Higher-ups from the Minneapolis Police Department took the stand as the distancing of Minneapolis police from Chauvin continued.
Mel Reeves
Mel Reeves was the community editor at the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder until he passed away on January 6, 2022. He had a long and storied history working at the MSR.
Find more about Reeve’s life and legacy here: spokesman-recorder.com/category/remembering-mel-reeves.
Posted inLocal & State
Day 4 of Chauvin trial: prosecution beats defense to the punch
The prosecution beat the defense to the punch as they called George Floyd’s girlfriend Courtney Ross to the stand.
Posted inLocal & State, National, News
Day 3 of Chauvin trial: ‘I don’t respect what you did’ says witness
Sixty-one-year-old Charles McMillan took the stand Wednesday and was overcome with grief.
Posted inFeatured, Local & State, News
Wilder Foundation charged with selling out its mission
‘They are disregarding their responsibility and obligation to the community to make money.’
Posted inLocal & State, News
Prosecution: ‘Chauvin does not let up and he does not get up’
Many watching the trial see it as political and a referendum on police and police procedures, including Floyd family members and their attorney Ben Crump.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Recent police misconduct in St. Paul and Minneapolis have raised alarm
Two separate events involving police force in Minneapolis and St. Paul have raised questions in the community.
Posted inFeatured, Local & State, National, News
Race, intra-racial dynamics at play in Chauvin jury selection
‘Given the race and class dynamics of jury selection it would have been very difficult to seat a jury of working-class Black people.’
Posted inLocal & State, National, News
Chauvin trial update: Two weeks, 13 jurors seated
On Friday, Judge Cahill ruled that the trial would not be delayed or moved out of town, as requested by the defense.
Posted inLocal & State, National, News
Chauvin trial jury selection continues amid record settlement
‘This lynching can’t be wiped away by money. This money won’t replace his life,’ said Reverend Brian Herron, pastor of Zion Baptist Church.
Posted inFeatured, News
Black man’s White killer set free
Last week a Ramsey County jury refused to convict Anthony Trifiletti of second-degree murder in the shooting death of Douglas Lewis.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Derek Chauvin trial update: Day 4 of jury selection
On day four of jury deliberations in the trial against former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, only one juror was selected.
Posted inLocal & State, National, News
Derek Chauvin murder trial update: Day 3 of jury selection
The MSR will provide continuous Derek Chauvin trial updates and observations. Chauvin is one of four former Minneapolis police officers charged with the murder of George Floyd.
Posted inFeatured, Local & State, National, News, Photo Galleries
No calm before this storm – marches, protests precede ‘trial of the century’
A pall hangs over Minneapolis this week—and to a lesser extent over Minnesota and the nation—as many hold their collective breath in anticipation of the Derek Chauvin trial.
Posted inFeatured, Local & State, News
Fortress Minneapolis: City ‘violence baits’ community ahead of Chauvin trial
In the run-up to the Chauvin trial, it appears the City has prepared for every possible contingency.
Posted inFeatured, Local & State, News
George Floyd Square to reopen after March trial
After much consternation and debate, City of Minneapolis leadership announced last week that it will retake the South Minneapolis intersection of 38th Street and Chicago.
Posted inBlack History Month, Featured
Early reparation ideas for freed slaves
The idea for land redistribution for former slaves had been tossed about by abolitionists long before it was implemented with the agreement worked out in Savannah between the U.S. government and 20 Black preachers (see last week’s story “The origin of a revolutionary idea: 40 acres and a mule”). There were several proposals brought forward, […]
Posted inNational, News
Black workers in Alabama lead effort to organize first unionized Amazon warehouse
‘They are taking on powerful anti-union forces in a strong anti-union state, but their victory will benefit every worker in America.’
Posted inBlack History Month, Featured
The origin of a revolutionary idea: 40 acres and a mule
The original idea for redistributing 40 acres of formerly Confederate land to newly freed African slaves was the brainchild of a group of 20 Black preachers
Posted inFeatured, Music, News
Supreme indeed: Mary Wilson passes at age 76
Mary Wilson of Supremes fame passed away Monday night, adding to the woes of a community already reeling from the loss of so many greats.
Posted inSports, Vikings/NFL
North Mpls star Tyler Johnson hopes to make his mark at Super Bowl LV
Tyler Johnson will be playing in his first Super Bowl in his first season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.