News

Ellison Health Care Reform legislation ties insurance costs to patient care

Monday, 15 June 2009 12:44

Keith Ellison (D-MN5) this week introduced health care legislation in anticipation of upcoming Congressional action on health care reform. Ellison’s The Good Care Act of 2009 requires that all health plans participating in the proposed “health insurance exchange” spend a minimum of 90% of the health care premiums they charge on health care services for their patients.

Metropolitan Council approves more projects for stimulus funding

Monday, 15 June 2009 12:38

ST. PAUL—June 10, 2009--The Metropolitan Council today approved more metro area transportation projects for federal stimulus funding. The Council action marks the final allocation of about $250 million in stimulus funding for transportation projects in the metro area. An additional $70.6 million has been targeted for transit.

U.S. Representative Betty McCollum and Bremer Bank announce new funds to aid foreclosure recovery efforts

Wednesday, 10 June 2009 14:58

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN) announced last week $250,000 will be distributed by Bremer Bank in the Minneapolis and St. Paul area to assist low-income homebuyers. These funds are part of the Urban First-time Homebuyer Fund of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines. These dollars are part of more than $123 million in funding that Bremer has received from FHLB Des Moines during its long-term partnership.

Dance group uses DMC’s song “I’m Legit” to shed light on open records in Minnesota

Friday, 29 May 2009 14:56 Michelle K. Johnson, M. A.

Open records legislation is a national movement by members of the adoption community to grant access to original birth certificates and agency records to adoptees. Currently, when adoptions are finalized, the original birth records are sealed, including the birth certificate naming birth parents.

Attorney General Holder pledges full support for civil rights

Thursday, 28 May 2009 14:23 James Wright, Special to the NNPA from the Afro-American Newspapers

WASHINGTON (NNPA) - U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has pledged to enforce the nation’s civil rights laws, saying that while the country has made significant progress in race relations, a lot more needs to be done.

In economic crisis: Black church memberships increase while offerings decrease

Wednesday, 27 May 2009 14:18

WASHINGTON (NNPA) – The doors of the historic Black Church, a fortress of healing from social pain, have opened even wider during the economic crisis. But, as church membership increases across the nation, offerings are decreasing, causing even houses of faith to make difficult decisions, pastors say.

Jacqueline Carlisle, Executive Director, NID Housing Counseling Agency

Wednesday, 20 May 2009 14:54

(AANEWSWIRE) OAKLAND, CA---In response to the threat of millions of additional homeowners losing their homes due to foreclosure, a national African American agency, working in partnership with the Obama administration, is offering free counseling in cities throughout the country.

Pawlenty strikes again: His favorite target; the poor

Tuesday, 19 May 2009 15:11

State Rep. Bobby Joe Champion (DFL-Minneapolis) today said Governor Pawlenty’s veto of the General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC) program has a negative impact on Hennepin County Medical Center and Minnesotans served by HCMC.

Human rights monitor

Friday, 15 May 2009 14:35

Sri Lanka - More than 400 people were killed and over 1,000 injured over the weekend in what the UN has described as a bloodbath. The UN estimates that about 50,000 civilians are trapped by the conflict, in a three-sq-km strip of land. Most of this area has been designated by the government as a safe zone which will not be attacked by air or by heavy weapons. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said on Monday he was appalled by the killings and called for an immediate halt to the fighting.

Champion’s "Ban the Box" bill signed into law

Wednesday, 13 May 2009 13:03

State Representative Bobby Champion’s bill addressing employment barriers to people who have criminal records was signed into law this Monday, May 11th by Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty. The public safety policy omnibus bill, House File 1301, features two provisions that begin to address the growing problem of individuals with criminal records finding employment.

Kenyan Independence War vets renew torture suit

Wednesday, 13 May 2009 12:58 GIN

May 12 (GIN) – Lawyers for five veterans of Kenya’s independence war are preparing a claim against the British army for alleged atrocities by UK soldiers, including castration, sexual abuse and unlawful detention.