Reflections on the year that was 2021.
George Floyd
Posted inOpinion
Jury verdicts reflect influence of Black Lives Matter
The Black Lives Matter Movement has had a positive effect in shaping public and private attitudes and actions.
Posted inFeatured, Local & State, National, News
Chauvin pleads guilty in federal court to violating George Floyd’s civil rights
In a federal courthouse in St. Paul on Wednesday, Derek Chauvin pleaded guilty to brutally treating people under his custody in 2017 and 2020.
Posted inNational, News
Derek Chauvin to change plea in federal civil rights case for George Floyd murder
Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin plans to change his not guilty plea in the federal case charging that he used his power of authority to violate George Floyd’s civil rights.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Potter trial: Daunte Wright’s mother testifies; longer bodycam video played
Daunte Wright’s mother Katie Ann Bryant testified in the trial of Kimberly Potter, who is accused of killing her son in a tragic accident.
Posted inNews
Potter trial: four jurors seated
Kim Potter, a former police officer in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, is on trial for shooting and killing 20-year-old Daunte Wright during a traffic stop, with four jurors seated and the jury expected to be complete by Friday.
Posted inFeatured, Local & State, News
Corporations fail to honor pledges to Black media
‘They don’t care enough about our community to be honest about it, and they know that nobody’s going to call them out on it.’
Posted inOpinion
Why the Mpls effort at police reform failed
The vote should not be seen as evidence that Minneapolis residents are content with city policing
Posted inArts + Culture, Featured
Normandale College hosts journalists, artists inspired by George Floyd uprising
Normandale Community College Art Gallery’s ‘Freedom of the Press’ exhibit featuring independent journalist Georgia Fort runs until November 12.
Posted inFeatured, Local & State, News
Frey, Carter win reelection; Mpls. voters reject measure to replace police department (updated)
The measure to replace the MPD with a public safety department was ultimately rejected by voters by a 56-44% vote.
Posted inFeatured, National, News
More guns, pandemic stress, and a police legitimacy crisis created a homicide spike in 2020
Homicide rates in the U.S. spikes by almost 30% in 2020 according to FBI figures.
Posted inNational, News
No one charged in shotgun killing
‘I think this guy should’ve been charged because it was overkill for him to shoot my son multiple times with a shotgun when he wasn’t a threat to him.’
Posted inLocal & State, News
MN Legislature fails to deliver significant police reform
Last year, legislators passed some police reforms measures after the murder of George Floyd, but much of the police reform has not lasted.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Local legal expert and activist respond to Chauvin verdict
‘From a legal perspective, my prediction was 15 to 20 years…’
Posted inLocal & State
Chauvin’s sentencing not surprising, but there were unexpected, troubling moments
Judge Peter Cahill sentenced Derek Chauvin to 270 months in prison for the murder of George Floyd, citing aggravating factors of abuse of position of trust and infliction of particular cruelty.
Posted inFeatured, Opinion
WORD ON THE STREET | Reflections on the Chauvin sentence
After the sentence was handed down, the MSR took to the streets and asked community members: What are your thoughts on the Chauvin sentencing?
Posted inLocal & State
AG Ellison: ‘We must end the cycle of inaction and act for accountability and justice’
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison delivered a statement urging lawmakers, law enforcement, prosecutors, and community to act in order to ensure accountability and justice in the case of Derek Chauvin’s conviction for the death of George Floyd.
Posted inFeatured, Local & State, National, News
Derek Chauvin sentenced to 22.5 years in prison for the murder of George Floyd
Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has been sentenced to serve 22.5 years in prison for the murder and manslaughter of George Perry Floyd, Jr.
Posted inUncategorized
WATCH: Derek Chauvin sentencing for the murder of George Floyd
Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin will be sentenced in court today at 1:30 pm for the murder of George Floyd.
Posted inFeatured, Local & State, National, News
MSR exclusive: an interview with Jerry Blackwell
The MSR recently had the opportunity to chat with attorney Jerry Blackwell, a key member of the State’s prosecution team against Derek Chauvin.