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The lion’s historian: Five questions with local author Rosemond Owens
Rosemond Sarpong Owens has held a number of titles throughout her career: President, director, interpreter, author, faculty member — and now “lion’s historian.” Owens, an Eagan resident, says the moniker is inspired by author Chinua Achebe: “Until the lions have their own historian, the tale of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.” It’s the […]
Politics and the State Fair bring voters to booths to meet candidates, lawmakers
Volunteer J.P. Barone of White Bear Lake cheerfully greeted visitors who stopped by the Minnesota DFL gazebo at the State Fair, offering to snap pictures for them in front of cardboard cutouts of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Barone, who has volunteered at the booth in past years, remarked on the light […]
GOP state senator convenes private meeting to discuss female attire in Minnesota Senate
A bipartisan group of female state senators met last week on Zoom to discuss the attire of women in the Minnesota Senate, a DFL lawmaker confirmed, raising the prospect of a dress code a decade after a previous effort was scuttled. Led by Sen. Mary Kiffmeyer, R-Big Lake, the group includes Sen. Julie Rosen, R-Fairmont, […]
‘We can’t just walk away’: Line 3 is almost done, but opponents aren’t giving up
A cloud of road dust obscured the group outside the Enbridge pump station. Backlit by the wavering early morning sun, they held a prayer before moving into action. The only witness: A crude, wooden-rifle-clutching dummy propped up next to signs reading “Minnesotans for Line 3” and “No trespassing — I own firearms and a backhoe.” A […]
They came to swing hammers. We came to talk housing policy.
A bipartisan group of Legislators tried out swinging hammers and working drills for a morning with Habitat for Humanity on Tuesday in St. Paul. Chris Coleman, CEO and president of the Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, said the event was meant to bring lawmakers together to show what they have in common: housing for families. […]
Minnesota’s housing market frenzy, in five charts
At the height of the housing market frenzy in Minnesota this spring, stories abounded of homes purchased sight unseen, cash offers thousands above asking price and personal appeals to sellers from desperate buyers. While there are some signs the market is slowing down as the summer goes on, it’s still a competitive one. Buyers are […]
Minneapolis City Council members accuse mayor of skirting law with Agape contract
Several Minneapolis City Council members accused Mayor Jacob Frey of misusing his pandemic emergency powers to approve a $359,000 contract with Agape Movement to try to reopen the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue, which has been a semi-autonomous zone controlled by activists since George Floyd was murdered there last May. The council also […]
Voices of the 5th Congressional District on primary day
At most polling places, the scene Tuesday was marked by a quiet determination to get in and get out in the least time possible. But at the Coyle Community Center across the street from Cedar-Riverside apartments, it was like an Election Day celebration. Groups of people were singing, chanting, smiling and laughing while holding campaign […]
Major public infrastructure bill falters in final hours of legislative session
The Minnesota House and Senate adjourned sine die at midnight Monday without reaching agreement on a major public infrastructure package, putting off the legislation until at least next month when lawmakers expect to return in a special session to continue to deal with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite a flurry of negotiations, legislative […]
Minneapolis’ racial disparities in home ownership worst in nation, report says
Minneapolis has the largest gap between Black and non-Black home ownership rates in the United States, according to an analysis released this week by Zillow. Although the national Black home ownership rate grew in 2019 after reaching a 50-year low the year before, racial disparities still persist across much of the U.S. In Minneapolis, the […]