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Mayoral Challenger Rumors, Cub Closing, & Ward 4 Candidate Interviews
Welcome to Our New Newsletter Dedicated to St. Paul Sharing to What’s New, Nearby, and Worth Showing Up For!
Chuck Peters
July 27, 2025
Hello St. Paul!
We’re back with a second edition of Ambit’s St. Paul newsletter! Tasahra is out sick this week, so I (Chuck) am stepping back in.
The goal with these newsletters—and Ambit as a whole—is simple: to help community-minded people stay informed without relying on outrageous Facebook groups or polarizing algorithmically-driven newsfeeds.
Many of us (54%, to be exact) have grown used to social media as our main source of local news, but there’s a better way. From the conversations I’ve had around town, I know there are others who feel the same—and I’m hopeful we can build something better together, right here in St. Paul.
If you haven’t already, check out and follow your neighborhood newspaper, district council, and favorite local businesses on Ambit to stay updated—algorithm free.
And if you have any thoughts on how to make these newsletters or the Ambit platform more useful, just hit reply. I’d love to hear from you.
Thanks for being here,
Chuck
St. Paul Summary
This week’s newsletter favors Ward 4 & Midway news as we head toward an August 12 special election for Ward 4’s Council Member, but there’s plenty more—from downtown updates and the St. Joe’s demolition to snow plow feedback, public safety efforts, and citywide events like the Little Africa Festival.
👇️ Let’s dive in!
Trending
What’s New & Notable
Pino’s Pizzeria triumphantly reopened in downtown St. Paul after a sudden closure, and State Rep. Kaohly Vang Her is reportedly exploring a potential run against Mayor Melvin Carter in the 2025 election for St. Paul’s Mayor.
 Pino’s Pizzeria Is BACK Pino’s Pizzeria is now open in the former Afro Deli location on W. 7th Place in downtown St. Paul. After 37 years in the downtown skyway system, the beloved pizza shop was forced to close this spring when their building was condemned. However, thanks to support from Mayor Melvin Carter, city leaders, and the broader community, they secured a new location just steps away. Learn more here. |  Rep. Her Weighing Mayoral Run State Rep. Kaohly Vang Her is reportedly exploring a run for St. Paul mayor, meeting with local leaders and seeking early support, according to the Pioneer Press. A former policy director for Mayor Melvin Carter, Her’s potential candidacy signals growing interest in challenging the two-term incumbent as candidate filings open this week ahead of the November 4, 2025 election. Read the full article here. |
Local Businesses
St. Paul Business Highlights
Check out what’s new with local businesses across the city.
Midway Cub Foods Closure
Cub Foods will permanently close its Midway neighborhood location at 1440 University Ave. W. on August 2, with 96 employees facing layoffs. The exit marks the loss of the area’s second major grocery chain in recent years, following long-standing operational challenges at the store. Residents will still have access to Target and Aldi. Expect candidates in next month’s Ward 4 special election to raise the issue.
Liliana Restaurant – “Woodbury gets a non-chain restaurant!!”, proclaimed Jason DeRusha. The team behind St. Paul’s Estelle and Mario’s Pizza have opened a new Italian pasta bar in Woodbury (View more)
Sous Chef’s Final Days - In related news, Estelle and Lilianna Sous Chef, Alex Anderson, was recently diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. Please consider supporting his family during this difficult time.
Art Start Fundraiser - St. Paul’s beloved creative reuse nonprofit is actively raising funds to purchase its long‑term St. Clair Avenue home, securing its future in the community (Pioneer Press)
St. Paul Brewing Battle – St. Paul City Council unanimously approved intent to rezoning the former Hamm’s Brewery site July 23, paving the way for affordable housing redevelopment (Axios Local)
Little Africa Festival – The Little Africa Festival returns Sunday, August 3 at Hamline Park—bringing a vibrant parade, food, music, and culture to St. Paul. Bring friends and family! (Union Park District Council)
Young Adult Employment Opportunities – St. Paul launches youth-focused employment programs, offering summer jobs and training for local young adults (Ramsey County)
Local News
Reporting from Your Backyard
Catch up on the latest posts from St. Paul journalists and newspapers covering the people, issues, and moments shaping our city. 💡 Remember, Ambit pays local journalists every time you click the lightbulb “useful” button on their Ambit posts! (Learn more here)
Newspaper | Posts |
|---|---|
St. Paul Voice (Follow) | ++ Carrie Classon reflects on everyday “little luxuries” and the benefit of embracing a reasonable dose of unreasonableness in this week’s St. Paul Voice Postscript ++The St. Paul Entertainment Guide July 2025 spotlights upcoming theater, museum, gallery, and live event highlights across downtown and surrounding venues. |
Community Reporter (Follow) | ++ Sixteen giant, colorful Alebrijes sculptures now inhabit Raspberry Island through October 26, thanks to the Minnesota Latino Museum’s vibrant new exhibit. |
Midway Como Frogtown Monitor (Follow) | ++Ward 4 Candidates respond to questions in the Midway-Como-Frogtown Monitor as they are vying for a seat vacated by Mitra Jalali on August 12th. ++ A St. Paul study maps urban heat islands for the first time, highlighting neighborhoods most impacted by extreme heat and environmental inequality. ++ St. Paul educators, led by the Saint Paul Federation of Educators, say the November 4, 2025 operating levy referendum is crucial for protecting public school programs and jobs amid a projected $37 million shortfall. ++Community peace-builder Melvin Giles, known for planting gardens, peace poles, and kindness in St. Paul’s Rondo–Frogtown, left a living legacy citywide. ++ St. Paul’s “summer of exchange and remembrance” features events honoring Japanese cultural ties, led in part by educator Eric Erickson. ++The Textile Center in Southeast Minneapolis just opened The Stashery, a year-round shop offering affordable, secondhand fiber art supplies for all skill levels. ++ Planting People Growing Justice launched RISE: The Playing Card Game—a powerful new tool blending Black history, leadership development, and community empowerment through Respect, Integrity, Self-awareness, and Engagement. |
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Local Government
Updates from City Hall
Here’s what’s happening in city government — from policy changes to upcoming elections, stay informed on the decisions shaping life in St. Paul.
The Monitor partnered with the League of Women Voters to share Ward 4 City Council candidate —Chantilly Allen, Molly Coleman, Cole Hanson, and Carolyn Will (Follow on Ambit) — responses to key policy questions from Vote411.org.
MPR Gutted - Federal budget cuts threaten funding for MPR, TPT, Jazz88, and KFAI—impacting St. Paul’s public media and local arts programming (Pioneer Press)
Fire Chief Reappointed - St. Paul will reappoint Fire Chief Butch Inks to a second six-year term, continuing leadership through 2031. (City of Saint Paul)
Downtown Action Series - Councilmember Rebecca Noecker announced a new Downtown Action Series to address safety, vibrancy, and economic revitalization in downtown St. Paul. (Council President Noecker’s Newsletter)
St. Joe’s Demolition - St. Paul Port Authority plans to demolish the long-vacant St. Joseph’s Hospital buildings to clear the way for future development (Pioneer Press)
Ward 4 Special Election - Absentee voting is open for the August 12 Ward 4 special election; early in-person voting began July 25 in St. Paul, per the St. Paul Area Chamber Government Affairs team. The St. Paul Area Chamber PAC has endorsed Molly Coleman (SPAC)
Cub Closure Blame - City Hall officials say Cub’s handling of crime and maintenance contributed to the Midway store closure, sparking community and political debate. (Pioneer Press)
Snow Plow Feedback - St. Paul is asking residents for public feedback on city snow plow operations to improve winter response and street safety. (City of St. Paul)
Summit Ave Bike Path - St. Paul’s Summit Avenue Regional Trail (SART) plan is moving forward despite ongoing opposition—including recent neighborhood-led legal challenges over trees and parking. (streets.mn)
📆 Mark your calendars: The next city-wide election in St. Paul is on November 4th, 2025.
Know Your Neighborhood
Neighborhood Roundup
Check out what is currently happening in these neighborhood District Councils!
Neighborhood | News & Events |
|---|---|
Mac-Groveland Community Council (Follow) | ++ The Mac-Groveland Community Council is seeking sponsors, vendors, nonprofits, and artists for the 2025 Mac-Grove Fest, happening September 6th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This year’s theme is “A Picture of Mac-Grove.” Interested participants can apply through Ambit’s markets page. Check out the post on Ambit here! |
West 7th Ford Road Federation (Follow) | ++ A West 7th Neighborhood cleanup was held on Saturday, July 26th at the Palace Community Center. Volunteers enjoyed free coffee and treats during breaks. |
Como Park Community Council (Follow) | ++ D10 Como Park is partnering with the American Red Cross and the Como Zoo & Conservatory to coordinate community blood drives at the Zoo on August 5th |
Get Involved
Get involved, Say Connected!
Use Ambit to support local businesses, follow neighborhood updates, and be part of what’s happening in your community.
⭐️ Recommend a local business: Recommend businesses on Ambit and help neighbors discover something great.
📰 Share a Story Idea: Submit story ideas to local journalists—share business news or kindness.
🧑🤝🧑 Tell a neighbor: Share posts and events with your neighbors, then make plans to get out in the community!
That’s a wrap for this week!
Thanks for staying connected to what’s happening around St. Paul. Keep showing up for your neighborhood, one post, pop-up, or recommendation at a time.
💜 See you out in the neighborhood!
Support Local. Read Local. Be Local.