The 35th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Breakfast is taking place in Minneapolis on January 20, 2025, featuring Michele Norris as the keynote speaker and live entertainment from Sounds of Blackness, Threads Dance Project, and VocalEssence Singers of This Age, with proceeds going towards supporting underrepresented students pursuing higher education.
St Paul
Posted inLocal & State
The Future of Minnesota’s Marijuana Industry Amid Federal Legalization: A Delicate Balance
Minnesota’s cannabis industry is concerned about the potential impact of federal legalization, as it could lead to increased competition from established markets and threaten the state’s efforts to develop its local cannabis industry.
Posted inHigh School Basketball
Cretin-Derham Hall Stays Perfect with a Thrilling Win Over Totino-Grace
Cretin-Derham Hall defeated Totino-Grace 82-77 in a high-intensity showdown, with Tommy Ahneman scoring 25 points and grabbing 17 rebounds, and JoJo Mitchell adding 21 points and nine assists.
Posted inEvents
Experience the Magic of Ice Castles: A Frozen Wonderland Awaits in Minnesota
Ice Castles has returned to the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, offering visitors the chance to explore a world of frozen fantasy with slides, caverns, ice sculptures, and a Polar Pub, all while making memories that will last a lifetime.
Posted inLocal & State
New Year Brings Simplified and Lower Fares to Metro Transit Riders
Metro Transit has implemented fare changes as of January 1, 2025, including flat fares for non-express buses and light rail, reduced pass prices, a fare pilot for certified Metro Mobility riders, and expanded TAP program benefits, with the goal of increasing ridership and making transit more accessible and affordable.
Posted inLocal & State
Minnesota Extends Continuous Medicaid Coverage for Children Under 6
Minnesota is implementing a new policy to provide uninterrupted Medicaid coverage for eligible children under 6, aiming to eliminate gaps in healthcare coverage and reduce racial health disparities.
Posted inLocal & State
Minnesota Energy Assistance Program seeks applicants to help with winter heating costs
The Minnesota Energy Assistance Program is providing financial assistance for heating bills and system repairs to eligible households, with the average benefit being approximately $550 and some households receiving up to $1,400, and the deadline to apply for assistance for the 2024-2025 heating season is May 31, 2025.
Posted inLocal & State
Rethinking I-94: Bridging Communities, Rebuilding Connections
MnDOT is revisiting the history of Interstate 94’s construction in the 1960s by launching a Youth Leadership Program and engaging the community to ensure that the voices of communities most impacted by its original construction are at the forefront of the conversation.
Posted inHealth + Wellness
MNsure Reports New Record for Early Sign-Ups — More Time to Enroll for 2025 Health Insurance
MNsure has enrolled over 150,000 Minnesotans in health insurance plans for 2025, with many of them qualifying for financial assistance, resulting in an average savings of $561 per month.
Posted inSports
Former prep stars return to ‘give back’
Tartan High School has two former local prep stars, Angel Robinson and Trevor Mbakwe, working together as coaches and activities director, respectively, with a focus on increasing participation in high school sports.
Posted inEducation
Principal comes full circle to address educational disparities
Cherise Ayers, Principal of St. Paul Central High School, is working to eliminate educational disparities by providing students with the resources they need to thrive, and advocating for a holistic approach to addressing the challenges faced by marginalized communities.
Posted inLocal & State
Celebrity Chef Justin Sutherland Sentenced to Probation for Domestic Violence Incidents
Celebrity chef Justin Sutherland has been sentenced to probation and electronic home monitoring following domestic violence charges, with a stayed sentence of one year in jail if he fails to comply with the terms of his probation.
Posted inGiveaways
Win Tickets to See Annie Mack Live at the Landmark Center!
The Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder is giving away 5 pairs of tickets to see the incredible Annie Mack live at the historic Landmark Center in St. Paul on December 20, 2024.
Posted inLocal & State
St. Paul Mayor’s Budget Battle: Tough Choices Ahead for City Services and Police Response
St. Paul’s city council is debating a proposed $2.64 million budget reduction, including cuts to police overtime and spending on public safety, which could impact the police department’s ability to respond to emergencies and maintain public safety.
Posted inArts + Culture
Celebrate the Holidays with the Twin Cities’ Best Events
The Twin Cities offer a wide range of holiday events, from the Black Market and Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity to the Night Trains and GLOW Holiday Festival, ensuring a festive and joyful season for all.
Posted inLocal & State
New Renter’s Credit Offers Simpler Process for Renters in 2025
Starting in 2025, Minnesota renters will be able to claim the new Renter’s Credit on their Minnesota Individual Income Tax return, eliminating the need for a separate Property Tax Refund return and speeding up the process for nearly 300,000 renters.
Posted inLocal & State
YWCA St. Paul combats inequity
YWCA St. Paul is dedicated to improving the well-being of its community, focusing on racial and gender equity, and has recently partnered with Element Gym to create a comprehensive community health hub and provide childcare services, education, and health resources to Black women and their families.
Posted inSports
Sistahs dominate weekly honors
Diamond Johnson and Olivia Miles were named Women’s National Players of the Week, while Peyton Starks and Kierra Wheeler were named MIAC Women’s Basketball Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week respectively.
Posted inLocal & State
Holiday help: Free Thanksgiving meals and baskets available across the Twin Cities
Several organizations across the Twin Cities are offering free Thanksgiving meals and baskets to those in need, including the Salvation Army, the Minnesota Acts Now, and the Anoka County Brotherhood Council, among others.
Posted inPodcasts
‘Blacklight On Sports’ featuring Colin Moore
Colin Moore is an educator and high school boys basketball in the metro area. He currently serves as the head boys coach at St. Paul Johnson High School and Community and Cultural specialist in the St. Paul Public Schools. He became head coach in 2020 after spending years as an assistant to Hall of Farmer […]