City Cast Twin Cities logo
April 29, 2026

Rising Xcel Bills, Street Band Fest, and How Would Klobuchar Govern?

City Cast Twin Cities

Rising Xcel Bills, Street Band Fest, and How Would Klobuchar Govern?

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

Is your Xcel bill going up? It’s not your imagination. The utility company is allowed to temporarily raise prices on your utilities while the government considers its request for a more permanent price hike. Annie Levenson-Falk of the Citizens Utility Board shares what you should know about the increase. Plus, you’ve probably heard and seen Brass Solidarity on your social media. They’re celebrating the power of sonic resistance at MinneHONK this weekend, a festival of street bands. Finally, what would an Amy Klobuchar governorship look like? We consult our oracle Patrick Coolican, editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer.

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

Learn more about the sponsors of this April 29th episode:

TaskRabbit

Ordway Center for the Performing Arts

Minnesota Opera

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
April 28

Trash Debate On Fire, Springboard's Next Chapter, and Medicine Meets Art

Activists with the Zero Burn Coalition have ended a 12-day hunger strike protesting Minneapolis’ HERC trash incinerator, but what happens...

City Cast Twin Cities podcast episode art
April 27

Shiny New Lynx Roster. Plus, Celebrating Cinco De Mayo

Will the Lynx make it to the championships this year? ZoneCoverage reporter Andrew Dukowitz gives us a lay of the land. With new million...

City Cast Twin Cities podcast episode art
April 24

No, You Can't Bet On Your Own Election. Plus, Peace Prize for the Black Hart

It's Friday, so we're celebrating some Twin Cities Wins with vocalist and contributor PaviElle French. We also chat with Wes Burdine, own...

City Cast Twin Cities podcast episode art
April 23

The BWCA Mining Ban Is Gone. Now What? Plus, Twin Cities' Cover Band Moment

The Biden-era moratorium on mining near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area is gone. Pete Stauber's bill passed Congress, and the future of on...

City Cast Twin Cities podcast episode art
April 22

These Lawyers Are Still Fighting ICE. Plus, Studbudz Break Up and MN Compass

Beloved Lynx duo Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman, aka Studbudz, are breaking up as Hiedeman has signed with the Seattle Storm. Hea...

City Cast Twin Cities podcast episode art
April 21

Can the State Save HCMC? Also, Pick Up Trash With Us!

HCMC is in dire financial straits, and legislators are running out of time to provide funding to keep the hospital open. Hennepin County...

City Cast Twin Cities podcast episode art
April 20

Why did Mpls Ban Bathhouses? Plus, Stoner Xmas

The Minneapolis City Council banned adult bathhouses 40 years ago. Now, they’re considering decriminalizing these spaces, which were ofte...

City Cast Twin Cities podcast episode art
April 17

Will Michelin Help Mpls Restaurants? Plus, 'Intergenerational Healing' through Theater

Michelin announced that Minneapolis (and not St. Paul) will be included in its upcoming Great Lakes Guide, and they will be issuing stars...

City Cast Twin Cities podcast episode art
April 16

Why Are MSP Flights so Expensive? Plus, D&D Turns 52

As the beloved role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons turns 55, contributor Hans Buetow and producer Molly Abbattista recount how it al...

City Cast Twin Cities podcast episode art
April 15

This Fish Could Tank an Economy. Plus, Hollywood Beavers

The invasive lamprey fish once ran wild in the Great Lakes, eating into a bustling fishing industry. The federal program that got it unde...

City Cast Twin Cities podcast episode art