Ivan Nelson, the executive director of African American Survivor Services, has used his own experiences with opioid addiction to provide culturally relevant recovery support for African Americans facing addiction, reentry, homelessness, and systemic neglect.
Clint Combs
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Federal cuts threaten vaccine access
Federal funding for Covid-19 vaccine efforts is being cut early, prompting concern among public health officials who say it will impact underserved communities and make it difficult for local agencies to adapt.
Posted inHealth + Wellness
MN Legislature weighs pros and cons of medical debt relief
Minnesota lawmakers have introduced the Medical Debt Reset Act, setting aside $5 million to help the nonprofit Undue forgive up to $500 million in medical debt, with the goal of providing financial relief to Minnesotans with a household income at or below 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Posted inLocal & State
Minneapolis mayor one of nine in competitive race
Mayor Jacob Frey is seeking a third term, highlighting the Great River Landing Project as a model for criminal justice reform, and promising to partner with voters to get the job done, while his challengers emphasize the need for support for formerly incarcerated individuals, job opportunities within the city, and the importance of rebuilding and reform.
Supported
Posted inHelp Is Here
One more ugly disparity for Minnesota
Indigenous and Black Minnesotans are 15 and three times more likely to die from opioid overdoses than white Minnesotans, respectively, highlighting the need for more equitable health care responses to the opioid epidemic.
Posted inLocal & State
Conflicting priorities hamstring Mpls violence prevention
The Minneapolis City Council has approved funding for five organizations to provide violence prevention services in different neighborhoods, but concerns remain about staffing cuts and contract transparency.
Posted inLocal & State
Grassroots programs cushion Trump attack on civil rights
President Trump’s executive orders have sparked controversy over the Department of Education’s DEI programs, but local organizations like the Black Family Blueprint and NdCAD are working to empower Black families with education, emotional healing, and support.
Posted inLocal & State
Minneapolis public schools face $75 million budget deficit
Minneapolis Public Schools is facing a $75 million budget deficit, which may lead to cuts in special education services, staff and programs.
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Breaking free: Fighting “Big Tobacco’s” deadly grip on Black communities
Damone Presley, a peer recovery specialist and certified nicotine specialist, has been working to encourage the community to quit smoking for the better part of his life, and is now helping others to do the same.
Posted inLocal & State, News
MSR retracts story about race-based retaliation at Minneapolis Public Schools
MSR’s formal retraction of “Former Minneapolis Public Schools employees allege cycle of race-based retaliation.”
Posted inLocal & State
Threatened Medicaid cuts set off alarms
Proposed Medicaid cuts could exacerbate existing health disparities in Minnesota, particularly affecting Black Minnesotans who already face significant health challenges compared to African immigrants.
Posted inEducation
Child care crisis heats up over high costs, low wages
Child care workers in Minnesota are struggling to afford the high costs of child care, with the state’s wage statistics revealing that Black or African American workers make up 13% of the workforce in child care, and the federal funding freeze has threatened the funding for child care assistance.
Posted inLocal & State
Angry Minneapolis renters demand better living conditions
Tenants at 2200 Blaisdell Ave. and 1219 Pillsbury Ave. are demanding action from Investment Property Group on issues of mold, security concerns, missing payments, and unprocessed checks, as they have banded together to send a joint letter to the company.
Posted inLocal & State
Enforcement of Hardel Sherrell Act called ‘poor’
Hardell Sherrell died in 2018 due to medical neglect at the Beltrami County Jail, and former director of nursing Michelle Skroch has been charged with manslaughter and medical neglect.
Posted inPolitics
Vets among the casualties of DOGE takeover
Rep. Ilhan Omar’s office helped secure safe passage for American allies, including Air Force Intelligence officer Chris Wicker, after the Taliban took control of Kabul in 2021, and Wicker now works as the deputy director of the Small Business Administration’s Minneapolis branch.
Posted inLocal & State
State joins lawsuit exposing sexual harassment in construction
Norma Izaguirre has filed a lawsuit against Absolute Drywall, alleging that the contractor fired her for reporting sexual assault, and the state’s Department of Human Rights and the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office have joined the lawsuit to investigate the claims.
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Gov. Walz would tap private insurers to help keep health care affordable
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has proposed a plan to maintain access to affordable health care by shifting the funding for the state’s reinsurance program from the general fund to private insurers, which could help lower premiums for individuals buying insurance on the Affordable Care Act marketplace.
Posted inGeorge Floyd Square
Five years later, George Floyd Square still mired in controversy
Minneapolis City Council is considering a Pedestrian Plan that would restrict vehicle access to George Floyd Square, while Mayor Jacob Frey favors allowing traffic access and restoring Metro D Line and Route 5 transit services.
Posted inHealth + Wellness
The corporate war against breastfeeding
A new grant from the CDC will help Minneapolis expand breastfeeding and lactation services, focusing on improving health outcomes for communities of color, and also addressing corporate lobbying efforts that may impact local breastfeeding practices.
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Equitable health care champions discuss heart health
Rep. Ilhan Omar hosted a panel discussion on Black women’s heart health at the NorthPoint Conference Center in Minneapolis, highlighting the importance of mental health in cardiovascular recovery and the need for culturally competent care.