DeRUSHA: 3 Years Post-TV! Plus a Massive List of Fun For this Weekend

Jun 27, 2025

Cross-post from The DeRusha Download: official newsletter of Jason DeRusha

Our friend Jason DeRusha curates a list of things to do around the region every week in his DeRusha Download. Jason reflects on 3 years after leaving WCCO-TV to host radio 3-6p on WCCO-AM, and shares news about the return of a Kim Bartmann restaurant and another restaurant that's closing after 5 years. -

Mike Maybay

DOWNLOAD DIALOGUE: TAKING THE CAREER LEAP

3 years ago today, I hosted my first edition of DriveTime with DeRusha. Jumping from anchoring TV News to hosting a radio talk show might not seem like that massive of a career pivot, but I’m here to tell you - it was. As a news anchor I tried to be fair, be balanced, be the representative of the viewer. I worked with a team who wrote in the overnight, and reported and shot video and edited. Important oversight about how we told stories was baked in. I earned the right over two decades to push the envelope, but I had a net to catch me if I fell.

Radio is much more isolating: it’s me and Dan my producer and Brad my boss. No net. No script. Before I started sharing my opinions, I needed to develop them. I still try to be fair, and I love hearing people who disagree with me, but this is so different. I’m learning everyday, and I’m so glad I took the chance. A lot of us hit the point in our late 40’s to mid-50’s: we aren’t really growing at work. I loved my TV job, I never rule out a return, but I needed to be challenged. I didn’t want to get to a point where I was bitter or crabby about going to work, which is almost inevitable after 9 years of arriving at work at 3:30am.

Last week I was emceeing a fundraiser for American Cancer Society, and a table of women told me how much they missed me on TV, which I am always thrilled to hear, and another guy told me it was cool to see what I looked like because he listened to me every afternoon on the radio. Perfect encapsulation of where I am now. Everyone isn’t in a financial situation to take a career leap - I’m glad my wife has a great job so I could go for it. Thank you for following me along!

This publication is supported by you! Every free subscriber helps; every paid subscriber gets bonus posts and my gratitude for helping make this worth it for me!

TOO BUSY TO DOWNLOAD?

BREAKING Friday morning: Abang Yoli to close on Nicollet in Minneapolis
Tiny Diner Returns
Four Seasons Minneapolis Throws A Free Rooftop Party Today
StepChld To Close
Ticket Giveaway on My Social Roundup

ABANG YOLI CLOSING IN MPLS SATURDAY: Friday morning via AY’s Instagram, one of my favorite counter-service restaurants in the area announced it’s closing on Nicollet. “we’ve been facing ongoing building issues… Despite our efforts to resolve these problems through communication with our landlord, we were unable to reach a solution.” Abang still is open at Malcolm Yards food hall and 12934 Minnetonka Blvd, Hopkins.

TINY DINER IS BACK: Breakfast and lunch, Wed-Sundays. “Our menu brings back longtime favorites like breakfast burritos and organic eggs, and introduces new dishes like our Bulgogi Beef & Kimchi Philly. All thoughtfully sourced, with ingredients from the Tiny Diner Garden…. gardens are being restored by Koby Jeshkeit Hagen and maintained by Mary Hunter, formerly of Grand Café.”

tinydiner

A post shared by @tinydiner

Context via my threads account: http://fluence-media.co/3ZJVhas

STEPCHLD ANNOUNCED CLOSING DATE: Economics of running a small full-service restaurant can be challenging… being a first-time restaurateur in full service isn’t easy either. StepChld made it 5 years! They close August 24, here’s my write-up for Minnesota Monthly: http://fluence-media.co/4nfqtZ5

FIRST LOOK AT SHIKI NOODLE BAR IN EXCELSIOR: An exclusive for paid subscribers - why not upgrade!? http://fluence-media.co/4eiKolQ

TODAY! FRIDAY AFTERNOON!
FREE SUMMER ROOFTOP PARTY AT FOUR SEASONS

LA DOLCE RIVA on Riva Terrace at Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis! Friday afternoon, 3-6pm, the free summer party on the roof. Details here: http://fluence-media.co/3HL11uq Live music, spritzes, a fashion show by the pool, great views, great photo ops. Alyssa and I and friends hung out on this rooftop a couple weeks ago and she said she wanted to spend all summer up here. Open to the community as well as hotel visitors - so I’ll see you there! Menu is here: https://fluence-media.co/4kAB0MN Four Seasons is a Download Partner.

OPEN OR OPENING:

FIRST TASTE of Palace Pub in St. Paul. Jared in the Pi Press says it’s similar to First Ave’s Depot in Minneapolis. Gift link: http://fluence-media.co/4lrxyV2

6ix MEARS: former Barrio on Mears Park St. Paul - no real online presence, but it’s open. IG: http://fluence-media.co/4lh0u1C

North Star Deli: Chef Pedro Walcott’s Kingfield Mpls sandwich shop with a North Star Hockey flair opened Wednesday. IG: http://fluence-media.co/43OIDJF MENU: http://fluence-media.co/4l4Ofp0

YIA VANG ON HIS FAMILY’S STORY AND THE NEW SEASON OF RELISH:

Listen to the DeRusha Eats podcast on Apple Pod, Spotify, or Audacy

GET SOCIAL: POSTS FROM DERUSHA

TICKET GIVEAWAY for Music on the Mississippi in July: http://fluence-media.co/3Twk6mV

SAM’S GRAD PARTY: https://fluence-media.co/40nWzbn

derushaj

A post shared by @derushaj

Build New or Remodel: http://fluence-media.co/4kUiUFK

WHAT COULD YOU DO THIS WEEKEND:

PRIDE FESTIVAL is Sat/Sun in Loring Park; Parade is Sunday down Hennepin 11a-2p http://fluence-media.co/4efeJ4M

AMERICAN CRAFT FESTIVAL at St. Paul’s Union Depot: 50 emerging artists, free, Saturday 11am-5p, Sunday until 4 https://craftcouncil.org/events/2025-american-craft-fest

FARMINGTON’S TOP THE TATER DAYS: Sort of hilarious. Dew Days (because Farmington drank more Mountain Dew per capita than anywhere) became Top The Tater Days after Kemp’s bought naming rights - TTT is made in Farmington (and is delicious). http://fluence-media.co/44i2YGb

LITTLE MEKONG NIGHT MARKET: SATURDAY 5p-11p, Sunday 12p-8p, 422 University Ave W in St. Paul. Looks amazing! https://www.littlemekong.com/

ST. CLOUD GRANITE CITY DAYS: All weekend http://fluence-media.co/3GgFc5t

FREE KRAUT: Sauerkraut Days in Henderson http://fluence-media.co/3TOtFxj

SINATRA BY REQUEST: Cool vintage nightclub show at the Dakota Saturday night http://fluence-media.co/45Ix6gy

WEIRD AL AT TREASURE ISLAND: Saturday night http://fluence-media.co/4kY6vAy

GET DOWN COFFEE’S SUMMER JAM: Sunday 8am dance party http://fluence-media.co/3TMIxMI

CONCACAF GOLD CUP SOCCER - Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium, Canada at 3p, USA at 6p http://fluence-media.co/3TbmKy3

WHAT AM I DOING THIS WEEKEND?

CABARET: Friday night I’ll be at the Guthrie, get your tickets: http://fluence-media.co/46bZ2cD

MN AURORA FC: Saturday night we’re bringing the boys to TCO for the final home regular season match - TIX start at $19.50 http://fluence-media.co/4ekKM3z

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

TASTE OF MN: Next Sat & Sun July 5 & 6, free in downtown Minneapolis (I’ll be there Saturday for sure, last year I went both days) http://fluence-media.co/4kXpP0N

DELANO 4TH OF JULY: Parade is legendary - lots going on in town http://fluence-media.co/4ehq5oU

VIDEO FROM THE WCCO RADIO YOUTUBE CHANNEL:

DOES THE NYC ZOHRAN WIN MEAN DEMS SHOULD RUN TO THE LEFT? Omar Fateh thinks so - he’s running for mayor, watch: http://fluence-media.co/4l17Hn5 Listen: http://fluence-media.co/44yumky