Minimum wage: Minnesota falls behind other states
Minnesota hasn’t raised the rate since 2005 and an increase this legislative session is likely. But how much?
Cynthia Boyd
Cynthia Boyd, MinnPost’s Community Sketchbook reporter, covers poverty, homelessness, mental health, and other topics related to the social and economic challenges facing communities. Community Sketchbook is sponsored by The Minneapolis Foundation. Email Cynthia at cboyd@minnpost.com.
MinneMinds makes the case for more state spending on poor kids
Broad coalition argues sending poor children to preschool pays off for state.
Minnesota’s new ‘white flight’: school open-enrollment program
A program intended to integrate schools and balance academic opportunities for children of all races has resulted in increased racial segregation.
Unemployed in a weak economy: ‘I found myself in a shelter’
Unemployed and homeless, David Jordahl of Minneapolis still has an entrepreneurial spirit.
How are immigrants and refugees faring in Minnesota?
Wilder Research is kicking off a deep study of Hennepin and Ramsey counties’ refugee and immigrant populations to find out.
Survivors of Red Lake shooting bring message of hope to Newtown
The group will meet with Newtown school officials in a private ceremony.
Silent march remembers the homeless who died in Minnesota
More than 100 Minnesotans who lives were marked by homelessness will be remembered at a Dec. 20 service.
Do proposed laws need a ‘poverty impact statement’?
It’s an intriguing idea anti-poverty workers are proposing for Minnesota.
‘A Minnesota Without Poverty’: Proposals from anti-poverty conference
Many ideas — from raising the minimum wage to requiring a poverty-impact analysis with proposed laws – discussed.
Advocates for the poor plan strategy for new Legislature
An upcoming conference will bring together more than 35 non-profit groups to settle on top priorities for the session.
Bikes for needy kids: Holiday dreams sport two wheels and collaboration
The St. Paul-Ramsey County Health Department and a local nonprofit team up to give away 5,000 bikes this weekend.
Minnesota’s Hmong veterans seek recognition for Vietnam War service
About 400 Hmong Minnesotans who fought with U.S. troops are denied many veterans’ benefits.
Food Stamp Challenge: Try living on $31.50 for food for a week
Twin Cities religious leaders organize a grocery shopping trip to highlight obstacles facing the poor.
How health inequalities play out in Twin Cities’ communities of color
Local and national reports illustrate the health problem.
Advocates for needy are hopeful DFL Legislature will support ‘poverty agenda’
Groups will ask lawmakers for more funding for affordable housing, early childhood programs and an increase in the minimum wage.
Study of Minneapolis homeless students reveals academic problems — and offers hope
Many students had chronically lower math and reading skills, but others overcame the adverse effects of instability in their lives.
Minnesota nonprofits probe the history of homelessness
The groups are offering classes to the public in the hope that people will advocate for change.
Minneapolis event focuses attention on suffering in Somalia
Proceeds from run-walk event will go toward alleviating the humanitarian crisis in Somalia.
Area homeless shelters swamped and worry about what’s ahead
“We’re pretty close to crisis mode right now,” says the director of a family shelter in Minneapolis.
Using the Dakota War to talk about racism, stereotypes and violence
A series of upcoming events about the conflict will focus on history and the future.
