Podcasts about north minneapolis

The story behind Second Chance Recycling is an amazing one. Find out more from SHAWN DOLAN-GM of Second Chance and KENRICK SHEL, who went through re-entry program and is now the OPERATIONS MANAGER!

The story behind Second Chance Recycling is an amazing one. Find out more from SHAWN DOLAN-GM of Second Chance and KENRICK SHEL, who went through re-entry program and is now the OPERATIONS MANAGER!

A long-standing community hub of Minneapolis' Black community is celebrating 100 years. The Phyllis Wheatley Community Center, located in north Minneapolis, marked 100 years in October. But on Friday the center is hosting their centennial gala. Valerie Stevenson is the interim executive director and has worked with the center for more than 20 years. She joined Minnesota Now to talk about the early years of the center and what 100 years means today.

A Minneapolis charter school is under new leadership after multiple lawsuits called into question the school's practices. According to reporting from Sahan Journal, Harvest Best Academy's school board fired their CEO and founder Eric Mahmoud after a lawsuit claimed he chose to protect a prominent teacher accused of sexual abuse. Sahan Journal education reporter Becky Dernbach joins MPR News host Nina Moini with the latest.

This hour Dan Cook (in for Jason DeRusha) says now that violence has dropped to pre-pandemic levels in North Minneapolis, is that enough to get you to come back to the city? If not, what would it take? He also says when naming snowplows reaches Arizona… we've officially jumped the shark, $5 per day for getting stuck in space!!?!?, plus we have Three Disasters… and Puppies!

When it comes to making her voice heard - does Sheletta take a break? We chat it up with the queen herself, discuss some of the crimes in North Minneapolis, Down Syndrome Awareness, an amazing event she has going on Friday night and much more with Sheletta!

Tyrus Hayes is the Director of Strategic Engagement for Al-Maa'uun, a Minneapolis-based nonprofit whose "mission is to alleviate poverty and oppression within black and communities of color in North Minneapolis and surrounding areas through direct service and advocacy." The Next in Nonprofits Podcast usually focuses on a broad topic of interest to the nonprofit community rather than featuring the story of a single nonprofit. We were approached by Podcasthon to divert from our regular format once a year to lift up the work of a specific mission. We are proud to bring the story of Al-Maa'uun to the podcast! Tyrus joins host Steve Boland to talk about the mission of Al-Maa'uun to meet the "Neighborly Needs" of the communities in North Minneapolis and beyond. The organization has grown from just a few volunteers to over 25 paid employees cooperating with other groups to meet needs. Al-Maa'uun is a 2Gen organization and uses this framework to help build a community response to this work.

Sheletta's hosting an upcoming gala that you'll wanna get to that will raise money for an organization that helps small business in North Minneapolis.

It's time for one of our newer segments on the show, Out to Lunch. We're getting out of the studio and meeting different members of our community over a meal, at a restaurant of their choice. Listen to a conversation that MPR News host Nina Moini had with someone who spends nearly all of his time listening to and helping members of Minneapolis' north side. Bishop Richard Howell has been a pastor at Shiloh Temple International Ministries in north Minneapolis for more than 40 years. And he's led the ministry through a difficult five years since the COVID-19 pandemic and the murder of George Floyd. Moini and Howell met up at Good Day Cafe in Golden Valley for a conversation about his life and work over lunch.

The Minneapolis government restructuring of 2021 was sold as a solution to our city's biggest problems. The Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce (yes, that's right the campaign to change the charter was 100% funded by the Chamber) said said we had to rid ourselves of the 14 bosses holding us back and creating internal confusion at city hall. Council Member Jeremiah Ellison's career spans both the four years prior and the four years after government restructuring. He says the new structure is what's stalling progress on big issues like homeless encampments. He saw passage of the 2040 Plan under a council-driven system and says the collaborative dynamic that produced that nationally-heralded housing policy wouldn't be possible today. We talk about the way things are, the way they used to be, and why he decided his time is up after eight years representing Ward 5 in North Minneapolis. Watch: https://youtube.com/wedgeliveJoin the conversation: https://bsky.app/profile/wedge.liveSupport the show: https://patreon.com/wedgeliveWedge LIVE theme song by Anthony Kasper x LaFontsee

What does it take to build wealth when you're starting with nothing? According to Corey Wright, the answer isn't just money—it's mindset, relationships, and knowing how to play the game.From growing up in North Minneapolis to becoming one of the largest independent minority-owned real estate brokers in Minnesota, Corey's journey is a masterclass in resilience. He shares how he lost everything in 2008 and rebuilt a financial empire through strategic investing, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to financial literacy.Corey doesn't just talk about wealth—he lives it, builds it, and teaches others how to do the same. If you're serious about financial freedom, you won't want to miss this episode.Resources:Learn more at The Color of MoneyLearn more at legacywealthgroup.comFollow Corey on Instagram: @TheRealCoreyWrightListen: Episode 02. Mind Over Money: Decoding the Wealth MindsetListen: Episode 13. Empowering Communities Part 1 with Bo MenkitiBecome a real estate agent HEREConnect with Our HostsEmerick Peace:Instagram: @theemerickpeaceFacebook: facebook.com/emerickpeaceDaniel Dixon:Instagram: @dixonsolditFacebook: facebook.com/realdanieldixonLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dixonsolditYouTube: @dixongroupcompaniesJulia Lashay:Instagram: @iamjulialashayFacebook: facebook.com/growwithjuliaLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/julialashay/YouTube: @JuliaLashayBo MenkitiInstagram: @themenkitigroupFacebook: facebook.com/obiora.menkitiLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bomenkiti/Produced by NOVAThis podcast is for general informational purposes only. The guest's views, thoughts, and opinions represent those of the guest and not KWRI and its affiliates and should not be construed as financial, economic, legal, tax, or other advice. This podcast is provided without any warranty, or guarantee of its accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or results from using the information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Gov. Tim Walz is negotiating with ten of Minnesota's tribal nations on an agreement allowing them a larger role in the state's burgeoning cannabis industry. We learn more about how the tribes could lead the rollout of marijuana legalization in Minnesota.With smartphones taking up more and more of teenagers' attention, English teachers are rethinking how to teach reading to their students. We meet one teacher who is working with social media to get her kids excited about books.And in another edition of our series called Out to Lunch, MPR News host Nina Moini sits down for a meal in North Minneapolis with celebrated Minneapolis musician, Geoffrey Lamar Wilson.

The North Minneapolis program trains people in energy efficiency and weatherization. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/ 

In this episode of Equity Actions, James Burroughs chats with Malik Rucker, V3 Sports Executive Director. Malik was a high school star athlete in North Minneapolis.  He used his excellent skills as a student athlete and football cornerback to show others how they can strive for success and accomplish community building goals.  Malik has dedicated his post football career to bringing attention to the importance of health and well being for youth and how changing attitudes, healthy living mental models and access to physical exercise facilities can transform community. Listen to Malik discuss the importance of  addressing the social determinants of health.View the transcript here: https://www.childrensmn.org/for-health-professionals/talking-pediatrics-podcast/talking-pediatrics-equity-actions-bringing-well-being-back-to-the-neighborhood-12-2-24/

Jamez Staples says the energy transition can help lift up his whole community. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/ 

I stopped by Driftless Oaks Farm this week, and as I looked at the property, it hit me that it is a fast fading dream. I realized that I am turning the page and leaving the farm behind, and even though it sounds sad, this epiphany had to happen for me to move forward here at the Landing. In Episode 231, I discuss some observations, memories and epiphanies I had as I looked over the farmhouse, outbuildings and property. It is no secret that moving to a farm/homestead was my dream. All you have to do is look back through the archive of Small Scale Life Podcast episodes, and you can see that I was working hard to move out of the city and move to Western Wisconsin. In fact, Julie and I looked at some properties in 2017 before moving from our rental house in St. Louis Park to North Minneapolis, Minnesota. The timing wasn't right until 20. Eagle's Ridge We purchased the Eagles Ridge property with a dream to build a house, garden and pole barn there. It was a 2 acre property on the Apple River just north of New Richmond, Wisconsin. We worked hard clearing buckthorn, prickly ash and honey suckle (all invasives) from the property and clearing the top of the ridge so we could see the river. We also cleared down by the water and put in a long switchback path down the 60-foot bluff from the top of the ridge to the river. COVID, riots, and global shortages pushed the cost of building a home to astronomical heights, and we decided to pivot and go a different direction. Early one morning, Julie and I woke up early, and she convinced me to put Eagle's Ridge on a shelf and start to move on from that fading dream. It was not the right time to build a house. Driftless Oaks Farm Julie's brother in Texas was looking at homes and properties for us, and he found Driftless Oaks Farm. We took a look at the property and the price, and we fell in love with it. A major dream had been accomplished, and we couldn't wait to move in as soon as possible! Not all that glitters is gold, however. We were overwhelmed by the amount of work there, and we also ran into a massive roadblock: the house. We bought the farm with the intention of hosting gatherings there with our family and friends. I even started planning homesteading gatherings at the farm where folks would come and listen to great homesteaders and gardeners talk about things that they were doing on their homesteads. Think Self-Reliance Festival in Maiden Rock, Wisconsin! The house was small, and we found out that contractors were not keen on working with and adding on to a 1900-era house. The farmhouse was small, and it would have been difficult to add on to the house with the stone foundation in the front and cellar in the back. Contractors recommended bringing in a bulldozer and starting from scratch. Did we have fading dreams once we did some diligence? Yes, absolutely. It happened fast on the farm, especially after major life events in 2022. After Danny passed away, we decided it was time to sell and move away from the little farm. We did not see how we could improve the farmhouse economically and make it work for us, so it was time to put it on the market and move forward. This Week's Epiphany When I stopped by the farm this week and observed it from the neighbor's hill, it suddenly occurred to me that the young man that purchased the property made some significant changes for the better. He had the creativity, audacity, tenacity and the network to make some things happen. I realized after looking at our little farm for a while that our farm life was one of many fading dreams, and it was time for me to turn the page and move on forever. For links and show notes, head over to the Small Scale Life website at https:///smallscalelife.com.

The Twin Cities area is home to more than 40 international grocers.In many places, international grocers are stepping up to fill food deserts. MPR Correspondent Regina Medina recently reported on the entrepreneur behind Colonial Market, the Latino grocery store with plans to open in North Minneapolis in the former Aldi location at Penn and Lowry. If you're trying to find a specific ingredient or check out a new store, it can be hard to know where to start. Local food and music critic Ali Elabbady wrote an exhaustive list of all of them for the alt-weekly internet publication Racket.He talked with MPR News host Cathy Wurzer about it.Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.Subscribe to the Minnesota Now podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.We attempt to make transcripts for Minnesota Now available the next business day after a broadcast. When ready they will appear here.

There are no names bigger in jazz than Louis Armstrong and Miles Davis. And for aspiring trumpet players it is essential learning to understand the careers and influences of these two icons. For Solomon Parham and Omar Abdulkarim the invitation to pay tribute to these icons at the Capri Theater in North Minneapolis gave them the opportunity to revisit two of the heroes they grew up studying. The duo visited Jazz88's Afternoon Cruise to talk about the show and Armstrong and Davis's oversized influence in the world of music.

V3 Sports provides a place to get your workout in.  But the folks running the center are building it to mean so much more to North Minneapolis.  Executive director Malik Rucker joins Henry in studio to discuss what the center offers and the board's plan for its future.

Do meteorologists get the respect they deserve?  Henry thinks they should and explains why.  Then, V3 Sports executive director Malik Rucker tells us about the fitness center in North Minneapolis.

James Steffel, plant health care coordinator for Davey's North Minneapolis office, discusses how rapidly changing temperature and precipitation patterns can impact your trees. In this episode we cover:  Shifts in the weather in Minneapolis (:38)How long has Minneapolis been in a drought? (2:03)Heavy rainfall periods in Minneapolis (2:52)Minneapolis temperature patterns (4:13)How are trees reacting to these weather pattern changes? (5:10)Wood-boring insects and weather pattern changes (6:45)What can we do to prevent weather pattern changes from impacting our trees? (8:16)Emerald ash borer in Minneapolis (10:02)The importance of a diverse tree canopy (11:18)What James does in his role (12:39)What are humates? (15:14)Why is this job right for James? (16:57)To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.To learn more about swings in weather patterns, visit our Climate Change page, and read our blog, Climate Facing Trees For U.S. Metropolitan Areas.Connect with Davey Tree on social media:Twitter: @DaveyTreeFacebook: @DaveyTreeInstagram: @daveytreeYouTube: The Davey Tree Expert CompanyLinkedIn: The Davey Tree Expert Company Connect with Doug Oster at www.dougoster.com. Have topics you'd like us to cover on the podcast? Email us at podcasts@davey.com. We want to hear from you!Click here to send Talking Trees Fan Mail!

A chemical engineer turned community development organizer, Anthony Taylor shares the career journey that led him to founding Melanin in Motion, a Community Wellness Center program that connects children of color—and their families – with active pursuits like skiing, cycling, kayaking. Melanin in Motion was a Twin Cities Business 2024 Community Impact Award winner. “I noticed my white friends, when they think about preparing their kids for law school, they're putting them in the woods. That's the secret for making more lawyers,” Taylor says. “I want all communities to realize the benefits of municipal, state, federal investment in natural places that can show up in children being resilient, confident, and collaborative.” Taylor talks about how working for successful Minnesota wellness companies, Life Time and Aveda, helped him become a well rounded leader, and what he learned from his own startups, Spa One and Simply Organic Beauty, that led him to shift course and work for the Loppet Foundation and as president of equity outdoors for the YMCA of the North. “Melanin in Motion really is the culmination of that idea, where we see culture as an asset,” Taylor says. He also gives us a preview of his next venture: RiverNorth Development Partners, a social impact development group that is working to create a business district in North Minneapolis that prioritizes “equity driven employers” that agree to create skilled jobs for area residents who have been marginalized. Ion Aerospace is first to sign on, with plans to open on West Broadway in 2025. Following our conversation with Taylor, we go Back to the Classroom with the University of St. Thomas Schulze School of Entrepreneurship where associate professor Alex Johnson teaches entrepreneurship. He talks about the pros and cons of starting a venture on your own versus within a larger organization, and explains the difference between an inventor and an innovator. “Inventors create things. Innovators identify the problem, the value, and build a solution.”

V3 Sports will hold its grand opening on Saturday. The aquatics and recreation center is one of the largest private investments ever in north Minneapolis at $126 million.MPR News host Cathy Wurzer spoke to the executive director of V3 Sports, Malik Rucker, and Ayanna Rakhu, who planned all of the swimming programming.

V3 Sports will hold its grand opening on Saturday. The aquatics and recreation center is one of the largest private investments ever in north Minneapolis at $126 million.MPR News host Cathy Wurzer spoke to the executive director of V3 Sports, Malik Rucker, and Ayanna Rakhu, who planned all of the swimming programming.

DJ and transportation activist Eric Moran takes John on a bicycle tour of North Minneapolis. We talk about the status of Northside streets and transit advocacy. We wonder why Ward 4 Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw (a former board chair of the Bicycle Coalition/Our Streets) is the Minneapolis City Council's biggest opponent of bike infrastructure. We talk about why Eric advocates for safer streets and the projects he's most excited about. We also make a harrowing detour into neighboring Robbinsdale, Minnesota -- a place where many North Minneapolis residents, who lack options for grocery and drug stores, travel for daily essentials. Robbinsdale is also a place where opposition to a transit project is dominating a special election to fill a seat on their city council. Watch: https://youtube.com/wedgelive Join the conversation: https://twitter.com/wedgelive Support the show: https://patreon.com/wedgelive Wedge LIVE theme song by Anthony Kasper x LaFontsee

Find out more about this North Minneapolis gem.    Sarah Armstrong. Chief Development Officer for Summit Academy joined Vineeta on The WCCO Morning News.  

Each week in March, scholars and faith leaders from across the state joined Minnesota Now with their thoughts on the rise of Americans who check the box “none” when asked about their religion. A Minneapolis-based author got to thinking about this group of people when her husband decided to leave their Baptist church and become a religious “none”. That's when she kicked started a group in North Minneapolis that brings together Catholic nuns from the metro area with non-religious people to have spiritual conversations. The group is called “Nuns and Nones.” Stina Kielsmeier-Cook joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to talk about it.

Jason DeRusha talks with Timberwolves Chief Impact Officer Tru Pettigrew about the community tour initiative they've partnered with local North Minneapolis businesses, changing the narrative about North Minneapolis, how you can win a quote to a home game and more.

Summit Academy OIC, a job training center in north Minneapolis, bustled with activity on a sunny Tuesday. Inside, students sat in classrooms learning how to read blueprints and cut wood for special projects. Outside, aspiring carpenters built frames for homes in a large garage on campus, with electrical students wiring lights in a nearby building.Modern and compact, its unassuming exterior belies its power: it's one of the most successful programs of its kind in the nation.“Summit has been a part of building just about all the stadiums in the Twin Cities,” said Leroy West, president and CEO of Summit Academy.There are several certification programs here, like a typical trade school. Summit offers courses for careers in construction, health care and IT, as well as a GED preparation program. A new financial services program launches on March 25.West said their focus is on training people who are unemployed and underemployed, and providing them with skills to make a living wage. Many students are living below the poverty line before they come to school: The average household income of enrolled students is under $21,000.“At Summit, our mantra, we believe the best social service program in the world is a career,” West said.West said Summit is responsive to the needs of its chosen community of low-income people. That means offering programs at no cost, and that last 20 weeks — not multiple years like many schools and colleges.“The students that are attending Summit just don't have two years or four years to wait. They need money today,” West said. “And employers need workers today.”Summit relies on a combination of grants, donations and financial aid to cover the cost of attendance for students.The debt-free learning promise and the shorter program length were major factors for Barbara Rankin, a St. Paul mother balancing homework and housework, as she sought to pivot away from exhausting and low-paying warehouse jobs.Rankin is studying to become a medical administrative assistant. She calls the shift “a game changer.”“I'm just looking forward to like graduate and get me a career, not a job. I want a career. Something that's going to last,” she said.Origins in the Civil Rights MovementSummit Academy OIC was born out of the Civil Rights Movement.In 1958, Rev. Leon Howard Sullivan launched a “selective patronage” campaign in Philadelphia, encouraging African Americans to boycott businesses that wouldn't hire them. The boycott helped open thousands of jobs for African Americans.To meet new demand, in 1964, Sullivan created a job training program to train these new workers, naming them Opportunity Industrialization Centers, or OICs.The OIC model was later replicated in other cities, including the Twin Cities in 1967.Louis King is president and CEO of the national network, OIC of America. He said at their most, there were 150 OICs across the nation. Today, 25 affiliates remain in existence – and Summit Academy is the largest.“Summit's outcomes, high graduation rates, placement rates, and wages — the success speaks for itself,” said King. Prior to the role, he led Summit from 1995 to 2021.OICs expanded their mission beyond Black communities to serve poor people of all backgrounds, reflecting a changing America, according to King. In 2023, 78 percent of Summit Academy students were people of color.King said credits Summit's success to strong relationships with donors and employers in the region, in addition to its public policy advocacy.With its HIRE Minnesota campaign, Summit pushed to eliminate racial disparities in the construction industry. Their coalition successfully lobbied the state to raise hiring goals for people of color on construction projects.“There's a lot of talk about, how do we close these gaps? How do we make sure that access to workforce development and careers is more equitable? Summit Academy OIC just answers that question over and over and over again,” said Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan. Flanagan pointed to the similar American Indian OIC, based in south Minneapolis, as another culturally specific program with high success.“Occupational instructional centers are just incredibly important … They're an incredibly important part of our economy and our future workforce,” she said.By and for MinneapolisDaelen White knew he wanted to become an electrician straight out of high school, but math — a key skill — wasn't his strong suit.Summit offered an opportunity to work towards his goal, a pre-apprenticeship certificate, while he worked on his math. There, he improved thanks to more support and individualized attention from instructors.“They encourage you even though sometimes you might be frustrated with the problem,” White said. “They actually care.”“This is the first actual school that I felt comfortable with,” said Darnell Williams, 21, a carpentry student. He moved from Chicago to attend Summit Academy OIC after a cousin told him it is a great program.“I feel like they got the open-door policy. That's kind of new to me. Where you can just walk into someone's room and if you have a problem with something or you need help with anything, you can ask that. That's not really an option at other places,” Williams said.Another element that distinguishes an OIC from other trade schools is that it's operated by the community it's in. North Minneapolis is its DNA. A Best Buy Teen Tech Center in Summit's main campus offers an after-school resource for area teens. Instructors rallied to help clear debris after a destructive tornado hit the area in 2011. 2015 Tightening labor market may open doors to Minnesotans of color It's a different approach. It means representing students and caring about their whole well-being, according to school officials and instructors. Students come from a range of backgrounds — they may be pursuing a career change or impacted by the criminal-justice system.“The biggest thing that I have noticed is actually getting them acclimated with school, because some of them have been out of school for years, maybe decades, and just getting them acclimated with that, building confidence,” said Bernie Randle, an instructor at Summit.Randle said his job includes teaching students how to study or manage their lives outside of school.“It's family oriented,” Randle said. “You're worried about and your focus is on this person becoming a better person.”Serving 1,000 students a year Summit recently added a new virtual reality lab to its main campus, which sits along Olson Memorial Highway, just outside downtown Minneapolis and off I-94. The financial services program is housed in a satellite location about a mile north on Penn and Plymouth Avenues.The school has made headlines for adapting programming to address labor shortages. Last year, Summit launched job training in food manufacturing.“If there's a demand out there in the future workforce, we want to be that catalyst to connect the community to those opportunities,” president West said. “That's why we're here.”People can sign up at any time, with sessions starting throughout the year. There are in person, hybrid, and online learning options. West said success is measured by job placement. Over 3,300 students have been placed in full-time work aligned with their studies in the last 10 years.He recalls when Summit had under 200 students a year — now there are more than 1,000 every year. His hope is to double the number of students served. He also wants to better track if people pursue further education opportunities.Sherling Yang had been interested in a career in IT but was unsure if it was a good fit. Summit offered an attainable way to transition from working in retail.“It's hard because retail you really just live paycheck to paycheck,” she said. “And with everything cost-wise being on the rise, inflation, it's time to chase stability.”In her last weeks of her program, Yang feels prepared for an entry-level job in the field, and looks forward to pursuing college after.“I wanted a low-cost to no-cost way to learn and get into that field,” Yang said. “And that's what Summit offered.”

BMM director for church planting and development, Dr. Jason Ormiston and his wife heather, join host Steve Anderson for a candid conversation about their experiences in ministry in North Minneapolis. You will be encouraged and challenged as you hear from them about what God is at work doing in Minneapolis.Registration for the BMM Revitalization Seminar. June 4-6, 2024 at the BMM Global Ministry Center in Cleveland Ohio. Register here: https://bit.ly/reviveyourchurch

KG in Vegas, Steve in Mexico, John in North Minneapolis retrieving his stolen car. A big, fun week for 2/3 of the KC Crew. Also, "Galentine's Day!" It is an annual event. Some lovely stories of  kindness  from which we can all learn and be inspired. Enjoy.

A Cultural Corridor focused on Food in North Minneapolis!  Michael Chaney and Catherine  Fleming of https://www.projectsweetiepie.org/  talk about the  Niagara Farm/Umbuntu Gardens, NorthStar Urban Farm & Food Corridor, Big Green, People's Garden Initiative, Foster Green, 2031 Green Global Expo

Sheletta chats with Brett Buckner about why he believes the Blue Line extension project is a once in a century transportation project that will benefit the community and why North Minneapolis can't miss out on this opportunity.

Senator Bobby Joe Champion attended North High School and graduated with degrees in Political Science and Law from Macalester College and William Mitchell College of Law. Champion is now a practicing attorney with skill sets in negotiation, extensive legal and business analysis, and advocacy. Champion is a lifelong resident of North Minneapolis and currently lives…

Malik Rucker shared the transformational story of V3 Sports and his leadership journey in sports and community development. Malik is the Executive Director of V3 Sports, a community hub focused on wellness, fitness, and education in North Minneapolis. Learn from Malik's journey of leadership and purpose in sports development.

This story comes to you from Sahan Journal. MPR News is a partner with Sahan Journal and will be sharing stories between SahanJournal.com and MPRNews.org.By Andrew Hazzard and Cynthia Tu | Sahan JournalA new federal grant will provide Minneapolis with $8 million to pay for ash tree removal on private properties in disadvantaged neighborhoods, a significant relief effort after millions of dollars in removal costs were assessed against homeowners' property taxes. The U.S. Forestry Service grant comes from funding in the Inflation Reduction Act. The city applied for the grant in coordination with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, which condemns ash trees on private property in response to the infestation of the invasive emerald ash borer beetle. The Minneapolis Park Board has condemned more than 18,000 ash trees since 2013.  Homeowners with condemned trees either paid directly for their removal, or the city paid and assessed the cost—or added the cost as a fee—onto the homeowner's property taxes. Property tax assessments on tree removals total more than $7.3 million, according to the Park Board. Neighborhoods targeted by the new federal funding, such as north Minneapolis, disproportionately paid for previous tree removal via property tax assessments, leading to increased monthly costs, Park Board data show. “We're really grateful to have these resources,” said Kelly Muellman, environmental manager with the Minneapolis Health Department. But those resources can't be used retroactively, meaning there's no relief in sight for thousands of homeowners who are currently paying off tree removals that were ordered by the city.Minneapolis' ash tree removal policy is aimed at addressing the green beetle that is killing ash trees across the Midwest.Several Minneapolis homeowners told Park Board officials at an October board meeting that they're frustrated by the policy, that the costs are impacting family budgets, and that homeowners who are people of color, senior, and low-income were particularly affected.Perhaps no one is more familiar with tree condemnations than Melissa Newman, a resident of the North Side's McKinley neighborhood. Seven trees on her property have been condemned due to Dutch Elm disease or emerald ash borer since she bought her house 17 years ago. The city's forced removal of affected trees and subsequent property tax assessments are  hardships, said Newman, adding that her monthly costs have increased between $150 to $200 as a result. “I inherited the tree trying to create the American dream of homeownership,” Newman told Sahan Journal.https://sahanjournal.github.io/ej-areas/The funding applies to U.S. Census tracts considered to be environmental justice areas by the federal government, which includes almost the entire North Side, parts of northeast Minneapolis, and a large swath of south Minneapolis, including the Phillips and Cedar-Riverside neighborhoods. The city originally applied for a $29 million grant from the U.S. Forestry Service. The $8 million it received will help hundreds of households, but could go fast. The city and Park Board are also pursuing a $500,000 grant from the state for the same purposes. It's unclear how far that money will stretch, or how many ash trees remain on private property citywide. Minneapolis officials say there are at least 12,000 trees remaining on private property in the environmental justice areas targeted by the grant, but also acknowledge that the Park Board doesn't have good estimates on the true number.The average tree removal in Minneapolis costs around $1,500. The grant also covers stump grinding, which isn't included in the current average cost of tree removal, and replacing trees. Minneapolis city tree program manager Sydney Schaaf said the city is still waiting for detailed instructions on how the grant can be used, but hope it will ease the burden to homeowners and help build back lost canopy. A flawed processHomeowners in the areas targeted by the grant are more likely than homeowners in wealthier neighborhoods to pay for mandated tree removals via property tax assessment. Homeowners in more affluent neighborhoods typically paid out of pocket to hire a contractor of their choice to remove a tree, according to Park Board data.   North Side residents disproportionately paid for tree removal via property tax assessments, Park Board data show. Around $2.8 million have been assessed in north Minneapolis in the last decade.North Minneapolis homeowners experienced a high rate of tree condemnation, too. When Minneapolis ash tree condemnations peaked in 2021, with 6,095 trees marked for removal citywide, roughly 42 percent of condemnations happened in North Side neighborhoods, according to Park Board data. More than half of the roughly 3,000 households citywide who paid for tree removal via property tax assessments in 2021 were in north Minneapolis. Approximately 16 percent of the 2,164 tree condemnations issued from the start of 2023 through October were in North Side neighborhoods, according to Park Board data.Click here.https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/supIX/7/In 2021, the Park Board condemned five trees on Newman's property in north Minneapolis. Her yard is fenced in, but one day there were green marks on her trees and a hanger on her doorknob telling her the ash trees had to go. She had 60 days to either cut the trees down on her own, or allow the Park Board to handle it by sending over the lowest bidding contractor. Two were small enough for a neighbor to remove, but three were removed by the city and assessed against her property taxes. One of those assessed trees straddled the property line, and Newman split the $800 charge with a neighbor. But two other trees were deemed “special” by the Park Board (for reasons Newman said were never satisfactorily explained to her), and the removal involved a crane, driving the combined removal cost to $2,700. All told, after an $80 flat fee the Park Board imposes on all assessed trees and a 3 percent interest charge on the assessment, removing the two trees cost about $3,100. Newman's yard used to be full of trees, and her dog would lie in the shade. But now, the grass dies easily in the summer heat, and Newman has to hack away at the tree stumps left behind. “It's completely open,” she said of her property. The Park Board does not target any particular area of the city for ash tree condemnation, said Philip Potyondy, sustainable forestry coordinator, with the Park Board. It's possible that ash trees are more common in some parts of the city, he said, adding that ash borer also tends to spread exponentially, and may have accelerated in the North Side in 2021 and 2022. “This has impacted people in every part of Minneapolis,” said Potyondy. Emerald ash borer is a persistent beetle, and it will infest and kill ash trees in time. But the infestation can be prevented with insecticide treatments implanted into a tree like an intravenous tube. Potyondy said the city's 12 staff tree inspectors only condemn ash trees that show signs of infestation. Those signs include woodpecker damage and thinning canopy at the top of the trees. They don't confirm the presence of disease through testing, but because the beetle is so pervasive, any ash tree in the region that has not been treated will essentially become infested at some point, Potyondy said. Newman said she would have been happy to spend around $200 every couple of years to treat her trees and prevent emerald ash borer infestation. The branches seemed fine and new leaves blossomed each spring. But the Park Board doesn't inform people that treating trees is an option. In 2010, the Minneapolis City Council passed a resolution advising against using insecticides to treat emerald ash borer, Park Board forestry director Ralph Sievert told the board. “We have been omitting that information when we're communicating with constituents,” Park Board Commissioner Billy Menz said of the treatment option.Community pushback The Park Board altered the assessment process after community pushback led by the Harrison Neighborhood Association and the nonprofit, Hope Community.Mitchel Hansen, outreach director with the North Side's Harrison Neighborhood Association, is leading the charge against private ash tree condemnation. He became interested in the issue after hearing from several neighbors about costly assessments, and feels that the process is flawed and contradicts Park Board equity goals. “I see this as being unfair. I see this as something we can easily solve,” Hansen said. Schaaf and Muellman, the city health department employees, said the Harrison Neighborhood Association's advocacy work inspired the city to apply for the federal grant.Last May, the Park Board temporarily halted the assessment process to make changes.The Park Board now requires tree removal companies to first examine the trees in order to get more competitive bids for removals that will be assessed against a homeowner's property taxes, Potyondy said. Previously, only special trees with difficult removal circumstances would get in-person inspections from companies bidding to remove them. The city also now offers all homeowners the choice of repaying the tree removal debt on their property taxes over five, 10, or 20 years, reducing the monthly cost with longer payment periods. Previously, the assessment was automatically set for a five-year period.There is now also an exemption for seniors and veterans who can demonstrate economic hardship to defer the payments until the property is sold.  The city made 885 assessments worth about $2 million before pausing its assessment process earlier this year. When the pause ended in October, the city began collecting payments from those homeowners, who are ineligible for the new federal funding.Click here to view the maphttps://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/supIX/7/Most condemned ash trees are not assessed against property taxes, according to Potyondy, and the majority of removals are paid by homeowners out of pocket.“This is an absolute priority of mine,” Bangoura said. ‘The ship has sailed for me' Schaaf, Minneapolis' tree program coordinator, said she understands homeowners' frustrations about the assessment process and the fact that the grant money can't help retroactively. “It's hard because a lot of these people that are having to have a tree removed already live in areas that have some of the lowest tree canopy in the city. A lot of them really love trees, and they really don't want to have to remove their tree,” Schaaf said. Amoke Kubat didn't want to get rid of her ash tree. She bought her home in the North Side's Cleveland neighborhood in January 2021. While she was unpacking, she noticed a man in her backyard eyeing her large ash tree. He told her it was infested and tagged it for removal. Suddenly, Kubat had to figure out how to remove it and pay the bill. The Park Board gave her a list of contractors to call. She got estimates, some as high as $10,000. The tree didn't come down until August 2021, and in the meantime, an ash tree in her front yard was condemned as well. The backyard tree was huge, Kubat said, measuring 32 inches in diameter, according to Park Board records. Kubat was assessed more than $6,000 to remove both trees; the process was stressful. Her yard isn't the same anymore. There's nowhere for the squirrels to go and the birds seem confused, she said. Following the policy for all condemned and assessed trees, her contractor was paid only to cut down the trees, leaving large stumps in her yard that sprout small trees, which will be expensive to remove.  “We loved the tree,” Kubat said. Kubat thinks the presence of ash trees should be noted during the inspection process of buying a home. She spoke with neighbors on the North Side and realized the issue was affecting many others. She's glad there's money to help now, but believes the process of identifying and removing affected trees is flawed. “The bottom line is the ship has sailed for me. It's on my bill,” Kubat said. ‘A slap in the face' One day early this past summer, a crew showed up to Willis White's house in the Jordan neighborhood to cut down a massive ash tree in his backyard. White, 54, was confused, and said he didn't know the tree would be removed that day. A data request on White's removal shows that letters about the tree were sent to the house starting in January 2022. White said he and his wife bought the home with their daughter originally, and she officially transferred the property to them last year. The letters to the house were addressed to White's daughter. They'd received a letter about the tree and had been shopping around for a contractor, White said, but hadn't hired anyone yet. He wishes someone from the Park Board would have knocked on the door or called to make sure they knew someone was coming to cut the tree for a hefty fee. According to a records request, White's tree was determined to be special, and the city obtained three removal bids ranging from $10,000 to $7,200. “It's really difficult,” White said of the removal cost and the circumstances. According to White: The removal took a toll on the yard. The contractor had to take down a chain link fence to bring in equipment, and didn't properly repair it. Workers had to shut off power to his house, and lowered an outdoor power cord to the ground, which was left when they finished and had to be rehung by White and his son. The remaining stump is large, and White hasn't looked into how much it will cost to remove. The Park Board cut some 40,000 ash trees in public parks and on streets, but never ground the stump on the boulevard in front of White's house. The stump sprouted dozens of tiny trees this year, creating an overgrown mess. White's tree is the seventh most expensive removal handled by the city since 2013, according to Park Board data. His cost — measured by the diameter of the tree's trunk — was $226 “per trunk inch,” much higher than the median price of $69 per trunk inch in 2022.Click here.https://sahanjournal.github.io/trunk-cost-distribution/Removal prices vary widely. White's 30-inch diameter tree was assessed at $6,800. Kubat's 32-inch tree cost $3,000; the smaller, 20-inch tree also condemned in her yard went for the same $3,000 price. Although Park Board data says White's tree was assessed for $6,800, the bill for his removal was more than $7,500 after fees and interest, according to a records request and a letter sent to White's home.  “There's no rhyme or reason why they price what they do,” said Newman, the McKinley resident who was assessed more than $3,100 for removals. Newman said it's not that she's unwilling to pay, but that there were no alternatives to cutting the offered and no answers given about why her trees were determined to need special removal techniques throughout the process, despite her regularly reaching out to Park Board staff. She doesn't want to see her neighbors get price gouged, and she's mad that no relief is coming to people who are currently paying off assessments. “It's such a slap in the face,” Newman said. Learn more about Sahan Journal's data analysis for this story.

The cost of child care takes a huge chunk out of parents' paychecks. But at the same time, many child care workers make barely enough to support themselves. And, now the costs are rising.  Families across the U.S. today spend 30 percent more on their average child care payments than they did in 2019, according to new data from Bank of America.In Minnesota, child care centers are having trouble paying competitive wages and attracting workers. And for every new home day care that opens, almost two close. Rural town tries innovative solution to child care crisis Minnesota lawmakers pledge at least $300 million toward early education Rural Minnesota child care shortage leaves parents with few choices MPR News host Angela Davis talks with guests about why affordable child care is so hard to establish and whether new state programs and funding could bring more people into the profession.   Guests:  Hannah Yang is the southwest Minnesota senior reporter for MPR News.   Kyra Miles is the early childhood education reporter for MPR News.  Ann McCully is the executive director of Child Care Aware of Minnesota.  Phyllis Sloan is the executive director of La Crèche Early Childhood Centers with two locations in North Minneapolis. Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.  Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.    

The roots of The New Power Generation extend back to Prince's childhood growing up in North Minneapolis. Founding NPG members Tony Mosley, Sonny Thompson, Kirk Johnson, Damon Dickson, and Prince's high school girlfriend Cari Price shed light on what the community meant to Prince.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tom, Brittany and Rudy the show talking to comedian Reena Calm who will be at Laugh Camp this weekend in St. Paul Friday and Saturday!In the first hour, Kristyn Burtt talks with us about the effect Jury Duty had on the people involved.In hour #2, KSTP's Chris Egert details the apprehension of 14 known gang members in North Minneapolis.In hour #3, SKOR North's Judd Zulgad and Mike Gelfand complain about Uber driversStream the show LIVE on the Tom. Barnard Show app M-F from 7-10AM or get the show on-demand on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tom, Brittany and Rudy the show talking to comedian Reena Calm who will be at Laugh Camp this weekend in St. Paul Friday and Saturday!In the first hour, Kristyn Burtt talks with us about the effect Jury Duty had on the people involved.In hour #2, KSTP's Chris Egert details the apprehension of 14 known gang members in North Minneapolis.In hour #3, SKOR North's Judd Zulgad and Mike Gelfand complain about Uber driversStream the show LIVE on the Tom. Barnard Show app M-F from 7-10AM or get the show on-demand on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tom, Brittany and Rudy the show talking to comedian Reena Calm who will be at Laugh Camp this weekend in St. Paul Friday and Saturday!In the first hour, Kristyn Burtt talks with us about the effect Jury Duty had on the people involved.In hour #2, KSTP's Chris Egert details the apprehension of 14 known gang members in North Minneapolis.In hour #3, SKOR North's Judd Zulgad and Mike Gelfand complain about Uber driversStream the show LIVE on the Tom. Barnard Show app M-F from 7-10AM or get the show on-demand on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tom, Brittany and Rudy the show talking to comedian Reena Calm who will be at Laugh Camp this weekend in St. Paul Friday and Saturday! In the first hour, Kristyn Burtt talks with us about the effect Jury Duty had on the people involved. In hour #2, KSTP's Chris Egert details the apprehension of 14 known gang members in North Minneapolis. In hour #3, SKOR North's Judd Zulgad and Mike Gelfand complain about Uber drivers Stream the show LIVE on the Tom. Barnard Show app M-F from 7-10AM or get the show on-demand on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tom, Brittany and Rudy the show talking to comedian Reena Calm who will be at Laugh Camp this weekend in St. Paul Friday and Saturday! In the first hour, Kristyn Burtt talks with us about the effect Jury Duty had on the people involved. In hour #2, KSTP's Chris Egert details the apprehension of 14 known gang members in North Minneapolis. In hour #3, SKOR North's Judd Zulgad and Mike Gelfand complain about Uber drivers Stream the show LIVE on the Tom. Barnard Show app M-F from 7-10AM or get the show on-demand on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tom, Brittany and Rudy the show talking to comedian Reena Calm who will be at Laugh Camp this weekend in St. Paul Friday and Saturday! In the first hour, Kristyn Burtt talks with us about the effect Jury Duty had on the people involved. In hour #2, KSTP's Chris Egert details the apprehension of 14 known gang members in North Minneapolis. In hour #3, SKOR North's Judd Zulgad and Mike Gelfand complain about Uber drivers Stream the show LIVE on the Tom. Barnard Show app M-F from 7-10AM or get the show on-demand on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you love the Molly of Denali Podcast, then GBH Kids has a new show you're sure to enjoy: Keyshawn Solves It! Created by Ed Jenkins, the Keyshawn Solves It podcast is an 8-episode serialized mystery about a 10-year-old African-American boy who inherits a set of keys that can unlock almost any door. With help from his friend Kiki, Keyshawn uses these keys to help solve the mystery of disappearing bikes in his North Minneapolis neighborhood, ensuring that his community's Juneteenth bike parade can go on. Listeners will be introduced to Juneteenth and its origins, as well as to “keys to success” life lessons such as resilience, self-worth, and responsibility. Geared to children 5-9, Keyshawn Solves It is produced by GBH Kids and distributed by PRX and PBS KIDS. Funding is made possible in part by Black Public Media.

If you love the The Arthur Podcast, then GBH Kids has a new show you're sure to enjoy: Keyshawn Solves It. Created by Ed Jenkins, the Keyshawn Solves It podcast is an 8-episode serialized mystery about a 10-year-old African-American boy who inherits a set of keys that can unlock almost any door. With help from his friend Kiki, Keyshawn uses these keys to help solve the mystery of disappearing bikes in his North Minneapolis neighborhood, ensuring that his community's Juneteenth bike parade can go on. Listeners will be introduced to Juneteenth and its origins, as well as to “keys to success” life lessons such as resilience, self-worth, and responsibility. Geared to children 5-9, Keyshawn Solves It is produced by GBH Kids and distributed by PRX and PBS KIDS. Funding is made possible in part by Black Public Media.

Tom, Brittany and Rudy start today talking about how rude people on the road are these days!In the first hour, Kristyn Burtt has Writers' strike and SAG/AFTRA news and a review on Shiny Happy People documentary.In hour #2, KSTP's Chris Egert stops by and chats about the use of "C-Word" and stolen vehicles in North Minneapolis. Next, Patricia Heaton calls in to promote her new film Mending the Line.In hour #3, Skor North's Judd Zulgad pops in to talk about what's going on in sports and comedian Bryan Miller is in Studio.Stream the show LIVE on the Tom. Barnard Show app M-F from 7-10AM or get the show on-demand on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tom, Brittany and Rudy start today talking about how rude people on the road are these days!In the first hour, Kristyn Burtt has Writers' strike and SAG/AFTRA news and a review on Shiny Happy People documentary.In hour #2, KSTP's Chris Egert stops by and chats about the use of "C-Word" and stolen vehicles in North Minneapolis. Next, Patricia Heaton calls in to promote her new film Mending the Line.In hour #3, Skor North's Judd Zulgad pops in to talk about what's going on in sports and comedian Bryan Miller is in Studio.Stream the show LIVE on the Tom. Barnard Show app M-F from 7-10AM or get the show on-demand on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tom, Brittany and Rudy start today talking about how rude people on the road are these days!In the first hour, Kristyn Burtt has Writers' strike and SAG/AFTRA news and a review on Shiny Happy People documentary.In hour #2, KSTP's Chris Egert stops by and chats about the use of "C-Word" and stolen vehicles in North Minneapolis. Next, Patricia Heaton calls in to promote her new film Mending the Line.In hour #3, Skor North's Judd Zulgad pops in to talk about what's going on in sports and comedian Bryan Miller is in Studio.Stream the show LIVE on the Tom. Barnard Show app M-F from 7-10AM or get the show on-demand on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tom, Brittany and Rudy start today talking about how rude people on the road are these days! In the first hour, Kristyn Burtt has Writers' strike and SAG/AFTRA news and a review on Shiny Happy People documentary. In hour #2, KSTP's Chris Egert stops by and chats about the use of "C-Word" and stolen vehicles in North Minneapolis. Next, Patricia Heaton calls in to promote her new film Mending the Line. In hour #3, Skor North's Judd Zulgad pops in to talk about what's going on in sports and comedian Bryan Miller is in Studio. Stream the show LIVE on the Tom. Barnard Show app M-F from 7-10AM or get the show on-demand on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices