News

Gay marriage issue threatens a split in major civil rights organization

Friday, 24 July 2009 11:49

(Taylor Media Services) Civil Rights Movement icon Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led a group of Black activists who founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1959. Even after King’s assassination in 1968, the SCLC remained one of the nation’s leading civil rights organizations. But now the group’s cohesion is under threat. The issue which could potentially split the organization is same-sex marriage.

Is MN hit by 2 x 4 in housing market?

Wednesday, 22 July 2009 17:09

MINNEAPOLIS - Minnesota's housing market is not on stable ground. Even as rents stabilize and foreclosure rates decline, both renters and homeowners continue to fall behind on their house payments, according to the "2 x 4 Housing Report" released by the Minnesota Housing Partnership (MHP). MHP Executive Director Chip Halbach says the steady increase in Minnesota's unemployment rate is putting a lot of heat on families. "Times are too challenging, and too many good people have lost income and need this basic level of support. "

Proposals toughen airline safety rules included in FAA Reauthorization Bill

Tuesday, 21 July 2009 15:50

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar secured two amendments to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization bill that passed the Senate Commerce Committee today. The first amendment will improve airline safety by enhancing transparency and accountability in the FAA’s safety review process. Klobuchar’s second provision will provide additional oversight to the Air Traffic Control Modernization Board that will oversee the FAA’s transition to NextGen – 21st century technology to increase efficiency in tracking flights and improving safety for consumers.

McCollum & Oakdale Mayor Carmen Sarrack announce $400,000 for energy efficiency upgrades

Tuesday, 21 July 2009 15:38

Washington, DC – At the request of the Oakdale Mayor and City Council, Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) has secured $400,000 for energy efficiency upgrades for the city in the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 (H.R. 3183), which was recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. The U.S. Senate is slated to vote on their appropriations bill in the coming weeks.

HIRE files Missing Persons Report at MnDOT

Tuesday, 21 July 2009 15:34

HIRE Minnesota will be serving a Missing Persons Report to the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) at 11:45 am – 1 pm Thursday to remind the agency that women and people of color are missing from highway construction sites around our state. A delegation from HIRE Minnesota will rally outside the MnDOT headquarters, 395 John Ireland Boulevard, St. Paul, MN 55155 and proceed inside to serve the missing persons report to MnDOT Commissioner Thomas Sorel. The group will meet in front of the MnDOT building, or in the cafeteria in the event of rain.

Commerce and Agriculture Departments explain broadband grant and loan resources

Tuesday, 21 July 2009 15:21

MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL -- The Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) met in St. Paul in the eighth of ten public workshops designed to help prospective grantees apply for $4 billion in broadband grants and loans under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Today's forum followed Vice President Biden's announcement earlier this month of the availability of $4 billion in Recovery Act loans and grants to help bring broadband service to unserved and underserved communities across America. This is the first round of funding aimed at expanding broadband access to help bridge the technological divide and create jobs building out Internet infrastructure.

Feds fund Hennepin County project

Tuesday, 21 July 2009 14:45

Washington, D.C. – US Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) secured another two major appropriations for the Fifth District - $500,000 to help develop a new transit hub in downtown Minneapolis and $250,000 to begin planning for the Bottineau Transitway, a new light rail line between downtown Minneapolis and the Northwest Suburbs.

The world celebrates as Mandela turns 91

Tuesday, 21 July 2009 14:36 James Wright, Special to the NNPA from the Afro-American Newspapers

(NNPA) - Nelson Mandela, the political activist imprisoned 27 years for fighting against apartheid South Africa before becoming the first Black president of that country, was honored throughout the world July 18 on the occasion of his 91st birthday. There were concerts and works of community service in honor of Mandela, as well as a push by his foundation to mark his birthday as a worldwide day of observance.

Timberwolves acquire Quentin Richardson from Clippers

Tuesday, 21 July 2009 14:33

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has traded Mark Madsen, Craig Smith and Sebastian Telfair to the L.A. Clippers in exchange for 6-6 guard/forward Quentin Richardson.

African-American lawmakers co-sponsor new Foreign Aid Reform Bill

Tuesday, 21 July 2009 14:20

Washington, DC, July 20, 2009 -Rev. David Beckmann, president, Bread for the World, is pleased to see a growing list of co-sponsors for the Initiating Foreign Assistance Reform Act of 2009 (H.R. 2139). Presently, the bill has 81 congressional co-sponsors, including 14 African American members.

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport launches re-designed web site

Monday, 20 July 2009 16:07

MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL – The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) is pleased to announce the launch of its re-designed web site at www.mspairport.com. The new site features a fresh, friendly design, new airport terminal and campus maps, a flight information look-up function, and a more intuitive navigation scheme.