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
Minnesota played a major role in documentary about string band Carolina Chocolate Drops
“Don’t Get Trouble In Your Mind: The Carolina Chocolate Drops’ Story” is now available on YouTube.
July 5, 2025
Review: ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic stays weird for Treasure Island Casino show
The 65-year-old entertainer grooved along to classic parody hits for nearly 14,000 fans.
June 29, 2025
![Weird Al Yankovic performing his song The Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota early in his set Tuesday night at the Grandstand. ] JEFF WHEELER • jeff.wheeler@startribune.com Weird Al Yankovic and his No Strings Attached Tour stopped at the Grandstand Tuesday night, August 27, 2019 at the Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/PZ7JJCMK75YSF5R63LR2TICMNY.jpg?&w=252&ar=3:2&fit=crop)
Wolves and Lynx games could become a lot hipper with new ownership
Don’t be surprised if more celebrities start cheering for our local teams.
June 25, 2025
Review: ‘SNL’ star Kyle Mooney creates good vibrations with bad music in Minneapolis show
The comedian kicked off a nationwide tour at the Fine Line.
June 24, 2025
Story of the Minnesotan who founded Rollerblade being developed as a movie
Scott Olson is the subject of a planned independent film.
June 23, 2025
Justin: Minnesota high school musicals will have you dancing in the aisles
You don’t have to have kids in the production to enjoy some of the more exhilarating entertainment in the state.
June 22, 2025
Review: Comedian speaks to Minnesotans tired of a ‘woke’ America
Popular podcaster performed Friday in St. Paul.
June 21, 2025
‘SNL’ veteran Kyle Mooney insists he’s now a serious musician. Don’t believe him.
The absurdist comic will kick off his national tour in Minneapolis.
June 19, 2025
Story of the Minnesotan who founded Rollerblade being developed as a movie
Scott Olson is the subject of a planned independent film.
June 23, 2025
Justin: Minnesota high school musicals will have you dancing in the aisles
You don’t have to have kids in the production to enjoy some of the more exhilarating entertainment in the state.
June 22, 2025
Review: Comedian speaks to Minnesotans tired of a ‘woke’ America
Popular podcaster performed Friday in St. Paul.
June 21, 2025
‘SNL’ veteran Kyle Mooney insists he’s now a serious musician. Don’t believe him.
The absurdist comic will kick off his national tour in Minneapolis.
June 19, 2025