Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press)
@frederickmelo.bsky.social
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: https://fredmelosupervillains.thecomicseries.com
Pinned
Why doesn’t St. Paul call snow emergencies sooner?
The answer involves more art than science, the city’s public works director says.
www.twincities.com
Why did St. Paul, unlike Minneapolis, wait until Monday to call a snow emergency around the storm that began Sunday? In this essay, I will attempt to elucidate various factors surrounding.. www.twincities.com/2025/12/29/w...
Dear Stillwater/St. Paul: You are being sued. Signed, Bitcoin Depot...
As predicted, Bitcoin Depot -- the nation's largest purveyor of crypto-currency ATMs -- has sued the city of St. Paul and updated its lawsuit against Stillwater, two cities that banned their kiosks outright after allegations of industry sketchiness. www.twincities.com/2025/12/30/b...
Bitcoin Depot ATM network sues St. Paul for banning cryptocurrency kiosks
A similar lawsuit against the city of Stillwater was updated last week.
www.twincities.com
December 30, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Dear Stillwater/St. Paul: You are being sued. Signed, Bitcoin Depot...
As predicted, Bitcoin Depot -- the nation's largest purveyor of crypto-currency ATMs -- has sued the city of St. Paul and updated its lawsuit against Stillwater, two cities that banned their kiosks outright after allegations of industry sketchiness. www.twincities.com/2025/12/30/b...
Bitcoin Depot ATM network sues St. Paul for banning cryptocurrency kiosks
A similar lawsuit against the city of Stillwater was updated last week.
www.twincities.com
December 30, 2025 at 8:48 PM
As predicted, Bitcoin Depot -- the nation's largest purveyor of crypto-currency ATMs -- has sued the city of St. Paul and updated its lawsuit against Stillwater, two cities that banned their kiosks outright after allegations of industry sketchiness. www.twincities.com/2025/12/30/b...
SEARS is down to 5 stores, nationally. Whatever happened to its partner real estate company that was repositioning its vacant properties? One man ran both companies and... The tragic story of Sears and Seritage, as told by the New York Times: www.twincities.com/2025/12/30/s...
Ten years after a new firm was created to save Sears, only five stores remain
Stores in the St. Paul area have seen various redevelopments since being put up for sale in 2022.
www.twincities.com
December 30, 2025 at 4:54 PM
SEARS is down to 5 stores, nationally. Whatever happened to its partner real estate company that was repositioning its vacant properties? One man ran both companies and... The tragic story of Sears and Seritage, as told by the New York Times: www.twincities.com/2025/12/30/s...
Why did St. Paul, unlike Minneapolis, wait until Monday to call a snow emergency around the storm that began Sunday? In this essay, I will attempt to elucidate various factors surrounding.. www.twincities.com/2025/12/29/w...
Why doesn’t St. Paul call snow emergencies sooner?
The answer involves more art than science, the city’s public works director says.
www.twincities.com
December 29, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Why did St. Paul, unlike Minneapolis, wait until Monday to call a snow emergency around the storm that began Sunday? In this essay, I will attempt to elucidate various factors surrounding.. www.twincities.com/2025/12/29/w...
John Mannillo to the new St. Paul Mayor: The capital city is very TIF'd up. Let's unpack that... publicly. www.twincities.com/2025/12/29/j...
John Mannillo: Some friendly advice for St. Paul’s new mayor
Get to the bottom of how the city currently is using — and in the minds of many overstressed taxpayers, abusing — the economic development tool known as Tax Increment Financing (TIF).
www.twincities.com
December 29, 2025 at 7:46 PM
John Mannillo to the new St. Paul Mayor: The capital city is very TIF'd up. Let's unpack that... publicly. www.twincities.com/2025/12/29/j...
A K-shaped economy (the wealthy rise like an l while the middle class tumbles unless you’re wicked smart and on the upside of this < ) could be great for DoorDash. More rich kids who want snacks, more poor kids to deliver them… www.ft.com/content/8038...
Delivery start-ups finally get the K-shaped economy they need
Now could be the ideal environment for a service pandering to wealthy urbanites and in need of gig workers
www.ft.com
December 29, 2025 at 3:07 PM
A K-shaped economy (the wealthy rise like an l while the middle class tumbles unless you’re wicked smart and on the upside of this < ) could be great for DoorDash. More rich kids who want snacks, more poor kids to deliver them… www.ft.com/content/8038...
SNOW EMERGENCY begins 9 pm tonight (Monday) in St. Paul and Minneapolis: Here’s the order of operations for moving your car tonight. If you’re still towed after this Tweet, may the Impound Lot have mercy on your iced and salty soul. STPAUL.gov/snow has all you need to know
December 29, 2025 at 2:59 PM
SNOW EMERGENCY begins 9 pm tonight (Monday) in St. Paul and Minneapolis: Here’s the order of operations for moving your car tonight. If you’re still towed after this Tweet, may the Impound Lot have mercy on your iced and salty soul. STPAUL.gov/snow has all you need to know
Despite sudden loss of a major federal grant, nonprofit HourCar’s Evie Spot Network of electric vehicles/charging stations is expanding to low-income apartments, and pitching itself to more destinations, like hospitals and U of M parking meters. You game? www.twincities.com/2025/12/28/e...
Evie electric carshare seeks to expand, despite loss of federal grant
HourCar announced this month that it installed an electric-vehicle charging hub at an affordable-housing development on the East Side.
www.twincities.com
December 29, 2025 at 3:57 AM
Despite sudden loss of a major federal grant, nonprofit HourCar’s Evie Spot Network of electric vehicles/charging stations is expanding to low-income apartments, and pitching itself to more destinations, like hospitals and U of M parking meters. You game? www.twincities.com/2025/12/28/e...
“Dangerous, life-threatening winter storm…” www.twincities.com/2025/12/27/s...
December 28, 2025 at 4:12 PM
“Dangerous, life-threatening winter storm…” www.twincities.com/2025/12/27/s...
Hey you, what are you up to New Year’s Eve? There’s a giant bobber drop at Midway Saloon, a disco puck drop and fireworks in Rice Park (8 pm!), comedy at Gambit Brewing and Camp Bar, and an all-out party at Can Can Wonderland, to name a few St. Paul events of note www.twincities.com/2025/12/27/n...
Your guide to ringing in 2026 with New Year’s Eve in St. Paul
From music to comedy to larger-than-life objects dropping from the sky Times Square-style, there’s plenty to do on Dec. 31.
www.twincities.com
December 28, 2025 at 12:48 AM
Hey you, what are you up to New Year’s Eve? There’s a giant bobber drop at Midway Saloon, a disco puck drop and fireworks in Rice Park (8 pm!), comedy at Gambit Brewing and Camp Bar, and an all-out party at Can Can Wonderland, to name a few St. Paul events of note www.twincities.com/2025/12/27/n...
I told my wife, "There's two types of Hmong women I know..." Being one, she wouldn't let me finish the sentence, as she knew: "Those that take charge and those that take charge..." Sheletta Brundidge got @FrederickMelo to admit all the Xmas goods at the 1:22 pm mark. www.audacy.com/stations/wcc...
December 27, 2025 at 8:55 PM
I told my wife, "There's two types of Hmong women I know..." Being one, she wouldn't let me finish the sentence, as she knew: "Those that take charge and those that take charge..." Sheletta Brundidge got @FrederickMelo to admit all the Xmas goods at the 1:22 pm mark. www.audacy.com/stations/wcc...
From puck drills to Harvard training, St. Paul Mayor-Elect Kaohly Her has kept busy since winning election. Here's her plans (for now) for department heads, the date of her inaugural ball -- and why she's delivering groceries to families worried about ICE. www.twincities.com/2025/12/27/m...
Mayor-elect Kaohly Her prepares to take St. Paul’s corner office
Will Her stay the course on Carter’s progressive agenda, refocus it or abandon it completely?
www.twincities.com
December 27, 2025 at 5:55 PM
From puck drills to Harvard training, St. Paul Mayor-Elect Kaohly Her has kept busy since winning election. Here's her plans (for now) for department heads, the date of her inaugural ball -- and why she's delivering groceries to families worried about ICE. www.twincities.com/2025/12/27/m...
A new congregation is moving into St. Stephanus Lutheran Church at Grotto and LaFond in Frogtown… www.twincities.com/2025/12/24/s... Story by @MaryEDivine
The best Christmas gift of all? For one St. Paul church, it’s a new home
When Church of the Redeemer officials asked St. Stephanus how much they wanted for their church, they got the shock of their lives.
www.twincities.com
December 26, 2025 at 3:57 AM
A new congregation is moving into St. Stephanus Lutheran Church at Grotto and LaFond in Frogtown… www.twincities.com/2025/12/24/s... Story by @MaryEDivine
Many crypto users avoid these ATMs because of high fees. So who is using them? Confused seniors who have gotten scary phone calls, among others. Attorney General for D.C. filed a lawsuit against Athena Bitcoin alleging 93% of deposits to its crypto ATMs were scam-related.
Have you ever used a crypto ATM? The Minnesota Attorney General’s office is investigating them, and asking users to take this survey: www.twincities.com/2025/12/25/m...
Minnesota Attorney General’s Office seeks public input on cryptocurrency ATMs
Crypto ATMs have been linked nationally to $250 million in scam-related losses in the first half of 2025 alone
www.twincities.com
December 25, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Many crypto users avoid these ATMs because of high fees. So who is using them? Confused seniors who have gotten scary phone calls, among others. Attorney General for D.C. filed a lawsuit against Athena Bitcoin alleging 93% of deposits to its crypto ATMs were scam-related.
Have you ever used a crypto ATM? The Minnesota Attorney General’s office is investigating them, and asking users to take this survey: www.twincities.com/2025/12/25/m...
Minnesota Attorney General’s Office seeks public input on cryptocurrency ATMs
Crypto ATMs have been linked nationally to $250 million in scam-related losses in the first half of 2025 alone
www.twincities.com
December 25, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Have you ever used a crypto ATM? The Minnesota Attorney General’s office is investigating them, and asking users to take this survey: www.twincities.com/2025/12/25/m...
HOLy SAINt NICK OF tImE!: HE‘S IN NEW GLARUS WISCONSIN!!!!
December 25, 2025 at 5:34 AM
HOLy SAINt NICK OF tImE!: HE‘S IN NEW GLARUS WISCONSIN!!!!
NOT A DRILL, ELFKIN!: NORAD — U.S./Canadian aerospace defense network, which tracks missiles and space craft — has spotted Santa Claus in Shreveport, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri… Trajectory is clear. Landing in Minnesota within minutes! Do not be awake to read this!! www.noradsanta.org/en/map
December 25, 2025 at 5:23 AM
NOT A DRILL, ELFKIN!: NORAD — U.S./Canadian aerospace defense network, which tracks missiles and space craft — has spotted Santa Claus in Shreveport, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri… Trajectory is clear. Landing in Minnesota within minutes! Do not be awake to read this!! www.noradsanta.org/en/map
The St. Paul School District spent $125,000 of taxpayer funds getting the word out about its levy proposal, with little if any mention that a 2018 levy is still in place and will likely be renewed by the school board in 2027 to continue another decade. www.twincities.com/2025/12/24/s...
St. Paul Public Schools spent $125,000 on campaign for referendum vote
To convince St. Paul voters to approve the $1,073-per-student tax levy, the St. Paul Public School District hired a consultant known for promoting public education and public health organizations, …
www.twincities.com
December 24, 2025 at 10:44 PM
The St. Paul School District spent $125,000 of taxpayer funds getting the word out about its levy proposal, with little if any mention that a 2018 levy is still in place and will likely be renewed by the school board in 2027 to continue another decade. www.twincities.com/2025/12/24/s...
BlackFem founder Chloe McKenzie said the disagreement stems from who owns the intellectual property. If her curriculum were a textbook, city wouldn't be allowed to rewrite chapters. Locking the PDF, "We’ve done this with hundreds of schools across the country and it’s never been an issue until now.”
FEDERAL LAWSUIT: St. Paul paid $900,000 to BlackFem, a Maryland/NYC vendor for "WealthRise" school/community-based financial literacy curriculum. Two days before teacher training, the vendor pulled out. The city is suing, and BlackFem is counter-claiming. www.twincities.com/2025/12/23/s...
St. Paul sues over $900,000 financial literacy contract with ‘BlackFem’ vendor
The money changed hands, but lessons on money management never followed.
www.twincities.com
December 24, 2025 at 1:35 AM
BlackFem founder Chloe McKenzie said the disagreement stems from who owns the intellectual property. If her curriculum were a textbook, city wouldn't be allowed to rewrite chapters. Locking the PDF, "We’ve done this with hundreds of schools across the country and it’s never been an issue until now.”
FEDERAL LAWSUIT: St. Paul paid $900,000 to BlackFem, a Maryland/NYC vendor for "WealthRise" school/community-based financial literacy curriculum. Two days before teacher training, the vendor pulled out. The city is suing, and BlackFem is counter-claiming. www.twincities.com/2025/12/23/s...
St. Paul sues over $900,000 financial literacy contract with ‘BlackFem’ vendor
The money changed hands, but lessons on money management never followed.
www.twincities.com
December 24, 2025 at 1:22 AM
FEDERAL LAWSUIT: St. Paul paid $900,000 to BlackFem, a Maryland/NYC vendor for "WealthRise" school/community-based financial literacy curriculum. Two days before teacher training, the vendor pulled out. The city is suing, and BlackFem is counter-claiming. www.twincities.com/2025/12/23/s...
After “that’s so freakin’ queer,” (pronounced “quee-ahhh”) I’m pretty sure the “r”-word was the most used word in Boston circa 1980-1990. I’m not saying I’ve never said it myself. All the more reason to meditate on PSAs like this one from time to time. www.instagram.com/reel/DSNUFXM...
Grace Strobel on Instagram: "Dear President Trump.
Words DO MATTER.
This is not about politics.
It’s about Human Decency.
When you posted the R-word on your social media for the world to see, you s...
The use of a certain word can have devastating effects on individuals with disabilities. It's time for our leaders to set an example and choose kindness over hurtful language. Join the movement to end...
www.instagram.com
December 23, 2025 at 5:15 AM
After “that’s so freakin’ queer,” (pronounced “quee-ahhh”) I’m pretty sure the “r”-word was the most used word in Boston circa 1980-1990. I’m not saying I’ve never said it myself. All the more reason to meditate on PSAs like this one from time to time. www.instagram.com/reel/DSNUFXM...
Water!
A new PFAS treatment plant in Hastings, a massive new water treatment plant in Maplewood, new water lines in Stillwater… 26 water-related infrastructure projects across the state are sharing a $91 million boost. www.twincities.com/2025/12/22/m...
MN issues $91.7 million in water, lead pipe replacement grants
Hastings, Stillwater and St. Paul Regional Water Services among 26 recipients.
www.twincities.com
December 23, 2025 at 5:14 AM
Water!
A new PFAS treatment plant in Hastings, a massive new water treatment plant in Maplewood, new water lines in Stillwater… 26 water-related infrastructure projects across the state are sharing a $91 million boost. www.twincities.com/2025/12/22/m...
MN issues $91.7 million in water, lead pipe replacement grants
Hastings, Stillwater and St. Paul Regional Water Services among 26 recipients.
www.twincities.com
December 23, 2025 at 4:50 AM
A new PFAS treatment plant in Hastings, a massive new water treatment plant in Maplewood, new water lines in Stillwater… 26 water-related infrastructure projects across the state are sharing a $91 million boost. www.twincities.com/2025/12/22/m...
Brown University's chief of security is placed on leave www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/22/m...
Brown president places police chief on leave, hires former Providence police chief - The Boston Globe
Hugh T. Clements Jr. will report directly to university president Christina H. Paxson during his interim leadership.
www.bostonglobe.com
December 23, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Brown University's chief of security is placed on leave www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/22/m...
They had me at one word: "Play at the ice bumper car rink."
Bold North Breakaway Festival by Grand Casino Arena begins Dec. 26... Story by Kristi Miller. www.twincities.com/2025/12/21/b...
Downtown St. Paul festival will give hockey fans a place to gather between championship games
Bold North Breakaway Fan Festival in Rice Park and inside St. Paul RiverCentre will offer fun for hockey fans during 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship.
www.twincities.com
December 22, 2025 at 4:49 PM
They had me at one word: "Play at the ice bumper car rink."