St. Paul officials seek transparency in Mayor Her lawsuit

St. Paul City Council members are demanding increased transparency regarding a lawsuit filed by Police Chief Axel Henry against Mayor Kaohly Her. Henry is suing the mayor for sexual harassment and retaliation. While an investigation into the complaints found evidence of inappropriate behavior, the allegations of sexual harassment were unsubstantiated. Council members have expressed concern that they have only been provided with a two-page summary of the investigation report, citing a loss of public confidence and a need for oversight.

Separately, discussions regarding the city's 2027 budget have highlighted tensions over local services. An initial proposal by Mayor Her included the closure of the Dayton’s Bluff Library, citing low visitor numbers and housing costs at Metro State University. Although recent updates have restored funding for the library, the proposal sparked debate regarding how local construction and public safety operations may have impacted community engagement and foot traffic in the area.