News

President Barack Obama on the anniversary of the Affordable Care Act

Thursday, 04 April 2013 12:17

March 23, 2013 – Three years ago today, I signed into law the principle that in the wealthiest nation on Earth, no one should go broke just because they get sick. The Affordable Care Act will give hard-working, middle class families the health care security they deserve and protect every American from the worst insurance company abuses. Already, millions of seniors are saving $600 a year on their prescription drugs. Millions of young people have been able to stay on their family's health plan until age 26. Preventive care, like mammograms for women and wellness visits for seniors, is covered free of charge. Most importantly, for the sake of our fiscal future, the growth of health care costs is beginning to slow. In fact, last year, Medicaid costs fell for the first time in decades.

Candidates reveal priorities; explain differences

Wednesday, 03 April 2013 15:22 SHEILA REGAN, TC DAILY PLANET

The race for mayor is on, with three city council members, a former city council member, a former Hennepin Count board member and an entrepreneur (the one Republican in the mix, who notes that he is pro-gay marriage and an advocate for wind energy) all vying for Rybak's soon-to -e vacated seat. We sent questions to all the candidates, and invite you to send your questions, too. (We'll pass these along and ask candidates to answer.) Keep reading for their answers to our first round of questions.

The National United Church Ushers Association of America, Inc. held its 56th Annual "Central Region"

Wednesday, 03 April 2013 14:00

The National United Church Ushers Association of America, Inc. held its 56th Annual "Central Region" Conference in Bloomington, MN at the Doubletree By Hilton March 22-23, 2013.

White House photo of the day: President Obama talks to Rachel Robinson before screening the movie "42" at the White House

Wednesday, 03 April 2013 10:14

President Barack Obama talks with Rachel Robinson before the "42" movie screening with Robinson family members and cast and crew in the Family Theater at the White House, April 2, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) source

Panel Discussion on U.S. Drone Policy

Tuesday, 02 April 2013 18:01

WASHINGTON –Rep. Keith Ellison (MN-05) will host an open forum Wednesday, April 3, 2012, 7:00 PM CST at the University of Minnesota Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center (UROC) 2001 Plymouth Ave, N Minneapolis, MN 55411 on United States drone policy and ways to improve it.

Former N.C. Governor stands up for justice

Tuesday, 02 April 2013 09:59 Maya Rhodan Washington Correspondent

WASHINGTON (NNPA) – They were Southern governors who shared the same last name – Perdue – but took different approaches in two high-profile race-sensitive cases. Despite a direct appeal from Pope Benedict XVI, Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue did not spare Troy Davis from execution in 2011 for allegedly killing a Savannah policeman.

Olsen Fish Company

Monday, 01 April 2013 15:40 Shaina Brassard, West Broadway Coalition

Lutefisk. Pickled herring.

For those with no Scandinavian heritage, these may be curious terms, yet a mere block and a half off West Broadway on North 2nd St sits Olsen Fish Company, the world's largest lutefisk processor and producer of what many claim are the best herring products around.

Champion's drivers license bill supports immigrants

Monday, 01 April 2013 14:48

On Monday March 18th, the Senate Transportation committee passed S.F. 271. The bill, authored by Senator Bobby Joe Champion (DFL – Minneapolis), changes the documents required to receive a Minnesota Drivers License. It allows applicants to use official government identification cards from other countries that show a photo of the cardholder, unique identification number and security measures making it difficult to alter the ID to prove their identity.

Protecting children caught up in sex trade: 2011 legislature passed Safe Harbor — 2013 needs to put resources in place

Monday, 01 April 2013 14:43 SHANIKA ALSTON, TC DAILY PLANET

For years, children who have been caught in the vicious cycle of sex trafficking and prostitution were lost in the shuffle of the juvenile justice system and penalized as offenders. However, in 2011, that changed with the enactment of Minnesota's Safe Harbor legislation. Designed to protect children, Safe Harbor 2011 provides that children involved in sex trade will be protected and receive the services and support they need, rather than being treated as criminals. Human rights advocates, prosecutors, law enforcement and other social service agencies participated in a mandated stakeholder engagement process, which resulted in this effort to create a model that would protect the rights of children. The law has not been fully implemented — provision of resources is the task of this year's legislature.

NAACP continues historic association with Haiti

Monday, 01 April 2013 14:37

(Port-au Prince, Haiti) - Last week, a NAACP delegation led by Roslyn M. Brock, Chairman of the NAACP National Board of Directors, met with Haitian President Michel Martelly to discuss key civil rights issues including education, health care, and economic sustainability.

Ellison introduces Common Sense Housing Investment Act

Monday, 01 April 2013 14:30

WASHINGTON--Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) this week reintroduced the Common Sense Housing Investment Act (H.R. 6677) to make it easier for middle class and working families to be able to stay in their homes and find affordable rental housing. The bill realigns the mortgage interest deduction to better benefit families who need it most by converting the deduction to a 15% flat rate tax credit on mortgages up to $500,000. The bill strengthens the tax benefits for homeowners, while giving working families better access to rental homes.