It’s a new day in Somalia. That’s the message I took away from a trip to the capital city of Mogadishu earlier this year. We have our best opportunity in more than two decades to help stabilize Somalia and advance U.S. national security interests — but only if we act quickly.

The improved security situation has filled Mogadishu with new life. Somalis can once again play music and dance, activities banned by terrorist group Al-Shabab, which until recently controlled much of the country. Crowds of people fill the streets, socializing and shopping.

I want to thank all of you for coming here today on behalf of this city's young people. I want to thank you for your commitment to their safety, their wellbeing, and their God-given potential. And I know that many of you aren't new to this work. For years, you have been sponsoring sports leagues, afterschool programs, summer jobs and more.

So you in this room know firsthand the impact that we can have when this city truly invests in our children. And that's something I know from my own experience, which is why it was so important for me to be here today.

I'm here today because Chicago is my home. I was born and raised here. I built my career here. Several of my bosses are here -- former bosses are here. I met and married the love of my life here. I raised my children here, who, by the way, still refer to Chicago as home. They believe it gives them a little more credibility.

The Saint Paul Public Housing Agency (PHA) will mark the beginning of a multi-million dollar upgrade of its Dunedin Terrace public housing development. The 88 rental units in 22 four-plex townhomes were originally built for low income families in 1964, along with the adjacent Dunedin Hi-Rise for elderly residents. Saint Paul Public Housing Agency (PHA) announces the Modernization of its Dunedin Terrace Family Development on Thursday, April 11, 2013 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM (Program at 9:30 AM) at 469 Ada Street, Dunedin Terrace, St. Paul, MN 55107 (north of Cesar Chavez Street, between Highway 52 and Robert Street.)

Despite a slow start, he recently ramped up his appointments of women and minorities.

Growing numbers of Twin Cities young adults are not prepared for the modern workforce and ill-prepared relative to mastery of basic skills; they lack a defined career path, and do not possess the range of skills that employers require. For far too many of these young adults, in the absence of a career and life plan, mentoring and coaching, they succumb to the lure of the streets and become sucked into the pipeline to prison. We have seen these young people in our communities and in our families. This is my wife's younger brother, this is my young cousin, this is the young brother hanging at the corner store, these are the young men and women we care about who need a pathway to success.

Event includes evening performances and daytime student workshop honoring Memphis Soul Sound

Close to 50 community members rallied in support of Rose McGee as she faced off against Fannie Mae in settlement court alleging wrongful foreclosure.

James Edward Christopher was born in Minneapolis, on Jan. 2, 1926. Christopher is preceded in death by his parents; George and Bertha Christopher, his four siblings George Christopher, Jr., Florence Christopher, Rosemary Christopher, Ernest Christopher and his stepson Joseph Simmons.

For years, residents of North Minneapolis have felt slighted by state leaders, but Gov. Mark Dayton and his administration have been making efforts to reach out to citizens on the north side.

By now, it is no secret that Minneapolis and much of the surrounding Twin Cities has one of the worst student achievement gaps in the nation when it comes to children of color.