The Dayton’s Bluff branch, located in Metro State University’s building, is the only St. Paul public library proposed for closure under Mayor Her’s budget plan. Her says the location has the city’s most expensive library lease and is its least-used branch.

Leaders of the National Target Boycott gathered outside Target’s Minneapolis headquarters Friday, demanding answers about how a racially offensive children’s Halloween costume passed through the retailer’s internal review process and was offered for sale.

The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation is committing up to $15 million to help redevelop downtown St. Paul, adding another major philanthropic partner to an effort aimed at addressing vacant and distressed properties.

A project years in the making is beginning to take shape on St. Paul’s Greater East Side, where the former Hillcrest Golf Course is being transformed into a 112-acre neighborhood with plans for 1,000 homes, 1,000 jobs and more than 20 acres of parks and green space.

Target has pulled a children’s Halloween costume from its shelves and website after images of the outfit sparked backlash online by people pointing out the costume's exaggerated facial design closely resembled racist caricatures historically associated with Blackface and minstrel performances.