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 one of Minnesota's most beloved wilderness areas is suddenly a lot less certain. We talk with Joe Friedrichs of Paddle and Portage about what it means, what comes next, and whether there's any reason for hope. Then: have you noticed a lot more cover bands on Twin Cities stages lately? Racket's Jay Boller has, and he wrote a great piece about it. We get into the economics, the nostalgia, and what it means for original artists in this city.

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

• Become a City Cast Twin Cities Neighbor today!
• Stauber notches win with successful push to end mining ban near Boundary Waters (Strib)
• Big win for mining as Senate votes to remove moratorium on Boundary Waters watershed (MinnPost)
• Cover Me Impressed: Are We Living Through a Twin Cities Cover-Band Boom? (Racket)

Learn more about the sponsors of this January 22nd episode:

• Minnesota Opera
• Xcel Energy

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.