Everyone wants clean air and [to] reduce the effects of global warming, but we must make sure that we have clean, healthy jobs, focusing in on communities that really need jobs. It’s not so much about the clean power plan but it’s a vehicle that gets us to a better place.”
Charles Hallman
Charles Hallman is a contributing reporter and award-winning sports columnist at the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.
Posted inSports
WNBA 20th season kicks off this weekend
It’s almost here — the WNBA’s landmark 20th season is close to tip off.
Posted inSports
Mothers of pro athletes face unique challenges
A Lifetime biopic on Kevin Durant’s mom that aired last Saturday talked about one mother’s tireless dedication to bring her soon-to-be NBA star up right. A local mom of a current NBAer can testify that such dedication is not so unusual.
Posted inNews
Collaborative effort underway to tell Black Minnesotans’ stories
There are stories of and by Minnesotans of African heritage (Black, African American, African immigrant) that need to be published and distributed. This is the mission of the Minnesota Regenerative Publishing Project.
Posted inNews
Offensive comments drive athlete from U of M track team
Last year, an independent review found that University of Minnesota athletics did not have a “sexual harassment climate.” But is there a racist climate in U of M athletics? A former Black female track athlete believes so, and she says that school officials aren’t taking it very seriously.
Posted inSports
The star who could’ve been…
What happened to Brandy Reed? The answer could make an UnSung episode on TV One.
She was Seimone before Seimone. She was Maya before Maya. She potentially could have been this area’s first Black female pro superstar, recognized on a first-name basis.
Posted inNews
Who can cash in on Prince’s image?
“Prince’s passing is a springboard to have this conversation, but it could protect all Minnesotans,” explained Leviton of the bill that was initiated after Prince died on April 21. Since Prince’s passing, T-shirts and other items have been created bearing the late singer’s image.
Posted inArts + Culture
New documentary gives glimpse into inhumane prison system
Criminal justice reform starts “with the idea of human beings deprived of freedom. That is so profound,” said San Francisco-based independent filmmaker Noel Schwerin.
Posted inSports
Lynx players add chemistry to Team USA
There is less than 100 days until the 2016 U.S. Olympic women’s basketball team takes on the world in Rio in August. The team’s Olympic record is 58-3.
Posted inEducation
Are schools informing students of free college classes?
Minnesota high school students wishing to enroll in Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) courses for the 2016-17 school year must inform their school by May 30. The Minnesota Legislature in 2014 mandated that school districts provide “up-to-date” information on PSEO on their websites as well as distribute information materials to students and families.
Posted inSports
What happened to the Black Coaches and Administrators (BCA)?
The BCA started in 1988 as a membership and advocacy group for Black coaches to improve coaching opportunities. The name changed from Black Coaches Association to Black Coaches and Administrators in 2007.
Posted inGophers/College
Gopher outfielder on track for best season
Jordan Smith is on pace to have his best season as a Minnesota Golden Gopher. His batting average is hovering around .300, over 80 points over his .229 career average.
Posted inObituaries
Dr. Hallie Hendrieth Smith dies at age 99
Those who knew her either briefly or long-term can easily testify that Hallie Hendrieth Smith always had your best interest at heart.
Posted inArts + Culture
Untold stories of ‘Purple Rain’
It’s been about two weeks since the news broke of Prince’s unexpected and sudden death. Last weekend the MSR attended one of an estimated 700 screenings of the late musician’s iconic Purple Rain across the country.
Posted inNews
Will U of M hire first Black athletic director in over 20 years?
Friday, April 29, is the deadline for all applications for the vacant University of Minnesota athletic director position. Local attorney Lee Hutton submitted his application earlier this month soon after the job was posted on the university’s website.
Posted inSports
Former Gophers hopeful and ready for draft day
KJ Mays, Rodrick Williams and several other now-former Gopher football players will be at their respective ‘draft parties’ this week. The three-day NFL Draft starts April 28, and these young men hope their names are called at some point in the process by a pro club executive.
Posted inSports
NCAA Vice President stresses importance of outreach
Anucha Browne, one of four NCAA female vice presidents and one of four Black vice presidents, was named in 2012 vice-president of women’s basketball championships.
Posted inArts + Culture, Movies
‘Hustlers Convention’ film makes case for unheralded cornerstone of rap music
Many are very aware of the Godfather of Soul, the late James Brown, but how many among those who love rap, especially its present day rappers, know that genre’s living “grandfather”?
Posted inNews
Job fairs give local workers a chance at 2,500 stadium positions
Both the Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings this week are hosting job fairs, but some ask how many temporary part-time game-day positions will be for local Blacks, low-income and other people of color.
Posted inArts + Culture
Soul crooner Billy Paul dies at age 80
Billy Paul “helped shape the course of modern R & B music,” said the BBC on the Grammy Award-winning singer who died Sunday at home in Philadelphia at age 80 from pancreatic cancer.