A protest at Minneapolis City Hall on July 22 condemned MPD’s promotion of Sgt. Mark Hanneman, who fatally shot Amir Locke during a 2022 no-knock raid. Activists and community leaders say the decision erodes public trust and demands urgent accountability.
Jacob Frey
Posted inLocal & State
Cop who killed Amir Locke now teaching use-of-force tactics
Civil rights leader Nekima Levy Armstrong is demanding the removal of Sgt. Mark Hanneman from his MPD training role. Hanneman fatally shot Amir Locke during a no-knock raid in 2022.
Posted inLocal & State
Federal judge dismisses MPD consent decree
A federal judge dismissed the MPD federal consent decree, halting federal oversight of police reforms. Minneapolis officials say they will continue with the full slate of reforms despite the ruling.
Posted inLocal & State
MN DFL accused of racial discrimination
Brenda Short has filed a lawsuit accusing the Minnesota DFL of racial discrimination, exclusion of candidates of color, and procedural misconduct in the 2025 election cycle.
Posted inGeorge Floyd Square
Five years later, George Floyd Square still mired in controversy
Minneapolis City Council is considering a Pedestrian Plan that would restrict vehicle access to George Floyd Square, while Mayor Jacob Frey favors allowing traffic access and restoring Metro D Line and Route 5 transit services.
Posted inLocal & State
Mpls votes for repeal of Alien Enemies Act
Minneapolis has passed a resolution supporting the repeal of the Alien Enemies Act, a law used during World War II to detain Japanese, German, and Italian Americans without due process, and is the first U.S. city to do so.
Posted inNews
Minnesota leaders battle Trump order to end birthright citizenship
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has joined civil rights groups and community leaders to oppose President Donald Trump’s executive order to end birthright citizenship, a long-standing guarantee under the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
Posted inLocal & State
City, DOJ agree to police reforms
The Minneapolis City Council voted unanimously to enter into a sweeping agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice to overhaul racist policing practices, with the final terms resulting from a DOJ investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department.
Posted inNews
MSR wraps up a milestone year with thanks to our readers
The MSR, the oldest Black-owned newspaper in Minnesota and one of the longest-running family-owned newspapers in the United States, celebrates its 90th anniversary in 2024, reflecting the rich tapestry of Black life and advocating for equality and opportunity for all.
Posted inLocal & State
Omar Fateh, first Somali-Muslim American in Minnesota Senate, runs for mayor of Minneapolis
Omar Fateh, the first Somali-Muslim American in the Minnesota Senate, has announced his candidacy for the 2025 Minneapolis mayoral election, citing the re-election of Donald Trump as a reason for his decision.
Posted inGeorge Floyd Square
Council nixes city plan for George Floyd Square
The City Council voted to refer back to committee the city’s recommended proposal for George Floyd Square, opting for a pedestrian plaza open only to emergency vehicles and local traffic, in order to address community concerns.
Posted inLocal & State
Activists demand action, not apologies from police in racist shooting
Nekima Levy Armstrong and other activists are demanding the firing of Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara and an independent investigation into the shooting of Davis Moturi, as they believe the police department failed to protect him.
Posted inNews
MSR receives Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce Legacy Award
The Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 20th anniversary with a fundraising gala, featuring speeches from elected officials.
Posted inPhoto Galleries
PHOTOS: A successful night out on the town—Sanneh Foundation Gala delivers
The Sanneh Foundation hosted the 4Goals Gala to celebrate the incredible work done by the organization in empowering youth through education.
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 inNational, News
What should be the focus of Early Intervention? Police wellness or accountability?
The Minneapolis City Council voted in early October to accept a $500,000 grant that would fund an early intervention system intended to identify at-risk police officers before misconduct occurs.Â
Posted inFeatured, Local & State, News
Mayor Frey to nominate Bryan Tyner to lead Minneapolis Fire Department
Assistant Chief Bryan Tyner could become the department’s second Black Fire Chief.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Mississippi removes Confederate emblem from flag; Frey says he’s for reparations; protesters hit by drivers
A smattering of news bits that may have missed your radar
Posted inLocal & State, News
Frey, Arradondo, and MN mayors call on legislators to fix arbitration process for law enforcement
Group underscores the urgency of addressing arbitrators’ authority and allowing local government to effectively shift police culture and enhance accountability.
Posted inFeatured, Local & State, National, News
‘We don’t know these folks’: Leaders say majority of destruction not caused by Minnesotans
‘These people have brought more destruction and more terror to Minnesota than anybody in our history.’