Recent content from Josie Albertson-Grove
State workers are back in the office this week. What awaits them in downtown St. Paul?
A quick refresher course on downtown St. Paul, for anyone coming back after a long absence.
Grand Avenue reconstruction unearths streetcar tracks, showing St. Paul's past
Street reconstruction means Grand Old Day festivities will start east of Snelling, but there's a lot to see on the closed road.
St. Paul police investigating a homicide on the city's West Side
A man died Wednesday at the hospital shortly after arriving with a gunshot wound.
Minnesota Frost celebrate second Walter Cup with downtown St. Paul parade and party
Back-to-back wins in the fledgling PWHL had fans drawing comparisons to the Packers in the first two Super Bowls.
St. Paul police overtime spending worries City Council
The often-overspent police overtime budget was a key point of conflict between the mayor and council.
A history buff's quest to mark St. Paul's 'pillbox' ballpark
The St. Paul site of the "downtown pillbox" baseball park could get a plaque.
Vandals ransack vacant downtown St. Paul office tower
They emptied fire extinguishers and otherwise trashed a floor of Alliance Bank Center, which was once a thriving office tower.
Minneapolis and St. Paul parks rank in top 5 in U.S. again this year
Irvine, Calif., and Cincinnati have muscled into the elite tier, according to annual rankings by the Trust for Public Land.
Vandals ripped out trees in St. Paul last year. Volunteers planted new ones.
St. Paul and Ramsey County are splitting the cost of the saplings on Shepard Road, intended to restore the leafy canopy lost to the emerald ash borer.
St. Paul City Council votes to change Highland Bridge property tax agreements
The change promises a savings of up to $74 million for developer Ryan Cos.
Sinkhole closure on St. Paul's West 7th sparks worry for neighbors
A 35-foot-deep hole opened over the weekend, and repairs will mean lanes near the Xcel Energy Center will be closed for months.
Rent control is further weakened in St. Paul
All buildings opened since 2005 are exempt forever following a City Council vote, and tenants in some older buildings are also facing rent hikes.
St. Paul City Council leans toward less rent control, more tenant protections
The council will vote May 7 on changes to its rent control law and new tenant protections after years of debate about making the city more affordable.
St. Paul to offer financial help to beautify business districts
A similar program in Minneapolis has been tough for small businesses to get, especially on the North Side, critics say.
No flush toilets and angry neighbors: Problems pile up for St. Paul's new trash hauler
The hauler's dispatch lot site set off a spat between Mayor Melvin Carter and the City Council that has yet to be resolved.
St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter celebrates drop in gun violence, pledges to fight Trump administration
Carter pointed to zero gun murders so far this year in annual State of the City speech.
After lightning strike, the lone member of a St. Paul church is praying to rebuild
William Hanson had been living in the 120-year-old church, welcoming anyone who wanted to talk about faith.
Como Zoo gorilla with 'a gentle presence and a quiet strength' is euthanized
Eight-year-old Nyati suffered from brain lesions, according to the St. Paul zoo.
What's going on with rent control in St. Paul?
Newer buildings might be exempt from limits on rent increases, but the City Council may soften the blow to renters with new tenant protections.
St. Paul mayor appoints interim City Council member to fill opening
Matt Privratsky, a former aide to Mitra Jalali, will serve in the Ward 4 seat until an August special election.
St. Paul businesses seek millions to mitigate road construction pain
Businesses are seeking $2.2 million as the Minnesota Department of Transportation has closed a major East Side street.
Deadlock and disappointment as St. Paul fails to pick an interim City Council member
Mayor Melvin Carter will appoint a temporary replacement for Mitra Jalali, but the council was left divided.
St. Paul to declare state of emergency to resolve trash 'crisis'
A zoning dispute put citywide trash collection into doubt starting Tuesday.
After years of waiting, St. Paul residents and United fans cheer small signs of progress for development by Allianz Field
Construction around Allianz Field at Snelling and University is due to start this summer. There are big plans, but soccer fans' hopes are more modest.
St. Paul hopes good vibes will help library patrons feel safer
The library has become a safe space for people who are struggling, and a new kind of worker aims to build relationships and resolve problems.
Government workers returning to work is a big deal for downtown St. Paul, but not a silver bullet
The state, city and Ramsey County are among downtown St. Paul's biggest employers, but the mayor and small business owners say more is needed.
Lessons turn Junior ROTC cadets into St. Paul lifeguards: 'I literally couldn't swim'
St. Paul aquatics director is passionate about reducing the disparity in drowning deaths between white children and children of color.
Garbage 'crisis' in St. Paul? Mayor Carter says so, but the City Council president says he's an 'alarmist.'
A council vote this week has thrown the city's plans for a new April 1 garbage system into question.
A Ferris wheel in downtown St. Paul? They're pitching it for the Saints baseball stadium.
$8 million bonding request for CHS Field - not including Ferris wheel - would fund renovations for the decade-old ballpark, where Twins minor leaguers play.
Amid pressure, St. Paul City Council considers weakening rent control
The council aims to exempt new buildings from the city's rent stabilization ordinance while pushing new tenant protections.
St. Paul mourns police officer who died 15 years after on-duty attack
Felicia Reilly, who struggled with lasting injuries, "never made a promise, no matter how small, that she did not keep," her son said.
Three candidates announce run for St. Paul City Council vacancy
Molly Coleman, Cole Hanson and Cristen Incitti are seeking the Ward 4 seat vacated with Mitra Jalali's sudden resignation.
See something gross in St. Paul? Say something.
Downtown boosters are working to get the word out about a hotline to report messes and smaller quality-of-life troubles.
How preserving trees became a St. Paul controversy
Summit Avenue residents cowed a City Council member over a tree-preservation proposal, saying it would not save trees.
St. Paul, Minneapolis join sanctuary city lawsuit against Trump administration
Mayor Melvin Carter says St. Paul police will not be "commandeered" to enact federal immigration policy.
St. Paul City Council blocks developer's hopes for lower density at Ford plant site
Ryan Companies wanted the St. Paul City Council to let it build shorter buildings with fewer apartments at Cretin Avenue and Ford Parkway, but a tie vote from shorthanded council blocked the appeal.
Will development finally take off at the old Hamm's brewery in St. Paul?
Builders have long nurtured hope for the red brick buildings on the city's East Side.
The 'garbage wars' are over. But there's another trash fight in St. Paul.
Neighbors say a proposed garbage truck depot will derail hopes for more homes between W. 7th Street and the river.
St. Paul's new City Council president wants to see council flex its muscle
Rebecca Noecker hopes for more healthy disagreement between the seven council members and with Mayor Melvin Carter, and sees St. Paul turning a corner.
Former St. Paul Police Chief John Harrington named King Boreas for Winter Carnival
The former Public Safety commissioner and police chief sees his carnival role as an extension of his community-first policing philosophy.
St. Paul City Council President Mitra Jalali announces resignation
Jalali, a progressive from Ward 4, said she will step down next month after six years on the City Council and one year as council president.
State money will help clean up two sites for redevelopment in St. Paul
A bouldering gym on Harriet Island and a YMCA health center in Midway are planned.
St. Paul will experiment with alternate-side winter parking in two neighborhoods
Parking will be restricted until April on some blocks in the Highland Park and Payne-Phalen neighborhoods in a pilot program starting soon.
Little Canada woman dies in custody at Sherburne County jail
The Anoka County Sheriff's Office is investigating the death of the woman, who was arrested Jan. 17.
Citing safety concerns, St. Paul officials to clear encampment sheltering dozens of homeless people
Officials say fires, assaults and other hazards are prompting the closure scheduled for Thursday.
I-94 land bridge and Robert Street reconstruction projects in St. Paul get federal funds
Money from a 2021 infrastructure law will pay for more planning on the Rondo I-94 project and to rebuild parts of Robert Street through St. Paul's West Side.
Privately funded repair pitched for stairway to St. Paul's Summit Avenue
Preservation group hopes to raise enough money to repair the Walnut Street Stairway.
Preservation lawsuit over Hamline-Midway library blamed for $2.3 million cost increase
The $10.4 million demolition of the historic building and construction of a new library is expected to start this year, as officials seek more funds.
St. Paul zoning board challenges developer to make former Ford plant complex denser
The city's Board of Zoning Appeals Monday denied variance requests from Ryan Companies to scale back development for Highland Bridge, saying they want the developer to do more.
Family IDs man fatally stabbed on New Year's Eve at Minnesota bar
Another man also was stabbed. The suspect, from San Diego, was arrested, police said.
Two Minnesota Lottery raffle players in Nowthen and Tracy win $1 million on New Year's Day
The raffle's 800,000 tickets sold out in just 15 days, a record according to lottery officials.
Former Lowry tenants booted from temporary accommodation
Those who lived in the condemned building have to find somewhere else to stay — again.
St. Paul City Council member violated policy, investigation finds
An outside investigator said an email Council Member Anika Bowie sent in October "rises to the level of prohibited offensive, bullying and harassing behavior."
St. Paul council votes to override budget vetoes, but Carter says it's too late
Mayor Melvin Carter and Council President Mitra Jalali disagree on the validity of Carter's line-item vetoes and the council's subsequent override.
'Mr. Positive,' a fixture of St. Paul's West 7th, dies
Carl Bentson, known for helping neighbors and riding a tricycle all over town, was 62.
St. Paul Port Authority looking to buy former Kmart site near I-35E
The authority hopes to develop the parcel for light industrial use.
Republican delegates decide Saturday who will lead the state party
Current GOP Chairman David Hann says this will likely be his last run for chair and that he's ready to pass the torch to a new generation of leadership.
St. Paul City Council bucks mayor in passing lower tax increase
Council members urged scrutiny of police spending as Mayor Melvin Carter criticized the council budget as 'accounting gimmicks.'
Why Minnesota is projected to face a future budget deficit, and what lawmakers might do about it
Minnesota had a record surplus two years ago. Now, it's projecting a deficit on the horizon. How did the state get here?
How some Minnesota schools are tackling chronic absenteeism
A dozen districts hire specialists, eye better data with $4.7 million in state funding.
Modest budget surplus overshadowed as Minnesota projects $5 billion deficit down the line
"We have time to address this structurally without negatively impacting the services that we're providing to people, but it's going to take some hard decisions," Gov. Tim Walz said.
How the committee structure in the Legislature will shape the 2025 session
Bipartisan support will be required for bills to advance, setting up fewer partisan floor battles.
What's behind the accusations of 'discrepancies' in Minnesota's election?
Later processing of absentee ballots, and a handful of counties that were slow to post results, added up to election night confusion for candidates in tight races.
Scott County to hold recount for state House seat, audit ballots in one Shakopee precinct
The county canvassing board has certified results from the Nov. 5 election and will hold a recount for the ultra-close House District 54A seat, but election officials are investigating a discrepancy in absentee ballots from one Shakopee precinct.
How would a divided Minnesota House work in a budget year?
Leaders hope the urgency of a state budget will inspire more bipartisanship than policy votes of last spring.
Legislative leaders puzzling out split House rules before likely recounts
Recounts in as many as two races could determine if Republicans take control of the House or the parties have to work with a 67-67 split, but the DFL trifecta is over.
Minnesota House could be evenly split, but close races will go to recounts
Results show a 67-67 split in the lower chamber Wednesday morning, but in two races, DFLers lead by just a few votes.
Former state Sen. Kelly Morrison defeats Tad Jude for Minnesota's only open congressional seat
Dean Phillips' short-lived run for president created a vacancy in the suburban Third Congressional District.
DFL leaders join final push to keep Minnesota government trifecta
Minnesota Democrats sent a bus full of elected officials out to help volunteers knock doors and make phone calls ahead of Tuesday's election.
How Minnesota colleges are trying to drive student voter turnout
They're using tables, personal connections and a growing group of volunteers.
Pro-Palestinian voters remain frustrated with Harris-Walz ticket
The elevation of Vice President Kamala Harris to the top of the ticket produced a surge of volunteering, but some progressives feel left behind and are disengaging.
Can the DFL keep the Third District without Dean Phillips?
Republicans and Democrats pin hopes on moderate candidates for the west metro suburban district.
Edina absentee ballots show no evidence of tampering after being left unattended in open trunk
A courier driver was fired, and the city has released surveillance footage showing the ballots weren't disturbed.
GOP petition claims Hennepin County incorrectly appointed election judges
The state Republican Party and a conservative legal group allege the county did not use a list of names provided by the GOP in choosing a bipartisan slate of election judges.
Down but not discouraged: Fans cheer for the Lynx at St. Louis Park gym
With the series tied, local fans are looking ahead to Wednesday's game in Minneapolis.
