News

By Sharon Rolenc Contributing Writer Christmas came early this year for Shirley Gipson. After nearly a decade on the waiting list for a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher, her name finally came up. “It’s the best Christmas present I can get. I’m just so thankful it finally happened,” she said. She’s one of just a handful […]

Constance Anderson stays in constant motion to make ends meet by Dwight Hobbes Tireless tasking, thy name is Constance Anderson. She has been interning at Wellstone High School in the Minneapolis Public Schools system with a licensed school counselor, putting in 600 hours in preparation for 2011, when she completes there and will begin job […]

By Mel Reeves The Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) held the first meeting of its Minority, Women and Diverse Business Participation Oversight Committee on Tuesday, December 7, at 807 Broadway NE. The committee, which has the responsibility of overseeing the minority and women labor participation and the Minority Business Enterprise (WMBE) participation in the construction of […]

by Sheila Regan Legislative work group on gang and crime databases hears from citizens Establishing trust in law enforcement versus maintaining security and safety proved to be the resounding themes at a legislative listening session on gang databases, criminal intelligence data and criminal investigative data. The listening session was hosted by the SF2725 work group, […]

Your rights • You have the right to inspect public government data at reasonable times and places at no cost. • You have a right to gain access to public government data without telling the government who you are or why you want access to data. • You have the right to get copies of […]

This includes public’s right to view and challenge information in gang databases by Charles Hallman The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (Minn. Statues Chapter 13), passed by the Minnesota Legislature in 1979, allows citizens access to government data in general, and to public government data in particular. According to the Minnesota Coalition on Government Information […]

American Indians and Black farmers will be paid $4.6 billion to address claims of government mistreatment over many decades under landmark legislation President Barack Obama signed Wednesday. The legislation “closes a long and unfortunate chapter in our history,” Obama said. “It’s finally time to make things right.” At a signing ceremony at the White House, […]

by Charles Hallman Although the Minnesota gubernatorial race is still undecided, Mark Dayton and members of his transition team listened last Sunday as faith and community leaders stressed their concerns that racial disparities in Minnesota must be seriously addressed by the next administration. ISAIAH, a group of 90 congregations from the Twin Cities and St. […]

by Charles Hallman As will likely come as no surprise to most of our readers, the current economy has caused “tremendous anxiety” for Blacks, says Minnesota U.S. Senator Al Franken. In a recent phone interview with the MSR, Franken explained, “Right now we have tremendous economic anxiety in this country, but certainly in the African […]

by Charles Hallman Committee will monitor diverse participation in contracting, workforce Construction of the new Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) headquarters is now in its beginning phase. Abatement and demolition of the former Broadway School building on West Broadway in North Minneapolis is expected to be completed before the end of the year, says MPS Equity […]

Second Black Republican says he won’t join CBC A front page story in MSR’s November 11 issue raised the question of whether or not two Black Republicans newly elected to the U.S. Congress would join the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC). The 42-member group is currently all Democratic. South Carolina’s first Black Republican congressman in over […]

By Vickie Evans-Nash Contributing Writer Route will go through community — but do the residents welcome it? On Wednesday, November 17, members of the community met at UROC (University of Minnesota: Urban Research and Outreach Center) located just off Plymouth and Penn Avenues in North Minneapolis to discuss a new addition to the North Minneapolis […]

By Charles Hallman Staff Writer Twin Cities’ storeowners participate in effort to combat obesity Ten corner stores throughout Minneapolis have launched a new city-sponsored effort to provide their customers with healthier, fresh foods. These stores — five from North Minneapolis, and five from the city’s South Side — are located in “areas where primarily low-income […]

By Charles Hallman Staff Writer Johnson contends she’s trying to provide better academic options Despite her most recent recommendations being put on hold for the time being, Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) Superintendent Bernadeia Johnson contends that her overall goal that all children succeed has not been detoured. The Minneapolis School Board last week voted 5-2 […]

News Analysis By Brandie Hill and Regetta Webber Contributing Writers We are young women who are part of WE WIN Institute’s “Women of Distinction” at Cooper High School. The program started three years ago to help African American girls help themselves be successful in school and go on to college. The program has been fantastic. […]

By Charles Hallman Staff Writer There are at least 642 children living in group homes, foster homes, residential treatment facilities and shelters in Minnesota, waiting to be adopted, Ramsey County officials estimate. “Sometimes when our children come to this building, it is not such a happy occasion,” Ramsey County Commissioner Toni Carter said last Saturday […]

By Dwight Hobbes Contributing Writer The first Thanksgiving Day feast is generally believed to have taken place in 1621 at Plymouth Colony in an area that eventually would become the state of Massachusetts. It was their second winter away from England, and the Pilgrims were not in good shape. Accounts vary: Some historical sources say they were […]

By Charles Hallman Staff Writer Ellison offers new legislation, but support uncertain The nation’s public housing system has been needing reform for several years, said the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) secretary during a Twin Cities visit last week. But just when it looked like such reform might finally take place, in comes a […]

By Charles Hallman Staff Writer Southern Poverty Law Center battles bullying of gays Bullying is a hate crime that, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), is dangerously on the rise nationwide. Hate crimes against LGBT students and those persons perceived to be gay also have been on the rise: Over 84 percent get […]