More police ‘accountability and transparency’ are hoped-for outcomes By Charles Hallman Staff Writer Minneapolis City and police officials pledge that the body camera pilot program now in effect will “enhance transparency and accountability.” Mayor Betsy Hodges, both during her election campaign and after taking office, has advocated the body camera use by police. Since last Friday, […]
November 2014
Posted inSports
What to do with Adrian Peterson?
Last week on Election Day, Adrian Peterson pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor, ending the controversial child abuse case against him involving his four-year-old son. Peterson had been indicted by a Montgomery, Texas grand jury on a single felony charge of injury to a child. In the plea agreement, Peterson agreed to two years’ probation, […]
Posted inObituaries
Diane Burgess (Cobbin) Joyner
Diane Burgess (Cobbin) Joyner, age 70, of Minneapolis passed away November 5, 2014. She was preceded in death by husband, Floyd Joyner; parents, Odell and Irene Cobbin; and one sister, Darlene Gardner. She is survived by her children, Derek Burgess, Robin Burgess, Tasha Burgess, Ana Mae Burgess and Joshua Joyner; sisters, Marlene Eaves, Norma Parker, […]
Posted inNews
A thought caused it all
As I sit here at my desk in Lino Lakes Correctional Facility, I watch the mid-afternoon traffic of Highway 35 pass my window. I’m subdued by the sound of early October rain as it hits my window sill. I can hear the sound of jangling keys as they pass my door, the ever-present presence of the correctional officer. Usually it makes me nervous, but today it does not.
Posted inOpinion
Green energy can end African famine
While Ebola occupies the world’s attention, a humanitarian crisis is quickly unfolding in Somalia. In August, the Somali federal government declared famine in several regions. The rain necessary for food arrived a month late and was brief in duration. Drought grips much of the country, leaving nearly three million Somalis at risk for food insecurity. […]
Posted inOpinion
Garage sales can unite the generations
Here it is Saturday morning and I haven’t hit a sale the entire summer. I rode by a sale on Selby near the capital on Friday and called my daughter to say, “They have some good stuff sitting out — you may want to drive by. They have a sofa that may work in your […]
Posted inLocal & State
Nuns celebrate 25 years on the North Side
Six Catholic nuns relocated from the suburbs to North Minneapolis 25 years ago. Recently the community and the sisters both celebrated that move at the Capri Theater.
Posted inLocal & State
Raid a diva’s closet to boost self-esteem
Mentoring program helps girls dress for success Raiding a DIVA’s Closet (www.projectdivas.com) is an excellent example of communal self-empowerment, benefitting the public at large and an imperiled group in specific — girls and young women who much more often are the targets of sexist exploitation than they are recipients of a serious helping hand. Founders Keeya […]
Posted inOpinion
Poor timing, dishonest reporting mark Star Tribune MPD coverage
“Demoted police captains sue Minneapolis chief,” is the Star Tribune October 28, 2014 headline, by David Chennen, discussing a lawsuit filed by five former MPD (Minneapolis Police Department) captains
Posted inNews
Again, a more affordable Thanksgiving dinner
Hallie Q. Brown, Fare For All offer holiday food bargain
Posted inLocal & State
MN Black lawyers support future law students
On November 8, the Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers (MABL) Annual Scholarship Gala will celebrate and commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act. The Gala’s theme will be “Honoring the Past and Building a Brighter Future.” The event, to be held at the Minneapolis Marriot City Center from 6-9 pm, will feature: • […]
Posted inSports
In hockey, diversity talk is still just that — talk
This column continues the Only One series in which this reporter shares his experiences as the only African American on the scene. It’s year two for the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC). Eight teams — all steeped in hockey tradition, some since as far back as 1929 — began play as one league, spanning as […]
Posted inOpinion
Ebola: Fight the disease, not the victims
Countries around the world must join together to mobilize the resources; build the isolation units; supply the medicine, doctors, nurses and support personnel needed to isolate and treat those afflicted; track down and monitor those who might have been in contact; and stop the epidemic.
Posted inArts + Culture, Music
Walter Chancellor, Jr.: Music man works to keep jazz alive in Twin Cities
Saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist, educator, arranger, and music producer Walter Chancellor, Jr. has been prominent in Twin Cities jazz and R&B the past two decades. After constant touring early on, he moved to Minneapolis from Des Moines, Iowa, lessening the need to travel quite as much in order to play. Shortly after the move, he performed and […]
Posted inNews
Parents: Know warning signs of youth suicide
Charlotte, a 16-year-old, tried to take her own life three times last year. According to her mother, the girl had been bullied at school and was recently diagnosed with depression. “My daughter was sweet, cheerful, friendly, but when she was 12, she changed,” said her mother. Charlotte’s story is not unique among youth. According to […]
Posted inSports
North going to state
Coach inducted into Hall of Fame It was quite the weekend for North High School in Minneapolis. The football team improved to 11-0 by defeating Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity 40-13 to capture the Class A Section 4 championship last Friday, October 31. For the Polars, it was their fourth state tournament playoff berth in 15 seasons. […]
Posted inOpinion
Confronting echoes of the AIDS hysteria as we battle Ebola
Exactly a decade ago this month I received an email flagged as urgent from Monrovia, Liberia. It was from Lee Johnson, then coordinator of Liberian Youths Against HIV/AIDS: “Presently, the HIV/AIDS scourge is deeply eating into the fabric of our society and there is little being done to bring this to a halt. Therefore, some […]
Posted inLocal & State
Diversity hiring on the rise where new State goals apply
‘People’s Stadium’ reports ‘better than anticipated’ progress By Charles Hallman Staff Writer Second of a three-part story Both the Minneapolis Civil Rights and St. Paul Human Rights Departments agreed in 2006 to accept the state workforce hiring construction goals set by the Minnesota Human Rights Department. At the time, the six-county Twin Cities metro area hiring […]
Posted inSports
Overshadowed pioneers in women coaching men
By Charles Hallman Staff Writer Becky Hammon last week began her first season as a San Antonio Spurs assistant coach. Sadly, not mentioned or oft-overlooked is the fact that two Black women, Stephanie Ready and Bernadette Mattox, earlier paved the way for the recently retired WNBA player’s historic debut. “It will be a nice education […]
Posted inLocal & State
Seward Project Update
Project Update We have tremendous progress to report regarding the Friendship store. Over the past several months the project has received zoning and land use approvals, as well as all of the permits required to build the new store. Recently, the project financing was completed, which allowed the co-op to purchase the last remaining parcel […]