For 20 weeks, to commemorate the WNBA’s 20th season (the MSR having covered each season), the MSR sports section will feature a column or article on the W in our “20 in 20” series. This week: Sisters rule Black women have been uniquely instrumental in almost every aspect of the WNBA from its beginning through […]
Charles Hallman
Charles Hallman is a contributing reporter and award-winning sports columnist at the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.
Posted inArts + Culture
Second generation DJ shares his passion for music
Hooked when he first saw his dad drop a needle on a record Sitting in the Avenue Eatery on West Broadway, second-generation DJ Chuck Chizzle recently offered his treatise on Black music. “Music is the only thing in this world that keeps culture together. It’s the great equalizer,” stated the young man whose 40th birthday […]
Posted inSports
Carleton AD prefers focus on student-athletes over money chase
The Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference’s (MIAC) national reputation as the toughest NCAA Division III conference in the country is well deserved. Seemingly only a couple of the 13 member schools are annual frontrunners. Is the MIAC that top heavy? “Yes, it’s top heavy right now, particularly in football,” admits Carleton College Athletic Director Gerald Young. […]
Posted inNews
Violence denounced, peace praised at Ramadan dinner
New St. Paul police chief pledges to fight hate, ignorance ‘side by side’ The recent shootings in Orlando and San Bernardino didn’t help discourage the Islamophobia and anti-Muslim talk that has persisted in the U.S. since Sept. 11, 2001. Islam has existed for centuries. It is a religion “misused” by those who commit violent acts […]
Posted inNews
KMOJ called ‘a mess’ and ‘at risk’
Concerned Citizens group, fearing station failure, challenges board competence Many community residents are raising questions about what is happening at KMOJ-FM. The governing board has been accused of operating “under the cloak of darkness” without adequate accountability and transparency. “Our question is, ‘Where is the KMOJ board?’ We are asking, ‘What are you doing to […]
Posted inSports
Jets’ Marcus Williams gives back to Northside community
“It’s a great thing for the community,” declared North High Football Coach Charles Adams of the day-long football camp held on his home field June 25. An estimated 200 boys (ages 8-12) — nearly half were walk-ups — participated in “techniques and qualities critical to developing as a leader both on and off the football […]
Posted inLocal & State, News
Mpls parks chief defends racial equity progress
New 20-year plan tackles 20-year work backlog The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) plans to invest over $65 million in city parks improvements over the next five years. The MPRB commissioners in May approved a new “20 Year Neighborhood Park Plan” as well as a new “criteria based” system to determine future rehabilitation and […]
Posted inSports
Augustus and the W: a generation’s vision fulfilled
For 20 weeks, to commemorate the WNBA’s 20th season (the MSR having covered each season), the MSR sports section will feature a column or article on the W in our “20 in 20” series. This week: History meets history The Katie Smith trade in July 2005 was perhaps the worst deal in both Minnesota Lynx […]
Posted inSports
Kickball brings Northside neighbors together for drama-free fun
Kickball, the game played with a big red rubber ball, is typically associated with kids playing it during school recess or as a featured activity at family picnics or church youth group gatherings. It is now being played by adults on Sundays as well. Little kids play their own kickball games on the side outside […]
Posted inSports
2016 NBA Draft preview
I’m a recovering NBA draft follower and have been for at least a decade now, maybe more. This reporter, who started watching the league when it was only shown on Sunday afternoons on ABC in the 60s, went cold sober I believe in 2005 after a new CBA provision that allows draft prospects to be […]
Posted inGo Green
National conference focuses on connecting Black children to nature
“One of the goals of this conference is to find a way to reach deeper to all communities, and to engage every child in terms of nature and empowerment,” said National League of Cities CEO Clarence Anthony to the MSR.
Posted inNews
Grants help youth prepare for careers
City of Minneapolis Employment and Training was among 13 groups receiving Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) grants to help high school students from specified racial, ethnic and at-risk groups in future career planning. “We specifically wanted to target youth that live in North Minneapolis and Cedar-Riverside,” says Tammy Dickinson, a career pathways […]
Posted inSports
Three current Lynx players make WNBA Top 20@20 list
The 20 greatest and most influential players in WNBA history were announced today, and three current Minnesota Lynx players, and a former player, are among those chosen by a 15-member committee of Hall of Famers, current and former coaches, and media members. Seimone Augustus, Maya Moore and Lindsay Whalen, and former Lynx player Katie Smith, […]
Posted inSports
Three current Lynx players make WNBA Top 20@20 list
The 20 greatest and most influential players in WNBA history were announced today, and three current Minnesota Lynx players, and a former player, are among those chosen by a 15-member committee of Hall of Famers, current and former coaches, and media members. Seimone Augustus, Maya Moore and Lindsay Whalen, and former Lynx player Katie Smith, […]
Posted inSports
T-Ball, a safe haven in a long, hot summer
Some might use his T-Ball classes as a convenient one-hour drop-off center, but longtime North Minneapolis-based youth coach Mat Talley is actually okay with that. “I tell the parent, ‘Give me your kid and you go shop. Don’t worry about it — he or she is going to be alright. Go run three errands — Coach Talley got […]
Posted inSports
Coach Peck made her mark in both college and pro hoops
For 20 weeks, to commemorate the WNBA’s 20th season (the MSR having covered each season), the MSR sports section will feature a column or article on the W in our “20 in 20” series. This week: history overlooked During the course of its 20-year history, 31 of the 75 WNBA all-time head coaches have been […]
Posted inSports
The frustrations and pleasures of covering women’s sports
I recently was in Cleveland on assignment. While walking around the downtown area, a virtual ghost town because it was an hour before Game 2 of the NBA Finals, the few people we did run into wore something with Cavs on them in support for their Cavaliers. You’d be hard pressed not to miss the […]
Posted inNews
Mpls workers empowered by new sick leave law
“We intentionally talked about it as a racial equity issue because we know that the people most likely not to have paid sick time and other workplace protections are Black and Brown people, and majority Black and Brown women,” said Harris. “Race is a conversation in our city now.”
Posted inArts + Culture
Three local gems create one memorable night of soul at the Fitzgerald
It’s not often that Black music is seen and heard at the Fitzgerald Theatre in St. Paul. But three Black women recently broke through and provided “a soulful and amazing night.” On Friday, June 3, PaviElle, Jayanthi Kyle and Sarah White graced the Fitzgerald stage and played to a diverse crowd. Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) […]
Posted inNews
St. Paul police chief choice now ‘in the mayor’s hands’
Five candidates answered questions at two public forums St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman hopes to recommend a new city police chief for city council approval by mid-June. He is finishing up individual interviews with the five finalists. The St. Paul city charter mandates that at least five finalists must be recommended to the mayor from […]