Recent content from Katie Galioto
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.

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.
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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

St. Paul leaders celebrate construction of long-desired North End Community Center
The recreation center is set to open in late 2024.

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.

'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.

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.

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.

Proposal to allow fourplexes in most parts of St. Paul heads to City Council
Proposed zoning amendments aim to create more 'missing middle' housing.

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."

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 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 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%.

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
Police are asking for witnesses who may have seen events leading up to the fatal incident in the city's Highland Park neighborhood.

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 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.
For some St. Paul tenants, rent control falls short
Market conditions and limited enforcement mean many see rent increases above 3%.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Two juveniles arrested in connection with Robbinsdale shooting
The victim, who was shot just after 1 p.m. Monday, was listed in critical condition.

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.

Federal judge rules against landlords challenging St. Paul rent control
Two property owners argued that the city's law was unconstitutional.

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.

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.

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.

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.

St. Paul police plan to use drones in emergency responses
The department faced questions and concerns about police accountability and privacy.

St. Paul DFL endorses three City Council candidates
The city's First Ward is still in limbo after convention delegates walked out.

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.

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.

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."

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
The decision would allow 18- to 20-year-olds to obtain a permit to carry a handgun in public.

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 leader Mary deLaittre to step down
Mary deLaittre spent nearly seven years working on plans to better connect St. Paul with the Mississippi River.

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.

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.

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 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 awarded $2M planning grant for I-94 land bridge
The grant comes from the bipartisan infrastructure bill passed in 2021.

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.

St. Paul opens applications for reparations commission
The 11-member group could consider direct cash payments to residents who are Black descendants of slaves.

Concerns plague St. Paul skyways as foot traffic remains down
Downtown leaders say shoring up skyway safety and maintenance is a top priority.

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.

Federal judge hears arguments on St. Paul rent control's constitutionality
A pair of property owners sued the city in June.

Carter orders audit of St. Paul recreation centers after shooting
The alleged shooter, a city employee, has received formal notice of termination, Carter said.

What you need to know about St. Paul's rent control law
The latest version of the law took effect Jan. 1.

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.

Heavy snow makes for messy cleanup in Twin Cities
Officials ask for patience as snowplowing continues.

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.

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.

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 human rights director steps down
Kristien Butler's departure will mean the sixth change in department leadership in five years.

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.