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
We have downgraded to a smaller plastic Xmas tree more fitting our small home on wife’s orders. Wife said not to share a picture of her big ole leafy plant next to the tree. It has been moved just in the Kris Kringle Nick of time and now is nowhere to be found…Thanksgiving to all who partake!
November 27, 2025 at 7:01 PM
We have downgraded to a smaller plastic Xmas tree more fitting our small home on wife’s orders. Wife said not to share a picture of her big ole leafy plant next to the tree. It has been moved just in the Kris Kringle Nick of time and now is nowhere to be found…Thanksgiving to all who partake!
PRESS RELEASE OF THE DAY: From already-at-capacity Union Gospel Mission, a P.M. pick-up spot for shuttling homeless residents to Ramsey County warming stations, if they exist: "Ramsey County Warming Spaces are scheduled to open on December 1. Locations have yet to be announced."
November 27, 2025 at 4:45 PM
PRESS RELEASE OF THE DAY: From already-at-capacity Union Gospel Mission, a P.M. pick-up spot for shuttling homeless residents to Ramsey County warming stations, if they exist: "Ramsey County Warming Spaces are scheduled to open on December 1. Locations have yet to be announced."
More statements from the St. Paul City Council decrying St. Paul police use of force and lack of de-escalation on Tuesday. Latest case updates here: www.twincities.com/2025/11/26/i...
November 27, 2025 at 12:57 AM
More statements from the St. Paul City Council decrying St. Paul police use of force and lack of de-escalation on Tuesday. Latest case updates here: www.twincities.com/2025/11/26/i...
Each member of the St. Paul City Council has issued a statement calling for an investigation into St. Paul Police behavior and tactics during an ICE arrest on the city’s East Side on Tuesday. The latest on who got arrested and why from @MaraGottfried: www.twincities.com/2025/11/26/i...
November 27, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Each member of the St. Paul City Council has issued a statement calling for an investigation into St. Paul Police behavior and tactics during an ICE arrest on the city’s East Side on Tuesday. The latest on who got arrested and why from @MaraGottfried: www.twincities.com/2025/11/26/i...
The Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists, @MNSPJ, condemns targeted St. Paul police attacks on journalists. www.mnspj.org/2025/11/26/m...
November 26, 2025 at 5:52 PM
The Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists, @MNSPJ, condemns targeted St. Paul police attacks on journalists. www.mnspj.org/2025/11/26/m...
Here is the gist...
November 25, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Here is the gist...
At least one person has been removed in handcuffs while crowd yells at local and federal officers…Heavy amounts of gas visible... Spray and pepper balls deployed...
November 25, 2025 at 7:17 PM
At least one person has been removed in handcuffs while crowd yells at local and federal officers…Heavy amounts of gas visible... Spray and pepper balls deployed...
November 25, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Waymo in action: I chickened out on riding one so I shoved my kids in there instead. Second video shows the car pulling up www.instagram.com/p/DCN-DyLR2J...
November 20, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Waymo in action: I chickened out on riding one so I shoved my kids in there instead. Second video shows the car pulling up www.instagram.com/p/DCN-DyLR2J...
Streetcars that never rolled out, trash trucks that do, road reconstructions that never happened and the fate of downtown St. Paul loom large in the November 2026 election. The ghost of Lunds haunts them. In the end, there can be only one. CHOOSE WISELY, DISTRICT 5!
November 20, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Streetcars that never rolled out, trash trucks that do, road reconstructions that never happened and the fate of downtown St. Paul loom large in the November 2026 election. The ghost of Lunds haunts them. In the end, there can be only one. CHOOSE WISELY, DISTRICT 5!
OH, BABY!: Council Member Cheniqua Johnson goes on maternity leave. Council Member Saura Jost will chair the HRA meetings and Council President Noecker will serve on the Port Authority in her absence, though Johnson will participate in meetings remotely soon, as Nelsie Yang did.
November 20, 2025 at 12:07 AM
OH, BABY!: Council Member Cheniqua Johnson goes on maternity leave. Council Member Saura Jost will chair the HRA meetings and Council President Noecker will serve on the Port Authority in her absence, though Johnson will participate in meetings remotely soon, as Nelsie Yang did.
Multiple protestors got an eyeful of irritant at the Bro-Tex raid…
November 18, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Multiple protestors got an eyeful of irritant at the Bro-Tex raid…
Aliens attacking above my Neighbor’s house!!! At least I’m safe tho. Step outside and look through your phone… the lens captures the red better than your eye!
November 12, 2025 at 2:48 AM
Aliens attacking above my Neighbor’s house!!! At least I’m safe tho. Step outside and look through your phone… the lens captures the red better than your eye!
Sonder -- which operates upwards of 7,700 extended-stay hotel rooms in 142 Marriott Bonvoy properties in 10 countries -- closed its doors abruptly this week in downtown St. Paul, Minneapolis, Dubai, Chicago, and everywhere else. Here's why. www.twincities.com/2025/11/11/s...
November 12, 2025 at 1:51 AM
Sonder -- which operates upwards of 7,700 extended-stay hotel rooms in 142 Marriott Bonvoy properties in 10 countries -- closed its doors abruptly this week in downtown St. Paul, Minneapolis, Dubai, Chicago, and everywhere else. Here's why. www.twincities.com/2025/11/11/s...
HALT THAT CONTRACT?: St. Paul issued a request for proposals for a $250,000 research study on historic harms suffered by Black residents. An evaluation committee has scored (but not finalized) vendors. Here's why Council Member Anika Bowie wants a redo: www.twincities.com/2025/11/11/p...
November 12, 2025 at 1:48 AM
HALT THAT CONTRACT?: St. Paul issued a request for proposals for a $250,000 research study on historic harms suffered by Black residents. An evaluation committee has scored (but not finalized) vendors. Here's why Council Member Anika Bowie wants a redo: www.twincities.com/2025/11/11/p...
Where am I? Hint: St. Paul.
November 11, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Where am I? Hint: St. Paul.
Here’s six St. Paul voters explaining Tuesday’s mayoral election. Which one best describes you?
November 10, 2025 at 2:53 AM
Here’s six St. Paul voters explaining Tuesday’s mayoral election. Which one best describes you?
You asked for a precinct-by-precinct map showing where Her won and where Carter won? Thanks to @imanicruzen for providing it! www.twincities.com/2025/11/09/s...
November 9, 2025 at 2:08 PM
You asked for a precinct-by-precinct map showing where Her won and where Carter won? Thanks to @imanicruzen for providing it! www.twincities.com/2025/11/09/s...
Citywide, there's been progress. Como Park is looking lit, literally. But not on Shepard Road. And St. Anthony Park has taken it on the chin as of late. How much did darkened streetlights impact the mayor's race? I have no idea, but this stuff did not help the incumbent, even with progress made...
November 9, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Citywide, there's been progress. Como Park is looking lit, literally. But not on Shepard Road. And St. Anthony Park has taken it on the chin as of late. How much did darkened streetlights impact the mayor's race? I have no idea, but this stuff did not help the incumbent, even with progress made...
Gov. Walz appoints recent federal transportation guru, former Minneapolis Public Works director Robin Hutcheson as chair of the Metropolitan Council www.twincities.com/2025/11/07/g...
November 8, 2025 at 3:28 AM
Gov. Walz appoints recent federal transportation guru, former Minneapolis Public Works director Robin Hutcheson as chair of the Metropolitan Council www.twincities.com/2025/11/07/g...
Attorneys for CVS and property owner Scp 2005 C21 045 LLC said demolition could complicate a sale and future redevelopment. “At the 11th hour, CVS claims that they have inklings of a plan for this property” Coleman responded. “There’s even now no documentation of the possible buyers of the building"
November 6, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Attorneys for CVS and property owner Scp 2005 C21 045 LLC said demolition could complicate a sale and future redevelopment. “At the 11th hour, CVS claims that they have inklings of a plan for this property” Coleman responded. “There’s even now no documentation of the possible buyers of the building"
HER WINS! twincities.com/2025/11/04/v...
November 5, 2025 at 6:31 AM
HER WINS! twincities.com/2025/11/04/v...
St. Paul Public Schools aren’t just printing/distributing pro-levy yard signs and YouTube videos. They’ve also (hired? recruited? drafted?) student callers. When do taxpayers get to see a tally of campaign expenses? Is all of this taxpayer funded? Then why have a “Vote Yes For Strong Schools” group?
October 28, 2025 at 11:34 PM
St. Paul Public Schools aren’t just printing/distributing pro-levy yard signs and YouTube videos. They’ve also (hired? recruited? drafted?) student callers. When do taxpayers get to see a tally of campaign expenses? Is all of this taxpayer funded? Then why have a “Vote Yes For Strong Schools” group?
There’s no word yet on how much money the school district spent on tax levy yard signs, a YouTube video and other promotions, which were prepared separately from the donor-funded “Vote Yes For Strong Schools” campaign. www.twincities.com/2025/10/28/s...
October 28, 2025 at 6:43 PM
There’s no word yet on how much money the school district spent on tax levy yard signs, a YouTube video and other promotions, which were prepared separately from the donor-funded “Vote Yes For Strong Schools” campaign. www.twincities.com/2025/10/28/s...
SAY MY NAME, SAY MY NAME: This park needs a name. Bruce Vento Memorial Hill? The Herb Brooks Horticultural Experience? Sunisa Lee Sanctuary? Prince Rogers Nelson Roaming Natural Prairie? Give it a name… by Nov. 15!
October 28, 2025 at 6:24 PM
SAY MY NAME, SAY MY NAME: This park needs a name. Bruce Vento Memorial Hill? The Herb Brooks Horticultural Experience? Sunisa Lee Sanctuary? Prince Rogers Nelson Roaming Natural Prairie? Give it a name… by Nov. 15!