Stage lights glowed warmly over the 825 Arts theater as longtime residents, former staff, and supporters gathered to mark a milestone few community organizations achieve: 45 years of the Aurora St. Anthony Neighborhood Development Corporation (ASANDC). The evening was both a reunion and a call to action, a celebration of endurance amid decades of change […]
St. Paul
Posted inNews
McCoy creating her own legacy
She might be the best kept secret in the state of Minnesota. There is a student athlete in St. Paul, part of a very accomplished family, who is quietly making a name for herself. Ma’Lon McCoy, a student athlete at St. Agnes High School in St. Paul, has not only developed into one of the […]
Posted inPolitics
Trump administration sues Minnesota over immigration stance
The U.S. Department of Justice has sued Minnesota, Hennepin County, Minneapolis, and St. Paul over so-called sanctuary policies, alleging they obstruct federal immigration enforcement. Attorney General Keith Ellison and local leaders call the suit an overreach and say community trust and public safety come first.
Posted inCommunity Voices
Ujamaa Place helps Black men achieve holistic wellness
Ujamaa Place guides young African American men through a culturally grounded Theory of Transformation. Participants receive individualized coaching, mental health support, fitness and nutrition, and access to 37+ services that lead to housing, education, work, strong family ties, and no justice-system involvement. A digital music program with Walker West Music deepens healing and connection.
Posted inThe Prep Scene
Combs inducted into Harding Hall of Fame
St. Paul legend Henry Combs was inducted into the Harding High School Hall of Fame. The longtime Breeze coach and mentor to athletes like Juriad Hughes Jr. and Sade Pollard was also honored with a city Henry Combs Day.
Posted inFinances FYI
Best side jobs in Minneapolis – And how to manage your side job money
Discover the best side hustles in Minneapolis, from freelancing and fitness coaching to rideshare, tutoring, reselling, and pet care. Get tax, budgeting, and growth tips to keep your hustle sustainable.
Posted inArts + Culture
FilmNorth opens new St. Paul media center
FilmNorth’s new media center opens in St. Paul on July 19, offering education, production space, and accessible resources for diverse artists and creators.
Posted inOdds and Ends
Woldeslassie leaves Mac for Denver
Abe Woldeslassie, a Macalester College grad who came back to coach the men’s basketball team for seven seasons, has resigned to take an assistant coaching position at Division I University of Denver.
Posted inLocal & State
Minnesota Finalizes Cannabis Market Rules, Paving Way for Business Licensing
The Office of Cannabis Management has officially published the final rules for Minnesota’s adult-use cannabis market, allowing the state to begin issuing business licenses to qualified applicants.
Posted inHealth + Wellness
MN Legislature weighs pros and cons of medical debt relief
Minnesota lawmakers have introduced the Medical Debt Reset Act, setting aside $5 million to help the nonprofit Undue forgive up to $500 million in medical debt, with the goal of providing financial relief to Minnesotans with a household income at or below 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Posted inEvents
St. Paul Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates culture, friendship, and springtime beauty
The St. Paul Cherry Blossom Festival is a free, family-friendly event that honors the friendship between St. Paul and Nagasaki, Japan, and celebrates the beauty of spring through the symbolic cherry blossoms.
Posted inEducation
Children’s books author, publisher has found her calling
Minnesota author and entrepreneur Crystal L. Stein captivated young readers and families with a unique multisensory storytelling event featuring readings from her “Echoes of Excellence” collection, which highlights historically overlooked composers and artists of color such as Florence Price, George Bridgetower, and Winifred Atwell.
Posted inWomen’s History Month
Dr. Josie R. Johnson: A legacy of activism and education
Dr. Josie R. Johnson has dedicated her life to education, civil rights, and social justice, earning numerous awards and recognition for her contributions to the movement, including a University of Minnesota award and a Minnesota Secretary of State’s award.
Posted inEvents
Twin Cities Jazz Festival announces 2025 headliners
The Twin Cities Jazz Festival will return to Saint Paul’s Lowertown Arts District on June 20-21, 2025, with performances by the Emmet Cohen Trio with special guests The Four Freshmen, Doreen Ketchens, and Catherine Russell and Sean Mason.
Posted inEvents, MSR In the News, Women’s History Month
Honoring Minnesota’s women history makers at 1MN History Makers event
Tracey Williams-Dillard, CEO and publisher of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, will be a featured panelist at 1MN History Makers: Women’s History Month, sharing her experiences in leadership, media, and community empowerment.
Posted inCommunity Voices
MN’s racial disparities best addressed through financial stability, home ownership
CAPI USA, a nonprofit organization in Brooklyn Center, is working to address racial disparities in homeownership in Minnesota by providing financial counseling, homeownership education, and advocating for policies and initiatives that promote equitable access to homeownership.
Posted inLocal & State
Food insecurity on the rise in Minnesota
House Republicans have passed a budget proposal that threatens to cut $230 billion from federal farm and nutrition programs, including SNAP, which could have devastating effects on Minnesota’s food insecurity crisis, already at a critical point with one in five families in the state struggling with food insecurity.
Posted inBlack History
Black labor has been foundational to Minnesota’s growth
Black labor has been instrumental in building industries and communities in Minnesota, and their contributions have been recognized as a critical part of the state’s growth, with a labor force participation rate of 70.5% in 2021, exceeding the state’s white labor participation rate of 67.2%.
Posted inArtists
Art Meets Energy: “Everyone’s a Critic” Brings Live Art to Life
Everyone’s a Critic, the first live art critique event in Minneapolis, challenges artists and audiences alike to engage in a dynamic, interactive experience, redefining how we think about art.
Posted inEvents
Donnell Rawlings: A Night of Laughter and Legacy
Donnell Rawlings, a comedic genius known for his roles in Chappelle’s Show, The Wire, and Pixar’s Soul, will be bringing his stand-up comedy to The Parkway on February 15, 2025, for a night of laughter and reflection.