City Cast Twin Cities logo
June 5, 2026

Star Tribune Layoffs, Prince's Secret Cookie, and Indie Music Venues

City Cast Twin Cities

Star Tribune Layoffs, Prince's Secret Cookie, and Indie Music Venues

00:00:00
View all City Cast Twin Cities episodes

The Minnesota Star Tribune announced that they would be laying off about 15% of their work force, or 65 people. After Racket published the leaked layoff memo from Star Tribune CEO Steve Grove, Sean is joined by Racket co-owners Em Cassel and Jay Boller to talk about what we know so far. Renowned Prince Historian Andrea Swensson also joins the show to share some facts you probably didn't know about the superstar as Sunday marks what would have been his 68th birthday, and local venue operators James Taylor and Josh Cragun talk about the challenges of running an independent music venue in the Twin Cities in the big '26.

In a bonus segment only for City Cast Twin Cities Neighbors, the entire city cast staff joins to play a game of "Hot Dish Hush," where they try to get each other to guess common Twin Cities landmarks without saying certain prohibited words. To get bonus segments like this, ad-free listening, and exclusive invites to members-only events, you can sign up to become a Neighbor today.

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

Learn more about the sponsors of this June 5th episode:


Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastTwinCities on Instagram, or email us at twincities@citycast.fm. 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.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Hey Twin Cities

Stay connected to City Cast Twin Cities and get ready to join the local conversation.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Latest Episodes

See all
September 24

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

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 Bet...

City Cast Twin Cities podcast episode art
September 23

Klobuchar's Race Is Closer Than You Think. Plus, Rabies and Ring Doorbells

We're just over a month out from Election Day, and recent polling from KSTP and co/efficient show statewide races tightening across Minne...

City Cast Twin Cities podcast episode art
September 22

Hennepin County Commissioner Hopefuls. Plus, Top 5 Twin Cities Matchas

City Cast contributor and food critic Kirstie Kimball delivers her definitive top 5 matchas in the Twin Cities. Then, Minneapolis School...

City Cast Twin Cities podcast episode art
September 21

Winter is Coming. Plus, What Would You Do as Mayor?

Today we are revisiting this delightful episode where we tackle winter coping mechanisms and ask a rotating cast of contributors: what wo...

City Cast Twin Cities podcast episode art
September 18

From Mogadishu to County Commissioner Hopeful. Plus, Taco Bike Ride

It’s Fridayyy. MSP is once again the best airport in North America, and we celebrate some other Twin Cities Wins. We also have a special...

City Cast Twin Cities podcast episode art
September 17

School Closures and More Foreclosures

On Tuesday night, Minneapolis Public Schools unveiled their plan to close up to 16 schools in hopes of "right-sizing" the district due to...

City Cast Twin Cities podcast episode art
September 16

Bon Iver's Meatloaf Jingle, Mural Art Festival, and TC Halloween Costumes

Justin Vernon of Bon Iver created a meatloaf jingle for Howard’s Bar in Stillwater. Bar owner Adam To explains how the meatloaf dippers c...

City Cast Twin Cities podcast episode art
September 15

The Feds Know Your Face. Plus, Trouble Brewing at Summit and a Harrowing Duluth Race

Summit Brewing, one of Minnesota's largest and oldest breweries, is in danger of losing control of their operations after BMO Bank ⁠filed...

City Cast Twin Cities podcast episode art
September 14

Two Candidates Face Off and a Mailbag of Hot Takes

Two candidates are vying for the same Ramsey County Commissioner seat, and we sit down with each of them to find out what they'd actually...

City Cast Twin Cities podcast episode art
September 11

10 Years of All Square, Sapphic Speed Dating, and Lake Lizzo

Yesterday, local grilled cheese restaurant and nonprofit social enterprise All Square celebrated 10 years of empowering people who have b...

City Cast Twin Cities podcast episode art