Staff Directory 6134707

Katie Galioto

Reporter | St. Paul City Hall
Phone: 612-673-4478

Katie Galioto is a reporter covering St. Paul City Hall for the Star Tribune. She previously covered the Duluth/Superior region while based in the paper’s bureau Up North.


Galioto was born and raised in the Twin Cities' southwest suburbs. She was an intern at the Star Tribune in 2018 after she graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in political science. She reported as an intern for the Chicago Tribune and POLITICO before returning to her hometown paper full-time. She enjoys traveling, good music, good restaurants and her good dog, Tucker.
Recent content from Katie Galioto
St. Paul City Council Member Russel Balenger, who was born and raised in the city’s Rondo neighborhood, is introducing a proposal to rename part of

City Council member wants Rondo Avenue to regain a place in St. Paul

Russel Balenger wants to rename parts of Concordia and St. Anthony avenues after the legendary street that was removed by freeway construction in the 1960s.
Council President Amy Brendmoen speaks to the St. Paul City Council meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023. In this meeting, the council amended and appro

St. Paul City Council approves $844 million budget for 2024

The adopted plan was largely the same as what Mayor Melvin Carter proposed in August, with a few minor tweaks and additions.
The Sky Walkers, an active group of people that live in apartments connected by the skyway, go on their weekly walk Tuesday in downtown St. Paul.

With winter approaching, St. Paul makes plans to shore up its struggling skyways

COVID-19 aid will pay for physical improvements, and a proposed ordinance aims to make it easier to crack down on scofflaw building owners.
From left to right, Anika Bowie, Saura Jost, Mitra Jalali, Hwa Jeong Kim and Cheniqua Johnson posed after filing together in August to run for the St.

Saura Jost declared winner of St. Paul's Third Ward race, cementing city's historic all-female council

The new council, among the city's youngest and most diverse, will be sworn in early next year.
Seventh Ward candidate Cheniqua Johnson, center, smiled as she talked with campaign worker Nonkululeko Shongwe, left, and her campaign manager Latisha

Anika Bowie, Cheniqua Johnson elected to first all-female St. Paul City Council

After tallying ranked-choice votes, they are declared winners in the city's First and Seventh wards.
From left to right, Anika Bowie, Saura Jost, Mitra Jalali, Hwa Jeong Kim and Cheniqua Johnson posed after filing to run for the St. Paul City Council

St. Paul voters elect a young, diverse — and possibly all-female — City Council

Two races won't have declared winners until Friday, due to ranked-choice voting, but women of color lead in both contests.
St. Paul City Council, September 2022.

St. Paul poised for City Council shake-up, as at least two races remain undecided

Women were leading contests in all seven wards, meaning that St. Paul could have an all-women council for the first time in the city's history.
St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter made a pitch for the proposed sales tax last April, in front of the city’s asphalt plant.

What to know about the proposed sales tax increase on St. Paul ballots

If passed by voters, the tax would raise nearly $1 billion for streets and parks over 20 years.
Disassembly of the Justus Ramsey House in February 2023.

St. Paul's Justus Ramsey House to be rebuilt on Transportation Museum grounds

The announcement Friday closes a chapter in the roller-coaster saga of one of St. Paul's oldest homes, which was nearly destroyed at the start of the year.
Ben Peters showed Brianna and Thomas Williams a triplex in St. Paul’s North End in 2019.

St. Paul City Council votes to allow multi-unit housing throughout city

Under a sweeping set of changes to the zoning code, duplexes and triplexes will be allowed on almost any lot.
St. Paul City Hall and Ramsey County Courthouse.

Ramsey County refunding $3.75M after double billing nearly 700 taxpayers

A problem with the county's electronic payment system charged some residents and businesses twice this month.
The skyline of downtown St. Paul seen from the Smith Avenue Bridge in February 2020.

Why does my St. Paul tax bill cost that much? Five things to know.

Inflation, city fees and state funding levels all play a role as city leaders set the tax levy — and determine your share of the bill.
City Council Member Mitra Jalali filed to run again in August at the Ramsey County Elections Office.

In St. Paul's Fourth Ward, Mitra Jalali pushes for more progressive City Council agenda

The DFL incumbent faces one challenger, libertarian Robert Bushard who's "pretty certain" he will lose.
The St. Paul City Council deliberated at a meeting in September 2022.

Public shows strong support for St. Paul zoning changes geared toward density

If passed by the City Council, properties with up to six housing units would be allowed throughout the city.
Ben Peters showed Brianna and Thomas Williams a triplex in St. Paul’s North End in August 2019.

Duplexes, townhomes, cluster developments: What to know about St. Paul's proposed zoning changes

St. Paul is considering eliminating single-family-only zoning, with the goal of boosting the city's housing stock.
The new Highland Bridge development is part of the Third Ward in St. Paul.

As longtime City Council Member Chris Tolbert steps down, four vie to represent St. Paul's Third Ward

For the first time in 12 years, the Highland Park and Macalester-Groveland district has an open council seat.
The St. Paul City Council, shown at a September 2022 meeting, voted 4-3 on Wednesday for the smoking restrictions.

St. Paul bans smoking in city parks, near public buildings and outside workplaces

The city joins several others that have regulated recreational cannabis since Minnesota legalized its use.
St. Paul City Hall and Ramsey County Courthouse

St. Paul City Council approves 3.7% maximum property tax levy hike

But homeowners could see slightly smaller tax bills from the city, due to growth in commercial and industrial sectors.
From left, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, Mikeya Griffin, Tara Beard and Anthony Bradford cut a ceremonial ribbon Wednesday, Sep. 12, 2023, at Bradford

St. Paul's Inheritance Fund helps first Rondo descendant buy a home

The city program provides forgivable loans aiming to rebuild wealth for those who lost properties to Intestate 94.
A split St. Paul City Council is moving forward with a plan to ban smoking in city parks and near certain building entrances, as city leaders continue

St. Paul moves to ban smoking in city parks, near some building entrances

The city is weighing its role in regulating the recently legalized use of recreational cannabis.
Students from the Rec Check after-school program played in the dirt while dignitaries speak during a “Raise the Roof” event Tuesday at the constru

St. Paul leaders celebrate construction of long-desired North End Community Center

The recreation center is set to open in late 2024.
St. Paul City Council Member Chris Tolbert initially proposed limits on where people can smoke marijuana outdoors in the city. Council members on Wedn

With marijuana legal, St. Paul council weighs restrictions on public smoking

Minnesota's capital, like communities across the state, is figuring out how to adapt after the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Fairgoers waited in long lines Tuesday to board buses at the Minnesota State Fair’s Transportation Hub in Falcon Heights.

'Transit's been hit hard': Getting to the fair can be a trip in itself

With attendance currently on pace to exceed last year's Minnesota State Fair — which saw the fifth-largest crowds in its history — officials are encouraging fairgoers to plan ahead and have a Plan B.
St. Paul parks staff presented a rendering of what a revamped Pedro Park would look like down E. 10th Street.

Downtown St. Paul's Pedro Park gets $6M for long-awaited expansion

The city aims to finish construction of the pint-sized park by spring of 2025.
Chauntyll Allen, a St. Paul school board member and leader of Black Lives Matter Twin Cities, led a chant outside St. Paul’s City Hall after a news

Black leaders push back on St. Paul's pick for reparations commission staffer

Hours after a protest at City Hall, officials said the hire had withdrawn her name from consideration.
The St. Paul Planning Commission is recommending a set of major zoning amendments to the City Council.

Proposal to allow fourplexes in most parts of St. Paul heads to City Council

Proposed zoning amendments aim to create more 'missing middle' housing.
The St. Paul City Council overrode Mayor Melvin Carter’s veto of a 2024 ballot question on tax-funded child care..

St. Paul City Council overrides Carter's veto of child care ballot question

The mayor said the proposed 2024 ballot question, which aims to fund child care for low-income families, makes "empty promises."
From left to right, Anika Bowie, Saura Jost, Mitra Jalali, Hwa Jeong Kim and Cheniqua Johnson posed after filing to run for St. Paul City Council toge

Campaign bloc: Group determined to become St. Paul's first all-women City Council

Election wins for all seven candidates would herald in the youngest and most diverse council in city history.
St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter spoke about his 2024 budget proposal.

St. Paul mayor wants to use pandemic aid to erase medical debt

By partnering with a nonprofit, $1.1 million from the city could wipe out up to 100 times that amount of debt.
St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter spoke about his 2024 budget proposal.

St. Paul Mayor Carter offers budget with smaller property tax increase, urges voters to hike sales tax

The mayor credited the Legislature's local government aid for keeping the levy increase to 3.7%.
Housing Equity Now St. Paul, the group that petitioned and campaigned for rent control, held a news conference to ask city staff and elected officials

St. Paul tenant sues landlords for alleged rent control violation

Advocates say this is the first time a tenant has sought court enforcement of the voter-approved law.
One person fatally stabbed, one injured in St. Paul altercation

One person fatally stabbed, one injured in St. Paul altercation

Police are asking for witnesses who may have seen events leading up to the fatal incident in the city's Highland Park neighborhood.
Advocates rallying outside St. Paul City Hall this spring, including Daniel Cox and his 4-month old daughter Tlameha Trostle, thanked Council Member R

Carter vetoes 2024 St. Paul ballot question on tax hike for child care

If approved, the measure would raise the property tax levy to help families and providers.
St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter promoted the city’s sales tax proposal outside the city’s asphalt plant this spring.

St. Paul City Council sends two tax referendums to voters

Voters will be asked to weigh in on a sales tax for streets and parks this fall, and a property tax increase for child care next year.
Sumeya Mohamed holds a postcard from the city saying her landlord was granted an exception to St. Paul’s rent control law. The notice says her apar

For some St. Paul tenants, rent control falls short

Market conditions and limited enforcement mean many see rent increases above 3%.
An upstairs fire Sunday, June 11, 2023, destroyed an apartment and damaged Westside HairCare below on St. Paul’s West Side.

Fire damages popular hair salon on St. Paul's West Side

Neighbors and clients show their support of the longstanding business by helping with cleanup.
The seniors at Pillars at Prospect Park joined children — their “grand-friends” from the on-site day care — to attend a musical event in the c

Is this the end of Minneapolis and St. Paul population boom?

The urban core swelled in the 2010s, but two new sets of population estimates indicate that growth in the Twin Cities is slowing down.
Foreman Eric Fobbe and Jaden Wisti worked to remove sandstone from a new storm water tunnel underneath downtown Minneapolis in July 2022.

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.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara spoke about a shooting in a North Side alley that left one young person dead Monday.

14-year-old ID'd as killed in north Minneapolis shooting

Chief Brian O'Hara said police had some leads but did not say whether suspects had been identified.
The scene of a shooting Monday near the corner of the 3300 block of Grimes Avenue N. in Robbinsdale.

Two juveniles arrested in connection with Robbinsdale shooting

The victim, who was shot just after 1 p.m. Monday, was listed in critical condition.
Summit Avenue at Lexington Parkway in St. Paul.

St. Paul City Council approves plan for Summit Avenue bike trail

The council voted 6-1 for the regional trail, which has been the subject of fierce debate for months.
A federal judge ruled against a pair of St. Paul landlords, who had claimed the city’s rent control law was unconstitutional.

Federal judge rules against landlords challenging St. Paul rent control

Two property owners argued that the city's law was unconstitutional.
Students from the St Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists put the finishing touches on one panel of a new mural in the downtown St. Paul skyway.

For St. Paul students, stretch of drab skyway is ideal canvas

Students from the St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists teamed up with the Minnesota Museum of American Art to paint a mural.
Ashley Borud, operations manager of downtown St. Paul’s Street Team, checked on a person who was sleeping on the sidewalk Wednesday morning next to

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.
On a bright afternoon in September, hundreds of people poured into Oakland Cemetery in St. Paul for the burial of Marcoz, a 14-year-old boy who was ki

Star Tribune's 'Juvenile Injustice' series named Pulitzer finalist

This is the second straight year the newspaper was named a finalist in the investigative reporting category.
Patrick Ingram, First Ward credential co-chair, worked on getting residents registered at a DFL convention inside Central High School on Saturday. The

St. Paul City Council candidate drops out, then jumps back in after DFL convention

Isaac Russell said supporters encouraged him to stay in the Third Ward race.
A drone used for police operations in Chula Vista, Calif., on Nov. 11, 2020.

St. Paul police plan to use drones in emergency responses

The department faced questions and concerns about police accountability and privacy.
So many people needed to be registered that the start of the Ward 1 DFL convention was delayed Saturday at Central High School in St. Paul.

St. Paul DFL endorses three City Council candidates

The city's First Ward is still in limbo after convention delegates walked out.
St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter delivered his annual state of the city address inside the Oxford Community Center on Tuesday afternoon.

6 key takeaways as St. Paul Mayor Carter takes victory lap in State of City address

The mayor's speech focused on accomplishments during his years in office.
Tony McGibbon, a former city assessor who recently launched ProperTax, says many homeowners have no idea how to appeal a valuation they think is too h

Think your property tax assessment is too high? Here's what to do

With double-digit gains in home prices — and tax levies changing — many homeowners are confused with changes in their assessments.
St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter addressed the media at the city’s asphalt plant Thursday. Carter was joined by state Sen. Sandy Pappas and other city o

Spring brings St. Paul asphalt plant to life, with promise of pothole patches

City officials say they hope to repair winter damage in the next month or two, after "the worst season for potholes we've ever had."
Street service worker Bradley Therres smoothed asphalt over a pothole on Shepard Road in 2019.

St. Paul pays $640K to settle with property owners on street maintenance assessments

A May court ruling ordered the city to stop assessing individual property owners for routine upkeep.
Minnesota's age limit for carrying handguns ruled unconstitutional

Minnesota's age limit for carrying handguns ruled unconstitutional

The decision would allow 18- to 20-year-olds to obtain a permit to carry a handgun in public.
The speed limit on Shepard Road in St. Paul was reduced from 50 to 35 mph because of all its potholes.

Record number of cities, counties seeking local sales taxes

A rising number of local governments want to split the costs of capital projects with out-of-town users.
Great River Passage Conservancy nonprofit director Mary deLaittre overlooked the Mississippi River in St. Paul in 2019.

Great River Passage Conservancy leader Mary deLaittre to step down

Mary deLaittre spent nearly seven years working on plans to better connect St. Paul with the Mississippi River.
Downtown St. Paul’s Treasure Island Center building had its grand opening event in January 2018.

Loans set to help St. Paul's Treasure Island Center avoid mortgage default

The St. Paul Port Authority's nonprofit arm has a majority stake in the property.
A snowplow navigated crowded, snow and ice-covered Charles Avenue near Grotto Street N. Jan. 30 in St. Paul.

St. Paul snowplow drivers approve contract with city, averting strike

Wages were a sticking point in negotiations, which also included parks, water and sewer employees.
The St. Paul City Council deliberated at a September 2022 meeting.

St. Paul could ask voters to fund early learning grants with property tax levy

The St. Paul City Council will consider whether to approve a ballot measure.
St. Paul Council Member Rebecca Noecker, right, spoke about a package of amendments to the city’s rent control bill, as she sat beside fellow counci

St. Paul DFL party endorses 3 City Council incumbents

Four others are not running for re-election.
Four of St. Paul’s seven City Council members are not seeking re-election this year.

St. Paul council candidates gear up for Sunday's DFL caucuses, conventions

Four of the city's seven council seats are open, without incumbents seeking re-election.
ReConnect Rondo’s vision calls for a 21-acre business and residential area built over Interstate 94.

ReConnect Rondo awarded $2M planning grant for I-94 land bridge

The grant comes from the bipartisan infrastructure bill passed in 2021.
Public officials including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, left, and St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter hold a joint press conference before an anticipated hi

Minneapolis and St. Paul declare snow emergencies starting Wednesday night

Free covered parking offered in both cities as storm approaches; St. Paul will have back-to-back emergencies.
The St. Paul City Council is looking for people to join a new reparations commission.

St. Paul opens applications for reparations commission

The 11-member group could consider direct cash payments to residents who are Black descendants of slaves.
A man makes his way near shattered windows that line some of the St. Paul skyway system in St. Paul, Minn., on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. There have bee

Concerns plague St. Paul skyways as foot traffic remains down

Downtown leaders say shoring up skyway safety and maintenance is a top priority.
Mayor Melvin Carter holds up the official proclamation recognizing him as Mayor of he Realm, after a ceremony performed by Leo Lewis, the St. Paul Win

St. Paul soon to launch forgivable housing loan program for former Rondo residents

The initiative builds on the city's existing down payment assistance and homeowner rehab programs.
St. Paul City Hall and Ramsey County Courthouse

Federal judge hears arguments on St. Paul rent control's constitutionality

A pair of property owners sued the city in June.
Mayor Melvin Carter walked away from the podium as questions related to the shooting outside of the Oxford Community Center were asked at a news confe

Carter orders audit of St. Paul recreation centers after shooting

The alleged shooter, a city employee, has received formal notice of termination, Carter said.
In February 2022, Housing Equity Now St. Paul urged city staff and elected officials to implement the rent control ordinance.

What you need to know about St. Paul's rent control law

The latest version of the law took effect Jan. 1.
St. Paul workers who filed complaints with the city about Earned Sick and Safe Time violations at their workplaces and organizers demonstrated in 2019

St. Paul City Council poised to expand paid sick leave

The changes would mean businesses based outside the city must provide workers in St. Paul with earned sick and safe time.
Good Samaritan Matt Kinsella-Walsh held a tow line for a stranded motorist Wednesday while he waited for his bus along Lake Street in Minneapolis.

Heavy snow makes for messy cleanup in Twin Cities

Officials ask for patience as snowplowing continues.
Tammy Dahl, center, Alijah Goetting, left, and Tiara Godfrey speak to an employee at the impound lot window in Minneapolis, Minn., on Thursday, Jan. 5

Storm dumped 15 inches of snow on Twin Cities. And a lot of headaches

Twin Cities tow and ticket more than 1,000 vehicles — so far.
The St. Paul City Council deliberates at a September 2022 meeting.

St. Paul forms permanent reparations commission in move toward 'real racial justice'

The group will advise the mayor and City Council on budget and policy decisions to make reparations to Black descendants of slaves.
Amber Ruth, right, a mental health practitioner with the St. Paul Police Community Outreach and Stabilization Team, works with the public at St. Paul�

St. Paul libraries face question of purpose, time of reckoning

Libraries are expanding their role, from social workers to helping homeless patrons. But some say staff are stretched too thin.
St. Paul City Hall and Ramsey County Courthouse

St. Paul human rights director steps down

Kristien Butler's departure will mean the sixth change in department leadership in five years.
The off-leash dog park at Battle Creek Regional Park.

MPCA fines Canadian Pacific for St. Paul diesel spill

The 2021 spill did not cause lasting environmental damage, according to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.