Saint Paul has a rich baseball history but too often is dwarfed by its so-called “twin” city across the river. But the capital city’s minor league baseball team won its division last summer and is on pace to repeat later this summer. The St. Paul Saints last week honored two native sons, David Winfield and […]
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Posted inOpinion
Prison system frustrates efforts at self-improvement
A biweekly column in which various contributors from both sides of prison walls explore common ground for effecting change. My name is Elijah Combs, and I was sentenced to 240 months of which I am to serve 160. Knowing I couldn’t sit stagnant through such a large amount of time, I was proactive in improving […]
Posted inOpinion
Blacks and Whites alike entrapped by the ‘Gatsby Curve’
In July, the Minneapolis Star Tribune ran a particularly insightful commentary by Dr. Carlisle Ford Runge. In his essay “Black or white, the poor are trapped at the bottom,” Runge, the Distinguished McKnight University Professor of Applied Economics and Law at the University of Minnesota, explores the issue of poverty across racial lines and how […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Minnesota joins national fight against antibiotic resistance
The Minnesota Department of Health’s Public Health Laboratory has been named one of seven new regional laboratories that will become part of a new national Antibiotic Resistance Laboratory Network (ARLN), according to a recent announcement by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The move gives Minnesota a key role in helping the nation […]
Posted inNews
Bus riders reach for the sky during police action
Reporter gets a personal ‘Hands Up Don’t Shoot’ experience Minneapolis Police Chief Janee Harteau announced four policy changes in her department “aimed at defusing conflicts” between officers and the public. Her new “sanctity of life” policy, when it comes to use of force, must be adhered to as much as possible, she states. Last week […]
Posted inNews
St. Paul YWCA chief sees growth ahead
New State funds create new opportunities Gaye Adams Massey accepted her appointment as chief executive officer (CEO) of the YWCA St. Paul on July 13, 2015. The St. Paul YWCA is an organization known for serving women, men and their families via several programs and services. MSR spoke with Adams Massey about her appointment one […]
Posted inArts + Culture
‘Charlie, Last Name Wilson’ — a legend with plenty more to say
The lead singer of the Gap Band, Charlie Wilson, has experienced many highs and lows in the music industry throughout the years. From having numerous number-one Billboard hits with the Gap Band, to being homeless, overcoming a drug addiction, surviving prostate cancer, rebuilding his solo career, and becoming a number-one best-selling author, Wilson has proven that […]
Posted inSports
Quinn’s staying power sees her through 10 seasons so far
For 20 weeks, to commemorate the WNBA’s 20th season (the MSR having covered each season), the MSR sports section will feature a column or article on the W in our “20 in 20” series. This week: sticking it out Noelle Quinn became a part of WNBA league history in 2007. The six-foot guard was the […]
Posted inOpinion
It’s tough to pay 21st century rent on 20th century wages
The latest turn in the fight for a $15 minimum wage in Minneapolis shows the absurdity of capitalism. Minneapolis City Attorney Susan Segal said the “advocates’ ballot petition does not meet legal requirements,” making the wage petition “invalid.” She advises the city council and the mayor to reject it. Yet Segal, with all her professional […]
Posted inOpinion
Black Lives Matter and the power elite
Racial tensions are very high in the U.S. today. The Black community is angry, hurt and in pain because the frequent killing of Blacks by police officers is evidence to Black people that their lives are not respected or valued by White American society. The Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement grew out of this reality […]
Posted inOpinion
Homicides and organ harvesting: A pattern and practice, but is it ethical?
Several years ago I raised a question in this column about the patterns and practices of organ harvesting of African Americans. Too many know too little about surgically procuring organs and tissues for re-use in another body. Although legal and heavily regulated, it is still seriously debated. The column we wrote was about a young […]
Posted inGo Green
It’s time to rethink your recycling routine
Do you recycle everywhere you can at home? It may be time to refresh your laundry room, revamp your bathroom or rethink your home office by adding a bin, bag or basket to collect recycling. About half of home recyclables never make it to the recycling bin. We do well recycling kitchen items, but our […]
Posted inObituaries
Carrie Hoffman Wallace
Carrie Hoffman Wallace February 5, 1921 — June 26, 2016 Live for today, for tomorrow is not promised — Carrie Hoffman Wallace That was the motto that Carrie lived by. Carrie was born in Fergus Falls, MN and was raised in Minneapolis by John and Hattie Hoffman. Carrie was married to Robert Wallace (deceased) and they […]
Posted inNews
First Friday salutes educators improving outcomes for students of color
Just before the school year begins, the August First Friday Event honored educators, two people who make children’s school days more enjoyable as they gain knowledge and reach educational standards. This month, Michael Zeke Walker and LaTanya Daniels were the honored “Faces of the Month.” For the past two years, Michael Zeke Walker has been […]
Posted inSister Spokesman Highlights
PHOTOS & VIDEO Highlights| Legacy Boat Cruise 2016 set sail in style
The weather was postcard-perfect for the second annual Legacy Boat Cruise, Saturday, August 6.
Posted inPhoto Galleries
PHOTOS| MAD DADs celebrates fathers and families in North Minneapolis
On Saturday, August 13, during the 26th annual celebration of the Minnesota Festival for Fathers & Families, five-year-old Azariah Hillard and her mother Jennifer Ward were all smiles after winning a brand new bicycle. The event included free food, face painting, and live musical performances along with a variety of vendor tables. The event was […]
Posted inNews
Actress Lynn Whitfield stumps in Mpls for Clinton
Is the Democratic Party taking the Black vote for granted? No way, say local party officials. “The Clintons have never taken the Black vote for granted,” stated Minnesota DFL Committee Chair Ken Martin on former U.S. president Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary Clinton, the 2016 Democratic president candidate. “They are connected with the community […]
Posted inNews
St. Paul and Saints honor Dave Winfield
David Winfield has received numerous honors and awards during his adult life: All-American. College World Series MVP. Multiple major league all-star. World Series champion. Hall of Fame. “I always thank the coaches that helped me, that helped mold and shape who I am, along with the game,” said Winfield last week before the August 11 […]
Posted inArts + Culture
Berlin wasn’t just Jesse Owens’ Olympics
Gymnast Simone Biles. Swimmer Simone Manuel. Shot putter Michelle Carter. All three won gold medals at the Rio 2016 Olympics in sports not typically associated with Black American athletes. Eighty years ago, a grand total of two Black American women athletes, Tidye Pickett and Louise Stokes, both in track and field, traveled to the 1936 […]
Posted inSports
A chat with actor and Saints co-owner Bill Murray — from baseball to films
First of two parts This reporter learned a lesson recently during an unscheduled interview with actor Bill Murray: expect to laugh. “You’re one of those serious ones,” observed Murray as we chatted during the August 2 American Association All-Star Game at the St. Paul downtown ballpark. His perceptiveness was uncanny. He and Mike Veeck co-own […]