Recent content from James Walsh
This St. Paul native now goes by Kandi Krush, and she body-slams her opponents in the ring
After stints as a swimmer, actor and boxer, Amberley Shaw has found a home in women's professional wrestling.
Meet the woman bringing (tiny) trains back to Union Depot
Choo Choo Bob's returns to St. Paul with a May 3 grand opening.
Summer camp at St. Paul airport seeks to inspire future first responders
The free First Responders day camp, which runs from June 24-28, still has openings, organizers say.
![Grand Ave. looking west from Saint Albans St. was clogged with pedestrians enjoying Grand Old Day Sunday afternoon. ] JEFF WHEELER • jeff.wheeler](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/XHTWGMKIVO2QSXYZDBBETWXQXM.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
After years of uncertainty, Grand Old Day is making a repeat appearance in 2024
First financial struggles, then the pandemic, cast the future of the long-running St. Paul festival in doubt. Supporters say that's not the case anymore.
Group pushes replacing Interstate 94 with thoroughfare between Minneapolis, St. Paul
Our Streets Minneapolis says replacing freeway will be better for cities' health, economy and environment.
Meet the St. Paul manufacturer who helps disabled golfers get on their feet and hit the links
"People say, 'Man, this is going to change my life.'"
Meet the couple who put the Irish on St. Paul's Grand Avenue
The owners of Irish on Grand in St. Paul, Maeve O'Mara and Liam O'Neill, preserve capital city's emerald ties.
Leader of young artist program sees a statewide appeal
The Emerging Young Artists program pairs students with resident artists in east metro schools.
April festival at St. Paul Union Depot is second act for the Wrights
The founders of the Selby Avenue Jazz Festival are taking their show downtown.
Meet the woman who founded a theater group to tell Native American stories to Native American audiences
Rhiana Yazzie founded the New Native Theatre in 2009.
Still waiting on big solar, but St. Paul's Highland Bridge embracing green all over
Plans for a massive solar array at the Highland Park site are under environmental review, officials say. The development is moving ahead with other projects.
Fallout from saga of trapped reporter: St. Paul City Hall starts to get more accessible
Two disabled parking spaces were installed Tuesday. More changes are promised.
Meet the state's top student journalist, who first learned English from sci-fi books and Duolingo
Rita Li was 9 when she arrived from China. At 18, she's in the running to be named the nation's top journalism student.
St. Paul's Midway neighborhood still waiting for renaissance around Allianz Field
A playground and sculpture garden are coming to United Village soon. Excitement over the site's potential has been tempered by frustration over pushed-out and scaled-back plans.
He and his wheelchair were trapped in St. Paul City Hall. The city says it's sorry.
Complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act isn't the same as actually being accessible.
Meet the Ordway boss working to keep the arts relevant and vital to the Twin Cities
Christopher Harrington said arts organizations must better connect with people.
As a young prof teaching night school, he launched the Mitchell law review. He's still at it, 50 years later.
Mike Steenson helped start the school's law review in 1974, when some wondered if busy night students could pull it off.
To parents' dismay, St. Kate's day care center to close after a 93-year run
Some question whether alternatives to closure were explored.
St. Paul commits nearly $32M in tax subsidies for affordable housing in 'Heights'
Without the public support, housing developers say building the income-restricted units would be impossible.
Underground explorer finds evidence of an ancient glacial lake in St. Paul's Highland Park
St. Paul native digs into city's prehistoric past by splashing around in caves, hiking through ravines and sloshing in sewers.
Meet the folks working to make Minnesota more accessible — more than 30 years after the ADA
Executive Director David Dively, Operations and Program Director Linda Gremillion and ADA Director David Fenley say there is much still to be done.
Meet the St. Paul kid who rediscovered the joy of hamming it up after 55
Before Theatre 55, Brian Driscoll hadn't been on stage since high school.
Meet the Winter Carnival ice-carver who wields a chainsaw in public
John Njoes loves the temporary nature of his medium. It's even more temporary this year.
Carol Carey fought the wrecking ball in St. Paul. She won, a hundred times.
Carey, longtime director of Historic St. Paul, is retiring after 20 years of saving history.
Meet the St. Paul Winter Carnival's 'coy' new Klondike Kate
Jody Vander Hart of Vadnais Heights fulfilled a childhood dream by being named Klondike Kate.
Making sweet music: Walker West and Ujamaa Place team up to teach, digital-wise
St. Paul community-based organizations seek to give young Black men more ways to succeed.
After more than a half century, St. Paul woman recovers her brother's long-lost sled
He likely left the sled on the snowy hills at the Town and Country Club decades ago.
Meet the St. Paul car guy who followed his father's repair footsteps
Raks Pham keeps Tuan Auto Repair customers smiling.
Meet the St. Paul bakers who opened a walk-up window in Merriam Park
Vikings & Goddesses has been offering goodies through a walk-up window for a few months now.
A snowless winter takes its toll on Minnesota's way of life
With only a fraction so far of a typical snowfall, annual winter events are being canceled or adjusted — and that means less social interaction.
Meet the St. Paul woman coaching companies to address racism and bias
Seena Hodges says "woke" means empathy and an openness to other experiences.
New year brings in two new millionaires, courtesy of Minnesota Lottery
Two tickets scored prizes of $1 million, lottery officials said.
Early morning shooting is St. Paul's first homicide of 2024
Police were looking Monday for leads.
As St. Paul prepares for a new City Council, three veteran council members look back
Advice from Brendmoen, Tolbert and Prince as they leave City Hall: work hard and stay humble.
Meet the St. Paul hockey mom working to keep girls hockey alive in the Capital City
Angelique McDonald Flohrs is on a mission: Get more girls on hockey rinks in St. Paul.
Meet the St. Paul Snow Angel who finds volunteers to shovel snow for those who can't
Heather Worthington's volunteer shoveling service has grown to 1,200 users in less than four years.
St. Paul officials say Xcel Energy Center is showing its age — and they want state help to fix it up
The city and Minnesota Wild plan to seek state funding to renovate the 23-year-old arena. The total cost is likely to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
After 40 years, St. Paul's Listening House for vulnerable adults finally has a home of its own
The daytime drop-in center has renovated a former pizza house on the East Side and plans an expansion in the lot next door.
Meet the St. Paul police officer who fills in the public on what's going on in the city
After working in patrol and K9 units, Sgt. Mike Ernster said he loves working with the public every day.
St. Paul Winter Carnival taps Frogtown artist for new button designs
Button sales are the primary fundraiser for the St. Paul Winter Carnival.
From tiny desks to midcentury art, antiques alley transforms Selby/Snelling area
Betty's Antiques is the latest shop to join the growing enclave of vintage clothing and decor businesses.
Meet the St. Paul journalist dedicated to 'laser-focused' coverage of communities of color
Mukhtar Ibrahim is stepping down from leading the Sahan Journal to spend more time with his family. But he looks forward to seeing what's next.
Officials seek solutions as copper thieves plunge parts of St. Paul into darkness
The city is trying everything, from gluing panels shut to installing metal bands, in an effort to keep streetlights burning.
Meet the woman who preserves and catalogs St. Paul's Rondo memories
Kayla Jackson is an archivist at the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center. She describes her work as like being a road builder.
Circus Juventas founders stepping away from Big Top in St. Paul
After 30 years and nearly 30,000 students, Dan and Betty Butler are retiring from the circus school in Highland Park.
Meet Brenda Lamb, the woman who makes St. Paul's Candyland both sweet and salty
Lamb has been in charge of St. Paul's iconic candy shop for more than 40 years.
St. Paul's Pilgrim Baptist Church added to Underground Railroad rolls
Genealogist Elyse Pearson-Hill's work led to the National Park Service recognizing the church. It becomes the first Network to Freedom site in Minnesota.
Minnesota Roller Derby spins into its 20th year in St. Paul
On Saturday night, the club's four in-house teams will take to the track again.
St. Paul voters pass sales tax hike to improve streets, parks
Measure to put nearly $1 billion into capital city infrastructure won with 60% of the vote.
Meet the St. Paul boxer who hung up his gloves to share what he's learned — and save lives
Cerresso Fort's Sir Boxing Club teaches defense, discipline — and confidence.
St. Paul officials respond to cafe owner's plea, move electrical boxes they placed out front
City leaders promised better communication going forward.
Meet the author who detailed the Saintly City's dirty deal to harbor gangsters
According to Paul Maccabee, St. Paul's fascination with its seamy history continues today.
With move downtown, tiny St. Paul radio station's ambitions — and voice — have grown
The Center for Broadcast Journalism is using the community radio station to help train new journalists.
Meet the St. Paul guitar shop owners keeping Twin Cities musicians well-strung
The Vigs' Midway-area shop caters to professional musicians.
Man shot, killed early Saturday in north Minneapolis
The victim was found in an alley in the 3500 block of Penn Avenue N.
Meet the St. Paul music star who teaches high school history while still playing gigs
Adam Levy started teaching during the pandemic, at his daughters' suggestion. Now he gets to make music and also talk about the world.
Four newcomers aim for St. Paul seat vacated by Council President Brendmoen
Brendmoen, who has served three terms, chose not to seek re-election this year.
Meet the St. Paul chocolatier whose bonbons make life a little sweeter
Mary Leonard admits her life has, indeed, been like a box of chocolates.
Karen Boros, pioneering TV reporter and longtime journalism instructor, dies at 82
Her enthusiasm and drive for journalism was infectious, a former student said.
St. Paul refugee went into real estate rather than policing — after realizing he didn't like sight of blood
Boe Boe hopes to help other families navigate the home-buying process.
Crowded field seeks Ward One Council seat in St. Paul
Candidates have wide-ranging backgrounds, priorities.
Meet the women who aren't just 'Feeding Frogtown' — they're making sure it's good
Two Frogtown moms have stepped forward to help their neighbors get enough good, healthy food to eat.
Despite criticism, St. Paul City Council incumbent says she's ready to lead in Ward Two
If re-elected, Rebecca Noecker will be the council's most experienced member.
Volunteers fed hundreds in St. Paul — until police shut them down
Police say persistent traffic issues, litter prompted action against Feeding St. Paul.
Meet the St. Paul deli matriarch who works seven days a week and still finds time for yoga
Sheila Leventhal started at Cecil's peeling and dicing potatoes as an 8-year-old. The 82-year-old is still there every day, alongside her grandkids.
Meet the new boss in charge of keeping St. Paul libraries evolving, relevant — and safe
Maureen Hartman says she's "a library person."
Golden Thyme owners stepping down after leading Selby rebirth in St. Paul
Rondo Community Land Trust to make Golden Thyme a cooperative engine for Black innovation.
Meet the geologist-turned-TV host who connects the Vikings to the Knights Templar and the Founding Fathers
Scott Wolter never intended to become so controversial.
Wheelchair ramps will finally make Sunken Garden at St. Paul's Como Park fully accessible
Officials had worried ramps would take up too much space in the St Paul landmark. An architect says they won't.
Meet 'Sweet Martha' Rossini — the woman who makes the Minnesota State Fair gooey and sweet
Sweet Martha has been churning out her cookies since 1979.
St. Paul cafe owner convinced city officials are trying to hurt his business
Mahmoud Shahin said officials have been unwilling to consider his concerns about light poles and electrical boxes in front of his restaurant.
Meet the self-described 'lesbian provocateur' whose activism is grounded in faith
Despite health challenges, Barbara Metzger is itching to get back into the fight.
St. Paul public housing residents waited three weeks for elevator repair
Officials say repairs were delayed because the elevator contractor needed to manufacture a part.
After 118 years, is it time for a revamped Como Lakeside Pavilion?
St. Paul City Council President Amy Brendmoen is gauging the public's appetite for an expanded and renovated dining and entertainment venue.
