Local & State

Concerns over ‘unrealistic’ hiring goals have proven unfounded   By Charles Hallman Staff Writer Nearly $105 million in St. Paul City contracts was awarded in 2013 to businesses owned by people of color, women-owned, and small businesses, according to Saint Paul’s Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity (HREEO) annual report. That was about 41 percent […]

St. Paul church celebrates 10 years of HBCU campus visits   By Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald Contributing Writer Last month, St. Paul’s Progressive Baptist Church (PBC) sent 68 youth on a tour to visit seven Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the South. PBC is celebrating their 10th anniversary in providing youth with educational […]

Republicans defend complaints; accused deny charges   By Isaac Peterson Contributing Writer After the second hearing as part of the ethics complaint against Democratic State Senators Jeff Hayden and Bobby Champion, the process has been placed on hold. The complaint, filed by six Republican Senators on September 24, consists of two major allegations: The first […]

More police ‘accountability and transparency’ are hoped-for outcomes By Charles Hallman Staff Writer Minneapolis City and police officials pledge that the body camera pilot program now in effect will “enhance transparency and accountability.” Mayor Betsy Hodges, both during her election campaign and after taking office, has advocated the body camera use by police. Since last Friday, […]

‘People’s Stadium’ reports ‘better than anticipated’ progress  By Charles Hallman Staff Writer Second of a three-part story   Both the Minneapolis Civil Rights and St. Paul Human Rights Departments agreed in 2006 to accept the state workforce hiring construction goals set by the Minnesota Human Rights Department. At the time, the six-county Twin Cities metro area hiring […]

The November 4 march to change the Washington NFL team’s name included activist Henry Boucha (far left with feather), Spike Moss (center, at microphone) and Clyde Bellecourt  (far right).

Park board retiree says his former coworkers are running scared   By Charles Hallman Staff Writer A former Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board (MPRB) employee earlier this year emailed all nine park board commissioners, expressing concern about workplace conditions. The MSR received  a copy of the five-page email sent in April titled “Racism issues concerns […]

C.h.a.t. series used to inform  attendees of State’s efforts toward equity By Brandi Phillips Contributing Writer  On September 10, at the second C.h.a.t. in a series (Community Health Talk Series) Kevin Lindsey, the Commissioner of MN Department of Human Rights, highlighted the state’s efforts to achieve equity and inclusion in the areas of workforce development, health […]

Harteau’s absence attributed to ‘public safety’ threats   By Khymyle Mims Contributing Writer This past Thursday night, citizens from across the city gathered at the Sabathani Community Center in South Minneapolis to take part in a “listening session” with the chief of police and other individuals who teach and work in the criminal justice field. […]

National conversation highlights Black victimizers, yet overlooks victims   By Charles Hallman Staff Writer Domestic violence or child abuse isn’t just being done by Black NFL players — it’s a society problem that needs addressing, said the Minnesota Vikings’ highest ranking Black front office executive. The Adrian Peterson child abuse allegations is the latest in […]

Local artist creates platform for educating on  healthy eating By Raymond Jackson Contributing Writer On Sunday, September 14, well-known Twin Cities artist Seitu Jones hosted CREATE: The Community Meal, in St. Paul. The event, which featured a half-mile long dining table serving 2,000 participants, took place in St. Paul’s Frogtown neighborhood. It was Jones’ artistic […]

Outreach department works to reconcile cultural differences   By Charles Hallman  Staff Writer First of a two-part story Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges since her election nearly a year ago has made racial equity a cornerstone of her administration. The City Council earlier this summer approved her agenda, calling for all city departments to reduce racial […]

For many Mike Brown’s death represents the value of young Black men in the U.S.   News Analysis By Mel Reeves Contributing Writer The MSR sent writer Mel Reeves to Ferguson, Missouri to personally observe and report on the aftermath of unrest there following an incident of police violence that left a young Black man […]

Black Men Healing Conference focuses on sexual exploitation   By Dwight Hobbes Contributing Writer There are a great many programs and projects to aid Black women and improve life for Black youth, aimed at empowering socially embattled sistahs to overcome obstacles and salvage youngsters from circumstances that lead to dead-end futures. Regrettably, when it comes […]