Here is the Bugle’s latest Midpoint, a mid-month web report on some local news and information, since the publication of our July 2025 issue:
Reminder: Ward 4 community forum July 17
On Thursday, July 17; all four candidates in the St. Paul Ward_4 special election (scheduled for Aug. 12th) will gather for a community forum focused on two of the city’s most pressing issues: housing and immigration.
The “Ward 4 Forum on Housing and Immigration” will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at St. Anthony Park Lutheran Church, 2323 Como Ave. Co-host sponsors also include the St. Anthony Park Community Council, Metropolitan Interfaith Council on Affordable Housing, Interfaith Action of Greater St. Paul, St. Anthony Park Foundation and the St. Anthony Park Faith Communities (St. Anthony Park Lutheran, St. Matthew’s Episcopal, Centennial Methodist, St. Anthony Park United Church of Christ and St. Cecelia’s. )
Confirmed candidates for the Ward 4 seat include: Chauntyll Allen, Molly Coleman, Cole Hanson and Carolyn Will.
The July 17 forum is nonpartisan, open to the public and designed to foster a deep understanding of each candidate’s positions on housing, justice, affordability, tenant protections, immigrant inclusion and how city leadership can respond to growing local needs.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with tables available for candidate materials and local resources.
Falcon Heights’ ice cream social July 17
The city of Falcon Heights has scheduled an ice cream social from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 17 at city hall, 2077 Larpenteur Ave. W.
The event will include outdoor games, a bouncy house for kids and live music by The Finn Band featuring Barb Karie Sabal.
Also, learn about local organizations at the resource fair.
From city of Falcon Heights.
Minnesota State Fair is hiring
The Minnesota State Fair is currently hiring for fair-time positions at its Employment Center, as well as hosting a Job Fair on Wednesday, July 23.
Throughout the summer, the State Fair hires about 3,000 employees to work in its various departments during the 12-day Great Minnesota Get-Together. There are also opportunities to volunteer at the fair which runs from Thursday, Aug. 21 through Labor Day, Sept. 1.
Applicants interested in fair-time employment should visit the Employment Center between now and the fair. The State Fair is hiring employees to work in fair-time departments as ticket sellers, ticket takers, parking and park and ride attendants, barn attendants, custodians and more.
Jobs are open to anyone age 16 or older, and most jobs do not require prior experience. Depending on the position, shifts range from six to 12 hours per day for the 12-day fair.
To accelerate the hiring process, job seekers are encouraged to register online prior to coming to the Employment Center. The online registration form can be found at mnstatefair.org/get-involved/employment/.
The Employment Center is located across the street from the fairgrounds at 1640 Como Ave. Hours vary and can be found on the website. Free parking is available.
Meanwhile, interested applicants can also attend the seventh annual Minnesota State Fair Job Fair from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 23 at the North End Event Center on the fairgrounds. Applicants will meet with a State Fair representative and, if their interests, availability and experience match an open position, they will be interviewed on the spot. Resumes are not needed.
Applicants offered a State Fair position will be asked to complete a background check. Like the Employment Center, job seekers are encouraged to register online before coming to the fairgrounds to accelerate the process. The online registration form can be found at mnstatefair.org/get-involved/employment/.
Those attending the Job Fair can enter the fairgrounds through the Hoyt Avenue Gate (#3) off Snelling Avenue, the Main Gate (#5) off Snelling Avenue or the gate off Como Avenue (#7). Metro Transit bus routes 3, 61 and the A Line serve the fairgrounds. Visit metrotransit.org for details on using public transportation to the fairgrounds.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers – individual or in a group – are critical to the Great Minnesota Get-Together. Most shifts are two to three hours, and each volunteer receives a free gate admission ticket to enjoy the fair before and after a shift. Various opportunities are available including, shifts at the following fair exhibits: Alphabet Forest, The Common Table, EquiMania, Kemps Little Farm Hands and Math On-A-Stick.
For more information about volunteering, visit mnstatefair.org/get-involved/opportunities/volunteer/.
Visit mnstatefair.org for more information.
Submitted by the Minnesota State Fair.
In the August Bugle
The August issue of the Bugle will be soon arriving in readers’ mailboxes and showing up in bulk distribution locations around town. Key stories for August include: St. Paul City Council Ward Four special election, Katie Miller named new president of Como Friends, Lakeside Guitar Festival coming and photo review of 4th in the Park celebration including the annual community parade.
Compiled by Scott Carlson, Bugle managing editor.