Here’s a news update from Access Press, Minnesota’s disability news source

Access Press brings readers news about Minnesota’s disability community. Now we’d like to share some news about us.

Access Press has struggled in recent years. That’s all too true for many publications.

We’re pleased to announce that we’re turning the corner. While some news sources have gone to online-only status, we will continue our print publication and work to improve our online product. We’ll re-evaluate those decisions at the end of 2023.

Retaining a print edition is important for us because not all of our readers are able to read news online. That is especially true in parts of Greater Minnesota where Internet access can be challenging.

We’re grateful for the support that allows us to do this. Access Press thanks our advertisers and donors. We don’t take any of you for granted.

My byline started appearing in newspapers when I was 12. I turned 65 in June and extend thanks to all who donated to my recent Facebook birthday fundraiser for Access Press.

Living Choice

From page 1

Services.

“Nothing in the court’s ruling today is meant to minimize the lived experiences of the objectors or any class member,” Frank said in his ruling. “People with disabilities confront stigma and discrimination on a regular basis. It is a shameful part of our country’s past and present. While many issues remain that are separate from this litigation, the court is hopeful that this agreement will create positive change. And the court sincerely hopes that the objectors, plaintiffs, and others within the disability rights community will continue to advocate for their rights. Ultimately, we will all be judged by how we treat the most vulnerable members of our society.”

The decision approving the settlement followed a May 12 fairness hearing, and comments from a total of 14 objectors. Hovering over the comments was the state’s Olmstead Plan, which requires people with disabilities to live in the least restrictive setting possible.

Class action cases like Murphy versus Harpstead allow affected parties to intervene. in this case intervenors

From page 1 of journalism's highest honors, including 22 National Edward R. Murrow Awards, multiple National Headliner and Sigma Delta Chi Awards, the Scripps Howard Award, the national Emmy for feature reporting and 148 regional Emmys.

In 2023, the Radio Television Digital News Foundation presented Huppert with its Lifetime Achievement Award. Also in 2023, the National Press Photographers Association bestowed on Huppert the Founder’s Award, the NPPA’s highest honor. This fall, Huppert will be inducted in the Minnesota Broadcasters Hall of Fame. In 2016, Huppert was inducted into the Emmy Silver Circle, recognizing career contributions to the television industry.

Prior to his arrival at KARE, he worked at WITI-TV in Milwaukee, KETV in Omaha, and WSAW-TV in Wausau, Wisconsin.

Huppert grew up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin and graduated with a journalism degree from UW-River Falls, where he was named the university's 2013 distinguished alumnus.

The event also features the presentation of the Charlie Smith Award, which honors the founding editor of Access Press Nominees should be Minnesota individuals or groups working to improve the lives of Minnesotans with disabilities.

Deadline to submit nominations is 5 p.m. July 31. More information is on page 3.

Past winners said the award is a meaningful tribute. “Charlie was a

Things have really changed since I would drop off typed articles in rural Iowa newspaper offices. That’s as true for newspaper production as it is for newspaper economics.

There’s much more competition for fewer advertising dollars.

Some locally owned businesses have been purchased by or pushed out by regional or national chain believe the settlement didn’t do enough to end what they see as an overreliance of community residential facilities. They contend that the state’s action create segregation as people with disabilities cannot live in desired community settings.

Frank cited the length that the court dispute went on and recapped key actions in the case. Murphy versus Harpstead began in in August 2016. Murphy is Tenner Murphy, one of the case’s original plaintiffs. Harpstead is DHS Commissioner Jodi Harpstead.

Frank also pointed out in his ruling that the case needs to be resolved. It has gone on for almost seven years. He said “The cost, risks, and delay of trial and appeal are enormously high . . . . the case has been hotly contested from the beginning. Without settlement, it is likely that this case would continue to drag on for years and require millions of additional dollars in attorney’s fees. Defendant has indicated that if she lost at trial, she would appeal the case which would result in further delay. It is also possible that after trial and appeal a third discovery period would be necessary, which would be both costly and time consuming. In the meantime, the class would receive nothing.”

The settlement provides what is called businesses that lack connections to local grant funding than we ever did. Smaller newspapers and websites are muscled out by the bigger sites that can dedicate staff

In July, we’re having to move legislative updates to our website and other news. But puts specific requirements on a defendant.

These will bring a wide range of changes we’re committed to print. We have to be.

So here’s our request:

• Let us know your immediate advertising needs. Talk to Mary Graba, Business Operations and Advertising Manager, at 651-644-2133 ext. 2 and she can help.

• As your business or nonprofit prepares its 2024 budget, factor us in for advertising and promotions. We can help with cost estimates. We offer a good range of print and online options. Mary can discuss those.

• If your nonprofit has communication needs tied to a grant, talk to us about a communications partnership before the grant is submitted. That will help us both!

• Keep the donations coming! Donations to Access Press are taxdeductible.

• Consider supporting our November 3 awards celebration and fundraiser. But tickets, sponsor a table or help us cover other expenses.

Thank you again for supporting Access Press. We couldn’t do it without you.

- Jane McClure, Editor

changes to the Community Based Services Manual. It would require more tracking of actions tied to housing choices and more information to be provided in a waiver recipient’s community support plan.

and older who are eligible for and who have received a disability waiver, live in a licensed not been given the opportunity and choice meditation and includes more than a dozen provisions that would have to be followed,

The settlement requires additional steps service would require specific steps to be more training for MNCHOICES assessors, is needed with a form call 651-644-2133 Access Press someone who might otherwise be unable

Within three months of the settlement agreement DHS will generate a report for each county of financial responsibility, identify disability waiver recipients who live in licensed community residential settings, and see if those people meet specific criteria. Detailed steps would have to be followed.

The agreement also calls for the plaintiff’s attorneys to be paid costs and fees of $1.138 million.

Frank’s ruling pointed out that the settlement requires state officials to make a variety of data publicly available, including the number of people in community residential settings facilities who have applied for Housing Stabilization Services, the number of people in facilities who have been approved for such services, the number of people who have moved out of facilities, the number of people on the original MnCHOICES report, and the number of people for whom DHS reached out to a lead agency.

Tax deductible donations of scholarship tickets cost $75 per ticket. These donations will be used to provide seats at the table for members of our community who would otherwise be unable to attend. Call 612-562-7803 to ask about tickets. A link for tickets is also on the Access Press website, at www.accesspress.org good friend, who lived by grit and determination,” said Margot Imdieke Cross, the first award winner in 2003.

“His goal at Access Press was to share our stories and experiences, thereby advancing our community and improving communication. Receiving the first Charlie Smith Award was a huge honor and I will continue to remember Charlie with fondness and respect.”

Jeff Bangsberg won the award in 2011. “It was an honor to receive this award because I had a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for Charlie Smith,” he said. “It also meant a lot to be recognized by the disability community for my years of work in promoting public policies for Minnesotans with disabilities. I was humbled to see all the people who came to the dinner when I received the award.”

For an award form, contact us at newspaper at CSAnominations@

Read more about our first sponsors on page 7. For information on sponsorship and donor opportunities, please contact Jane Larson or Catherine Hunter at Support@AccessPress.org

Minnesota prep athletes wrap up 2022-2023 adapted sports seasons

Summer ends the 2022-2023 adapted sports season for Minnesota prep athletes in track and field, bowling and softball. Track and field athletes compete in wheelchair events. Softball has tournaments for athletes with physical (PI) and cognitive (CI) disabilities. Bowling adds a third category for athletes on the autism spectrum (ASD).

Athletes roll to several titles

In the track and field state meet at St. Michael-Albertville, the state meet meant triple titles for several athletes and four titles for one competitor.

In Class AAA boys’ competition, Wayzata’s Michael Allen won the 100, 800 and 1,600 meter races and shot put.

Wayzata teammate Macalister Hedtke won 200 meters and discus crowns, and placed second in shot put. Hedtke and Logan Hovanetz, Elk River, finished second and third in 100 meters. Hovanetz placed second in 200 meters and discus.

Mankato East eighth grader Adaylia

Borgmeier won three races in Class AA girls’ competition, breaking her own class record set last year in the girls AA 100-meter race. Borgmeier also won 800 and 200 meters.

Placing second and third in the 100 meter race were Madison Harbath, Mankato East, and Tayla Gassman, Big Lake. Gassman finished second in 200 meters. Gassman and Harbath finished one-two in shot put and discus.

Fairmont sophomore Nelson

Remington won 100, 200 and 800 meters in boys’ AA competition,. Devin Filzen, Winona, was second. Filzen won the boys’ AA shot put.

Familiar names appeared in Class A boys’ competition. Sophomore Tyler Gunnarson, St. Charles won 100 and 200 meter races, with Toby Hagen and James Hagen of River Valley finishing second and third. Gunnarson also won 800 meters. Gunnarson and his older brother Peyton hold many state wheelchair race records.

In Class A boys’ field events, Lakeview took the top two spots in shot put behind the arms of Lucas Taylor and Terrek Jenniges. Toby Hagen placed third and James Hagen placed fourth. Discus was won by Taylor, with Gunnarson second, Jenniges third and Toby Hagen fourth.

Softball champs crowned

At the beginning of the adapted softball season, Burnsville/Farmington/Lakeville coach David Diehl had questions as the Blazing Cats set to defend their CI Division crown. The team got a slow start but came through in the end.

“This was our magic moment,” he said. “This is when we found out what we were all about.”

The Blazing Cats, second seed in their bracket, went to great lengths to prove that to their coach, outlasting top seed Dakota United for a 7-5 victory in 11 innings in the championship. After tension-packed bonus softball produced no runs but plenty of frayed nerves, Burnsville/Farmington/Lakeville scored two runs in the top of the 11th inning to break the deadlock on the scoreboard.

JT Koczur snapped the tie with a double to the gap that scored Drayden Fox, who had led off the inning with a single. Two batters later, Caden Roseth sent Koczur home. The Blazing Cats’ defense stepped up to shut down the previously unbeaten Hawks. The title game lasted nearly two hours.

“The defense on both sides was great,” Diehl said. “Balls were hit in the right places and kids made plays. It made for an entertaining game. Our kids showed they had plenty of endurance to stay in it.”

Dakota United used a two-run single from senior Thomas Christopherson in the bottom of the sixth inning to forge a 5-all tie.

In the third place game, New Prague defeated St. Cloud, 8-4 victory. Chaska/ Chanhassen/Prior Lake/Shakopee topped Osseo 13-7 victory in the consolation final. Other teams in the tournament were South Washington County and White Bear Lake.

CI All-Tournament team members are Cayleigh Sorenson, J.T. Koczur and

Caden Roseth, Burnsville/Farmington/ Lakeville; Drew Hennen, Chaska/ Chanhassen/Prior Lake/Shakopee; Mark Manwarren, Colin Price and Thomas Christopherson, Dakota United; Trystan Seger and John Lafurie, New Prague; Alec Singh, Osseo; and Jeremiah McGee and Isaoiah Jancik, St. Cloud Area

In the PI title game, it seemed somewhat poetic and just that Dakota United senior shortstop Fiona Sitzmann ended her adapted athletics career with a nifty fielding play. Her range on a throw that drew her to the right side of second base allowed her to apply a tag to secure Dakota United’s 13-6 victory over Robbinsdale/Hopkins/Mound Westonka.

It was Dakota United’s second consecutive PI Division title and third since 2019. Overall, it was Dakota United’s sixth PI Division state crown in softball since 2006. In that span, the Hawks had finished runner-up three times.

The game drew a close to another stellar career of a student-participant affiliated with the Dakota United program. Sitzmann, a student at Eagan High School, began her career with Dakota United as a seventh grader.

“We were a really good program before she started playing with us,” Hawks head coach Brett Kosidowski said. “When she arrived, though, she took us to another level.”

Sitzmann finished her prep career with 11 state championships in soccer, floor hockey and softball. Throughout her career, she was the type of player that was able to pick spots to lead, both through her play and calm demeanor. During the 2022 soccer season , she scored three goals in the championship game.

“I don’t know if I will ever be able to experience anything more amazing than being a part of this team and program,” Sitzmann said. “I am very grateful that I have had the opportunities to be a part of this. It will be a time in my life that I will cherish forever.”

Eagan High School had its commencement ceremony at the same time as the tournament. Sitzmann said the decision to stay with her teammates was an easy one, a choice that a leader would make.

“It was important for me to stay and be with this team,” she said. “They are a big part of my life. I wanted to do my part to help. I am so excited to celebrate with them again.”

Anoka-Hennepin defeated Rochester, 13-5, in the third-place game. Osseo topped Minneapolis South. 11-5 in the consolation final. St. Paul Humboldt was also in the tournament.

PI All-Tournament Team members are Maci Mauch and Nick Reither, AnokaHennepin; Jordan Johnson, Cayden Needham and Fiona Sitzmann, Dakota United; Jazmyn Mendez, Minneapolis South; Abhi Prasad, Osseo’ Darius Larson, Grady Lease and Jayda Johnson, Robbinsdale/Hopkins/Mound Westonka; and Joseph Hanson and Andrew Westerman, Rochester.

The tournament was at Chanhassen High School.

Bowlers rolls to titles

The state adapted bowling tournament was held at Bowlero, Brooklyn Park. Singles, doubles and team championships were awarded in ASD, CI and PI divisions. Zimmerman won the ASD team championship with 1,638 pins. Team members included Jacob Arola, Chris Maller, Cayleb Merten and Kamren Hamilton. Tartan was the team runnerup with 1,610 and Goodhue County was third.

Alexandria Area earned championship and runner-up honors in girls’ singles. Shayla Nelson placed first with 474 pins and Montana Hinnenkamp placed second. Anoka-Hennepin’s Isabelle Sturgeon was third.

St. Michael-Albertville’s Waseem Ezzaid captured the boys’ singles crown with 490 pins. Alex McCullough, Houston, was runner-up and Dylan Ongaga, Anoka-Hennepin was third.

The Fergus Falls duo of Zade Carlson and Nathan Graham rolled to a state championship with a score of 890. The Mankato West team Emma Christenson and Ilhan Gabri were runners-up. AnokaHennepin was third behind Cayden Gilbert and Dylan Ongaga.

It was close for the CI team title. Lake City recorded a narrow four-pin victory over Tartan. The Tigers compiled 1,663