News

With middle class tax reform, budget ends era of "Robin Hood in reverse" and invests in Minnesota's future

Wednesday, 29 May 2013 13:43

Minnesota's middle class beats out big business as the winner of the 2013 legislative session for the first time in 10 years

The State of Equality and Justice in America: The presumption of guilt

Friday, 24 May 2013 14:38 Congressman John Lewis and Bryan Stevenson

After serving 42 years in an Arizona prison for a crime he didn't commit, a 58-year-old man was finally released this April. When Louis Taylor was just 16, he ventured out of his comfort zone to try a happy hour advertised by an upscale Tucson hotel, a typical foray for an adventurous teenage boy. Unfortunately, that night a fire broke out that ultimately claimed 29 lives. In that moment, Taylor stopped being typical and became extraordinary. He did not run from the danger as most people would. Instead he took responsibility. He was spotted during the crisis busily helping people escape the flames, escorting guests to safety and assisting people on stretchers.

Zimbabwe on path to regain international acceptance

Friday, 24 May 2013 14:29 George E. Curry, NNPA Editor-in-Chief

HARARE, Zimbabwe (NNPA) – With several low-key, but unmistakable gestures, the United States has signaled that it is moving toward normalizing relations with Zimbabwe, the former White minority-rule nation once known as Rhodesia.

Future USS Minnesota successfully completes sea trials

Friday, 24 May 2013 12:25 Lt. Cmdr. Jennifer Cragg, Commander, Submarine Group 2 Public Affairs

NEWPORT NEWS, Va (NNS) -- Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Minnesota (SSN 783), the nation's newest and most advanced nuclear-powered attack submarine, moored May 16 at Huntington Ingalls Industry's Newport News Shipbuilding following its successful completion of Alpha and Bravo sea trials.

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.