Eat & Drink
August 3, 2020
Many restaurants like the Freehouse tack on a 3% surcharge for health insurance benefits for employees.

Twin Cities restaurant group properly listed 3% health charge, judge rules

Judge finds extra "tax" was properly disclosed.
St. Paul
August 3, 2020

St. Paul, Ramsey County use CARES money to help job seekers

St. Paul
August 1, 2020
Nettie Hayes Sherman recorded a special birthday song for St. Paul and was the Civic Center party to sing it for the crowd. Naomi Nettie Hayes Sherman

Nettie Hayes Sherman stood at intersection of booze, voting 100 years ago

She steals in the show in "A Brief History of Women in Bars: A Minnesota Story in Three Rounds," even being in it just in the final minutes.
St. Paul
August 1, 2020
Buzz on July 29, the day the Como Park Zoo reopened after a closure due to COVID-19. Buzz died of neurological issues this week.

Como Park Zoo says 'proud ambassador of conservation' Buzz the polar bear has died

The big bear died as the result of "suspected neurological issues," the zoo said Saturday.
Local
July 30, 2020
Tenley VerStrate, 6, played in one of the new featured areas that are separated by tape during a "test run" at the Minnesota Children's Museum, Thursd

Minnesota museums reopening as they struggle to survive during COVID-19

Some museums won't outlast the crisis, a new national study predicts.
Local
July 30, 2020
Kai Mayer of the Minnesota Freedom Fund posted bail for a client in Hennepin County in March 2020.

Bail-paying nonprofit halts services at Ramsey County jail, citing virus concerns

It says Ramsey County has not taken sufficient coronavirus precautions.
Local
July 30, 2020
St. Paul Public Schools Superintendent Joe Gothard, seen in 2018, has formed a planning team that is looking at issues like school access and scheduli

St. Paul schools likely to begin year with distance learning

School board will take up superintendent's recommendation next week.
Local
July 30, 2020
St. Paul Council member Dai Thao, seen on June 18, said he wasn't surprised to learn that his ward had a high number of applications for the St. Paul

For St. Paul families, city help was welcome but short-lived

An emergency cash assistance program for families and businesses that lost income as a result of COVID-19 drew nearly 5,300 applications from families, less than a quarter of whom got a check.
St. Paul
July 30, 2020
St Thomas men's basketball coach John Tauer and women's coach Ruth Sinn stepped out for the first time onto the newly unveiled basketball court. They

St. Thomas leaders hope move to Division I athletics will boost profile, appeal

Officials want to recruit more out-of-state students.
St. Paul
July 29, 2020

The Como Park Zoo reopens

The Como Park Zoo, which closed on March 16, reopened to the public Wednesday in St. Paul with reservations and masks required as well as one-way foot traffic.
Local
July 28, 2020
The Midway YMCA was one of two of the first YMCAs to reopen June 10 at 25% capacity. Here, COVID-19 rules are posted outside of the Midway YMCA for al

YMCA shuts fitness centers in St. Paul, Lino Lakes and Prior Lake

The closures follow the Y's drop in revenue due to COVID-19.
Minneapolis
July 28, 2020
Minneapolis Police used tear gas to break up a protest outside the Fifth Precinct after the 8 p.m. curfew on May 30.

ACLU sues law enforcement leaders over wounding of protesters in Mpls.

The lawsuit says officers often fired without warning, inflicted severe bruising and damage from tear gas.
East Metro
July 27, 2020

St. Paul school board taps Hmong parent to fill temporary seat

St. Paul
July 27, 2020
Police are investigating St. Paul's 19th homicide of the year.

Fight in St. Paul alley ends with man dead, teen arrested

It is the city's 19th homicide of the year.
Local
July 26, 2020
The Ramsey County Sheriff's outreach Cmdr. Mary Kay Skelly gave air high-fives to children after giving them freezes and stickers in the McDonough Hom

Minneapolis and St. Paul police take educational approach to mask enforcement

Cities are having conversations with mask scofflaws.
St. Paul
July 24, 2020

State Patrol: Speeding SUV crashes on Hwy. 280 in St. Paul, killing one

The SUV rolled over and vaulted over an exit ramp, ejecting three people, according to the State Patrol.
Local
July 24, 2020
Before being filmed for an online class, "Skeeter" the zebra waited for food from Zookeeper Jill Erzar as he gets used to people in masks in his enclo

Como Zoo will welcome visitors again — at a distance

Visitors with masks and reservations can visit the zoo starting Wednesday.
West Metro
July 24, 2020
DJ Stokes

Man who drowned trying to save friend in Lake Minnetonka was Hai Hai sous chef

He was one of three who went in the water to rescue woman who fell from pontoon.
St. Paul
July 23, 2020
Fate of Columbus statue pulled down at Minnesota State Capitol will not be decided until 2021

Fate of Columbus statue pulled down at Minnesota State Capitol will not be decided until 2021

Columbus in storage while new task forces determine process.

St. Paul coverage

Complete coverage of St. Paul neighborhoods, schools, city hall and public safety, including St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter and St. Paul Schools Superintendent Joseph Gothard.