St Paul Daily Local Headlines: Aldi downtown, City Hall agenda, Capitol rally, and the thaw

Top headlines

Aldi to fill a long-empty downtown grocery space

Aldi is preparing to take over the former Lunds & Byerlys location in downtown St. Paul, according to recent permitting activity. For residents in Lowertown, Downtown and nearby neighborhoods, it is a tangible sign of everyday services returning after a stretch of vacancies. Timing for construction and opening has not been finalized publicly yet, but the plan signals confidence in the growing downtown residential base.

City Hall focus: public safety and housing governance

St. Paul posted its schedule of boards and council meetings for the week, including a Public Safety Committee meeting and a City Council session on Wednesday. If you follow city decisions closely, this is one of the easier ways to track what is coming up, what is being discussed in committee first, and how fast items can move to a vote.

Capitol gathering highlights school safety and gun policy debate

Families connected to the Annunciation Catholic School community gathered at the State Capitol rotunda Tuesday as lawmakers took up school safety and gun policy. The rally blended grief and resolve, underscoring how personal stories continue to shape what gets attention at the Legislature in St. Paul.

Travel impact: metro icing, then a quick warm-up

After a burst of freezing rain helped trigger crashes and delays across the metro Tuesday, forecasters say temperatures are set to swing upward again, with a thaw trending into late week. For St. Paul drivers and pedestrians, the message is familiar: watch for refreeze in shaded spots, even when main roads look improved.

Sources

• https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-lifestyle/aldi-to-open-in-downtown-st-pauls-former-lunds-byerlys
• https://www.stpaul.gov/departments/city-clerk/meetings-february-23-27
• https://www.postbulletin.com/news/minnesota/annunciation-parents-community-members-lean-on-each-other
• https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/closure-on-i-94-multiple-crashes-in-twin-cities-as-freezing-rain-causes-nightmare-on-roads
• https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/02/25/all-aboard-roller-coaster-temperatures-thaw-out-thursday