The number of people of color in radio and television broadcasting roles for NBA teams this season reached an all-time high according to the “2012 Racial and Gender Report Card” (RGRC) by the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport. Blacks made up 19 percent, two percent more than 2010-11, and women broadcasters were up […]
MSR News Online
Reach the MSR staff at msrnewsonline@spokesman-recorder.com.
Posted inSports
Negro Leagues Baseball Museum a Kansas City must-see
Many honors have crossed my paths over the last 34 years in this business of media covering sports, such as first Minnesota reporter to interview icon Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls live in 1993 on Twin Cities sports (KFAN) radio on a game day, and first Black man to host a live, three-hour radio […]
Posted inSports
Top preps of yesteryear — where are they now?
ROYCE WHITE (DeLaSalle/Hopkins): The first-round NBA draft choice from Iowa State is in Las Vegas playing for the Houston Rockets. KAMMRON TAYLOR (Minneapolis North): The 6-2 guard, who led Minneapolis North to the 2003 Class 4A state boys’ basketball title before going on to star at the University of Wisconsin, is playing for the Minnesota […]
Posted inSports
WNBA now on Olympic break
Mid-season month off affects teams differently By Charles Hallman Staff Writer With the entire U.S. women’s Olympic basketball team entirely composed of WNBA players, the league schedule is now on break until August 17. The interruption has both good and not-so-good consequences for the league’s teams and players. “First and foremost, I think it is […]
Posted inNews
Budget your bliss: summer fun without spending a ton
Summer vacations are a family’s honored tradition. But with gas prices, travel costs, job insecurity, etc., they may become reserved for only the rich. Traveling is so enjoyable and memorable but can be quite expensive and difficult to fit into the budget. There are several economical strategies on the best time to purchase tickets, cost-effective […]
Posted inNews
From romance reader to best-selling author
Brenda Jackson adds movie producer to her list of accomplishments By Charles Hallman Staff Writer Conclusion of a two-part story Truly Everlasting is a film based on Brenda Jackson’s best-selling 1998 novel. It went straight to DVD and became available in stores May 15. The story revolves around Trask and Felecia, who have hated each […]
Posted inNews
Hometown star athlete shares the wealth
On Friday, July 6, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, Jr. (standing at center in left photo, with basketball in right photo) shared his success with his old neighborhood by donating a new basketball court to Martin Luther King, Jr. Park in South Minneapolis. Parents and youth were invited to the court’s unveiling, which included […]
Posted inNews
Chasing the tornado money
By Charles Hallman Staff Writer and Jerry Freeman Senior Editor Almost immediately after the tornado struck North Minneapolis in May 2011, the Minneapolis Foundation established its Minnesota Helps Fund and raised $1,756,060 to assist Northside residents. Many other groups and organizations furthered the cause with food drives and fundraising events. On July 14, MSR began […]
Posted inNews
Most agree MCTC needs more faculty of color
By Vickie Evans-Nash Contributing Writer In last week’s story, one former and two current faculty members questioned Minneapolis Community & Technical College’s commitment to creating a diverse faculty. What may contribute to a lack of confidence in the college’s efforts is that while these and other concerned faculty members envision a faculty that reflects their […]
Posted inNews
Ellison on taxes, Affirmative Action, gay marriage and reelection
By Dwight Hobbes Contributing Writer U.S. Congressman Keith Ellison (D-MN), up for reelection this November, has represented Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional District since 2007 and is co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus for the 112th Congress. He is, it goes without saying, a household name in the Twin Cities, having established before entering politics a high-profile […]
Posted inArts + Culture
Robert Townsend: one-on-one with the Hollywood pioneer
By Charles Hallman Staff Writer Robert Townsend is a Hollywood pioneer. The actor-comedian, who was in town last week for the screening of his latest film, In the Hive, has a lengthy résumé as a producer and director. However, according to Townsend, who discussed his career with the MSR, his becoming a filmmaker “was an […]
Posted inOpinion
In our view: Insist on real accountability and transparency
In this issue of the MSR we conclude, at least for now, our series on “Chasing the Tornado Money.” While many individuals and organizations were very cooperative and helpful to us in pursuing the several stories that went into this series, we also met with considerable resistance, in some cases even outright hostility, and we […]
Posted inOpinion
In Twin Cities, Blacks still need not apply
“Twin Cities Still Worst in U.S. for Black Jobseekers” (Star Tribune headline, July 2, 2012). “New report shows little change from 2009 unemployment rates.” — Economic Policy Institute. That is a repeat of the June 18, 2010 report of the Star Tribune of the same Economic Policy Institute report released to Congress showing African Americans […]
Posted inOpinion
Reggie Jackson — can’t we just forget him?
If there was any doubt that Reggie Jackson is still every bit the mouthy horse’s ass in retirement that he was over his entire baseball career, it has been incontrovertibly dispelled. He was a self-absorbed jerk then, and he’s a self-important moron now. In the July 9-16 issue of Sports Illustrated, for its “Where Are […]
Posted inOpinion
Obama two up on Romney — but will it help him get reelected?
Romney messed up by not moving on the immigration issue before Obama, and the Supreme Court finds favor in Obamacare because a Bush appointee joins the more liberal judges. At issue: Is this enough for Obama to win in November? Let me give you the answer: No. When the hype dies down, we shall be […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Addressing EBD through special education
Parents have a say in deciding their child’s classroom setting Thus far in this series, we have talked about children’s challenging behaviors: what’s typical, when to be concerned, strategies to work with the school to help your child with challenging behaviors, and what to do when those strategies fall short of meeting your child’s needs. […]
Posted inSports
Mentors needed to model success
To be a mentor these days, especially to Black youngsters, doesn’t take a lot of academic letters behind one’s name. It just takes someone committed to the next generation’s success. “I think mentoring is extremely important for the growth and development of our young children, especially African American boys and girls,” explains Minneapolis Public Schools […]
Posted inSports
Lynx aggressively defend their championship
Is there a dynasty in the making? By Sheri Crockett Contributing Writer The Minnesota Lynx started this year on a 14-game winning streak, dating back to the Western Conference semifinals last year. This year’s team set a new league record — the longest undefeated start in league history at 10-0 — and three games later […]
Posted inNews
Black fraternity charters first chapter in Minnesota
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., the fifth-largest African American fraternity in the nation, has chartered its first chapter in the state of Minnesota. The chapter has been designated “Gamma Theta Omega, Twin Cities Alumni” and was formally awarded its charter on May 25, 2012. The charter group consisted of five Iota Phi Theta Alumni members […]
Posted inNews, Opinion
Maternal memoir a moving coming-of-age story
Twin Cities-based author Amoke Kubat has penned a refreshing manuscript with her memoir Missing Mama: My Story of Loss, Sorrow and Healing (Respondability, Inc., $20). Indeed, it is welcome change of pace from the bitter diatribes that far too often in this neck of the woods champion women by disparaging men. All the more because […]