By Corey Yeager Guest Commentator On Election Day 2008, I went to my polling site to participate in the most historical election since the origin of this country. I recall the excitement that coursed through me as I made way to my local polling station. That morning, I had made the intentional decision to vote […]
MSR News Online
Reach the MSR staff at msrnewsonline@spokesman-recorder.com.
Posted inNews
Obama serves a second term
What can Black communities expect from him over the next four years? By Charles Hallman Staff Writer History repeated itself Tuesday as Barack Obama won reelection as U.S. president, making him only the first Black man to twice win the presidency in this country’s history. “It has been a fairly harsh campaign,” noted local Republican activist […]
Posted inArts + Culture
Darius Paulk: Gospel singer/songwriter weathers storms to see success
By Charles Hallman Staff Writer When two of his penned tunes make the top of Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs, one would naturally assume that songwriter Darius Paulk’s hit-writing career has reached its musical apex. Vashawn Mitchell recorded and sang “Nobody Greater” to the top of the charts; the song stayed in the top 10 in […]
Posted inNews
Henn. County judge begins a new life chapter
International Leadership Institute unites Minneapolis with sister city in Kenya By Lisa Bryant Contributing Writer After serving as a trial judge for 21 years in the Hennepin County Fourth Judicial District Court, the Honorable LaJune Thomas Lange has found another way to influence and serve the Twin Cities as well as the global community. In 1994, […]
Posted inArts + Culture
This week’s entertainment spotlights
Legends: Eartha … The Whole Kitt & Kaboodle Featuring Regina Marie Williams and pianist Dan Chouinard Sat., Nov. 10, 7-8:30 pm & Sun., Nov. 11, 3-4:30 pm Capri Theater 2027 W. Broadway Ave., Mpls., 612-643-2000 or www.thecapritheater.org Tickets are $25; for tickets, call OvationTix at 866-811-4111 or go to https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/store/28295/packages. The Connection Wed., Nov. 14, […]
Posted inNews
Where are all the teachers of color in Mpls and St. Paul schools?
First of a two-part story By Alleen Brown Contributing Writer …In St. Paul 15 percent of teachers are not White, compared to 76 percent of students. In Minneapolis, 17 percent of teachers are not White, compared to 65 percent of students. Minneapolis and St. Paul district human resources officials say they want more teachers of […]
Posted inSports
Wolves Coach Respert explains player development
A group of former NBA players recently debated on NBA TV on which city has the best hoops. Kenny Smith says it’s his native New York City, but Chris Webber argued for his hometown, Detroit. Last month this columnist and Shawn Respert, a former Detroit Bishop Borgess High School star in the late 1980s, talked about […]
Posted inSports
Use of college players’ likenesses under court scrutiny
Class-action suit could affect larger issue of athlete exploitation By Charles Hallman Staff Writer An anti-trust lawsuit against the NCAA to compensate former and present college athletes for using their likenesses without their consent is moving forward after a judge recently ordered ESPN to hand over to the plaintiffs its television and licensing contracts. Former […]
Posted inSports
Prep stars updates
MARCUS MARSHALL — The former All-State shooting guard from St. Paul Johnson not only won the slam dunk contest at Missouri State’s Midnight Madness, but the freshman is also starting. GABE WALKER — The sensational running back helped St. Paul Central capture its sixth consecutive City Conference title. KACHINE ALEXANDER — The former University of […]
Posted inArts + Culture
This week’s entertainment spotlights!
Flight Various metro-area theaters A seasoned airline pilot miraculously crash lands his plane after a mid-air catastrophe, saving nearly every soul on board, but as more is learned, more questions than answers arise as to what really happened on the plane. Starring Denzel Washington and Don Cheadle. TCS.AX Official After-Party featuring Raekwon the Chef Sun., Nov. […]
Posted inArts + Culture
Wu-Tang Clan founder’s new film a ‘dream come true’
RZA becomes a director with The Man with the Iron Fists By Demetairs Bell Contributing Writer Wearing the triple crown in his feature film debut as a director, co-writer and leading man, RZA, the founder of the Wu-Tang Clan, gives you The Man with the Iron Fists, a movie he describes as “an action-packed adventure about […]
Posted inOpinion
A historical presidential election
This nation’s voters face a historic decision November 6, 2012: choosing between two Harvard graduates, both good, admirable family men, each with similar visions but clear differences on how to meet them. Given the improvement trend in the economy, does America change horses midstream and risk reversing improvement? Will Americans allow President Obama to complete […]
Posted inOpinion
Food shelves have become a necessity these days
Here’s some comparison-shopping, heads-up on a few places in S. Mpls Jericho Road Ministries, 1628 East 33rd Street, from cheerful volunteers to a usually bleary-eyed Director Jeff Noyed, is a caring operation that goes the extra step to help. You’re always made to feel welcome from the moment you step in the door with no one […]
Posted inOpinion
Voting wrongs vs. voting Rights
By Brandon Hill Guest Commentator In the election of 1788, laws barred poor White men from voting. In the election of 1864, laws blocked former slaves from voting. In the election of 1912, laws barred White women from voting. In the election of 1920, laws barred Native Americans from voting. In the election of 1968, […]
Posted inOpinion
Latino activists join with marriage activists: Will it work?
The kerfuffle concerning undocumented immigrants and legalizing same-sex marriage are usually competing and unresolved hot-button issues for voters heading toward the ballot box. Immigration advocates and LGBTQ rights groups have long tried to get its constituencies working together. Historically, the efforts have been abysmal. But there are organizations like Casa de Maryland, a community organization […]
Posted inSports
Gophers tackle represents local talent on the team
It’s a rarity in Gopher football to see a player listed on its current roster from the Minneapolis City Conference. It’s even rarer that a city player is a starter as well. Ra’Shede Hageman is that rarity. Hageman plays nose tackle this season for Minnesota (5-3). He formerly played tight end at Minneapolis Washburn but […]
Posted inSports
NFL cream begins to rise
GLENDALE, AZ — Here we go! Baseball is done, thankfully, before November with San Francisco sweeping Detroit to capture their second World Series in three years. The NBA starts this week, and the National Hockey League can’t figure out what to do. The NFL has reached the midway point in the season. Atlanta remains the […]
Posted inSports
NFL continues to score high in hiring diversity
Third in an occasional series Historically, pro football has been slow to embrace racial diversity, especially at high-profile positions such as quarterback and coach. There was a nearly seven-decade gap between the hiring of Blacks as head coaches in the National Football League. It wasn’t until the 1960s that Blacks broke down the color barrier […]
Posted inNews
Voter suppression laws cast chill on Black community
By Khalil Abdullah Contributing Writer As voter suppression laws continue to be debated in states across the country, members of the African American press and voting rights advocates say the repercussions of that debate are already being felt. The most immediate metric, they note, will be whether voter turnout is reduced. For some observers, that […]