Neal Justin
Critic / Reporter
Culture Neal Justin is the pop-culture critic, covering how Minnesotans spend their entertainment time. He also reviews stand-up comedy. Justin previously served as TV and music critic for the paper. Before coming to Minnesota, he was a crime reporter for the Rockford Register Star and graduated from Northwestern University. He is the co-founder of JCamp, a non-profit program for high-school journalists, and works on many fronts to further diversity in newsrooms. He is the former president of UNITY and former governing board member for the Asian American Journalists Association. He is an adjunct professor at the University of St. Thomas.
Latest from Neal Justin
Justin: Twin Cities board game nights are anything but boring
Playing Settlers of Catan or Scrabble can help you bond with strangers.
May 12, 2025
Meet the Roseville designer who helped dress Paul Simon and the Church Lady
The Minnesota Interview: Pam Peterson worked on “Saturday Night Live” in the 1980s.
May 8, 2025
Justin: New technology isn’t enough to lure me back to the movie theater
ScreenX is available at the Mall of America and in Shakopee.
May 4, 2025
Review: Martin Lawrence shows his gifts — and his age — at Mystic Lake show
The “Bad Boys” star is near the end of his comeback tour.
May 3, 2025
MPR and TPT brace for future after Trump seeks to end federal funding for PBS and NPR
Smaller stations in Minnesota are under the most serious threat.
May 2, 2025
Author of book on Acme Comedy Co. lists his favorite local comics
Patrick Strait’s book, “Home Club,” delves into the rich history of Acme and its resilient owner, Louis Lee.
May 1, 2025
Justin: New documentary on Minneapolis North High football misses chance to score big
“Force of Blue,” directed by Minnesotan Jeffrey Williams, is now streaming on Prime Video.
April 28, 2025
![Minneapolis North High School football coach Charles Adams. ] CARLOS GONZALEZ • cgonzalez@startribune.com – Minneapolis, MN – June 24, 2020, Charles Adams at Minneapolis North High School, where he played football in high school, now coaches football and until recently served as a community resource officer in the school.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/EXCKAEMDGLVXNXGNGM2M5SDCQY.jpg?&w=252&ar=3:2&fit=crop)
Police: Man who pulled gun in Edina hospital was arrested about hour later at home 28 miles away
The 65-year-old suspect remains jailed on domestic assault allegations.
April 23, 2025
MPR and TPT brace for future after Trump seeks to end federal funding for PBS and NPR
Smaller stations in Minnesota are under the most serious threat.
May 2, 2025
Author of book on Acme Comedy Co. lists his favorite local comics
Patrick Strait’s book, “Home Club,” delves into the rich history of Acme and its resilient owner, Louis Lee.
May 1, 2025
Justin: New documentary on Minneapolis North High football misses chance to score big
“Force of Blue,” directed by Minnesotan Jeffrey Williams, is now streaming on Prime Video.
April 28, 2025
Police: Man who pulled gun in Edina hospital was arrested about hour later at home 28 miles away
The 65-year-old suspect remains jailed on domestic assault allegations.
April 23, 2025