According to a recent press release of the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office, Minnesota General Keith Ellison co-led a coalition of 22 other attorneys general and three governors yesterday in filing a lawsuit against the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and its Secretary Brooke Rollins for unlawfully suspending the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The coalition […]
News
Timely national, state, and local articles, including profile stories from an African American perspective.
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 inProfiles In Power
One man’s decision to change impacts many others
Armel Green, better known by his pen name A.G. Deberry, is living proof that transformation is possible, even after navigating some of life’s harshest realities. Once a gang-involved teenager serving decades in prison, Green is now a published author, violence prevention advocate, and trusted presence in his Minneapolis community. His journey from incarceration to influence […]
Posted inOpinion
End using MN public funds for genocide
Why is Minnesota still doing business with a country whose soldiers shot a five-year-old girl 335 times? Her name was Hind Rajab. For nearly two years, Minnesota Labor for Palestine has joined workers around the world in demanding an end to what is being called history’s first live-streamed genocide. Yet the Minnesota State Board of […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
North Minneapolis clinic awarded state grant to expand dementia awareness
The African American Child Wellness Institute has received a two year, $149,000 grant to expand dementia education and early detection for African and African American families in the Twin Cities.
Posted inLocal & State
Women-Owned Mezcal Brand with Minnesota Roots Launches in Twin Cities
A new craft Mezcal with Minnesota roots is making its debut across the Twin Cities this fall. Las Melodías de la Luna, an ancestral Mezcal brand created by two women with deep ties to Minnesota’s creative community, is now available in select liquor stores and restaurants. Co-founders Jacqui Thompson and Ingrid Chavez spent the past […]
Posted inOpinion
I posted an ICE tip line in anger. I’ll regret it forever.
Dear Chicago, You were my second home for nearly 15 years. I still love you deeply. And today, watching ICE raids tear through your neighborhoods, I feel nothing but heartbreak and shame. I’m writing to apologize for something I did in 2016, right after Trump’s first election win. In anger over what I saw in […]
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 inPolitics
House candidate wants to care for the village that cared for her
Registered nurse, educator, and entrepreneur Lyna Nyamwaya of New Hope has announced her run for Minnesota House District 43A, pledging to focus on health care, education, equity, and local business growth.
Posted inPolitics
Frey booed at forum as challengers question transparency
Mayor Jacob Frey drew boos and tough questions at the AALF forum as challengers DeWayne Davis, Omar Fateh, Jazz Hampton, and Brenda Short challenged his record on small business support and transparency ahead of the November 4 election.
Posted inPolitics
Gun control divides St. Paul mayoral candidates
St. Paul’s mayoral candidates clashed over gun policy during a public debate. Mayor Melvin Carter outlined a proposal to restrict assault-style weapons, while Rep. Kaohly Her and Yan Chen questioned its legality and effectiveness. The exchange highlighted sharp differences on public safety, housing, and riverfront development ahead of the November 5 election.
Posted inNews
Federal shutdown pushes single mothers in Minnesota to the brink
One single mother of three children, ages 4, 10, and 20 have recently become homeless. She felt compelled to leave an unsafe apartment building where drug dealers were actively selling drugs around her children.
Posted inLocal & State
Minnesotans show up en masse to declare “No Kings”
Thousands gathered outside U.S. Bank Stadium in downtown Minneapolis on Saturday for the “No Kings” protest, where demonstrators voiced opposition to President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, the deployment of federal troops in U.S. cities, and the use of the justice system against political opponents. The crowd filled the Commons area near 425 Portland Ave., stretching […]
Posted inNews
We are witnessing Jim Crow 2.0
From book bans to museum censorship, attempts to sanitize U.S. history are accelerating. Denise Forte warns that “Jim Crow 2.0” is here—undermining education, truth, and democracy. Here’s why resisting historical erasure matters, and what must happen now.
Posted inLocal & State
Federal Shutdown Delays SNAP Food Benefits for November
Minnesota’s November SNAP and MFIP food benefits are paused during the federal shutdown, while October benefits remain available. Families can still apply, but no new funds will load in November until federal operations resume. Here’s what this means, who is affected, and where to find immediate food support across the state.
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 inOpinion
Lifeline for Black student parents at risk
Last month, Senator Tammy Duckworth and Representative Katherine Clark reintroduced the Child Care Access Means Parents in Schools (CCAMPIS) Reauthorization Act to keep the program running through 2031 and increase its funding to $500 million annually. CCAMPIS is designed to help low-income student parents cover the cost of child care. It can fund on-campus or […]
Posted inBooks
In ‘Before I Lie,’ MN poet speaks up for Black women
A powerful review of Dralandra Larkins’ hybrid collection Before I Lie. The book centers truth telling, Black girlhood, ASL, and healing through poetry, prose, and image.
Posted inNews
Mankato volleyball standout now a winning Ph.D. coach
It’s been nearly a decade since Jennifer Jacobs left her native St. Paul for her first collegiate head volleyball coaching opportunity. “Can you believe I’m in my ninth season?” asked the Augustana (S.D.) University coach after her Vikings played at Concordia-St. Paul on the first Friday evening of October. “I moved there in ’17; ’18 […]
Posted inLocal & State
Tensions flared at St. Paul mayoral forum over proposed bike trail
“All of our streets need to be redone,” State Rep. Kaohly Her said to a round of applause during the St. Paul mayoral forum on October 6 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. “Such a bulls**t answer,” muttered engineer and mayoral candidate Adam Dullinger off-mic, but within earshot of Her. The tense moment came during the […]