City Cast Twin Cities logo
January 30, 2026

Nur-D On 'Brutal' ICE Detention, Tom Homan Isn’t as Nice as His Suits, and a New Opera

City Cast Twin Cities

Nur-D On 'Brutal' ICE Detention, Tom Homan Isn’t as Nice as His Suits, and a New Opera

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

With border czar Tom Homan now heading up ICE operations in the Twin Cities, many folks are positioning him as a more moderate voice than the previous leadership – but is that true? Host Sean McPherson is joined by contributor PaviElle French to dig into Homan's background, what he's been saying now, and why protests of ICE's occupation seem noticeably "whiter" than protests following the murder of George Floyd. Later, local rapper Nur-D joins the conversation to open up about his harrowing experience being tackled, tear-gassed, and detained by ICE last weekend when he was walking away with his hands in the air. We also hear from librettist, playwright, and television writer Harrison David Rivers about his new work that is premiering with the Minnesota Opera tomorrow.

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

Learn more about the sponsors of this January 30th 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
November 3

How To Stay Engaged After Election Day. Plus, SPPS Budget Woes and Best Soups

After a five hour school board meeting filled with protesters, the St. Paul School Board decided not to eliminate about 16 English langua...

City Cast Twin Cities podcast episode art
November 2

Sizzling County Politics. Plus, Local Solidarity with Cornell’s Jane Doe

Last month, a Cornell University student testified she’d been sexually assaulted by several frat brothers. Minnesota Daily journalist Kyr...

City Cast Twin Cities podcast episode art
October 30

How the Media Legitimizes Racist Rhetoric. Plus, November's Best Concerts, Theater, and Bike Rides

Independent journalist Molly Priesmeyer recently dug into the Star Tribune's use of the term "Somali gangs" in its reporting, and found t...

City Cast Twin Cities podcast episode art
October 29

The Right to Repair Your Sink. Plus, 12 AM Releases Are so Back

St. Paul, you’ll be voting on a new ordinance that would let renters make their own repairs. We’ll explain why the city is fighting this...

City Cast Twin Cities podcast episode art
October 28

Mpls School Board Candidate Interviews, and Chloe Radcliffe's Very Petty Billboards

Incumbent school board member and board Treasurer Abdul Abdi and challenger Ben Lattimore are running against each other to represent Nor...

City Cast Twin Cities podcast episode art
October 27

Get Off Ya Hands and Vote! Plus, Hospital Mergers and Kara Swisher

Gary Hines, music director for Sounds of Blackness, has your new Election Day anthem. Major hospital mergers are shaking up healthcare in...

City Cast Twin Cities podcast episode art
October 26

Ojibwe Survival and Resistance in the Twin Cities. Plus, Free Money for Schools

Today we're revisiting two of our favorite recent interviews on the podcast. First, we hear from author Sasha Maria Suarez about her...

City Cast Twin Cities podcast episode art
October 23

Disability Culture Onstage. Plus, Hennepin County Commissioner Candidate

Marion Greene represents Hennepin County’s District 3, and she makes her pitch for re-election. Duluth-based musician Gaelynn Lea is comi...

City Cast Twin Cities podcast episode art
October 22

Minneapolis School Board Candidate Forum

Four candidates are running for two at-large seats on the Minneapolis School Board in November's election. Today, we hear from candidates...

City Cast Twin Cities podcast episode art
October 21

Why Is Rep. Ilhan Omar Being Investigated Now? Plus, Art and Aging

Today we take a look through recent headlines, including the Department of Justice's investigation into Rep. Ilhan Omar’s immigration pap...

City Cast Twin Cities podcast episode art