FilmNorth’s new media center opens in St. Paul on July 19, offering education, production space, and accessible resources for diverse artists and creators.
St. Paul
Posted inOdds and Ends
Woldeslassie leaves Mac for Denver
Abe Woldeslassie, a Macalester College grad who came back to coach the men’s basketball team for seven seasons, has resigned to take an assistant coaching position at Division I University of Denver.
Posted inLocal & State
Minnesota Finalizes Cannabis Market Rules, Paving Way for Business Licensing
The Office of Cannabis Management has officially published the final rules for Minnesota’s adult-use cannabis market, allowing the state to begin issuing business licenses to qualified applicants.
Posted inHealth + Wellness
MN Legislature weighs pros and cons of medical debt relief
Minnesota lawmakers have introduced the Medical Debt Reset Act, setting aside $5 million to help the nonprofit Undue forgive up to $500 million in medical debt, with the goal of providing financial relief to Minnesotans with a household income at or below 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Posted inEvents
St. Paul Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates culture, friendship, and springtime beauty
The St. Paul Cherry Blossom Festival is a free, family-friendly event that honors the friendship between St. Paul and Nagasaki, Japan, and celebrates the beauty of spring through the symbolic cherry blossoms.
Posted inEducation
Children’s books author, publisher has found her calling
Minnesota author and entrepreneur Crystal L. Stein captivated young readers and families with a unique multisensory storytelling event featuring readings from her “Echoes of Excellence” collection, which highlights historically overlooked composers and artists of color such as Florence Price, George Bridgetower, and Winifred Atwell.
Posted inWomen’s History Month
Dr. Josie R. Johnson: A legacy of activism and education
Dr. Josie R. Johnson has dedicated her life to education, civil rights, and social justice, earning numerous awards and recognition for her contributions to the movement, including a University of Minnesota award and a Minnesota Secretary of State’s award.
Posted inEvents
Twin Cities Jazz Festival announces 2025 headliners
The Twin Cities Jazz Festival will return to Saint Paul’s Lowertown Arts District on June 20-21, 2025, with performances by the Emmet Cohen Trio with special guests The Four Freshmen, Doreen Ketchens, and Catherine Russell and Sean Mason.
Posted inEvents, MSR In the News, Women’s History Month
Honoring Minnesota’s women history makers at 1MN History Makers event
Tracey Williams-Dillard, CEO and publisher of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, will be a featured panelist at 1MN History Makers: Women’s History Month, sharing her experiences in leadership, media, and community empowerment.
Posted inCommunity Voices
MN’s racial disparities best addressed through financial stability, home ownership
CAPI USA, a nonprofit organization in Brooklyn Center, is working to address racial disparities in homeownership in Minnesota by providing financial counseling, homeownership education, and advocating for policies and initiatives that promote equitable access to homeownership.
Posted inLocal & State
Food insecurity on the rise in Minnesota
House Republicans have passed a budget proposal that threatens to cut $230 billion from federal farm and nutrition programs, including SNAP, which could have devastating effects on Minnesota’s food insecurity crisis, already at a critical point with one in five families in the state struggling with food insecurity.
Posted inBlack History
Black labor has been foundational to Minnesota’s growth
Black labor has been instrumental in building industries and communities in Minnesota, and their contributions have been recognized as a critical part of the state’s growth, with a labor force participation rate of 70.5% in 2021, exceeding the state’s white labor participation rate of 67.2%.
Posted inArtists
Art Meets Energy: “Everyone’s a Critic” Brings Live Art to Life
Everyone’s a Critic, the first live art critique event in Minneapolis, challenges artists and audiences alike to engage in a dynamic, interactive experience, redefining how we think about art.
Posted inEvents
Donnell Rawlings: A Night of Laughter and Legacy
Donnell Rawlings, a comedic genius known for his roles in Chappelle’s Show, The Wire, and Pixar’s Soul, will be bringing his stand-up comedy to The Parkway on February 15, 2025, for a night of laughter and reflection.
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Find out if you’re eligible for MinnesotaCare 24/7/365
MinnesotaCare is a lower-cost health insurance program that can be applied for year-round, with free help from a navigator in your community, and provides comprehensive coverage for people who live in Minnesota.
Posted inArts + Culture
“Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz Bring ‘Giants’ Art Exhibit to Minneapolis”
The Minneapolis Institute of Art will host a groundbreaking exhibition in March 2025, featuring nearly 100 works from the private collection of Grammy-winning artist Alicia Keys and her husband, celebrated producer Swizz Beatz, celebrating the vibrancy and power of Black artistry.
Posted inLocal & State
Minnesota’s Minimum Wage Will Increase on Jan. 1, 2025 – Here’s What You Need to Know
Minnesota’s minimum wage will increase to $11.13 per hour for all employers, effective January 1, 2025, and the hourly wage for employees under the age of 20 will increase to $9.08 an hour, while Minneapolis and St. Paul have their own minimum wage ordinances requiring higher wages for work performed in these cities.
Posted inYouth
Beyond Baking: Cookie Cart Transforms Young Lives in North Minneapolis
Cookie Cart is a nonprofit bakery that empowers young people, primarily youth of color, with life skills and leadership development through hands-on work experience.
Posted inEvents
Hub for the Holidays: A Festive Season of Joy and Togetherness
Union Depot in St. Paul is hosting the annual Hub for the Holidays celebration, featuring a European Christmas Market, the North Pole Express, a CPKC Holiday Train, and a Holiday Bake Sale, as well as free Metro Transit rides, to bring the magic of the season to the area.
Posted inArtists
Art Without Strings: How Guaranteed Income Is Empowering Minnesota’s Creatives
Springboard for the Arts is expanding its guaranteed income program for Minnesota artists, offering $500 per month over 18 months to 100 artists, with the aim of fostering long-term stability and supporting marginalized communities.