June 6, 2024 - MN Spokesman-Recorder

Samuels readies for round two

By Al Brown Assignment Editor

on Samuels, a contender for the 5th Congressional District, sat down in a pivotal discussion with the MSR on May 16, sharing his perspectives on local, national and global issues. This dialogue sets the stage for another highly anticipated primary clash in August 2024 with incumbent Ilhan Omar.

In 2022, Samuels and Omar engaged in a fierce battle, with Omar emerging victorious by a slim margin of 50.3 percent to 48.2 percent. Samuels, a prominent community activist,

served on the Minneapolis City Council from 2003 to 2014.

MSR: Let’s start with the 2022 primary, which was very close. How confident are you that you can overcome that razor-thin margin?

DS: Well, last time around we started in late March for an August primary. A poll we did at that time showed I had 28% name recognition, she had 98%. This time around, we started in November. We did the same poll this year and I had 75% name recognition, pretty much where I ended in the August primary, while she has a 100% name recognition.

So, as name recognition grows, people get to know who I am, and my favorability grows. When August came, I was within two percent of her—even though I was recognized 25% less than her.

MSR: Given that this is expected to be an extremely close race, is this all about who can turn out their base?

DS: To some degree. But it’s more about getting my name out there and people getting to know me. Also, I’m a very different kind of candidate from Congresswoman Omar. I have a very different background; when people get to know what

that means—I have real connections to the community. And so those who don’t know about me will learn that I have an authentic public life and will be persuaded that I will be a better alternative.

MSR: Please tell us how you would approach these issues if you were to win the seat. For starters, what are your plans to stimulate eco

nomic growth and job creation in Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District?

DS: Small businesses are the energy for the American marketplace as well as innovation, and

By H. Jiahong Pan & Abdi Mohamed

by flames of an early morning fire Saturday, Nov. 19, which practically destroyed the structure.

To read more about this historical event and others, visit www. spokesman-recorder.com.

By Cole Miska Contributing Writer

er- and Polyfluorinat-

ed Substances (PFAS), man-made chemicals commonly known as “forever chemicals” because of how slowly they break down, have a long history in Minnesota.

3M, a corporation based in Maplewood, was one of the first and largest manufacturers of the chemicals. Detrimental health effects and increased cancer rates caused by PFAS contamination at dumping

sites, such as four such sites in the east metro area, were the subject of a $10.3 billion lawsuit settled against 3M last year.

However, Minnesota is looking to go a new route and largely curb PFAS use at the start of 2025, when the bipartisan-backed Amara’s Law takes effect. Amara’s Law (named for Amara Strande, a 20-year-old woman who died of cancer and lived in Woodbury, which has PFAScontaminated drinking water) will prohibit the sale of 11

hree people, including a Minneapolis police officer, are dead, and four more suffered serious injuries after a mass shooting in the Whittier neighborhood on May 30.

The shooting occurred on a one-block stretch of Blaisdell Avenue, roughly between Franklin Avenue and 24th Street. Two people were found shot in an apartment, while the remainder were shot a block away.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) investigators say Minneapolis Police Officer Jamal Mitchell was the first to arrive at the scene. The BCA says Mitchell, who has served for 15 months, saw two people who appeared injured on Blaisdell between

Franklin Avenue and 22nd Street. One of them was later identified as 35-year-old Mustafa Ahmed Mohamed.

The BCA says as Officer Mitchell was tending to an injured person, Mohamed pulled out a gun and repeatedly shot him, even after he fell to the ground. They recovered a handgun with an extended magazine, as well as “numerous” cartridge casings.

The BCA adds that as Mohamed assaulted Mitchell, Officers Nick Kapinos and Luke Kittock arrived at the scene and fired at Mohamed. Mohamed died of multiple gunshot wounds at the scene. His body remained at the scene, covered by a tarp, for over five hours.

Officers then found two people injured in an apartment at 2221 Blaisdell Avenue, where the first 911 call about the incident reportedly took

place. Officers found 32-yearold Osman Said Jimale of Minneapolis deceased. The other victim was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) and was in critical

condition as of Thursday. The BCA, who was asked by the Minneapolis Police Department to investigate how Jimale and another person were

categories of consumer goods at the beginning of 2025.

These include cookware, menstrual products, and children’s products. By 2032, all products with PFAS will be banned in Minnesota unless the product is essential for health or

safety reasons and there are no alternatives for using PFAS. Andria Kurbondsk, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

products.

So far, the only exemptions already determined are medical devices and medicines covered by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Avonna Starck, the director of the Minnesota chapter of Clean Water Action, said it was “one of the unfortunate things we cannot ignore” that some products, such as MRI machines, will likely still require PFAS.

appliance companies wanting to continue using PFAS on internal parts on the grounds that consumers would not come into direct contact with them.

Starck said cases like this still hurt workers, such as repairmen who come in contact with the parts, and that the parts still leech PFAS into groundwater when they are disposed of in landfills.

By Adam Uren

ennepin County At-

torney Mary Moriarty has dismissed the murder case against Minnesota State Trooper Ryan Londregan in the fatal shooting of Ricky Cobb II. Moriarty, who has come under ferocious criticism from law enforcement groups for bringing murder charges against the trooper over Cobb’s killing on July 31, 2023, announced she would be dropping the case “following disclosure of new evidence by the defense.” Londregan and another trooper were on either side of Cobb’s vehicle when he drove off during a traffic stop on I-94, with Londregan opening fire and striking Cobb, who crashed into the median barrier a short time later. While a gun was found in Cobb’s vehicle, it was behind the center console, and bodycam footage showed he did not reach for it. Moriarty says that the new evidence set to be introduced at trial was Londregan’s “prospective testimony,” which was allegedly set to claim “he

saw Ricky Cobb II reach for the trooper’s firearm shortly before Londregan fired the shots that killed Mr. Cobb.”

“Additionally, an MSP trainer provided a declaration claiming he never instructed officers to refrain from shooting into a moving vehicle during an extraction, even though that is best practice,” Moriarty’s statement added.

Following these disclosures, her office consulted with a use-of-force expert and, as a result, believes it would be “impossible for the State to ■ See CHARGES on page 5

(MPCA) pollution prevention program lead, said companies must apply to MPCA for exemptions for essential

Starck worries that companies will try to apply for exemptions that could still harm Minnesotans. She cited

“Industry needs to prove that they are using the safest possible option and that there are no other options, and if

Historica l Capsule

His torical Capsule

Don Samuels, Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District candidate

Photo by Chris Juhn ■ See SAMUELS on page 5

Minneapolis Police Officer Jamal Mitchell was among the deceased in the May 30 Whittier shooting. Courtesy of Facebook/MPD

Ricky Cobb II Courtesy of Facebook

Trooper Ryan Londregan Courtesy of MADD Facebook

Outdoor summer activities your kids will love

Celebrate inspiring Black women

Kids stay indoors more than ever these days. Yet, we know that nature, exercise, social interactions and play are essential to their health and well-being. Here are some fun, safe, creative summer activity ideas to get them away from in front of the screen and outside to enjoy the sunshine.

Some fortunate parents have kids who are self-motivated to go outside on their own to explore, play, or practice a sport they love. Most need at least some gentle prodding. That pushback may lead you to think your child doesn’t like the outdoors or that it isn’t worth the effort.

The good news is that once outside, almost all kids will dig into their creativity and innate desire to play and find fun wherever they are. There are things you can do to set up their outside time for success and possibly even gain some more enthusiasm.

Other kids

School-age kids are social beings. The older they get, the more they will prefer being with friends over family time.

If there are many kids in your neighborhood, then outside play together may happen naturally. When friends don’t live close by, you’ll probably need to arrange get-togethers.

Playdates: Planning playdates is one of the best ways to get your kids together with their peers. Set the expectation

up front that at least a portion of the time together will be outside. Supervise without any specific instruction other than safety guidelines and see what creative fun they come up with on their own.

For planned activity ideas, try:

• A walk around the neighborhood.

• A scavenger hunt.

• Bringing indoor toys like cars, dolls, or building blocks outside.

• Bubbles, chalk, or water play.

Neighborhood recess: Up for planning a bigger event? Invite classmates, neighborhood families, your parents group, or friends to a playground or field for games. There are endless fun activities available when you have a larger group, including:

• traditional or new versions of Tag.

• kickball and other ball games.

• parachute activities.

• relay races.

Playgrounds & parks

Playgrounds are designed to engage kids in outdoor fun. Search for ones nearby with age-appropriate activities. Make a day trip to go to a new one further away. With some snacks on hand, playgrounds can offer up hours of entertainment.

For older kids look for parks with activities they enjoy, such as soccer or baseball fields, basketball courts, or skate parks.

Pools and water

Nothing is better than cooling off at a pool, beach, lake or river on a hot summer day. Whether man-made or natural, water makes for a refreshing and fun outdoor activity. There are so many activities to do, including swimming, building sandcastles, boating, and fishing.

Family goals or competition

Setting a family goal or signing up for an outdoor competition can encourage a

reluctant child. Here are some ideas to explore:

• 1,000 Hours Outside challenges families to match the yearly amount of time outdoors as typical kids spend on their screens.

• For the 365 Mile Challenge, participants commit to 365 self-propelled miles in a year. Walking, running, hiking,

skiing and biking all count!

• The Nike Playlist has videos from various professional athletes and trainers promoting having fun with exercise.

• Families can also sign up for local 5K or 10K races, triathlons, obstacle courses, etc.

The best activities to share with your kids may be the ones you love the most.

Outdoor adventures

Often, the best way to get kids off their screens is to remove the option. Family camping, biking, paddling or hiking trips are fun ways to get kids out into nature. While adventuring with kids does

take some extra planning and gear, finding activities that everyone enjoys doing together as a family is worth the effort. Your favorite activities

Don’t forget that the best activities to share with your kids may be the ones you love the most. Love to golf, garden, or hoola hoop? Start with the basics, be patient and encouraging; in time, your kids may grow to love these activities as much as you do.

Just like getting kids to eat their vegetables takes trying many varieties and lots of persistence, finding outdoor activities your kids enjoy may take some work. Don’t let any initial lack of enthusiasm stop you from planning a summer full of outdoor fun. Your kids are likely to surprise you and themselves with how much fun they have.

The MSR + Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) share a mission of protecting, maintaining, and improving the health of ALL Minnesotans. Our shared vision for health equity in Minnesota, where ALL communities are thriving and ALL people have what they need to be healthy, is the foundation of our partnership to bring readers our feature, Parenting Today. Good health starts with family. To view our weekly collection of stories, go to our website or scan the code.

No monthly premium. No copays for covered medical, prescription drugs and dental.

Plus, more than 30 extra benefits like these*

• Animatronic pet: dog, cat or bird

• Fresh produce home delivery

• Electronic tablet with well-being tools

HealthPartners® Minnesota Senior Health Options (MSHO) (HMO SNP)

Call 877-778-7898 (TTY 711) to find out if you’re eligible. Oct. 1 to March 31: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT, seven days a week; April 1 to Sept. 30: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday. *Available

Parenting Today presented by

New obesity drugs

By Anissa Durham

Jonathan Gustave was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes last August after decades of struggling with his weight. To help lower his blood sugar levels, his doctor prescribed Ozempic, the diabetes drug that has become wildly popular for its weight loss effects.

The drug was in such demand that Gustave, a 38-yearold Orlando resident, had to wait two months for the pharmacy to fill his prescription. A month and a half later, he ran out, and another two months passed before the pharmacy would give him a refill, and only for six months.

GLP-1 drugs, a class that includes Ozempic, are transforming the treatment of diabetes and obesity. Studies have been finding they have benefits for heart health and other conditions, too.

But many Black Americans, including patients like Gustave and medical experts, worry that their community is being left behind. They say, too, that

the public’s obsession with the drugs serves as a reminder of how Black bodies are policed and judged by society.

“I do feel like Black people face more barriers because it all depends on what type of health insurance you have,” Gustave said. “I know a lot of people who forgo health insurance to have more money on hand to pay bills. If you don’t have insurance or good insurance, it’s going to be more challenging to access it.”

Mopelola Adeyemo, an endocrinologist and assistant professor in the Department of Medicine in the Division of Clinical Nutrition at UCLA, said that more and more of her patients have been asking for the new weight loss drugs, many of them concerned about lockdown weight gain during Covid. But oftentimes, she said, they are unaware that there are side effects and that the expensive drugs need to be taken indefinitely to retain any weight loss.

“I think providers and researchers need to keep an eye on if we are going to see a disproportionate burden of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease later on because of a disparity in prescribing these medications,” she says.

Black Americans have long had higher than average rates of chronic disease, for reasons that include disparities in income and education, less access to health insurance,

housing, healthy food, and the “weathering” of racismrelated stress. According to federal health data, 12% of non-Hispanic Black adults had diagnosed diabetes in 2021, a rate surpassed only by American Indians and Native Alaskans.

Non-Hispanic Black adults

have the highest rates of obesity, based on BMI, at nearly 50%. Recent studies, though, found that Black people with diabetes are less likely to be prescribed GLP-1 drugs.

Calvin Smith, assistant professor and clerkship director for internal medicine at Meharry Medical Group, said he’s

seen a lot of inequities in how Black and Hispanic patients are treated when trying to access the GLP-1s despite their greater burden of obesity and diabetes. “In an ideal situation, they should be receiving these medications at a rate that is more commensurate with the incidence of it,” he said.

Anissa Durham is a health data reporter for Word In Black, reporting on health in the Black community.

Editor’s Note: This article has been edited for length.

This story was provided by Word in Black.

Jonathan Gustave had to wait two months to fill his Ozempic prescription. Photo by Kirra Branker

Business

Build Wealth MN awarded $3 million to expand Black homeownership

Sponsored by

In April, Build Wealth MN kicked off National Homeownership Month by announcing it was awarded $3 million from JPMorgan Chase to support families throughout their homeownership journey and expand homeownership opportunities for underserved communities in the Twin Cities.

Build Wealth MN will use the funds to address the housing disparity gaps in Minnesota as part of the 9000 Equities initiative. This includes access to homebuyer education; affordable mortgage and downpayment assistance; and a matched savings account for cost-burdened Black households in the Twin Cities, utilizing a special-purpose credit program adopted pursuant to federal fair lending law.

families in Minnesota.”

“Barriers to homeownership have long created stark inequities in our local communities, and this investment from JPMorgan Chase will enable Build Wealth MN to help more households make homeownership a reality,” said Dr. David McGee, executive director of Build Wealth MN.

“In this time of high interest rates, low inventory, and higher home costs, these funds are more critical than ever to help the 9000 Equities partners as they continue to close the homeownership gap of Black

The 9000 Equities initiative is a collaboration of 16 financial coaching and housing counseling organizations, lenders, realtors, and other partners that are dedicated to closing the homeownership gap. The goal is to help 9000 Black families in Minnesota become homeowners.

Maelene Rhodes, who is celebrating the milestone of being the 1,000th homeowner to purchase via the 9000 Equities initiative, started her journey in June of 2018 and closed on her home this spring. The

Rhodes family engaged with the Build Wealth Family Stabilization Plan to restore their credit, reduce debt, and increase their savings to qualify for a home mortgage and special downpayment assistance programs.

“I am beyond thrilled to be the 1,000th person to help Build Wealth and its partners reach this milestone. My family has always wanted a place to call our own and to begin building generational wealth for our children and grandchildren. We worked hard to stay on track with our workable budget, savings, and credit

building. We are beyond grateful to Build Wealth MN.”

Homeownership is a proven source of wealth building; however, underserved communities face persistent challenges in obtaining and maintaining their homes. In nearly every state, including Minnesota, people of color are less likely to own homes compared to white households. As part of JPMorgan Chase’s strategy to combat the housing affordability crisis, the firm is supporting organizations advancing

innovative homeownership financing and wealth building models that can be successfully scaled throughout the country. By working with organizations on the local and national levels, the firm aims to help support underserved individuals throughout their homeownership journey, whether they be first time homebuyers or current homeowners.

“Affordable housing opportunities are vital to creating strong communities and building intergenerational wealth,” said Joanna Trotter, executive director of corporate responsibility for JPMorgan Chase in Minnesota. “The private sector has an important role to play alongside nonprofit organizations and policymakers in advancing housing affordability, including increasing access to homeownership. Build Wealth has a proven model and we’re proud to help it expand.”

The 9000 Equities partners will host their One Door to Homeownership (Homebuyer Expo) event on June 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Participants will hear about the latest housing market; hear from experts on lending, credit building, the pre-approval process and down-payment assistance; as well as having the opportunity to form relationships with realtors and banks. For more information, visit www.9000Equities.com/events

Read more about the JPMorgan Chase commitment here: https:// www.jpmorganchase.com/newsstories/20million-housing-affordability-commitment.

Read more about 9000 Equities here: www.9000equities.com. Read more about Build Wealth MN here: www.BwealthE.org. For more information, call 612-800-5986.

Maelene Rhodes, with her two children, the 1,000th homeowner to purchase a home via Build WealthMN

Photo by Build WealthMN

SAMUELS

Continued from page 1

for stimulation, employment is key; when people employ people from their own communities, money recirculates. It’s important for me to go to Congress and make sure that small businesses are being promoted and protected until they get on their feet.

Also, ensure that housing is affordable and homeownership becomes a common part of these communities so that people can build wealth. Stable families bode well for the economy, communities, and children tend to do well.

MSR: What would be your plans to address the accessibility and affordability issues around health care?

DS: President Obama did a tremendous job bringing 50

WHITTIER

Continued from page 1

found shot in the apartment, did not provide an update on the other person’s condition at press time.

Mitchell was taken to HCMC where he later died, becoming the first MPD officer to do so in 20 years. The person who was found shot with Mohamed, who officials believe is an innocent bystander, was also taken to HCMC. The BCA says he is in “critical but stable condition.” Kittock, as well as a firefighter who was shot, was treated at HCMC and released.

The BCA says body and squad car footage of the incident exists, but it had not been released at press time.

Who were the officers involved?

As Mitchell’s body was taken by procession to the Hennepin

PFAS

Continued from page 1

they are using the safest options, they shouldn’t be worried about this process with the MPCA,” Starck said. “They have the obligation morally to use the safest product.” Starck called PFAS “the great democratizer,” as everyone needs clean drinking water. Starck noted that while all communities in the United States, whether rich or poor, are affected by PFAS, poor communities (which are disproportionately communities of color) often suffer the most. Residents of poor communities

CHARGES

Continued from page 1

prove that Mr. Londregan’s actions were not an authorized use of force by a peace officer.”

“Ricky Cobb II should still be alive today,” Moriarty said. “Today’s necessary decision does not change that fact, nor does it exonerate Mr. Londregan or the methods his supervisors used to train him in difficult situations. The question of whether we can prove a case at trial is different than clearing a person of any wrongdoing.

million people from the margins of having no insurance. Obamacare isn’t perfect, but I think it can be tweaked and perfected, bringing more people in from the margins until everyone has universal health care. So, I’m going to Congress to work hard on that.

“It’s important for me to go to Congress and make sure that small businesses are being promoted and protected until they get on their feet.”

MSR: What initiatives do you propose to improve public education and support the teachers in the 5th District?

DS: Education is very

County Medical Examiner’s office in Minnetonka for an autopsy that evening, Assistant Chief Katie Blackwell reflected on his achievements during his short tenure. Mitchell, who is from Connecticut and lived in Maple Grove with his fiancé and daughter, rescued an elderly couple from a burning apartment last February.

“I’ve never met an officer that received an award on the third day on the job during his [field training]. He’s courageous in every action that he did,” Blackwell said. The other officers involved are also decorated. Kittock, who the BCA says was injured during the gunfight with Mohamed, won a “lifesaving” award in 2018 during his service as a Metro Transit Police officer. Kapinos, who previously served in Cleveland, Minnesota, a town of 747 in Le Sueur County, was MPD’s 2023 officer of the year and also received the Medal of

often lack quality health insurance and jobs that offer sick pay, making it more difficult to recover from serious illnesses caused by PFAS contamination. Starck recalled her family’s struggle growing up poor and trying to afford medical bills.

“We didn’t have insurance, and all of those bills fell on us, and my mom had to fight really hard to get us to the point that she was able to buy a house and graduate college,” Starck said. “And that’s what scares me, that there are countless families [affected by PFAS] in that same predicament.”

Starck said that states with weak environmental regulations often end up as “dumping

“There are so many points at which Mr. Londregan could have handled the situation differently, and if he had, Ricky Cobb might still be alive. But that is not the question before us as prosecutors; the only question is whether we can still prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime occurred given this new evidence.

“The answer to that question is no, and I would violate my ethical duties if I nonetheless continued with the case.”

Moriarty’s decision to charge Londregan has made her the target of repeated criticism from

important to me; that’s how I have gotten to where I am. I started a program called Peace Foundation when I had just joined the city council in 2003 to end violence in North Minneapolis.

We had a lot of success, but around 2006, it became clear to me that 100% of the guys who committed homicides that year did not graduate from high school, and about 85% of the victims didn’t either. So clearly, we needed to go upstream and solve this education problem. We would eventually change the Peace Foundation to the Northside Achievement Zone, known as NAZ today. The federal government played a large part in that.

The government can identify bright lights of success, especially in lower-income urban communities, such as what organizations and programs balance outcomes for children. I will help find those bright

Valor for his response to the Minnehaha Academy explosion in the Longfellow neighborhood in 2017.

Who is Mohamed?

Mustafa Ahmed Mohamed was born on October 4, 1988. He was convicted in state and federal courts for burglary, trespassing, driving without a license and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. After serving time in federal prison in his late teens, he was later convicted of driving over 100 miles per hour in a 60-mile-per-hour zone, driving without a license, and giving an officer a false name. Mohamed had at least one warrant for his arrest as of his death. He was charged in state court in 2022 for possessing a firearm while being convicted of a felony. According to a court spokesperson, the warrant was issued for failing to appear.

grounds” when products are banned in other states. For example, when California banned baby bottles made of BPA plastic, most of them ended up being shipped to discount stores in Arizona, where BPA restrictions were not as strong.

Starck said she “hopes” that corporations will not do the same with their stocks of products with PFAS in Minnesota, but she does not see a reason they will not. “When these businesses can’t sell it, they’re going to offload it, and low-income communities are going to be the ones who suffer,” Starck said.

“So their babies are going to play with the toys, they’re

“There are so many points at which Mr. Londregan could have handled the situation differently, and if he had, Ricky Cobb might still be alive.”

Minnesota policing unions and right-wing media, with Democrats, including Gov. Tim Walz, also expressing reservations over the case. Her office has contacted Cobb’s family to

lights of success, make sure we’re outcome-focused, find out what’s working, and bring those to scale for the good of community and equity.

MSR: What steps will you take to address climate change, environmental issues, and sustainability in the district? As we know, North Minneapolis has one of the highest asthma rates in the country.

DS: I guess we can call it urban environmentalism. Some things are not directly related to climate change but are directly related to environmental factors, like lead poisoning. When I was on the city council, we made a lot of moves for funding, some from the federal government and some from the state, to ensure that lead poisoning risks were reduced. And then there is the reality that people live close to freeways and toxic facilities. Now, on top of this, climate change

Reactions from community, elected officials Memorials for Mitchell have popped up outside of the Fifth Precinct, where he worked, as well as at 22nd and Blaisdell where the shooting occurred. Outside the Fifth Precinct, a squad car is parked with signs in both driver and passenger side windows paying homage to Mitchell. Bouquets and mylar balloons lay in front.

Near where Mitchell and Jimale were found, a makeshift memorial appeared with flowers mounted on a utility pole, rose petals scattered around a sidewalk, and two signs thanking Mitchell for his service. Local outlets reported people holding vigil at both spots in the days following the shooting.

At the same late-night press conference, Gov. Tim Walz expressed concerns about an ongoing trend. “It’s really hard with lots of guns on the street,” Walz said. He has ordered all U.S. and Minnesota state flags at state buildings to fly at half-mast

going to wear the clothes, and anything that we throw away when those cheap dollar-store goods break, when you throw them in the garbage they end up in our landfills.”

Kurbondsk said ceasing the production of non-essential PFAS is the best option, as cleaning up PFAS contamination is an expensive endeavor.

According to stats from Adam Olson, who works in public affairs at MPCA, the cost to remove a pound of PFAS from drinking water is at least 2,700 times the cost to purchase the chemicals.

“PFAS chemicals can be purchased wholesale from $50 to $1,000 per pound,” Olson said. “But the cost to remove and

explain the decision, and in a letter to them she says dropping the charges is “one of the most difficult [decisions] I’ve made in my career.”

Regarding the new pieces of evidence, Moriarty said: “First, in a court appearance a couple of weeks ago, Trooper Londregan’s lawyer claimed, for the very first time, that Londregan would testify that he thought Mr. Cobb was reaching for his gun.

“We would have to disprove this claim beyond a reasonable doubt. The video doesn’t clearly refute that claim (nor does it support it).

and the changing heat and thinning of trees make it difficult for low-income families in urban areas. I will work on these things with a deep understanding and ensure that urban communities like Minneapolis, especially North Minneapolis, and cities like Detroit and Gary begin to see their health improvements.

MSR: What are your plans for criminal justice reform and to ensure fair treatment for all citizens?

DS: I co-authored the Ban the Box legislation in Minneapolis, the first in the state to do so. You no longer must check a box to indicate whether you have a felony, so you can be considered objectively for employment, which became state law. Also, in my role as CEO of MicroGrants, I started the Lights-On program, which now means that when you are pulled over for a faulty head or

“I’ve never met an officer that received an award on the third day of the job during his [field training]. He’s courageous in every action he did.”

starting the morning of May 31.

The Twin Cities Coalition For Justice critiqued MPD’s response to the incident, alleging police responded en masse when they found one of their own was shot. “Yesterday’s events show that when an incident is a priority for police, they can mobilize limitless resources,” the organization said in a statement.

destroy those same chemicals from wastewater ranges from $2.7 million to 18 million per pound. The gap is enormous and impractical, which really helps make the case for PFAS pollution prevention.”

A large coalition of industry lobbyists spoke out against Amara’s Law when it was debated in the legislature. Starck said the economic concerns of CEOs get no sympathy from her, as the first medical bill for Amara’s family was over $900,000.

“When they’re making this argument that they’re so overburdened, maybe—I’m going throw it out there—maybe their CEOs who are making $20 million a year, maybe

“Second, Trooper Londregan’s trainer has recently provided a declaration stating that he did not train Trooper Londregan to refrain from physically extracting people from a running car, which is what set these events in motion.”

Moriarty’s prosecutorial team has produced a report of recommendations for state law enforcement following the dismissal of the case. That includes a recommendation that the Minnesota Commissioner of Public Safety “must ensure” in the case of fatalities caused by state law enforcement, there should be “prompt and

tail light, instead of a confrontation, the officer brings you a voucher to repair the light for free up to $250. That program has been so successful that it has been brought to close to 200 cities and 28 states nationwide.

Our problems in law enforcement are driven by human values and relationships. When we begin to see each other as human beings, we will treat each other fairly. So, I will work on making sure the police treat everyone fairly. I will seek out areas in criminal justice that can be universally improved and turn them into legislation. And we need enough police officers to keep us safe.

Read the entire Don Samuels MSR conversation at www. spokeman-recorder.com.

Al Brown welcomes reader responses to abrown@spokesman-recorder.com.

A spokesperson for The Unity Community Mediation Team, which works with the MPD to build community trust, said at a Monday morning press conference that people must support the MPD as it contends with recruiting challenges.

“We must have law enforcement. No more division in this community,” said Pastor Ian D. Bethel of New Beginnings Baptist Ministries.

“Get off of that defund and all that. It’s hard for us in the African American community to get our young Black brothers and sisters to come on and police folks, and this shining model of transformation was killed protecting us.” He added that officers who do wrong need to be held accountable.

H. Jiahong Pan welcomes reader comments at hpan0003@ gmail.com.

Abdi Mohamed welcomes reader comments at amohamed@ spokesman-recorder.com.

they’ll only have to make $19 million a year to implement this properly,” Starck said.

“They get no sympathy from me if they get a little less of a bonus and we’re saving lives.”

A representative at 3M confirmed to the Spokesman-Recorder that 3M plans to exit all PFAS manufacturing by 2025.

“We have and will continue to deliver on our commitments— including remediating PFAS as appropriate, investing in water treatment at certain sites, and collaborating with communities,” the 3M representative said.

Cole Miska welcomes reader comments at cmiska@spokesman-recorder.com.

complete cooperation be provided to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.” It also calls on the Minnesota State Patrol to require its members who witness uses of force to “submit written reports promptly and provide voluntary interviews within 48 hours of the event,” place a “greater emphasis on de-escalation in its use of force policies and training,” and that its use of force policy “should be amended to prohibit shooting into or from a moving vehicle.”

This article is courtesy of Bring Me the News.

Arts & Culture

By Tony Kiene Staff Writer

“That was Mom’s way of making sure I was serious about all this,” said Jellybean Johnson, explaining how as a preteen he literally tore to shreds the first “budget” drum kit his mother bought for him. “The drums were a Christmas present. By Christmas night, I’d already destroyed them. So I went back to beating on her pots and pans. And the coffee table.”

In 1968, around the time he turned 12, the neighborhood gangs were heavily recruiting Johnson, so his mother decided to relocate the family from the West Side of Chicago to North Minneapolis. And he’s called the city home ever since.

“Over the years, I’ve often thought about how different life would have been for me if we had stayed down there,” Johnson revealed, crediting his mother for getting them out of Chicago. “There I was just trying to survive. Moving up here was a blessing from God. The right place and the right time. I found myself around kids that shared the same interests and dreams as me.”

Among those he met were an aspiring saxophonist known as David ‘Batman’ Eiland and a fellow left-handed drummer in the person of Morris Day. And Johnson also took note of a precocious youngster, approximately 18 months his junior, who went by the name of Prince.

It was with Eiland that Johnson formed Wars of Armageddon, which soon became Flyt Tyme, the principal rival to Prince’s high school band, Grand Central.

A few years after Prince signed with Warner Bros. Records, he would pair both

The musical journey of Jellybean Johnson

Day and guitarist Jesse Johnson with his former adversaries from Flyt Tyme to create what Prince later said was “the only band I was ever afraid of ”—The Time. Keeping the beat for The Time was, of course, Jellybean Johnson, whom Prince frequently referred to as “the best drummer in R&B.”

More than four decades later, Johnson continues to hold it down for the outfit that is now billed as Morris Day and The Time. That said, he’s done a whole lot more.

After the “original 7ven” members of The Time disbanded in 1984, Prince brought Johnson into the fold of the first group he ever signed to Paisley Park Records—the all-time fan favorite, The Family.

Plus, as an integral part of Flyte Tyme Productions from the mid-80s to the early-90s, Johnson wrote and/or produced hits for the likes of Alexander O’Neal, Janet Jackson, Nona Hendryx, New Edition, and Mint Condition. That includes Jackson’s classic rocker

“Black Cat,” which made it to number-one on the Billboard Hot 100 and charted in more than a dozen other countries, reaching the top 10 in Ireland, Australia, Canada, Norway and South Africa among others.

Moreover, Johnson’s percussion, songwriting, and production skills are not the only thing he brings to the table. He is a sensational guitarist, responsible for some of the most memorable solos in Minneapolis Sound history on songs such as O’Neal’s “Innocent” and Jackson’s “You Can Be Mine.”

Regarding his 40-plus year tenure with The Time, who are out on the road regularly, Johnson marvels at the response they receive whenever they take the stage.

“We do a lot of shows with bands from our heyday,” he notes, “and the way people embrace us compared to the others…we’re second to none. It’s an amazing feeling.”

If you’re not fortunate enough to catch ‘Bean,” as he is affectionately known, performing with Day and the rest of the “fellas” across the nation, you just might see him here at home with St. Paul & the Minneapolis Funk All-Stars, fDeluxe, or his very own Jellybean Johnson Experience. Or, for that

“This is for all of us. Sure, Prince is the originator, but he had help.”

matter, with any number of younger performers who’ll invite Johnson up to play, showing proper respect to whom one might just call the eldest statesman of the Minneapolis Sound.

“I have a lot of what I call musical nieces and nephews around town,” Johnson said, “younger people that may have seen me play growing up or learned about me from their parents. I’ve always been in the trenches with them, trying to teach them all the things that I’ve learned along the way.”

A 2022 Soul Train Legends Award honoree, Johnson’s most recent undertaking is his vision for the Minneapolis Sound Museum, a 501(c)

organization seeking a permanent home that will become a living tribute to one the most influential forces in the history of popular music. It’s what he hopes his legacy will be, although Johnson is quick to deflect.

“This is not about me. This is for all of us. Sure, Prince is the originator, but he had help. Think about all the talent that has come out of this city. No one has a music scene like we do. And it was all started by some kids over North.

“The Minneapolis Sound means so much to the world. We just want to tell that story.”

Tony Kiene welcomes reader comments at tkiene@spokeman-recorder.com.

Commemorating Juneteenth

By Kevin Lindsey, CEO of the Minnesota Humanities Center

In the spirit of Frederick Douglass who asked, What to a slave is the Fourth of July?, the Minnesota Humanities Center has provided Juneteenth programming over the last three years to create greater appreciation of our country’s second Independence Day and expand knowledge of American history so we fulfill our commitment to justice for all.

Even though President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 and the Confederate Army surrendered in April 1865, enslaved people in Texas – the westernmost Confederate state – remained enslaved until June 19, 1865.

On that date, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, to announce that all enslaved Black people in the state were free by executive decree. Upon hearing the news, formerly enslaved individuals immediately began to celebrate with prayer, food, song, and dance. The follow-

ing year, the first official Juneteenth celebration, deriving its name from combining “June” and “nineteenth,” occurred in Texas.

Because of the sustained efforts of leaders such as Rev. Ronald Myers, founder of the national Juneteenth Observance Foundation, and Ms. Opal Lee, “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” Juneteenth was recognized in 2021 as a national holiday. President Biden awarded Ms. Opal Lee the Presidential Medal of Freedom. While the romanticized story of Juneteenth for most of us ends with the vision of the individuals singing and dancing, the news concerning the Order of Union officers that is not often shared within our history books is that the individuals who were formerly enslaved were also told not to be idle, to return to their slave quarters, and to continue to “work” for their former masters. The absence of these stories and narratives in our

historytelling is why the Minnesota Humanities Center began hosting Juneteenth commemorations with community partners OMG Media and Sweet Potato Comfort Pie. Our Juneteenth offerings -- a prominent speaker, a film, and a play -- focus on educating the public about American History and the efforts of our nation to make good on the promise to afford full citizenship to African Americans. We also provide financial support to Juneteenth festivals throughout Minnesota. This Juneteenth, we are proud to host noted political commentator, lawyer, and author Bakari Sellers at our Juneteenth Breakfast on June 20 at 8:00 a.m. at the St. Paul Event Center. All attendees will receive a copy of Mr. Sellers’ book released this April, The Moment, Thoughts on the Race Reckoning That Wasn’t and How We Can All Move Forward Now.

We will premiere the film,

Juneteenth Reckoning with Slavery: Minnesota African American History, at the brandnew offices of OMG Studios on June 19. The film will feature the King and Queen of Ghana, celebrated Minnesota Book Award winning author Dr. Christopher Lehman, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, III, and local artists T. Mychael Rambo and Thomasina Petrus.

The movie, partially filmed in the former quarters of Dred and Harriet Scott at Fort Snelling, explores the last years as a territory and the first years of Minnesota as a state. We are also bringing a free performance of “Kumbayah!

The Juneteenth Story,” to the University of Minnesota Northrop Auditorium on June 21. Dr. Amelious Whyte, Jr.,

University of Minnesota College of Liberal Arts Interim Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, will moderate a brief discussion on the themes raised in the play with the audience. I appreciate the work of Ben Haith, founder of the National Juneteenth Celebration Foundation, in designing the Juneteenth flag that projects a brighter future for African Americans while also calling upon the United States to do better – and to live up to the American ideal of liberty and justice.

While Juneteenth undoubtedly has special meaning to descendants of enslaved people, America’s second Independence Day should be important to everyone as the true measure of the greatness of America to fully recognize its promise is its ability to recognize, include, and embrace people within the lowest caste in America society. We invite you to lean in and learn more with the Minnesota Humanities Center and our partner and sponsors this Juneteenth. Learn more and register for these events at mnhum.org/juneteenth.

Jellybean on the guitar

Photos by Billy Briggs

Kevin Lindsey

Submitted photo

By Tony Kiene Staff Writer

“Whatever metaphor you wish to employ, Pepé Willie lit the fuse, fanned the flames, and fueled the fire of the rebellious yet finessed musical movement that would become known as the Minneapolis Sound,” writes Jonathan Kirby, producer of the Grammy Award-nominated “Purple Snow: Forecasting the Minneapolis Sound.” The 33song compilation, which, in addition to Willie’s classic “If

Arts & Culture Pepé Willie: A conversation with a legend

You See Me,” features previously unreleased tracks from local legends Flyte Tyme, Andrè Cymone, Sue Ann Carwell, Alexander O’Neal, The Girls, and The Lewis Connection.

Born and raised in BedfordStuyvesant, Brooklyn, the music stood front and center from the beginning of Willie’s life, where pretty much everyone on his mother’s side sang, played an instrument, or both. Although at the time Willie was too young to remember, Miles Davis and Thelonius Monk were just a few of the

“Growing

musical frequent visitors to his grandfather’s Carlton Avenue home.

Before Willie turned 10, his uncle Clarence Collins founded The Chesters, which later became the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Little Anthony and the Imperials. As a teenage valet for the Imperials, Willie learned the business of music firsthand, likewise literally studying at the feet of a “Who’s Who” of rock, pop and soul legends of the 1960s.

“There were these big Rock and Roll revues all the time, first at the Brooklyn Paramount and then the Brooklyn Fox Theatre,” recalls Willie. “I was backstage working for artists like Chubby Checker, The Ronettes, Ray Charles, Dusty Springfield, Mary Wells, The Temptations, and a young Stevie Wonder. Just about everyone signed to Motown, for that matter.”

Determined to make his way in the music world, Willie benefited from the tute-

lage of Teddy Randazzo, who would later be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. “Teddy taught me so much,” he says. “How to construct and produce a song from start to finish—the verses, chorus, bridge, and of course the hook. Plus, everything in between.”

In 1969, a chance encounter at New York City’s famed Copacabana nightclub introduced Willie to his future wife, Minneapolis native Shauntel Manderville. When he was on leave from the Army in December 1970, Willie first visited the City of Lakes, where he met Manderville’s young cousin, 12-year-old Prince Rogers Nelson.

“Prince was so small. He looked like he was only eight. I didn’t pay him much attention then,” laughs Willie.

Four years later Willie made Minneapolis his permanent home, where he began sharing his knowledge with Prince and his band Grand Central, a roster that included Cymone and Morris Day.

“I was impressed with how well they took direction,” Willie told Minnesota Public Radio in 2020. “It didn’t take but another rehearsal or two to see them get the hang of it— not just with their songwriting and musicianship, but with their whole approach to learning new things.

“Their attitude delighted me,” he said. “They were young and hungry. You could see it in their eyes. The way they

walked. The way they talked. These kids were serious.”

So awestruck with Prince was Willie that he tapped the precocious teenager to play guitar on a five-song demo for his band 94 East. It was on the strength of those sessions, later dubbed “The Cookhouse Five,” that Willie landed a contract with Polydor Records. Today, those master recordings are housed in the Library & Archives of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

His close relationship with Prince continued in the ensuing years. Among the many contributions Willie and his company Pepé Music Inc. made to Prince’s career are helping him establish his first publishing company, Ecnirp Music; serving as his interim manager; producing Prince’s first-ever professional concerts at the historic Capri Theater; and opening his home for six-months so that Prince and his band, which history would

later come to know as The Revolution, had somewhere to rehearse in advance of said concerts.

Prince and a myriad of Minneapolis Sound royalty felt Willie’s influence, including Cymone and Day, Dez Dickerson, Sue Ann Carwell, Bobby ‘Z’ Rivkin, Matt (Dr.) Fink, Cynthia Johnson, Jesse Johnson, Rockie Robbins, Ricky, and Paul Peterson.

In 1988, Willie was inducted into the Minnesota Black Music Hall of Fame. All told, Prince performed on 19 of Willie’s compositions in the 1970s, which can be found on albums such as “Minneapolis Genius: The Historic 1977 Recordings,” “Symbolic Beginnings,” and the self-titled “94 East.”

One of those numbers, the aforementioned “If You See Me,” was re-recorded by Prince under the title “Do Yourself a Favor” and has the distinction of being the only song not penned by Prince on the 77-track Super Deluxe edition of his landmark album “1999.”

In 2020, Willie released the memoir “If You See Me: My Six-Decade Journey in Rock and Roll.” Willie says, “Growing up in Bed-Stuy, I never thought I’d make it to 16. Couldn’t have imagined things would turn out like this. Music saved my life.”

Tony Kiene welcomes reader comments at tkiene@spokesman-recorder.com.

Pepé Willie Photo by Dennis Lazenberry

Courtesy of Pepe Music Inc.

JOIN THE 90TH CELEBRATION!

As the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder approaches its 90th anniversary, you’re invited to commemorate this historic milestone by donating $90 to celebrate 90 years of continuous publication.

Your generous contribution will support our legacy of dedicated community empowerment through journalism and ensure our vital work continues into the future.

As a “$90-for-90” contributor (non-business), your name will be prominently displayed in our print and digital editions until the week of Aug. 10 — the date of our founding in 1934.

Please consider this unique opportunity to stand collectively with the MSR, honoring 90 years of tradition and community service. For inquiries or to join as a “$90-for-90” supporter, call 612-827-4021, visit our website, or email admin@spokesman-recorder.com.

Ray Seville Productions

Ray Seville Productions

Kimerlie Geraci

Kimerlie Geraci

David Fettig

David Fettig

Tracy Wesley

Tracy Wesley

The O’Neill Family

The O’Neill Family

Liam Cavin

Liam Cavin

Shirlee L. Callender

Your Name Here

Deanna Callender

Your Name Here

George Ewing

Your Name Here

Holly Andersen

Your Name Here

Deborah Montgomery

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Y Name Here

Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Debbie Morrison

Your Name Here

Toweya Brown-Ochs

Your Name Here

Michael Diehl

Your Name Here

Gretchen Bratvold

Your Name Here

Debra Jones

Your Name Here

Clarence Jones

Your Name Here

Dotty Timmons

Your Name Here

Lee Friedman

Your Name Here

Marcia Murray

Your Name Here

Mark Ritchie

Your Name Here

Harlan Luxenberg

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Jeffery Young

Michele Livingston

Your Name Here

Mary Quinn McCallum

Your Name Here

Katie Izzo

Your Name Here

Amanda Brinkman

Your Name Here

Augustus Ritemon

Your Name Here

Carolyn Roberson

Your Name Here

Melanie Manaen

Your Name Here

Nina Johnson

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Your Name Here

Lock him up: Trump is now a convicted felon

Trump was unhinged his first time in office. He will be free of constraints with a criminal conviction under his belt and nothing to lose.

By Keith Boykin

Donald Trump has been convicted of 34 criminal charges. The unanimous verdict by the New York jury marks the first time in American history that a former U.S. president has been found guilty of a crime.

Despite Trump’s claim that Black people will relate to his legal troubles, we remember how Trump failed to relate to the Black and brown teenagers in the Central Park Five case that he tried to execute and never apologized for after they were exonerated.

The conviction should give Republicans a convenient offramp to find a new nominee, but they’re too far down the rabbit hole to use common sense. The Constitution does not prohibit a “convicted felon” from running for president, so the verdict will not end Trump’s presidential campaign.

But let this mark the end of the foolish conversation that Trump and Biden are the same. They are not. No matter President Biden’s weaknesses, there is no other person in American history—past or present—as dangerous to democracy as Donald Trump.

It was not the Biden campaign or the White House that convicted Trump. It was the unanimous verdict of 12 jurors, selected transparently in

open court. And while Trump politicized the trial by yapping his mouth at daily press conferences outside the courtroom for six weeks, he never once opened his mouth to testify inside the courtroom under oath.

This is not normal.

Trump complained that the prosecution relied on the testimony of a convicted felon and a porn star to prove its case, but those were the people with whom he chose to associate. Trump hired Michael Cohen to be his lawyer, and Trump engaged in an adulterous sexual encounter with adult film star Stormy Daniels.

The Manhattan district attorney didn’t pick those people; Trump did.

We’ve never had a president who obstructed the peaceful transfer of power. And we’ve never elected a president who had just been convicted of a crime.

The verdict in Trump’s hush money trial is the first of four criminal cases facing the former president. He’s also facing state charges of election interference in Georgia, federal charges for stealing and withholding classified documents

Alito’s decision sets dangerous precedent for gerrymandering

By Marshall H. Tanick

Upholding a racially gerrymandered Congressional redistricting map in South Carolina a couple of weeks ago, the U. S. Supreme Court conjured up two astonishing and alarming propositions.

The majority decision in the case entitled Alexander v. NAACP, written by right-wing Judge Samuel Alito, reasoned that because partisan gerrymandering, which is legally permissible, overlaps with racially biased redistricting, which is not.

To advance this form of voter suppression, the Alito decision presumed the “good faith” of the white Republican legis-

of proper motivation heavily tilts the case in favor of upholding racially skewed boundaries.

submissions@spokesman-recorder.com

submissions@spokesman-recorder.com

in Florida, and federal charges for “conspiracy to defraud” the United States by plotting to overturn the 2020 election results leading up to the January 6 insurrection. Those are just his criminal trials.

Trump has also been found liable in multiple civil trials. He was fined $454 million for fraud, $83.3 million for defamation, and ordered to pay a $5 million fine for sexually assaulting a woman in New York. His company was convicted of 17 felonies and ordered to pay a $1.6 million fine.

His university was shut down and fined $25 million, and his foundation was shut down and fined $2 million.

Although Trump ran for office in 2016 promising to hire “the best people,” he surrounded himself with people in trouble with the law.

The CFO of his company was convicted. His campaign chairman and deputy campaign chair were both convicted. His campaign manager cut a plea deal in a battery case. Three of Trump’s top White House aides—Michael Flynn, Steve Bannon, and Peter Navarro—were convicted. Even his lawyers have been indicted and pleaded guilty to crimes.

When Trump first ran for president in 2016, he warned voters that if Hillary Clinton were elected, “it would create an unprecedented constitutional crisis” because “she is likely to be under investigation for a long time, concluding, probably, in a criminal trial.” But that’s exactly the situation we find ourselves in today.

Despite Trump’s campaign mantra to “lock her up,” Hillary Clinton was never arrested, indicted, or convicted of any crime. But Trump has been. He is the constitutional crisis he warned us about.

If elected, he will be the first president in history to be still under criminal investigation and facing criminal trial. At least Richard Nixon had the decency to resign the presidency when he got caught.

What makes the prospect of a Trump presidency even more threatening is that Trump has pledged to pardon the insurrectionists who aided

There is no way to separate the considerations underlying the drawing of electoral districts. Thus, the courts cannot invalidate the blatantly racist redistricting that has the effect of restricting the ability of Blacks to elect representatives proportionate to their population in the state.

By presuming the voting boundaries were devised in “good faith,” the Court effectively decided the case before adjudicating it.

lators who drew up the plan. But the issue in the case was whether the electoral map was devised in “good faith.”

Given the long history of racial bias in the politics of that state—and many others—according to the legislators, the benefit

By presuming the voting boundaries were devised in “good faith,” the Court effectively decided the case before adjudicating it. This constitutes a form of white supremacy in robes that, regrettably, becomes a road map for other legislative map drawings. Fortunately, Minnesota has avoided falling into this trap. Despite years of rancor and litigation, the last redistricting cycle went smoothly and was accepted in all quarters. Unfortunately, that’s not been the case in many other places, and the High Court’s decision in the Alexander case provides a precedent allowing that pattern and practice to persist and expand.

Marshall H. Tanick is a Minneapolis resident.

Sour on spoilers

By Barry Rosenberg

There are currently three third-party candidates for president: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Jill Stein, and Cornell West. All three candidates claim they are running to give voters a choice and a chance to voice their views. All three insist they are not “spoilers.”

Let’s examine this.

In the last century, the most successful third-party candidate was Ross Perot, with less than 19% of the popular vote in 1992.

Voting third-party is a “choice” to vote for someone who will not win. However, Teddy Roosevelt helped Wilson defeat Taft in 2012, and Ralph Nader helped Bush defeat Gore in 2000.

They were “spoilers.” Polls indicate the Biden-Trump race may be close enough to allow a “spoiler” to decide the election.

Promoting a voting system such as ranked-choice voting, approval voting, or star voting is the best way to create choice. They all allow voters to vote for whom they like without fear of the “spoiler” effect,

his attempt to overthrow our democracy in 2021.

For all the unsupported right-wing claims about President Biden protecting Hunter Biden, Biden has done nothing to interfere with the Justice Department’s investigation of his son. On the other hand, Trump might abuse the power of the presidency to shut down both of his federal criminal cases. And in the unlikely event that he is convicted in one of his federal cases before January 2025, Trump has already indicated that he believes he has the power to pardon himself.

I don’t know how often I can say this is abnormal, but it must be said. I’ve worked in

and each method increases the chance of a third-party victory because it removes the fear of voting one’s conscience.

If you want to create choice, you are better off changing our voting system than you are by voting for a “spoiler.”

For example, if you like Cornell West more than any other candidate, and if your state chooses to switch to ranked-choice voting for elections (it is already happening in some states), you can vote for Dr. West as your first choice without considering him a spoiler because you also get to choose one of the two major party candidates as your number two choice.

Then, if no one gets 50% (+1) and your first-choice can-

politics for 40 years and have studied and taught political science since college.

From 250 years of history, I know America has survived crooked and incompetent presidents.

We’ve had racist presidents and slave-owning presidents. But we’ve never had a president who obstructed the peaceful transfer of power. And we’ve never elected a president who had just been convicted of a crime.

Some people may not remember the chaos of Trump’s first term in office, but I do.

I covered him for five years as a political commentator for CNN. I read his disturbing midnight tweets, watched

didate actually comes in third, your second choice goes to an “instant runoff,” and you have both voted with your conscience and your “realpolitik” power. You have not wasted your vote; you have not enabled the victory of someone you are horrified to see win. That system especially favors “down ballot” chances for electing (for example) an independent House or Senate member.

The best ways to use your “voice” include letters to the editor, letters to candidates and elected officials, social media posts, peaceful demonstrations, and thoughtful donations—donations to causes, not necessarily to candidates with no chance of winning. If you want to create choice, you are better off changing our voting system than you are by voting for a “spoiler.” Your “spoiler vote” could help to defeat someone you yourself consider the best candidate with a real chance to win.

Barry Rosenberg is a political activist with Swing Blue Alliance, We the People Mass, and Indivisible Westford.

his belligerent press conferences, witnessed the tear gassing of peaceful protesters, called out his mishandling of the Covid-19 crisis, and resisted his attacks on Black people. Trump was unhinged his first time in office, but his worst impulses were constrained by a small group of people who knew better. Now, with a criminal conviction under his belt and nothing to lose, there will be no constraints.

Keith Boykin is an American TV and film producer, national political commentator, author, and former White House aide to President Bill Clinton. He contributes to WordinBlack.com.

submissions@spokesman-recorder.com.

Education

Special Ed paraprofessional helps shrink equity gaps

Her own advanced studies set an example for her students

By Abdi Mohamed Associate Editor

Throughout her career in education, Leticia Alvarez has been guided by the desire to cultivate a more equitable learning environment not often found in the traditional classroom setting.

As a paraprofessional at Kennedy Senior High School, Alvarez returned to higher education to obtain a degree to help her meet her goal of supporting young children of color in gaining their full potential despite the obstacles stacked against them. Having graduated from Bloomington Public Schools, Alvarez has personal experience and insight into the district’s students’ needs.

cilitate restorative practices in the classroom.

Having discovered her passion for this high-level work in education, Alvarez sought out the opportunity to specialize in her field even further. That’s when she came across the SpedUp program at Normandale Community College, a two-year program that recruits people of color to become educators who confront the educational equity gaps in the K-12 classrooms and help diversify the special education workforce.

Alvarez is the first student to graduate from the cohort after joining the program in 2022. She described SpedUp as an uplifting and empowering experience that supported her despite her busy life.

Her love for working with children dates back to when she helped her auntie Tamara operate a daycare on the South Side of Minneapolis. She enjoyed her time working with the kids and took on more responsibility. Alvarez soon secured a similar position with a childcare program in Bloomington, where she then pursued a career with the district.

As a special education paraprofessional, Alvarez supports teachers in the classroom and works alongside students to ensure they get the best education. Her passion for her students led her to advocate for them, and she began to explore opportunities to fa-

“It removed that big barrier of the financial aspect that allowed me to go back to school, being a mother, being a wife,” she said. In reflecting on what motivated her to enroll in the program, Alvarez simply credited her students.

“It was important for me to actually go back. Once I could show my students that if I could do it, they could do it,” she said. “We’re in a phase right now that we’re telling students, especially students of color, that college is for them, but also starting to find that we’re not truly filling the gap of what are those other opportunities.”

Kenny Chan is the program coordinator for SpedUp and

has over 15 years of experience in special education. He explained that the program was first created after Normandale was approached with a generous grant from an individual who wanted to address the disparities in educator representation and student outcomes.

According to Chan, less than 6% of special education teachers in Minnesota are people of color despite the large number of Black and brown children in these programs.

“All of us have now talked to Leticia, and you can just tell whatever she does, she’s going to have an impact.”

SpedUp students are supported through various wraparound services, including financial assistance, career readiness, and mentorship. Administrators from school districts in Edina, Eden Prairie, and other metro suburbs have stopped in to speak with students and form relationships in the hopes of one day offering them positions.

Chan spoke about Alvarez’s accomplishments in the program and hailed her as an example for other students in the cohort to see where their hard work can one day take them.

“All of us have now talked to Leticia, and you can just tell whatever she does, she’s going to have an impact,” he said.

“She is a change maker, and she is the person who is ready to make an impact wherever she goes and whatever she does.”

Steven Geller, Normandale’s director of media and public relations, underscored how the institution has utilized these specific programs to supply students with the tools for their own success.

“One of the strengths of Normandale is being able to meet our students’ needs wherever they’re at,” he said. “When you take programs like Sirtify and SpedUp, which

have that cohort model, then you have a lot of organization in place to be with students who are going through either similar journeys or different journeys to be able to learn from each other and build off

each other’s experiences and create those relationships that last.”

Chan said five employees from Bloomington Public Schools, including Alvarez, are in the program, along with six

employees from Edina Public School staff. This illustrates how SpedUp serves as a stepping stone for those advancing their careers.

As a behavioral specialist, Alvarez wants to reduce the disciplinary disparities disproportionately faced by young Black and brown boys. Even in her current position, she ensures that students sent to her classroom for disciplinary reasons are still receiving an education and not wasting time in school.

“What I tried to cultivate was a space of healing, of love, of care, of connection, of community, but also restoration,” she stated.

In her final paper for the program, Alvarez discussed non-exclusionary discipline practices and their connection to the school-to-prison pipeline. She argued for dismantling the systems currently in place across the country and finding new solutions that do not further marginalize young students of color.

Abdi Mohamed welcomes reader comments at amohamed@ spokesman-recorder.com.

Leticia Alvarez poses for a photo at her graduation with SpedUp Program Coordinator Kenny Chan.

Photo courtesy of Normandale Community College

Leticia Alvarez pauses for a photo during her graduation celebration.

Photo by Chris Juhn

Employment & Legals

From Ads Department/MN Spokesman-Recorder

PHONE: 612-827-4021 FOR BILLING INQUIRIES & TEARSHEETS

PLEASE CONTACT

ACCOUNTING DEPT @ BILLING@SPOKESMAN-RECORDER.COM

SUMMONS PREPAID FLAT RATE: $110 X 3 WEEK RUN TOTAL: $320

Please proof, respond with email confirmation to ads@spokesman-recorder.com

The MSR handles billing digitally. This means you will get e-tears and e-mailed invoices unless you specifically request a hard copy.

HOCKEY

Continued from page 12

the time when she and others helped start U.S. women’s pro tennis. “We went out and recruited players [of color] for tennis. We need more girls of color represented, and that will happen over time,” predicted King.

TSN broadcaster Raegan Subban, a former player herself, also stressed the importance of creating more opportunities for young Black girls and other girls of color to play hockey. “I think really emphasizing that hockey is for everyone and it’s a safe place and that we can dominate this time just like everyone else,” noted Subban.

VIEW Continued from page 12

Washington, observed Twins Baseball Operations President Derek Falvey of Woods Richardson. He told us earlier in the season that Woods Richardson is continuing to improve: “He’s figuring out how to work up and down… how to move in and out. He’s just maturing.”

Manager Rocco Baldelli also was impressed with Woods Richardson’s performance. “He’s pitching more like an experienced veterantype picture with a lot of feel,” said the Twins skipper. “He stepped into a spot in our rotation where we really needed something. We needed someone to step into a role, and he’s done even more than that.

“He gives us a chance to win virtually every time he takes the mound right now,” added Baldelli.

Said the pitcher after the game, “I think just attacking the strike zone, trying to command the strike zone with the heater [fastball].”

Staff Attorney

Central Minnesota Legal Services - Minneapolis Office

Full-Time Staff Attorney, primarily holistic family law litigation, often involving domestic violence. Demonstrated commitment to marginalized communities experiencing poverty preferred. Second language a plus. Starting $80,002, D.O.E. Excellent benefits, 33.75-hour hybrid work week. Cover letter, resume, references, writing sample to info@centralmnlegal.org. Applications due June 28, 2024. EOE; No Calls Please.

Woods Richardson’s 2.57 ERA ranked third among MLB rookies with 35 or more innings pitched in 2024. He is working hard to finally secure a big league rookies roster spot after almost five years in the minors.

“He made real adjustments this off season,” said the manager of Woods Richardson. “He changed the delivery and his arm stroke a little bit, brought his arm down.”

Woods Richardson simply explained, “I dropped it six inches” as he demonstrated his right arm up high then

Overall, year one of the PWHL was a rousing success. “I don’t think a lot of people expected it,” surmised Subban. “It’s really beautiful to see. I was a part of this, it’s historic.”

“The next draft class is incredibly deep, incredibly strong, skilled players that are going to enter this league and make it better,” concluded Jayna Hefford, PWHL se-

nior vice president of hockey operations. Of the 167 eligible players who have declared for the June 10 PWHL Draft in St. Paul, Wisconsin defender Chayla Edwards is at present the only Black player on the draft list.

Charles Hallman welcomes reader comments at challman@spokesman-recorder.com.

Phone and Internet Discounts Available to CenturyLink Customers

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission designated CenturyLink as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier within its service area for universal service purposes. CenturyLink’s basic local service rates for residential voice lines are $20.59-$26.00 per month and business services are $28.25$46.25 per month. Specific rates will be provided upon request.

Please proof, respond with email confirmation to ads@spokesman-recorder.com The MSR handles billing digitally. This means you will get e-tears and e-mailed invoices unless

CenturyLink participates in the Lifeline program, which makes residential telephone or qualifying broadband service more affordable to eligible low-income individuals and families. Eligible customers may qualify for Lifeline discounts of $5.25/month for voice or bundled voice service or $9.25/ month for qualifying broadband or broadband bundles. Residents who live on federally recognized Tribal Lands may qualify for additional Tribal benefits if they participate in certain additional federal eligibility programs. The Lifeline discount is available for only one telephone or qualifying broadband service per household, which can be either a wireline or wireless service. Broadband speeds must be at least 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload to qualify.

A household is defined as any individual or group of individuals who live together at the same address and share income and expenses. Services are not transferable, and only eligible consumers may enroll in these programs. Consumers who willfully make false statements to obtain these discounts can be punished by fine or imprisonment and can be barred from these programs.

If you live in a CenturyLink service area, visit https://www.centurylink.com/aboutus/ community/community-development/lifeline. html for additional information about applying for these programs or call 1-800-201-4099 with questions.

brought it down about a halffoot. “Six inches might not seem like a lot, but it’s kind of a drastic change. So, we worked on it this off season.”

Woods Richardson stands out not so much because of his height, but that he’s among the few Black baseball pitchers.

“There’s not a lot of Black pitchers, even in minor league baseball,” he admitted. “So it’s always fun when you see another person that looks like you who’s probably been through the same struggles and maybe different struggles.”

Black pitchers have been underrepresented in the major leagues over the past 12 years, making up only 2-3% of major league pitchers.

Takashi Williams, a junior journalism student at Columbia University, wrote for his school’s newspaper back in February on the declining numbers of Black pitchers. He said it starts from the youth levels because Black participation in baseball overall has “declined significantly” over the past half decade. Williams also

pointed out that coaches often switch potential Black pitchers to other on-field positions for various reasons.

And if the Black player proceeds to the mound, “Black pitchers are always under a magnifying glass,” Williams told me in a phone interview last weekend.

Legendary Black pitcher Mudcat Grant called fellow pitchers of color “Black Aces” who won at least 20 games in a single season in the majors, as he once did. The last to join this group was David Price in 2012.

Woods Richardson said proudly that he’d like to join that esteemed group one day.

“His pitches are more consistent, the command is better. The velocity has picked up on the fastball, sliders moving better,” Baldelli concluded on Woods Richardson. “He’s getting better reactions from the hitters.

“That’s a winning combination,” the Twins manager pointed out.

Charles Hallman welcomes reader comments at challman@ spokesman-recorder.com.

1998. She played for Detroit (1999) and, after a year off from basketball, two seasons in Minnesota (200002).

“I didn’t have a lot to smile about, or I struggled a lot with my confidence, with my mental health,” said Whiting. “I even took a season off because of depression.

“I had a baby and came back, but too soon,” she continued. “I struggled a lot, having a baby in March and reporting to training camp in May. Who does stupid stuff like that?”

Originally accepted for medical school, Whiting deferred it for a while, but ultimately never attended, according to her.

“I like professional basketball too much. I was only supposed to play pro ball for two years, and I was just to go overseas [to play]. Then professional basketball came to the United States and I played in the ABL.

“I just fell in love with playing the sport and never went back and never had the passion for it,” said Whiting on not becoming a doctor. “I

couldn’t get the same passion I had when I was an undergrad at Stanford,” but she did go back to college and earn a master’s degree in sports psychology.

On being a Lynx, “I haven’t thought about my Minnesota days on a whole,” admitted Whiting. “It was hard to play for [former coach Brian Agler]. He played a style of basketball that was very physical. It was very frustrating to play as a post player.”

Nowadays, Whiting works with athletes at all levels. Since the pandemic in 2020, her work has become virtually worldwide as Zoom sessions have become the norm, Whiting pointed out.

“I am all over the world,” she noted.

Since 2020 Whiting has become a social media influencer and content creator. She also hosts her “Stay Fierce with Coach Val” podcast.

Next week: Val Whiting discusses her current clashes with social media trolls over Caitlin Clark.

Charles Hallman welcomes reader comments at challman@ spokesman-recorder.com.

Simeon Woods Richardson in the locker room

Photo by Charles Hallman

Women’s Pro Hockey first season a rousing success

By Charles Hallman Sports Columnist

Attracting young girls of color to the sport a top priority

he first season of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) now is in the books. PWHL Minnesota last week became the league’s first champion, only the second local women’s pro hockey club to win a world title (Minnesota Whitecaps in 2010 and 2019). It joins the Minnesota Lynx (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017) as the only Minnesota professional teams in this century to win at least one championship.

“I

“I’m grateful to be a part of the inaugural season,” admitted Sophie Jaques, who led all defenders in playoff scoring with five points in nine games (two goals, three assists). Her game

clinching goal late in the second overtime of game four set off a momentary on-ice celebration, but officials later disallowed it after they ruled goalie interference by a teammate.

Boston a minute later scored and won 1-0 and sent the bestof-five series back to Boston deadlocked at two games apiece.

“Obviously it was tough, but I think it drove that motivation even further,” noted teammate Nikki Nightingale.

“You had that feeling of winning, especially in front of the crowd that went crazy… We wanted that feeling again.”

Nightingale and Jaques are Minnesota’s only two Black players—the former is a reserve player, and Jaques was acquired in a February trade from Boston. The two are one half of the four total Black players in the PWHL, the overwhelmingly majority of whom are White.

Both players told the MSR

that they want to see more Blacks in the league. “I think it honestly starts at the minor level and just getting more kids into hockey,” explained Jaques. “Break down some of the barriers that keep them from getting into hockey.

“Representation does matter,” she emphasized. “To have more Black players for young Black girls to look up to will help bring up those numbers for sure.”

ince being called up in May, Simeon Woods Richardson has fit in nicely as a Minnesota Twins spot starter. I finally got to see him on the mound as he earned his second MLB victory on May 28, a 4-2 decision over Kansas City.

“There’s

The 6’3” right hander tossed four scoreless innings before giving up two runs in the fifth inning. He finished with two runs on three hits, four strikeouts and two walks, and generated 10 swings and misses.

ficient [in his] last start,” a three-hitter in 4.2 scoreless innings May 22 at

“I think he was really ef-

he Minnesota Timberwolves’ season ended with a 124-103 loss to the Dallas Mavericks in Game 5 of the NBA Western Conference finals last Thursday evening at Target Center. The tandem of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving scored 36

points each. P.J. Washington Jr. had 12 and Daniel Gafford 11 for the Mavericks, who won the best of seven series 4-1. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 28 points apiece for the Timberwolves. Other outstanding players for Minnesota were Mike Conley,

PWHL Advisory Board member Billie Jean King told reporters, including the MSR, that recruiting more players of color so all kids can see people who look like them on the ice is very important.

“We need more,” stressed King. “I did talk to players about how we need more girls of color. It’s very important to us…to have inclusion.” The tennis legend recalled

Former pro hoopster now counsels other athletes

n athlete’s mental health is just as important, possibly more so, as her or his physical health.

Former ABL and WNBA player and twotime NCAA champion Val Whiting is a certified mental performance coach who since 1998 has worked with college, high school and professional athletes to enhance their performance.

It’s about self-compassion, Whiting told me during a phone interview. “Athletes on a whole are very hard on ourselves,’ she pointed out. “We’re our biggest critic. We know we had a bad game, and we’ll beat ourselves up even more than it needs to be so stressed.

Final Fours. She graduated with a B.S. in biological sciences and was the school’s all-time leading scorer, rebounder, and blocker, as well as the then Pac-10 all-time leading scorer and rebounder.

“Having self-compassion… That’s the best thing,” she advised.

Whiting was a pre-med student at Stanford, where she also played basketball (1989-93), played on the 1990 USA team as a freshman in the U.S. Olympic Festival in Minneapolis, won two NCAA championships, and played in three

But as successful as she was in college, her pro stint overall was a mixed bag, Whiting explained. She played in the American Basketball League’s only two years (1996-97) before it folded, and then was drafted by the WNBA in

Rudy Gobert, Naz Reid, Jaden McDaniels and Kyle Anderson What a great season for the Timberwolves. The future looks bright.

Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader comments at mcdeezy05@gmail.com.

PWHL MN after winning the Walter Cup

Courtesy of X

Nikki Nightingale Photos by Charles Hallman Sophie Jaques

Val Whiting

Courtesy of X