local
St. Paul suspends light repairs from copper wire theft citing budget constraints
By Ryan Pattee at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC)
· July 17, 2026
· 2 min read
The city of St. Paul is suspending the repair of hundreds of street lights hit by copper wire theft as the city weighs how to pay for the growing cost.
In the last two years, the city has spent $2.5 million fixing damaged lights. City officials said hundreds of lights will remain dark while re...
Key takeaway In the last two years, the city has spent $2.
Why this matters in The Minneapolis
The suspension of street light repairs in St. Paul due to copper wire theft has significant implications for Minneapolis , as both cities face similar challenges in maintaining public infrastructure. The $2.5 million spent by St. Paul in the last two years to fix damaged lights is a stark reminder of the financial burden that copper wire theft can impose on local governments. In Minneapolis, city officials will likely be watching St. Paul's approach to addressing this issue, particularly as they consider their own budget allocations for public safety and infrastructure. The fact that St. Paul's Parks and Recreation Department is seeking additional funding in the 2027 budget to address the problem suggests that Minneapolis may also need to explore creative solutions to combat copper wire theft and ensure that its own street lights remain functional. This development may prompt Minneapolis to reassess its own strategies for preventing and responding to copper wire theft.
About this story
Original reporting by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . The Minneapolis surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 17, 2026 ·
Source: KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The city of St. Paul is suspending the repair of hundreds of street lights hit by copper wire theft as the city weighs how to pay for the growing cost.
In the last two years, the city has spent $2.5 million fixing damaged lights. City officials said hundreds of lights will remain dark while re...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 17, 2026 by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) and curated for The Minneapolis readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Ryan Pattee at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC). To learn more about how The Minneapolis selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Minneapolis, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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