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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press)

@frederickmelo.bsky.social
3.4K followers 49 following 2.6K posts

A Boston transplant turned longtime City Hall/urban news reporter for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in Minnesota (twincities.com) but my true claim to fame is I wrote this 3-part comic book: fredmelosupervillains.thecomicserie…

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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
There's 105 Lime scooters missing from downtown St. Paul, all of them having disappeared in the general vicinity of the Wabasha Street bridge. There's a river there... and a man in custody, caught on video tossing two Lime scooters to their watery grave, allegedly. www.twincities.com/2026/10/05/v...
twincities.com
St. Paul police: Alleged vandal may be tied to Lime scooter disappearances
Lime has reported as many as 105 scooters disappearing near the Wabasha Street bridge.
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
The St. Paul-Chicago Amtrak Borealis adds a fourth superliner passenger coach car this week in each direction, because it keeps selling out www.twincities.com/2026/10/05/a...
twincities.com
Amtrak Borealis adds fourth train car to daily departures
More than 500,000 passengers have ridden the Borealis since it first rolled out of the downtown St. Paul Union Depot in May 2024.
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Fatal shooting on the Green Line near St. Paul/Minneapolis border on Saturday night www.twincities.com/2026/10/04/s...
twincities.com
Man fatally shot on Green Line train near St. Paul-Minneapolis border
He was shot on a train traveling from the Stadium Village station in Minneapolis and the train stopped at Westgate station in St. Paul.
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
At Highland Bridge, a new civic square opens next to a market-rate apartment building -- The Albert -- that incorporates the facade of old Ford site buildings. Story by Trevor Dunning, U of M... www.twincities.com/2026/10/01/f...
twincities.com
Find out about The Albert, a new housing development at Highland Bridge
Standing on the bones of the former Ford plant, the development adds more housing an already growing site.
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry's attorney, Chris Madel, is calling upon the St. Paul City Council to call upon Mayor Her to resign. Will they or won't they? I asked all 7. Here's where they stand: www.twincities.com/2026/10/02/w...
twincities.com
What are St. Paul council members saying about harassment claims against the mayor?
The city council voted 5-0 to hire an outside law firm to represent the mayor at $500 per hour.
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Yikes, try this one: www.midwaymusicandart.org
midwaymusicandart.org
Midway Music and Arts Fest
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
OPERATION METRO SURGE: THE MOVIE? World Premiere of "Minnesota Neighbors" lands at the Riverview Theater in Minneapolis on Oct. 15, followed by NPR/WBUR FM studios in Boston on Oct. 27. I'm told the camera caught my good side. How many of these folks do ya know? www.eventbrite.com/e/world-film...
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
From @jaredography: "Cool new event alert: The inaugural Midway Music and Arts Fest runs Friday through Sunday with performances, open classes, studios, literary readings and workshops, vendor markets and more across some 25 venues." midwaymusicandart.org" www.twincities.com/2026/09/30/f...
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
THE DOWNTOWN VITALITY FUND: Endicott-Arcade, the single-story retail building that housed the Hat Trick hockey bar on 5th Street, and the 428 Minnesota building (the former Woolworth) will share $1.5 million between them for stabilization or tenant improvements: www.twincities.com/2026/09/29/s...
twincities.com
St. Paul City Council OKs funds for downtown buildings
Backed by $5 million from the city budget, the Downtown Vitality Fund was approved by the council last December, with spending guidelines adopted in March.
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
The city of St. Paul has released a full but redacted 73-page report compiled by an outside law firm evaluating the St. Paul Police Chief's sexual harassment claims against Mayor Kaohly Her. Story by @MaraGottfried www.twincities.com/2026/10/01/s...
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Former St. Paul City Council Member (and 1-time mayoral candidate) Dai Thao has a podcast, and Mayor Her went on it last week to dish for an hour in Hmong. Getting this translated was a bear 🐻 — ask 2 people to translate a turn of phrase, expect different answers: www.twincities.com/2026/09/30/m...
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Almost a decade ago, half the Midway Shopping Center was torn out to make room for a soccer stadium. The rest got shut down. Are there signs of life? It’s been a long time coming but first of 2 restaurant pavilions is open for business. Story by Jared Kaufman: www.twincities.com/2026/09/30/a...
twincities.com
All-day Midway Diner, from chef Vincent Francoual, is now open in Allianz Field development
An adjacent concept by the acclaimed restaurateur, Picco Pizza and Gelateria, is likely set to open sometime in October.
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
In a Sept. 22 letter to state regulators, St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her called for an independent third-party investigation: “Given the scope and persistence of these problems, the city believes the Commission should not rely solely on Xcel’s own assessment of the causes and scale of its billing errors"
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
City of Roseville, City of St. Paul, Osseo Area Schools, White Bear Lakes Schools, Minneapolis BOMA and many others to Xcel Energy: Your billing is out of control. “One month we received five invoices in three days for the same streetlight account..." www.twincities.com/2026/09/29/s...
twincities.com
St. Paul, Roseville seek investigation as Xcel Energy billing issues rise
In response to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission’s recent call for public comment, complaints have been filed with state regulators this month by the city of St. Paul, All Energy Solar of St. ...
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
With rents ranging from $1,200 to almost $6,000 monthly, the latest luxury housing to land in downtown St. Paul is 17 floors of fancy. Behold the Stella — which opens onto the new and improved Wabasha Park: www.twincities.com/2026/09/28/s...
twincities.com
The Stella Apartments, Wabasha Park debut in downtown St. Paul
The 178-unit Stella Apartments opened in July and Wabasha Park will be lit within weeks.
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Police Chief Axel Henry’s 73-page lawsuit against Mayor Her and city of St. Paul goes well beyond allegations of sex harassment. @imanicruzen and @maragottfried probe the pension/union/political stuff that isn’t hand-on-thigh, locker room antics and Weiner jokes: www.twincities.com/2026/09/27/s...
twincities.com
St. Paul police chief’s lawsuit says Mayor Kaohly Her overstepped boundaries beyond sexual harassment
Workplace issues also were alleged in Axel Henry’s 73-page lawsuit.
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Darrell Charboneau knows he’s dying. He also knows he’s got two tickets on a cruise from Hong Kong to Tokyo in April, and a commitment to teach archery this weekend at the Pine Bend Association’s Birch Bend scouting campgrounds. He has every intent of dying well: www.twincities.com/2026/09/27/b...
twincities.com
‘Beaten all the odds so far’: Retired Maplewood man fights to live — and travel
Darrell Charboneau has completed his tour of all 50 states with a walk on the sandy beaches of Hawaii — “my 50th state was the 50th state” — and every Canadian province minus one (Newfoundland). He’s ...
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
RELEASE THE REPORT?: Two St. Paul City Council members say it’s time to release full investigation into police chief’s allegations of sexual harassment against Mayor Her. So far we’ve seen only an HR summary and HR reports to the mayor. Story by @ImaniCruzen www.twincities.com/2026/09/26/2...
twincities.com
2 St. Paul City Council members call for full release of investigation of allegations against Mayor Kaohly Her
According to the lawsuit brought forward by Henry, who is suing Her and the city of St. Paul, he never received a full copy of the investigative findings.
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
There’s maybe 10 Aldis across the country with this new prototype design, including one in Manhattan. Digital billboard displays, stainless steel fixtures… and you still pay 25 c for a shopping cart. Lowest prices bar none. Downtown St. Paul will never be the same? www.twincities.com/2026/09/24/g...
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Reposted by Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press)
Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
ALDI IS OPEN!: Some things never change — including reaching for change to lease an Aldi shopping cart. Regional VP tells me 1/3 of products are cheaper than they would have been a year ago. Aldi takes “efficiency” and “economies of scale” seriously: www.twincities.com/2026/09/24/g...
twincities.com
After 18 months without a grocery, Aldi opens in downtown St. Paul
Converting the decade-old Lunds and Byerlys market at the corner of 10th and Robert streets took at least seven months, and the finished product is unlike almost any Aldi in the nation.
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
ALDI IS OPEN!: Some things never change — including reaching for change to lease an Aldi shopping cart. Regional VP tells me 1/3 of products are cheaper than they would have been a year ago. Aldi takes “efficiency” and “economies of scale” seriously: www.twincities.com/2026/09/24/g...
twincities.com
After 18 months without a grocery, Aldi opens in downtown St. Paul
Converting the decade-old Lunds and Byerlys market at the corner of 10th and Robert streets took at least seven months, and the finished product is unlike almost any Aldi in the nation.
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Place a bet on Kalshi whether I’ll allow that to happen… or have any power over that obnoxious pop-up at all… but yes, a pop-up where it’s impossible to tell how to close it is not a winning strategy for… well, winning. I will toss that up the chain of command. Thank you! What’s your bet tho?
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
HER LAWSUIT: A hand repeatedly on his thigh, climbing higher each time. THC drinks at Sweeney's. Surprise visits on vacation. St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry files lawsuit against Mayor Her and city, claiming sex harassment, battery, reprisal, Whistleblower... www.twincities.com/2026/09/23/s...
twincities.com
St. Paul police chief sues mayor, city for sex harassment, retaliation
Filed in Ramsey County District Court, the police chief’s 73-page civil complaint alleges that the mayor made frequent jokes and comments of a sexual nature to both Henry and his officers.
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
HER LAWSUIT: A hand repeatedly on his thigh, climbing higher each time. THC drinks at Sweeney's. Surprise visits on vacation. St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry files lawsuit against Mayor Her and city, claiming sex harassment, battery, reprisal, Whistleblower... www.twincities.com/2026/09/23/s...
twincities.com
St. Paul police chief sues mayor, city for sex harassment, retaliation
Filed in Ramsey County District Court, the police chief’s 73-page civil complaint alleges that the mayor made frequent jokes and comments of a sexual nature to both Henry and his officers.
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Apropos or no?
static.klipy.com
Confused Little Girl Reaction Meme
ALT: Confused Little Girl Reaction Meme
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
In an apparent first for a St. Paul mayor, Kaohly Her has informed St. Paul Police she doesn't want their security detail, and has hired Ramsey County Sheriff's deputies instead www.twincities.com/2026/09/22/s... Story by the amazing @MaraGottfried
twincities.com
Ramsey County sheriff’s office now providing security to St. Paul mayor instead of police
After a recently resolved complaint, the mayor’s office didn’t say whether the change was related to tension, said they’re looking for efficiencies.
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Dakota County's proposed tax levy: 18.5% increase... and spending cuts to boot. Story by @MarsKingReports www.twincities.com/2026/09/22/d...
twincities.com
Dakota County sets 2027 maximum levy: 18.5% increase, spending cuts
The maximum levy establishes a ceiling but can be lowered before the final budget is adopted in December.
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
A second aide to St. Paul City Council Member Anika Bowie also plans to sue the city. The last one settled for $350,000 a month ago. www.twincities.com/2026/09/22/s...
twincities.com
St. Paul City Council to discuss pending lawsuit from second Bowie aide
The city council settled Jon Berry’s lawsuit against Council Member Anika Bowie for $360,000 in August.
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Brenda Lewis, Sup. Fridley Public Schools, is suing the Feds. ICE even tried interfering with Chromebook distribution for remote learning. She has 1 plea for elected officials who uncomfortably look at their phones instead of listening to what her teachers and students experienced: “Believe us.”
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
State‘s working on Operation Metro Surge report. Draft due by October; final report in December. Today is all-day panels, breakout sessions. Superintendent of Fridley Public Schools says 2/3rds of students stopped coming to class so they went full virtual. Over 100 students remained unaccounted for
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Luther Seminary finalizes sale of St. Paul campus, will move seminarians to Minneapolis. It's unclear what the new owner's plans are but the goal appears to be to keep the buildings "an educational institution," with no plans for demolition... www.twincities.com/2026/09/21/l... Story by @imanicruzen
twincities.com
Luther Seminary finalizes sale of St. Paul campus ahead of Minneapolis move
There are no plans to announce the sale price, seminary officials said on their website.
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Head-turning chef Eric Pham was weeks away from opening Khue’s Kitchen in the former Ngon Bistro space when a fire derailed those plans. He’s focusing on his Raymond Avenue restaurant now. So who gets Ngon’s? In a word: mom, aka Khue…
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Two years after a fire, the building that once housed Ngon Bistro at 799 W. University Ave. remains in disrepair. The city put the threat of demolition into the universe. The universe has responded… www.twincities.com/2026/09/20/n...
twincities.com
Two years after fire, fate of Ngon Bistro building still up in the air
After at least eight months of back-and-forth discussions with the former and current owners, the city appears for now to have put the brakes on any discussion of potential demolition of the property.
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
FINDINGS: The Mayor did bad but not that bad. She needs to attend some coachings and trainings. www.twincities.com/2026/09/18/s...
twincities.com
Investigation clears Kaohly Her of harassment allegations, but says mayor’s behavior was ‘inappropriate’
The police chief filed a complaint against Mayor Kaohly Her in the spring.
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
It doesn't like you back. Well, at least, it doesn't like me. It usually hates me...
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
U.S. 52 in St. Paul and South St. Paul will close overnight Saturday. MnDOT's working on $12.9 million in highway pedestrian/bicycle bridges statewide, including Lewis-Bircher Street over U.S. 52 in South St. Paul, I-35E by United Hospital, Duluth and Glencoe: www.twincities.com/2026/09/18/u...
twincities.com
U.S. 52/Lafayette to close overnight Saturday in St. Paul, South St. Paul
Work on a new pedestrian and bicycle bridge could be complete by late October.
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Mayor Her finds $574,000 in supplemental budget to save Dayton’s Bluff Library, Highwood Hills Rec, morning hours at Edgcumbe Rec, morning hours at hub rec sites, etc. Ailing Duluth and Case rec is still a goner. www.twincities.com/2026/09/17/s...
twincities.com
St. Paul mayor finds funds for Dayton’s Bluff Library, Highwood Hills rec
The mayor’s supplemental budget restores $574,000 in city services that had been slated to be cut next year.
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Reposted by Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press)
Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
On Sept. 9, newsroom management gave us less then two weeks to cull the herd — 2 or 3 of us must go. What do you cut when you’re down to bone? Would St. Paul benefit from not having a City Hall beat? No more State Capitol reporter? No more schools? We must choose by Monday, or layoffs likely follow.
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
On Sept. 9, newsroom management gave us less then two weeks to cull the herd — 2 or 3 of us must go. What do you cut when you’re down to bone? Would St. Paul benefit from not having a City Hall beat? No more State Capitol reporter? No more schools? We must choose by Monday, or layoffs likely follow.
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Yeah, true. Imagine you used your home as collateral for a loan to buy a nicer house, but for various reasons you never fixed up that second house or rented it out. No money coming in. Now you’re behind on mortgage payments on your primary residence. Switch the word “house” with “mall.” Same concept
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Stearns Bank wants HmongTown Marketplace in St. Paul. Because Maplewood Sears is a bust so far? Dueling cos-play events at the Maplewood Mall and Maplewood Macy’s speaks to how nasty things have gotten behind the scenes. Just ask the “real-life Peter Griffin.” www.twincities.com/2026/09/15/s...
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
The Stearns Bank foreclosure filing against HmongTown Marketplace isn’t (just) about HmongTown Marketplace. At its dark and ghastly heart, it’s all about the Pan-Asian Center/Sears site at the Maplewood Mall. It was Sears it was Sears it was always Sears. And Macy’s! twincities.com/2026/09/15/s...
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter lands new role as CEO of FUSE, which places executive fellows on city or county assignments across the country for a 1-2 year stint. From car-sharing to winding down a jail, FUSE fellows are on it www.twincities.com/2026/09/15/m...
twincities.com
Former St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter to lead national nonprofit
FUSE places executive fellows within the halls of city and county government to launch or coordinate specialized projects.
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
A Twitter post from Aug. 13. Ain’t nothing has changed since then. In fact, things are worse now — details soon.
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
The St. Paul Downtown Development Corporation is seeking $800,000 from the city's $5 million downtown vitality fund to stabilize the one-story Endicott Mall, former home of the Hat Trick bar and a convenience store. www.twincities.com/2026/09/14/d...
twincities.com
Downtown Development Corporation seeks $800,000 to fix up Endicott Arcade building
The Downtown Development Corporation acquired the vacant one-story retail building in late 2025.
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Hmmm. Not sure I see a direct connection. This site sits in Highland Park, well removed from the East Side...
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
St. Paul Planning Commission greenlights The Celia on Highland Parkway, within the new river corridor zoning district. Will the neighbors appeal this decision to the city council? TBD. www.twincities.com/2026/09/14/p...
twincities.com
St. Paul Planning Commission green lights luxury apartment building on Highland Parkway
The decision could yet be appealed to the city council.
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Thursday Oct. 15 at 7 pm, Riverview Theater, 3800 42nd Ave, Minneapolis. Doc series "Not In Our Town" spotlights the lives and experiences of everyday Minnesotans during Operation Metro Surge and interviews with Twin Cities journalists including yours truly. More soon: www.niot.org/minnesotanei...
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Here’s the graphic we ran in 2010, the last time city tried to shutter poorly-aging and lesser-used East Side rec centers. About 13,000 St. Paul Public School kids live on the East Side, maybe 40% of SPPS enrollment. Story: twincities.com/2026/09/13/w... 2010 story: twincities.com/2010/11/13/e...
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
From Duluth and Case Rec Center to Edgcumb Rec, from Highwood Hills to Right Track, St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her’s budget proposal calls for some changes to St. Paul Parks and Recreation. Here’s an overview: www.twincities.com/2026/09/13/w...
twincities.com
What impact would St. Paul mayor’s budget have on city rec centers?
The aged Duluth and Case Rec Center would shutter, without funding secured for its long-proposed replacement.
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