 2026

Racket published a masterlist of what to do in the Twin Cities this fall. Like a leaf pile, we dive in headfirst. Plus, Racket writer Betsy Hoody details the humiliation ritual of having to pester a bartender to put on the Lynx game (despite them being the winning-est team in Minnesota!). Renée Good's mom and brother testified in front of Congress earlier this week, demanding accountability for her killing. They were joined by Stella Carlson, who captured Alex Pretti’s last moments on video. No Republicans attended the hearing. Learn more about the topics discussed in today's episode: Become a City Cast Twin Cities Neighbor Fall Arts Guide 2026 (Racket) Why I'll Never Again Watch A Lynx Game Outside of A Bar of Their Own (Racket) Renee Good's mother and brother testify in Congress about her killing by an ICE officer (CBS Minnesota) Learn more about the sponsors of this September 23rd episode: ⁠Minnesota Opera⁠ Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastTwinCities on ⁠Instagram⁠ , or email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ . You can also call or text us at 612-217-0637. For more Twin Cities news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, City Cast Twin Cities. Looking to advertise on City Cast Twin Cities? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at ⁠citycast.fm/advertise⁠ .