So what’s going on here? MPR’s Laura Yuen reports: “Disparities between whites and people of color persist in the Twin Cities metro region even when they share similar demographic characteristics. … When researchers held equal age, immigrant status and English skills, black residents still fared worse than whites when it came to homeownership, employment and hourly wages, according to a report released Tuesday by the Metropolitan Council. … The gap between white and black homeownership rates was especially pronounced. Researchers adjusted for household income and other factors, bringing the black homeownership rate from about 25 percent to 48 percent. But that figure was still well below the 78 percent rate for whites.”
What was the computer trying to tell us? KSTP’s Dave Aeikens reports: “A software malfunction is being blamed for sounding emergency sirens Tuesday morning in Hennepin County. … The sirens sounded about 6:10 a.m., leaving many people wondering what was happening. … Hennepin County tests its outdoor warning siren system daily to ensure it is working. The system malfunctioned during the daily test.”
For Equal Pay Day. KTTC’s Frannie Smith writes, “On average, Minnesota women employed full time, year round are paid just 81 cents for every dollar paid to men – a yearly pay gap of $9,559. … That means, in total, women in Minnesota lose nearly $8 billion every year, which is money that could strengthen the state economy and the financial security of Minnesota’s women and families, including the nearly 204,000 Minnesota households headed by women. These are some of the findings of a new analysis conducted by the National Partnership for Women & Families and released for Equal Pay Day. …”
Tough row to hoe. MPR’s Cathy Wurzer talked to Chris Thile this morning: “Mandolinist Chris Thile will take over as host of ‘A Prairie Home Companion’ in October, replacing the show’s creator, Garrison Keillor. On a recent visit to the Twin Cities, Thile talked with Cathy Wurzer about his creative process and his expectations for the post-Keillor Prairie Home. He said he hoped longtime fans would enjoy the new show. ‘If the music’s good and it’s funny, then we’re going to be fine,’ he said.”
In other news…
Omar picks up some nice endorsements: “Rybak, Dibble endorse Ilhan Omar over Rep. Phyllis Kahn in DFL primary battle” [Star Tribune]
Another Catholic Church lawsuit: “Lawyers: Civil Lawsuits to be Filed Against St. John’s Abbey, Priest” [KSTP]
We’re totally going to fix it, eventually: “Dayton Asks Feds for Another Real ID Extension” [WCCO]
Get on my lawn: “St. Paul project aims to turn front yards into meeting places” [Pioneer Press]
Well, uh, rumor around town says you might be thinkin’ ’bout goin’ down to the North Shore: “Camaro hits 171 mph on Highway 61” [MPR]
Full Frontal with Samantha Bee took a look at Rep. Keith Ellison’s bill aimed at helping with diaper need (some explicit language). [YouTube]
Hats off to whoever came up with the pig part of this logo: “2016 American Association ASG Logo: St. Paul All The Way” [Ballpark Digest]
Screech freed. [REUTERS]
Racial disparities in home ownership
Whereas the charts for income and unemployment measure individuals, the chart for the disparities in white versus black home ownership does not. That chart compares “households” without further defining or describing any differences in the number of wage earners or the total income within the household.
A reason for home ownership disparity could really be based on the difference between two wage-earners per household versus one wage earner per household since today it’s virtually required to have two wage earners to be approved for a mortgage and we know that black households typically have fewer wage earners than white households.
Certainly a mortgage can be obtained with one wage earner in the household. I did it. But the income would have to be much higher than the average income of a typical black individual.