Twin Cities Live: 7 Surprising Facts About Elizabeth Ries And Ben Leber's Must-Watch KSTP Show In 2025

Twin Cities Live (TCL) remains the essential midday viewing for Minnesotans, offering a vibrant, local, and informative blend of lifestyle, food, and community features that cut through the typical news cycle.

As of December 15, 2025, the show continues its run on KSTP-TV (Channel 5), cementing its status as the go-to source for what's happening in Minneapolis-St. Paul and the surrounding region, especially following the recent stabilization of its hosting lineup with a familiar sports personality taking the permanent co-host chair.

The Dynamic Duo: Elizabeth Ries and Ben Leber's Complete Biography and Profiles

The chemistry between the two main hosts is the heart of Twin Cities Live, blending a seasoned local media fixture with a recognizable Minnesota sports icon.

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Elizabeth Ries: The Co-Host and Co-Executive Producer

Elizabeth Ries is a Minnesota native and a long-time fixture in the Twin Cities media market, known for her friendly and approachable on-screen personality.

• Role: Co-Host and Co-Executive Producer of Twin Cities Live.
• Tenure: She has been a co-host for over 15 years, celebrating a significant milestone in her career as a local influencer.
• Background: Before her role at TCL, Ries spent years working as a news anchor and reporter.
• Personal Life: Ries often shares aspects of her personal life with viewers, including her roles as a mother and wife, and her passion as an avid home chef.
• Impact: Her long tenure has provided a sense of continuity and trust with the local audience, especially following the departure of her previous co-host.

Ben Leber: The Former NFL Star Turned TV Personality

Ben Leber was officially named the new permanent co-host of Twin Cities Live, bringing a high-energy, sports-centric background to the show.

• Role: Permanent Co-Host of Twin Cities Live.
• NFL Career: Leber is a former NFL linebacker who played for the San Diego Chargers, the Minnesota Vikings, and the St. Louis Rams.
• Media Career: He has an established media presence in the Twin Cities, working as a radio and television personality.
• Other Roles: Leber serves as a radio sideline reporter for the Minnesota Vikings and an analyst for KFAN, the region's top sports radio station.
• Education: He is a proud alumnus of Kansas State University (Kansas State Wildcat).
• Co-Host Transition: Leber stepped into the role previously filled by guest hosts following the 2021 departure of longtime co-host Steve Patterson.

The Twin Cities Live Experience: Schedule and Show Format

Twin Cities Live is broadcast on KSTP-TV, which is the ABC affiliate in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.

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The show airs weekdays, providing a mid-afternoon boost of local content and entertainment.

The program is structured to inform, entertain, and connect with the local Minnesota community, focusing heavily on local businesses, events, and human-interest stories.

Current Schedule Details

• Station: KSTP-TV (Channel 5)
• Air Time: Weekdays from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Focus: A blend of lifestyle, cooking, fashion, travel, and local news that is distinct from the station’s traditional news broadcasts.

7 Key Segments and Entities Driving TCL's Local Authority in 2025

TCL maintains its topical authority by featuring a rotating cast of local experts, businesses, and community initiatives. These segments are what keep the show fresh and deeply connected to the Twin Cities' vibrant culture.

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1. TCL in Your Town (Hyper-Local Focus)

One of the most popular recurring segments, "TCL in Your Town," takes the show on the road to highlight specific communities and small businesses within the greater metropolitan area.

Recent features have included deep dives into local gems like the Mess Hall Arts, Bear Cave Brewing, Stages Theatre Company, and The Vine Room, showcasing the unique character of towns like Hopkins.

2. The Cooking and Home Chef Features

Given Elizabeth Ries's passion for cooking, the show frequently features food and home-chef segments, especially around holidays.

Recent popular segments include the annual "12 Days of Cookies" series and holiday-themed features like the "Halloween Charcuterie Board" from local experts like Anoka Meats.

3. Celebrity Cruises and International Travel

TCL leverages its platform to offer exclusive travel opportunities to its viewers.

A major, fresh entity for 2025/2026 is the announcement of the "Japan Discovery Cruise" in Spring 2026, hosted in partnership with Celebrity Cruises and Carrousel Travel, demonstrating the show's reach beyond local borders.

4. The "t@g someone who" Social Engagement Series

The show actively engages with its audience through social media-driven segments like "t@g someone who," which encourages viewer interaction and community building online.

This strategy, alongside Elizabeth Ries's personal podcast and strong social media presence, helps bridge the gap between broadcast television and digital community.

5. Community and Arts Features

TCL is a major platform for local non-profit organizations and arts groups.

Segments with contributors like Kristin Haubrich have highlighted unique Minnesota institutions such as Circus Juventas, bringing attention to local talent and youth programs.

6. Local Business and Sponsorship Integrations

The show seamlessly integrates local business partnerships, which are vital to its operation.

Sponsors and featured entities often include local real estate groups, finance professionals, and retail outlets, exemplified by promotions like the "Fly and Buy Promo" with Yinx Real Estate.

7. The Sports Connection with KFAN

Ben Leber’s dual role as a TCL host and a KFAN analyst creates a unique cross-promotion opportunity, bringing sports fans into the lifestyle genre.

His background as a Minnesota Vikings linebacker ensures that the show maintains a strong connection to the state's dominant sports culture, which is a key LSI keyword for the region.

The Evolution of Twin Cities Live: A Post-Patterson Era

The show underwent a significant transition after the departure of longtime co-host Steve Patterson in 2021.

For a period, Elizabeth Ries co-anchored the program with a rotating roster of guest hosts, which allowed the show to test chemistry and gauge audience reaction.

The selection of Ben Leber as the permanent co-host was a strategic move to pair Ries's established local knowledge and warmth with Leber's high-profile, energetic presence, ensuring the show maintained its broad appeal. The current pairing is seen as a fresh chapter, bringing new energy while keeping the core focus on Minnesota life.

The program’s success in 2025 demonstrates its ability to adapt to host changes while maintaining its commitment to providing high-quality, relevant content that resonates with the Twin Cities audience.