Recent content from James Walsh

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.
Crowded field seeks Ward One Council seat in St. Paul
Candidates have wide-ranging backgrounds, priorities.

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.

Meet the Irish ambassador to the U.S. who spent a weekend in (very Irish) St. Paul
Geraldine Byrne Nason visited the Twin Cities for the first time.

Meet the irreverent St. Paul radio host who set his writing chops on Minnesota's favorite season
After years as a radio and podcast host, TD Mischke has written a book about the enduring power of winter.

Meet the St. Paul guy who traded dreams of the law for life on the water
Lee Nelson has made a career of connecting the capital city to the world through the Mississippi River.

Many National Night Out events put police at the forefront
The event, started in 1984, has goals beyond positive relationships between communities and police. It seeks to help forge neighborhood camaraderie.

After 200 days without a contract, frustrated firefighters to picket in St. Paul
Union members are hoping to prod Mayor Melvin Carter back to the table for — among other things — increased staffing levels.
Meet the St. Paul restaurant vet bringing connection — and a killer breakfast bowl — to Cathedral Hill
Michael Noyes learned to cook, wait tables and run the business at restaurants across St. Paul.

University of St. Thomas baseball, softball moving to Highland Bridge
The St. Paul City Council voted 6-0 to approve the teams' move to new stadiums 2 miles south of campus.

St. Paul's Downtown Improvement District won't include W. 7th after all
A group of property owners questioned assessments, fairness of the district that they previously asked to join.

Meet the cheerful boss of those neon-clad workers on the streets of downtown St. Paul
Ashley Borud oversees a team of about two dozen who aim to make downtown more welcoming.

'Trial by fire': St. Paul parks director concludes packed first year
Andy Rodriguez is developing a reputation for listening — and responding — to the community.

Meet the East Sider who rallies her St. Paul neighbors to help those in need
Through a Facebook page, LeeAnn Larson connects struggling community members with those who can help.

St. Paul golf course begins transformation into 112-acre redevelopment
The former Hillcrest Golf Course will become the Heights.

Dr. Charles Crutchfield III, Minnesota's first Black dermatologist, dies at 62
Crutchfield worked to expand opportunities for physicians of color, improve patient care and fight fear and misinformation about medical conditions.

Meet the St. Paul Bush Foundation Fellow who knows public officials need mental health support, too
Noel Nix wants to find ways to help the helpers.

St. Paul teen bikes 21,000 miles crisscrossing the globe
"Fiercely independent" Adam Swanson, 19, first dreamed of the ambitious trip at age 10.
72-year-old man drowns in Minnetonka pool
A 72-year-old man drowned Saturday in a residential swimming pool in Minnetonka, the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office reported Sunday.The Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office identified…

Hottest day yet of 2023 on the way for Twin Cities
Temps could reach 95 on Monday, the National Weather Service said, with the weather a little cooler on the holiday.

Meet the Patrick Henry grad who grew up with the company that powers downtown St. Paul
After high school, Ron Anderson had no idea what he wanted to do with his life. Forty years later, he helps keep downtown humming.

After 39 years, North End grocery store owners are finally taking a break
The recently sold Kamp's Food Market has been open 365 days a year since its owners took it over as newlyweds.

Meet the St. Paul woman who thinks pulling weeds can be meditative
Pat Owen volunteers to beautify Como Park.

Juneteenth celebration in St. Paul's Rondo neighborhood looks to the past — and future
The governor and mayor were among those insisting history should not be hidden.

St. Paul preservationists lay groundwork for new home for Justus Ramsey House
Many want to rebuild the deconstructed cottage in the W. 7th St. neighborhood.

Eight days, four cities, six games: Ballpark bus tour hits the road for 40th year
Julian Loscalzo says this year's Bleacher Bums Ballpark Tour is his last. Maybe.

Meet the Teacher of the Year who makes math matter to his St. Paul students
Michael Houston has spent 19 years at Harding Senior High School.

Saints to honor local baseball pioneer Billy Williams for a storied career, on the diamond and off
St. Paul native was longest-serving Capitol employee ever.

Meet the lawyers serving coffee — not just justice — in St. Paul's Como Park
Neighbors pressed their case for a coffee shop. The attorneys responded.

Ellison sues Madison Equities over wage theft, retaliation
The attorney general and management company have been sparring for years over allegations of unpaid wages.

Preservationists sue city to save St. Paul library from demolition
Lawsuit seeks to save Hamline Midway Library building, alleging the city's plan to replace it violates environmental laws.

St. Paul's Rondo Days is a no-go this year
The festival is expected to return in 2024 after a yearslong hiatus.

Legislators direct $1 billion to Twin Cities area infrastructure
The money is expected to kickstart road and bridge construction, fund more than 50 nonprofit organizations and launch upgrades to parks and community sports centers.

Meet the former Army engineer who spent six years leading 'best-kept secret in St. Paul'
Martin Ludden, executive director of SPNN since 2017, is stepping down this month.

Legislature doubles funding for programs teaching trades
The program supplies new affordable housing while teaching trades to high school students.

Meet the guy who keeps St. Paul Saints fans smiling
Lee Adams is more than an announcer. His job is to entertain.

Lowertown St. Paul businesses grapple with rising crime
Repeated burglaries and break-ins have left business owners frustrated.

No parking? St. Paul considers banning idle trucks from city streets
Officials say parked rigs are a danger. Drivers say the ban will hurt business.

Meet the St. Paul woman who opened a candy store to teach girls about entrepreneurship
Don't worry, dentists — the Tooth Fairy Candy Store offers toothbrushes and floss, too.

W. 7th property owners get in on the perks of nearby downtown
Commercial properties in the downtown improvement district pay assessments for cleaning and safety services.

Mechanic Arts alumni fight to keep St. Paul high school's memory alive: 'It was a special place'
It's been nearly 50 years since the school closed, but its M Club continues helping new generations of St. Paul students forge their futures.

Meet the longtime St. Paul pharmacist who thinks the future won't be about filling prescriptions
John Hoeschen has owned St. Paul Corner Drug since 1997.

In Minnesota, historic designation doesn't always stop wrecking ball
Preservationists have found that a listing on the National Register of Historic Places is not enough to prevent loss. They keep fighting.

Grand Old Day returns to St. Paul on June 4
Organizers tout new and continuing sponsorships for revival of 50-year festival.

Meet the St. Paul man who's produced a live TV show every week for 40 years
"Almanac" producer Brendan Henehan is retiring from Twin Cities Public Television.

A week of firsts at the former Hillcrest Golf Course site in St. Paul
Port Authority picks housing developers, first light-industrial employer.

St. Paul's Walker West Music Academy to expand earlier than expected, thanks to $2.5M loan
Model Cities is providing the funding to purchase the former Wilder Foundation site.

Meet the St. Paul executive who volunteers to fight crime
Camila Gadotti is the new chairwoman of Crime Stoppers of Minnesota.

St. Paul area young artists program seeks to spark lives of creativity
Longtime St. Paul Jaycees art show now run by COMPAS, which hopes to expand it metrowide.

Meet the women keeping traditions alive at El Burrito Mercado on St. Paul's West Side
With her sister and her niece, Milissa Silva carries forward the restaurant and market her parents started in 1979.

Hundreds turn out in St. Paul for first hearing on Summit Avenue trail plan
The Parks and Recreation Commission heard from supporters and opponents of the plan to install a separated bike trail along the corridor.

St. Paul law student shares love of hockey to encourage more kids of color to play
Anthony Walsh wrote the children's book "Hockey Is for Everybody."

Como's Sunken Garden out of reach to people with limited mobility
St. Paul officials say elevators that provide access to the gardens have been a problem for years.

Meet the guy who's a thorn in the side of St. Paul City Hall
Despite unsuccessful runs for mayor and City Council, Tom Goldstein keeps pushing for accountability.

Members of St. Paul Mayor Carter's staff involved in St. Patrick's Day altercation at ramen restaurant
No one was arrested in the incident at Tori Ramen on W. 7th Street.

Hennepin, Ramsey counties lose residents: 'Ripples' of pandemic
While not as dramatic as during the pandemic, more people are still moving out of the core counties.

Meet the St. Paul soccer star building community through his expanding foundation
Tony Sanneh works to give young people skills, remove barriers.

Meet the St. Paul couple who resurrected a 100-year-old movie theater
North Garden Theater on W. 7th Street hosts weddings, graduations and the occasional pop-up performance.

Director stepping down from community media and technology center SPNN
After six years, Martin Ludden said, "It's time to make room for somebody else."

District council favors Summit regional bike trail, with some suggestions
St. Paul officials say Summit Avenue needs to be rebuilt, with new underlying sewer, water, gas and electrical service.

Neal Luebke, a teacher who inspired students to choose the arts, dies at 96
The longtime Robbinsdale teacher was demanding but warm: His students called him "Uncle Neal."

Meet Angela Davis, former TV journalist now Minnesota Public Radio host
"As a talk show host, I'm not here to preach to you. I'm not here to judge you," Davis said. "I'm just having a conversation with you."

Freeze, thaw, then repeat: Minnesota's potholes are deeper than ever
Officials admit they can't keep up with potholes "because nothing's sticking."

Meet the owner of historic St. Paul home who helped save Justus Ramsey House
Elyse Jensen developed a passion for St. Paul history over a decade of sweat equity.