MPHA has broken ground on new accessible, all-electric affordable housing in Windom and Regina, adding family units to meet growing demand in Minneapolis.
Jasmine McBride
Jasmine McBride is an Editor at the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
Posted inLocal & State
Cuts threaten federal support for children with disabilities
The U.S. Department of Education is exploring relocating its special education programs, weeks after the Trump administration laid off nearly all staff in the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), according to a department spokesperson. In a brief statement sent to the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder’s media partner Word in Black, Madi Biedermann, deputy assistant secretary for […]
Posted inMSR In the News
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder welcomes Scott Selmer as assigning editor
The Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder is proud to welcome Scott Selmer as its new assigning editor. With robust experience in law, journalism, and community advocacy, Selmer brings a deep commitment to truth-telling and a lifelong belief in the power of Black media to uplift voices too often left unheard. Born and raised in Beloit, Wisconsin, a small, […]
Posted inLocal & State
MPHA breaks ground on Windom Triplex and Regina Duplex, expanding affordable family housing
The Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA) marked a milestone in expanding affordable housing on Wednesday, October 29, breaking ground in South Minneapolis on a new triplex in the Windom neighborhood and a duplex in Regina. The projects are funded in part by MPHA’s tax levy, with the city’s housing levy contributing $1.25 million to both […]
Posted inNews
Fire and electrical failure force mass evacuation at skyline tower in Saint Paul
On Sunday, October 26, more than 1,500 residents of Skyline Tower were forced to evacuate their homes after a fire and electrical failure left the 25-story apartment building uninhabitable. What began as a small fire on the 12th floor quickly escalated into one of the largest emergency responses in recent city history. Saint Paul Fire […]
Posted inBusiness
Bank of America ups its minimum wage to $25
Bank of America has raised its U.S. minimum wage to $25 per hour, setting a new industry benchmark and expanding career pathways for entry-level employees while strengthening its commitment to inclusive growth across Minnesota.
Posted inLocal & State
Foundation honors five MN leaders for advancing race equity
The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation named five 2025 Facing Race Award honorees—Alexs Pate, Nate Smith, Kathy Sublett, Sai Thao, and Patricia Torres Ray—recognizing statewide leadership that challenges harmful narratives on race and builds inclusive solutions. Livestream Oct 16; details inside.
Posted inPolitics
AG Ellison’s pushback pays off for Minnesotans
But how long can he and other AGs resist Trump’s overreach? In every corner of Minnesota, Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office has become a bulwark in what he casts as a constitutional struggle, one state-led lawsuit at a time. Across rural counties and in the halls of state agencies, his team is quietly but persistently […]
Posted inArts + Culture
More than skin deep
Science Museum exhibit explores race, identity and nature At first glance, skin might seem like a simple surface: something we see in the mirror, cover with clothing, or protect with sunscreen. But a new exhibit at the Science Museum of Minnesota invites visitors to go deeper. “Skin: Living Armor, Evolving Identity,” which opened October 3, […]
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Posted inHelp Is Here
MN House bill would allow patients to refuse opioids
HF 1379 would create a statewide non-opioid directive so patients can decline opioid prescriptions except in emergencies. Supporters call it a commonsense safeguard after years of rising overdose deaths. Clinicians and advocates urge a balanced rollout that preserves pain care and expands treatment and harm reduction.
Posted inLocal & State
Northern Star Scouting honors community leaders at 2025 Awards gala
Northern Star Scouting honored community leaders at its 2025 Community Builder Award & Spurgeon Awards gala in St. Paul. SVP Drinal Foster received the Community Builder Award; five Spurgeon Award recipients were recognized for leadership and service. Proceeds support Exploring, a hands-on career program for youth ages 14–21.
Posted inPolitics
Government shutdown leaves millions in limbo
As the 2025 federal government shutdown continues, 900,000 workers are furloughed and core services are disrupted. Minnesota programs—WIC, Head Start, passports, small-business loans, and $645M in energy projects—are at risk as partisan gridlock persists.
Posted inEducation
US-Ghana project strengthens grassroots leadership
Through a Mandela Washington Fellowship Reciprocal Exchange, Felix Larbi Appiah and Dr. Artika Tyner led a five-day leadership series in Greater Accra, training 111 participants in values-driven, justice-centered local governance and community engagement.
Posted inPolitics
Walz calls special session on gun laws after Annunciation shooting
After the Annunciation Catholic School shooting, Gov. Tim Walz is calling a special session to advance tougher gun laws, including an assault-style weapons ban, safe-storage requirements, and an expanded red-flag law. Supporters call it urgent; GOP leaders vow resistance.
Posted inFinance
BrandLab gala aims to loosen tight funding
BrandLab Ignite Gala 2025 called for $300,000 to sustain inclusive talent pipelines as DEI funding tightens. Board chair Mary Beth George Puder and keynote Chufue Yang stressed diversity as a business imperative, spotlighting outcome-based funding, the Spark student pipeline, and labor partnerships that move BIPOC creatives into high-growth careers.
Posted inNational
Immigrant journalist stays jailed without cause
Despite dropped charges and a judge granting bond, Atlanta journalist Mario Guevera remains in immigration detention. ICE cites public safety while the BIA’s actions move him closer to removal—raising urgent questions about press freedoms and due process.
Posted inLocal & State
New McKnight headquarters reflects foundation’s mission
McKnight Foundation’s new HQ is mission made visible: LEED Gold, adaptive reuse, and an ice-based thermal energy system replacing fossil fuels—plus inclusive wellness spaces, EV chargers, and a public mural wall. The result is a people-centered, climate-smart hub for community impact in Minneapolis.
Posted inEducation
Children’s bookstore inspires early love for books
Planting People Growing Justice, a Black woman-owned children’s bookstore and publisher inside Gideon Barbershop, is growing literacy and youth leadership in South Minneapolis. Founded by Dr. Artika Tyner, PPGJ centers books that reflect the African Diaspora and offers storytimes, workshops, and author visits to help kids “read to lead.”
Posted inMSR In the News
City nominates Spokesman-Recorder for national historic recognition
After a year-long study, Minneapolis is advancing National Register nominations for the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, the Phyllis Wheatley Community Center, and the former home of Harry Davis Sr. The effort recognizes Black history, secures access to preservation funding, and lays groundwork for future listings.
Posted inBusiness
Funders pool resources to address urgent needs
A new MN Forward Pooled Fund is directing $1.35 million to Minnesota nonprofits. Twenty seven groups received $50,000 each, with a focus on smaller, high impact organizations statewide, including the New Justice Project.