Recent content from Zoë Jackson
Children's Minnesota forms health equity collective
The Children's Minnesota health system launched a new program Wednesday to address health disparities among Minnesota families. The Collective for Community Health will work with…
In communities of color, scathing MPD report is not a surprise
Finally, some say, there is recognition of what they have recognized for decades.
Minnesota travelers mixed on lifting of mask mandate
Many travelers still chose to keep their noses and mouths covered, as recommended by the CDC.
Physician, researcher leads new state Health Equity Bureau
Launched last month, it will lead the state Department of Public Health's equity initiatives and solicit community input on those efforts.
Amir Locke case highlights reality for Black gun owners
They say they face a double standard when legally carrying their weapons.
Far from war, Ukraine refugees welcomed in Pelican Rapids
Residents in and around the western Minnesota city have rolled out the red carpet for a family that fled Chernihiv, a city close to the Russian border that faced severe damage.
New director takes the helm of St. Paul's Office of Neighborhood Safety
The director of the newly minted St. Paul Office of Neighborhood Safety stepped into her new role aiming to expand community-first safety initiatives.Brooke Blakey, a…
Hennepin commissioner calls on HCMC to fire employees over racist photos
In an interview Thursday, Hennepin Healthcare leaders said they're implementing new training to change the organization's culture. "We wish there was a playbook," said the CEO.
HCMC promised to change. Then came the blackface photos
Some employees say the response will test leadership's commitment to change, following a series of incidents that have exacerbated racial tensions inside the hospital system.
Town & Country rejects St. Thomas bid for land for athletics expansion
St. Thomas is continuing to explore other options for its athletics program, beginning with an ice hockey arena, after the country club's board turned down the $61.4 million offer.
Carter proposes rent control exemption for new housing in St. Paul
The first stakeholder meeting on the policy that will impact St. Paul in the spring was held Tuesday.
St. Thomas looking at Town & Country Club land for expansion
The Tommies are in search of a site for an ice hockey facility befitting their Division I classification and have inquired about the availability of the golf course, the oldest country club in Minnesota.
St. Paul Mayor Carter forms 41-member rent-control stakeholder group
The committee includes renters, landlords, homeowners and policy experts.
St. Paul launches foreclosure prevention program
Homeowners experiencing hard times receive up to $35,000 in aid.
The kids of St. Paul's Harmony strings are taking the stage once more
The young performers have shown up early to school to practice three days a week.
St. Paul immigrants found water bottle company to fight water crisis, in Africa and worldwide
Didómi hopes capture some of the reusable water bottle market while helping thousands globally.
Delma Francis, former Star Tribune journalist, dies at 68
The Lancaster, Ky., native was a veteran journalist who spent years as a reporter and editor in multiple states, and as a mentor to young Black journalists.
St. Paul approves plan for Point Douglas Regional Trail
Cyclists would have an off-highway route along the Mississippi River Trail for the first time.
New units by Hmong developer to open on St. Paul's East Side
The Parkway Apartments will include 60 units of deeply affordable and Section 8 eligible housing.
St. Paul Winter Carnival unveils first court in two years
The Royal Family of the 136th St. Paul Winter Carnival was crowned Friday night.
Rep. Rena Moran announces run for Ramsey County Board
She is seeking the open seat held by longtime Commissioner Toni Carter.
Mpls., St. Paul restaurant mandates met with grim resolve
Starting Wednesday, the cities are requiring businesses seat only customers who are vaccinated or can show a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours.
St. Paul makes catalytic converter possession a potential misdemeanor
Anyone who has one not attached to a vehicle will have to provide proof of purchase.
MPCA says several contaminants in St. Paul's Pig's Eye dump, city asks for cleanup funds
Going forward, the agency is studying whether to install additional barriers to collect contaminants.
St. Paul City Council asks state to help clean up Pig's Eye Lake
The site, part of an important heron flyway, was used as a dump for years.
How accurate are at-home COVID-19 tests? Where to find one in Minnesota?
The Star Tribune answers some of the most commonly asked testing questions from Minnesotans about at-home COVID testing.
St. Paul looks to tighten catalytic converter law, making possession a misdemeanor
Device must be attached to vehicle or proof of ownership needed. Council vote set Jan. 19.
Black Garnet Books to open in St. Paul's Midway neighborhood in 2022
The only Black-owned bookstore in Minnesota will open a brick-and-mortar location next year in St. Paul's Midway neighborhood, with the help of a $100,000 grant…
Two St. Paul department heads announce retirement
Parks and Recreation Director Mike Hahm and Department of Safety and Inspections Director Ricardo Cervantes plan to leave the city at the end of February.
St. Paul gets federal grant for port update
The U.S. Department of Transportation on Thursday announced a more than $4 million dollar grant for St. Paul to update one of its barge terminals…
St. Paul mutual-aid group raises $30,000 for people experiencing homelessness
St. Paul Camps Support started with supply drives at the beginning of the pandemic and has transformed into a mutual-aid fund.
St. Paul ordered to pay $99,000 for attorneys who challenged tenant ordinance
The landlords asked for an award of more than $295,000 in attorneys' fees, an amount that the court found too lofty.
St. Paul, Ramsey County to invest $74M in affordable housing
St. Paul and Ramsey County officials plan to spend $74.5 million in federal American Rescue Plan funding on new housing affordable for the area's poorest…
Vikings surprise bullied Prior Lake student with tickets to Super Bowl
Since the incident at Prior Lake High School, students from other Minnesota schools and activists have shared stories of racist bullying they've faced at school.
St. Paul Public Library hires Minneapolis firm to redesign branches
Three branches have not been renovated in more than 30 years and are in need of technology updates and more spaces for patrons to learn and play.
Three St. Paul cultural malls get state COVID relief
Three St. Paul cultural malls have been awarded $300,000 each through a state grant program for businesses struggling as a result of the ongoing COVID-19…
Meet St. Paul's TikTok famous mom and twins
Dubbed as Minnesota's "tiny mom," a St. Paul woman and her twin daughters have become TikTok sensations.
St. Paul left reeling after hitting homicide record for city
The fatal stabbing left leaders with more questions than answers as the city tries to combat an increase in crime that is being mirrored across the country.
Ethiopian activists, Trump supporters protest Biden's Minnesota stop
Hundreds of people representing vastly different causes showed up for Biden's visit.
Minneapolis educator honored as support professional of the year
A Minneapolis Public Schools kindergarten educator has been named the 2021-22 Education Support Professional of the Year by Education Minnesota. Tequila Laramee, an associate educator…
Walz shows off Minnesota's Thanksgiving turkey
Harold the tom turkey will retire to a hobby farm in Paynesville.
Prior Lake school board members walk out after confrontation
Students and activists have been protesting since earlier this month, when a video showing two Prior Lake students using a racial slur to harass a Black student went viral.
First-time developer to build 62-unit apartment building in St. Paul
The building on Payne Av. will include deeply affordable units.
See where St. Paul's rent control vote drew strength, precinct by precinct
A precinct-by-precinct look at how the rent control vote highlights the differences in race, income and housing in the capital city.
St. Paul approves plan for more homeless day shelters
The change to code will allow for smaller facilities in areas zoned as business districts.
West Seventh businesses sue St. Paul over Freedom House day shelter
The group seeks damages and the suspension of services at Freedom House until safety standards are raised.
Twin Cities developers, landlords prepare for the worst as rent control organizers celebrate
Tuesday's results were a bit of a surprise.
St. Paul leaders approve new tobacco restrictions
Mayor Melvin Carter has indicated that he plans to sign them into law.
Minneapolis opens door for rent control; St. Paul approves strict cap
Supporters say these initiatives will create stability for tenants in a tight rental market. St. Paul's measure will cap rent hikes at 3%, and Minneapolis' allows city leaders to begin crafting a policy.
Minneapolis sees 40% increase in carjackings, part of national trend
A recent spree of carjackings over several hours adds to the city's toll. Minneapolis is one of a slew of cities where the incidents have been on the rise in recent months, the crimes largely committed by juveniles.
'Substantive' changes in first year unlikely if St. Paul voters approve rent control policy
Voters will decide the policy's fate next week.
Retail groups, St. Paul businesses speak out against tobacco ordinance
The proposed ordinance would set a $10 minimum for a pack of cigarettes.
Twin Cities rent control opponents raise nearly $4 million
The campaign for rent control in St. Paul raised about $213,000.
![On October 17, 2021, recreation leader Xue Xiong organizes the kids after they came in from playing outside. ] The possible closure of Highwood Hills](https://chorus.stimg.co/22939383/ows_d0fa47f9_f88a_43f4_a1d1_7b543daef994.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
St. Paul's Highwood Hills rec center will remain open through June 2024
Even if school board officials vote to close the elementary school, the rec center will stay open through its lease.
St. Paul school closures could leave Highwood Hills without a rec center — again
Highwood Hills reopened in 2019 but could shutter with elementary school.
St. Paul dedicates land for future Dakota cultural, environmental center
Lt. Gov. Flanagan says it will create understanding about Indigenous peoples.
What you need to know about the St. Paul rent control ballot initiative
St. Paul residents will vote on an ordinance that would limit rent increases to 3% a year.
New St. Paul mural celebrates Suni Lee's successes
Lee's grandparents commissioned the mural to honor the Olympian.
Twin Cities landlords to voters: Just say 'no' to rent control
Landlords say measures would strain housing market, limiting or discouraging new construction and investments in existing properties.
St. Paul Port Authority to purchase former Bix Produce site
The St. Paul Port Authority will close on Nov. 30.
Kevin FitzPatrick, St. Paul poet who lifted up the work of other writers, dies at 71
He knew making a living as a poet would be tough, and he went on to become a public servant and longtime employee of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.
University of St. Thomas vandalized with white supremacist posters
A man placed two dozen posters inscribed with hate speech on campus.
St. Paul voters to decide on stringent rent control proposal in November
Will proposal help tenants or discourage new units?
St. Paul lifts watering restrictions
Restrictions that limited outdoor watering in St. Paul and surrounding communities will lift Friday after recent rainfall restored Mississippi River flows.St. Paul Regional Water Services…
3rd south metro tornado confirmed in storms that killed 4-year-old girl in Mankato
The National Weather Service said at least three tornadoes touched down in the south metro; a child camping with her family in Mankato was killed by a falling tree.
St. Paul settles with woman injured in homeless encampment clearing
A worker used a four-wheel Bobcat utility vehicle to break down a tent and realized someone was still inside during the removal process.
St. Paul's Hmong Cultural Center vandalized with white nationalist graffiti
St. Paul's Hmong Cultural Center was covered with white spray paint, weeks before its museum was set to open to the public.
St. Paul school leaders say contractor's lack of bus drivers forced shift of students to Metro Transit
Districts across the state are facing bus driver shortages.
Looking for how to help Hurricane Ida victims? Here are some ways
National and local nonprofits are asking for funds and time.
Minnesota State Fair's opening day sees major attendance drop
The COVID-19 pandemic and rain likely affected attendance.
About 2,000 people protest Line 3 pipeline at Minnesota Capitol
Demonstrators called on Gov. Tim Walz and President Joe Biden to halt construction on the oil pipeline.
St. Paul moves forward with plan for more day shelters
City planners OK allowing the shelters in business districts, neighborhoods.
Group of St. Paul residents take ash tree replacement into their own hands
They raise money to clear way for successors as diseased ashes fall.
St. Paul residents could face penalties for watering as drought continues
The city has already asked residents to water their lawns on alternating days.
Storm downs massive oak near Merriam Park Rec Center in St. Paul
The tree near the playground fell during weekend storms.
