As WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert prepares to retire, Black women dominate the shortlist of possible successors. Sports columnist Charles Hallman makes the case for why the league’s next leader should be a Black woman.
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Posted inLocal & State
Hennepin County secures grant renewal to expand youth mental health stabilization services
Hennepin County’s Family Response and Stabilization Services receives a major 4-year grant renewal after helping families navigate mental health crises.
Posted inEvents
Flickr announces MODE 2026 photography Festival in downtown Minneapolis
Flickr is bringing MODE Festival to downtown Minneapolis from Sept. 18–20, transforming public spaces into a live hub for visual artists, music lovers, and creators.
Posted inNews
Impacted families to march for annual demonstration against police violence
The 6th Annual March for All Impacted Families brings together surviving relatives, local organizers, and national voices to honor individuals who have lost their lives to law enforcement and corrections.
Posted inBusiness
Voting opens for 6th annual Black Business Ball Awards
Public voting is officially open for the 6th Annual Black Business Ball Awards, where every vote supports micro-grants for local Black business owners.
Posted inNational
Looking back at 9/11: How the MSR centered Black perspectives and Civil Rights in 2001
As the nation marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11, MSR looks back at our archives to reveal how our reporting prioritized civil rights, anti-war analysis, and local community care during a historic tragedy.
Posted inEvents
Cedarfest returns to the West Bank for Minneapolis Welcoming Week: Here’s what to know
Open Streets Cedarfest takes over Cedar-Riverside on Sept. 13 with live music, 20+ vendors, and free transit passes as Minneapolis kicks off Welcoming Week.
Posted inOpinion
Tomorrow is today: Why the past keeps returning
Sixty-three years after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. declared his dream on the National Mall, thousands returned to defend ground already won. Dr. Sharon M. Holder breaks down why democracy requires constant vigilance and why “the fierce urgency of now” is a mandate for our generation.
Posted inSports
U.S. Open Influencers spark backlash over ring lights, filming as Gauff and Osaka speak out
Tournament expands creator access as viral disruptions prompt new reminders about tennis etiquette The U.S. Open’s effort to bring more social media creators into one of tennis’ biggest events is generating plenty of attention, just not always for what is happening on the court. The tournament nearly doubled its official content creator program this year, […]
Posted inOpinion
Who gets to explain racism to Black people?
Target’s recent removal of an offensive Halloween costume raised a urgent question: How did it reach store shelves in the first place? Civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong explains why intent doesn’t excuse corporate missteps, how rolling back DEI creates blind spots, and why Black communities refuse to let outside voices explain away racial harm.
Posted inArts + Culture
Southside Back In The Day photo gallery
The South Side Back In The Day celebration reunited long-time residents and welcomed new faces for an afternoon of culture, connection and celebration. Take a look at MSR’s photo gallery to see how the community showed up.
Posted inHealth + Wellness
NorthPoint CEO Kimberly Spates puts patients at the center of care
NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center CEO Kimberly Spates is doubling down on community-driven care, expanding youth mental health support, and creating “One NorthPoint” as new federal laws challenge healthcare access.
Posted inAnother View
UST’s full-speed climb to Division I
Pushed out of Division III for being too dominant, the University of St. Thomas fast-tracked its way to full Division I status. As national exposure grows, MSR examines the numbers behind the program’s athletic success and its diversity efforts.
Posted inOpinion
Making November 3rd the true No Kings Day
Millions marched against executive overreach, but street protests alone won’t change policy. National columnist Dr. John E. Warren breaks down why ballot box action on Nov. 3 is the ultimate key to true accountability.
Posted inBusiness
Why Black-owned businesses can’t afford to be invisible to AI
Traditional search is changing fast. If your business isn’t optimized for AI discovery, you could be losing customers before they even find your homepage.
Posted inLocal & State
St. Paul council to vote on $200,000 federal grant for drone program
The St. Paul City Council prepares to vote on a $200,000 federal grant to expand its police drone program, spurring intense debate over civil rights, library cuts, and surveillance.
Posted inLocal & State
Fight for incarcerated Minnesotans’ protections carries high stakes for Black community
Despite legislative stalemates on pre-trial data collection and cash bail reform, Minnesota advocates push forward to address systemic racial disparities and expand healthcare access for incarcerated individuals.
Posted inBlack Business Spotlight
$INZU founder marks five years modernizing Ankara fashion
Temilola Okunola started her fashion brand $INZU at 19 with no roadmap. Five years later, she’s modernizing Ankara style, expanding to the Mall of America, and proving that faith and consistency pay off.
Posted inFinance
Saving for college without sacrificing your financial future
Paying for college is a major goal, but it shouldn’t cost you your nest egg. Financial expert Al Riddick breaks down how parents can build smart college funds while keeping their own retirement fully secure.
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Black Americans have doubts about the U.S. food system, new Word In Black survey finds
A new Word In Black report reveals that over 60% of Black Americans don’t trust the safety of their food, while soaring costs push families toward cheaper, less nutritious options.