News

Senate vote upholds rights of working families

Friday, 24 May 2013 12:20

After 11 committees and a record-setting 17-hour debate on the Senate floor last week, home care workers are celebrating a win after the Senate voted 35 – 32 to pass a bill that would extend collective bargaining rights to workers in self-directed public home care programs.

Teenager pleads guilty to killing 5-year-old, sentenced to 28 years in prison

Tuesday, 21 May 2013 15:10

Julian Anderson, the second gunman responsible for the death of Nizzel George, pleaded guilty to second-degree intentional murder Tuesday and was sentenced to 28 years in prison, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced.

White House highlights Karen Clark as a "Harvey Milk Champion of Change"

Monday, 20 May 2013 14:58

WASHINGTON, DC – On Wednesday, May 22nd, the White House will honor Karen Clark as one of ten openly LGBT elected or appointed officials who are "Harvey Milk Champions of Change." The event falls on Harvey Milk's birthday and will recognize these individuals for their commitment to equality and public service.

Chanda Smith- Baker new co-chair of African American Leadership Forum

Monday, 20 May 2013 13:51

The African American Leadership Forum (AALF) recently announced that its founder Gary Cunningham has stepped down as co-chair of the Forum. Chanda Smith-Baker, president and CEO of Pillsbury United Communities, will join the AALF leadership as its newest co-chair.

Twin Cities’ retail cleaning workers set deadline for June strike

Friday, 17 May 2013 09:59

Retail cleaning workers who work for contracted companies cleaning Target and other stores in the Twin Cities announced last week that they are set to walk off the job again if employers continue to refuse to open dialogue with them and the Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en la Lucha (CTUL), a Minneapolis workers center that has been organizing the workers for three years.

Transitions: From foster care to life on their own

Friday, 17 May 2013 09:46 Harry Colbert, Jr.

Life on one’s own is a daunting task.

It is even more daunting for young adults who have been in foster care – often bouncing from residence to residence with very little stability and no real support system of which to speak. Things most take for granted, such as establishing and maintaining a banking account or budgeting for monthly expenses, oftentimes go untaught to foster children. For some children in the foster care system, the primary concern is surviving each day, not planning for tomorrow.

Rally demands strong Homeowners’ Bill of Rights

Friday, 17 May 2013 09:28

ST. PAUL (May 15, 2013) —More than 200 Minnesotans filled the rotunda of the State Capitol urging legislators to bring a strong Homeowners’ Bill of Rights to the floors of the House and Senate for a vote before the end of the session. Community leaders from throughout Minnesota were joined by State Reps. Melissa Hortman, Raymond Dehn, John Lesch, other legislators, members of the clergy and homeowners facing foreclosure.

Rose McGee wins fight to stay in her home

Friday, 17 May 2013 08:58

McGee has been in a well-chronicled, yearlong battle with CitiMortgage to stop the foreclosure of her residence and to remain in the place she has called home for more than 20 years. That battle ended this past week when the two sides reached a settlement that will allow McGee to obtain a new mortgage on her home.

Governor signs same sex marriage bill into law; takes effect Aug. 1

Friday, 17 May 2013 08:27 Harry Colbert, Jr.

With a throng of nearly 6,000 supporters on hand at the Capitol, Gov. Mark Dayton signed into law a bill that will legalize same sex marriages in the state.

Fallen officers recognized by area law enforcement

Thursday, 16 May 2013 14:53 Harry Colbert Jr.

Officers from throughout the metro honored their fallen comrades as a part of Peace Officers Memorial Day.

In a Wednesday (May 15) ceremony inside the Minneapolis City Hall Rotunda, officers from the Minneapolis Police Department and the Hennepin County Sheriff's Department gathered to pay tribute to area officers killed in the line of duty. Minneapolis Police Chief Janee Harteau said she is thankful that two more officers would not have to be memorialized following a May 10 shooting incident that led to two officers being shot. Both officers survived the incident. This suspect was killed.

Why I serve: Racquel Russell

Wednesday, 15 May 2013 12:55 Joyce Jones, BET

It's not unusual for people at various stages in their careers to pay a few dues in the public sector, make some great contacts and then move on to more lucrative pastures. But Racquel Russell, who has worked with some of Washington's biggest power brokers – from former secretary of state Madeleine Albright to President Barack Obama – has never viewed her professional trajectory through that lens.