East Metro
August 12, 2020
Two of the four murals in the St. Paul City Council Chambers painted in 1933 by John Norton.

Dakota tribe members say they were left out of new St. Paul art installation

Two Minnesota lawmakers contacted the Ramsey County Board on behalf of members of the Dakota community who said they felt "invisible" and unheard.
Stage & Arts
August 12, 2020
Mark Ferraro-Hauck (Photo courtesy SteppingStone Theatre)

Beset by debt, two St. Paul theater companies join forces to survive

Park Square and Stepping­Stone had been in talks before pandemic made their partnership urgent.
St. Paul
August 11, 2020
Flames were shooting high into the air and the glow could be seen for miles when firefighters arrived on the scene on W. 7th Street near 5th Street ab

ATF: Fire that burned down St. Paul hotel site was set deliberately

Investigators say they found no evidence that anyone died in the blaze.
St. Paul
August 11, 2020
School board member Marny Xiong, seen at an event in 2017, died June 7 of COVID-19.

St. Paul school board seat draws six hopefuls

Candidates aim to fill final year of late chairwoman's term.
Local
August 11, 2020

Macalester scales back reopening, will start fall semester online

The St. Paul private college will also limit the number of students who can live in dormitories and test all students for COVID-19 upon their arrival to campus.
St. Paul
August 10, 2020
St. Paul firefighters battled a fire at a construction site across from Xcel Energy Center in downtown St. Paul on Aug. 4.

Suit says St. Paul fire chief let poorly performing recruits graduate

Fire officials could not be reached for comment Monday evening. City spokesman Peter Leggett said the city was not aware of the lawsuit, nor has it received a court filing.
St. Paul
August 10, 2020
The University of St. Thomas

Bear spotted by jogger near University of St. Thomas in St. Paul

This is at least the third bear sighting reported in St. Paul since mid-June.
Local
August 10, 2020
Cliff Willmeng, seen at a protest over hospital worker safety on May 4, is suing United Hospital over his May 8 firing.

United Hospital faces lawsuit over safety after firing ER nurse

Cliff Willmeng joins a burgeoning group of hospital workers nationally filing lawsuits in response to what they see as pressure from hospitals to unreasonably lower safety standards for workers on the front lines of pandemic care.
Minneapolis
August 8, 2020
Gemechis Merga stood in the damaged remains of Rongo's Auto Repair in Minneapolis. His insurer will cover a fraction of damages incurred in the riots.

With half of losses not covered, gutted businesses plead for help

In the 5-mile stretch of Minneapolis that sustained the heaviest destruction, uninsured losses among local small-business owners are at least $200 million, according to the Lake Street Council.
Local
August 7, 2020
People lined up outside the National Guard armory in Minneapolis for free COVID-19 testing Saturday afternoon.

Ramsey County Public Health offers free COVID-19 testing

It is happening during the next four weekends at sites in St. Paul and Maplewood.
St. Paul
August 7, 2020

Woman dies in crash in St. Paul involving stolen motorcycle

She was found lying about 30 feet from the crash site near White Bear and Ivy avenues with a head injury and no pulse.
St. Paul
August 6, 2020
Fire ripped through a $69 million project hotel/apartment project early Tuesday morning, causing massive damage near the Xcel Energy Center in St. Pau

Special ATF team in St. Paul to help determine cause of apartment project fire

The early Tuesday blaze broke out at the site of the $69 million Marriott hotel and apartment complex, sending flames and smoke shooting high into the air.
Music
August 6, 2020
The woodwinds section of the SPCO during a 2019 rehearsal.

St. Paul Chamber Orchestra cancels all concerts for the rest of the year

Orchestra had planned to start a scaled-back season in September.
Stage & Arts
August 6, 2020
Penumbra founder Lou Bellamy and his daughter Sarah Bellamy toured the "Penumbra Theatre at 40" exhibit at the Minnesota History Center.

St. Paul's Penumbra gets a new name and a new mission: Promoting 'arts, racial equity and wellness'

The Penumbra Center for Racial Healing still will produce plays, but performing arts is becoming just one of three areas of focus.
Local
August 5, 2020
St. Paul Public Schools Superintendent Joe Gothard, pictured at a news conference in 2018, is recommending the district begin the year with distance l

St. Paul school board approves remote learning plan

Most urban districts going virtual this school year.
St. Paul
August 5, 2020
Riptide recovers after surgery at Rescued Pets Are Wonderful in Blaine.

Folks rush to help pit bull found tied to St. Paul tree, with mouth wired shut

Humane Society of the Unit­ed States offered a $5,000 re­ward for tips that might lead authorities to those who left Riptide for dead.
Local
August 4, 2020
Rendering of St. Paul Riversedge project

RiversEdge redevelopment project moves forward in downtown St. Paul, despite COVID

The state's stalled bonding bill is another complication as county leaders are seeking $40 million in state funding.
Local
August 4, 2020
St. Paul Public Schools Superintendent Joe Gothard, pictured at a news conference in 2018, is recommending the district begin the year with distance l

St. Paul schools eye starting year with distance learning

Superintendent wants to move to hybrid instruction, but district isn't ready this fall.
St. Paul
August 4, 2020
Flames were shooting high into the air and the glow could be seen for miles when firefighters arrived on the scene on W. 7th Street near 5th Street ab

Fire heavily damages $69M project in downtown St. Paul

A hotel and apartment complex under construction across the street from the Xcel Energy Center in downtown St. Paul caught fire early Tuesday, and part of the structure collapsed.
St. Paul
August 4, 2020

Fire destroys St. Paul hotel under construction

A building near the Xcel Energy Center in downtown St. Paul burned Tuesday morning.

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.