With opportunity gaps widening for poor children and children of color, new guidance from the Office for Civil Rights in the U.S. Department of Education offers new hope and protection from discrimination. For the first time in 13 years, the Department now makes clear that states, school districts, and schools must make education resources equally available to all students without regard to race, color, or national origin.
November 2014
Posted inLetter to the Editor, Opinion
Leaders need education and experience
Have we become more politically astute where education does not count? There appears to be more persons appointed as department heads etc. in many jobs when they don’t have any training and/or education in the particular fields. It seems to be more of a political appointment rather than selecting some of our qualified young people […]
Posted inOpinion
German profit, Minnesota failure
Many questions surround Vikings stadium transparent roof KSTP, Channel 5, on November 3, 2014, reported the results of its six-month investigation into the transparent (see-through) material to make up 60 percent of the new Vikings stadium roof. They even sent a reporter to the manufacturer, Vectorfoiltec, in Bremen, Germany. Thus, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (on […]
Posted inArts + Culture, Movies
Dear White People: Satire takes sophisticated look at Ivy League race relations
The academics are tough enough at Winchester University, a mythical Ivy League institution. It’s too bad that Black students there also have to worry about making themselves comfortable socially.
Posted inLocal & State
St. Paul aims to lead in workforce racial equity
Concerns over ‘unrealistic’ hiring goals have proven unfounded By Charles Hallman Staff Writer Nearly $105 million in St. Paul City contracts was awarded in 2013 to businesses owned by people of color, women-owned, and small businesses, according to Saint Paul’s Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity (HREEO) annual report. That was about 41 percent […]
Posted inSports
Big Ten expansion brings new challenges to women’s hoops
Big Ten women’s basketball — not football — has been the most impacted sport ever since the conference first expanded in 1990. First, it was Penn State, then Nebraska in 2011, and now Maryland and Rutgers, who this summer officially became members. “This is a power conference,” declares Rutgers Coach C. Vivian Stringer, the grande […]
Posted inOpinion
Old-school teaching methods were effective in even the poorest districts
By Jimmie Hollis Guest Commentator Today’s public schools are the subject of a lot of debate and controversy all across America. There is a great deal that does need fixing, but the problems are not, as some may proclaim, solely due to a lack of funding. I am a product of a 1950s and 1960s […]
Posted inGo Green
Plan a fall farm adventure with your family
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is encouraging families to take advantage of opportunities to visit one of Minnesota’s many farms. The popular Minnesota Grown Directory is a great resource to help families plan a farm visit. It highlights many family-friendly activities to keep children, and parents, entertained. “Visiting a farm in the fall is a […]
Posted inOpinion
Cutting costs during the holidays
You know “stuff” isn’t what makes the holiday season truly fulfilling. Yet each year, despite your best intentions, you end up shopping too much, rushing too much, stressing too much…and savoring the moment too little. Here are 10 suggestions to help you maximize your joy by making small, deliberate changes in the way you spend […]
Posted inArts + Culture
Freddie Bell back on morning local radio
Longtime broadcaster joins comedian and singer for his return to KMOJ A legend returns: Freddie Bell, a favorite for years with Twin Cities listeners, is back in the Twin Cities at KMOJ-FM’s The Morning Show. AM drive time with the quintessential easygoing, ever-friendly voice is once again an engagingly personable experience. Many of us […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Domestic violence is a public health threat that affects us all
Each year since 1981, October has been the month dedicated to promote awareness and prevention of domestic violence. However, we need to keep our focus on the impact of domestic violence in families. Domestic violence has been defined as a “pattern of coercive and assaultive behaviors that can include physical abuse, sexual abuse, verbal abuse, […]
Posted inLocal & State
Students tour southern Black colleges
St. Paul church celebrates 10 years of HBCU campus visits By Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald Contributing Writer Last month, St. Paul’s Progressive Baptist Church (PBC) sent 68 youth on a tour to visit seven Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the South. PBC is celebrating their 10th anniversary in providing youth with educational […]
Posted inSports
Exciting weekends on the prep sports scene
A person seen at a high school football playoff game a couple of weeks ago inadvertently became connected to a text message and his son’s recent success at the professional level. A football team continues to represent the Minneapolis City Conference in state competition. The only major Division I football program in the state continues […]
Posted inSports
Nothing funny about harassment of women in person or in social media
If something sexist is said about a White woman, it’s breaking news. But when the same happens to a Black female, the silence sadly is deafening. Six tweets were sent last week by Artie Lange, supposedly a comedian, about ESPN’s First Take Host Cari Champion being his sex slave. It seemingly took forever — actually […]
Posted inGo Green
Health food selections in school cafeterias on the rise
Law incentivizes schools for offering more fresh fruits and veggies Americans have done a great job making sure that our kids have something to eat at school regardless of socioeconomic status, with the National School Lunch Program providing low-cost or free lunches to upwards of 31 million students at 92 percent of U.S. public and […]
Posted inOpinion
Community Action in Ramsey-Washington demonstrates transparency, accountability
I wish to utilize this column to share some important information related to the operations and oversight at Community Action Partnership of Ramsey & Washington Counties (CAPRW). The recent shutdown of Community Action of Minneapolis has given rise to an unprecedented level of scrutiny toward Minnesota’s other 25 Community Action agencies, including CAPRW. As part of […]
Posted inArts + Culture
If Lesli’d just make up her mind…
First there was the show in St. Paul. Then Helen had hit him up at the last minute. Talked him into sticking around long enough for a quick trip to Chicago. She was killing two birds with one stone, a splashy gig at Rosa’s, which would also serve as a film set. Alena Sheridan had […]
Posted inNews
Back by popular demand: Recognizing and treating Molluscum Contagiosum
What is Molluscum Contagiosum? Molluscum Contagiosum is a viral infection that produces small, flesh-colored, dome-shaped bumps that can often become irritated or painful. They may appear to have a shiny surface in a small central indentation, or white core. Why should I care about Molluscum Contagiosum? Molluscum Contagiosum is a benign condition that will spread through direct […]
Posted inLocal & State
Hayden-Champion ethics delayed
Republicans defend complaints; accused deny charges By Isaac Peterson Contributing Writer After the second hearing as part of the ethics complaint against Democratic State Senators Jeff Hayden and Bobby Champion, the process has been placed on hold. The complaint, filed by six Republican Senators on September 24, consists of two major allegations: The first […]