Podcasts about sahan journal

Parents at St. Paul Public School's Hmong language and culture school are preparing to keep their kids at home Monday amid an ongoing dispute with the district over overcrowding concerns. The boycott on Monday takes place ahead of a Tuesday meeting where the school board will vote on next steps. Enrollment at the PreK-8 Txuj Ci school has grown tremendously in recent years. But the district has not been able to find enough space to keep all students under one roof. That's led to several temporary short-term solutions that have left many parents frustrated. Tensions have boiled over to the point where some parents say they may even pull their kids from the school entirely. Sahan Journal's Becky Dernbach has been following the story and joined Minnesota Now to share her reporting.

Every year, the American Community Survey, a survey affiliated with the U.S. Census Bureau, asks people across the country to share what languages they speak at home. In Minnesota, those numbers not only help us understand immigration patterns and changes in language diversity, they also help shape state policy. Sahan Journal data reporter Cynthia Tu and Sahan Journal reporting fellow Shubanjana Das recently published a story diving into the survey results and joined Minnesota Now to share more about their reporting.

The Trump administration is ending the federal government's reporting on hunger amidst an upheaval to the food benefit program SNAP. We'll hear from the new CEO of the region's largest food bank on how she's navigating these changes.A professor at Bemidji State is developing a suicide screening tool specifically for Indigenous people. We'll learn more about his work.Plus, the growing diversity of different languages spoken in Minnesota offers a snapshot of a changing state. We'll hear from two Sahan Journal reporters who analyzed survey data from the U.S. Census. And Minnesota sports fans are celebrating! We'll get all the news on this weekend's wins from our sports contributors Wally and Eric.Our Minnesota Music Minute was “Georgia on my Mind” by Willie Nelson and our Song of the Day “Golden Ray of Sun” by The Midnight Hounds.

President Trump's campaign to deport thousands of immigrants has had significant impacts for the Southeast Asian community in Minnesota. At a news conference last weekend by MN8, an advocacy group helping Southeast Asian immigrant communities, co-founder and executive director Montha Chum told reporters that five Hmong Minnesotans in federal detention were transferred to Louisiana and are currently awaiting deportation to Laos. Sahan Journal reports that, as of early June, at least 15 Hmong Minnesotans with criminal convictions were arrested to be deported. Ana Pottratz Acosta, a visiting professor at the University of Minnesota Law School and the Binger Center for New Americans — and a former immigration attorney — joined MPR News host Nina Moini to discuss the issue and explain what happens to immigrants' cases after they're sent out of the country.

The White House has described its immigration policies as a “landmark public safety effort” to arrest and deport people who have committed crimes. Data from the Deportation Data Project that was analyzed by NPR shows ICE has also increased arrests of people with no criminal record. And in Hennepin County, officials say deportations and related fears have disrupted criminal cases. That's according to a story published Monday by Sahan Journal criminal justice reporter Katrina Pross. She spoke to Minnesota Now host Nina Moini about her reporting.

This weekend, monks and other visitors from all over the world will gather near the small town of Hampton just south of the Twin Cities. It's home to the Watt Munisotaram, which is the largest Cambodian Buddhist temple in the United States. In a new photo essay, Sahan Journal multimedia journalist Dymanh Chhoun shares scenes from the construction of a large, ornate gate at the temple's entrance. The Great Gate is almost complete after years of fundraising and construction. He joined MPR News guest host Chris Farrell in the studio to talk about it.

In middle school, so much can change over the course of a single school year, or even a semester. A new story by Sahan Journal goes inside a Minneapolis classroom where students who recently moved to the United States are learning to navigate not just a new school but also a new country. Education reporter Becky Dernbach followed two eighth-graders through their first few months of school, which coincided with President Trump's return to the White House, a federal immigration crackdown – and heightened fears of deportation. Dernbach joined Minnesota Now to talk about her reporting.

Dan and Ellen talk with Katherine Ann Rowlands, who runs Bay City News Foundation. The foundation is a nonprofit that publishes journalism for the Greater San Francisco Bay Area at LocalNewsMatters.org and The Mendocino Voice. And by the way, this is the last podcast until September. Bay City News Foundation acquired The Mendocino Voice and took it nonprofit a little more than a year ago. Dan reported on the Voice for our book, "What Works in Community News," and was visiting in March of 2020 when ... well, you know what happened then. Rowlands also is owner and publisher of Bay City News, a regional news wire supplying original journalism for the whole media ecosystem in her area, from TV to start-up digital outlets. Dan has a Quick Take about the Muzzle Awards. Since 1998 he has been writing an annual Fourth of July roundup of outrages against free speech and freedom of expression in New England during the previous year. This is the 27th annual edition a couple of weeks ago.  Ellen reports on the death of Nancy Cassutt, a newsroom leader at Minnesota Public Radio and American Public Media's “Marketplace.” Nancy was a driving force in helping Mukhtar Ibrahim get Sahan Journal off the ground. 

An 11-year-old boy is dead after a shooting at a Minneapolis park. It's the second deadly shooting at a city park this month. We talk to the Minneapolis Park Police chief about what he thinks is behind the violence and what he's doing to keep parks safe.The entire CDC vaccine advisory panel was fired by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The new members meet for the first time today. We hear how this panel's desicions could impact vaccine access. Plus, federal checks on unaccompanied minors are putting immigrant families on edge. We dive deeper into that story from Sahan Journal. Meteorologist Sven Sundgaard joins us with a look at flooding threats for today. And a new podcast is collecting stories of queer mutual aid through a hotline.Today's Minnesota Music Minute was “Don't Come Crying to Me” by Cindy Lawson. The Song of the Day was “The Great American Outrage Machine” by Dante DeGrazia.

Lawyers and advocates in the Twin Cities and southwestern Minnesota say federal agents are making home visits to interview unaccompanied minors. That's according to a recent story by Sahan Journal. Unaccompanied minors are children and teens who moved to the United States without guardians or legal status. Many are staying with sponsors, who are usually family members, while their cases go through court. The Trump Administration has told national news organizations that agencies are making “wellness checks” to look for signs of exploitation and human trafficking. But immigrant advocates are raising concerns. Joining Minnesota Now to explain is Sahan Journal's immigration reporter Katelyn Vue.

About 4,500 people are released from Minnesota prisons each year. Many of them have spent years, if not decades, behind bars, separated from friends, family and community.What happens when they finally return? How do they rebuild their lives during this complex and often precarious transition?That was the topic at a collaborative Sahan Community Live and North Star Journey Live event recorded on April 24 at the St. Paul Neighborhood Network. Co-hosted by MPR News senior editor Brandt Williams and Sahan Journal digital producer Alberto Villafan, formerly incarcerated Minnesotans shared first-hand stories of what makes reentry such a difficult process. Community leaders and reentry advocates also shared what helps and what holds back people as they exit incarceration and reintegrate into their community.Guests: Antonio Williams is the founder and executive director of T.O.N.E. U.P., a grassroots organization dedicated to empowering formerly incarcerated individuals.Rea Smith is the Women's Services Project Coordinator of the Behavioral Health Division at the Minnesota Department of Human Services.Erick Washington is the co-founder of the Kingsmen Project.James Becker is the assistant federal defender and federal defender representative in the District of Minnesota Reentry Court program.David Riley is an addictions counselor at RS Eden, a Minneapolis-based organization that offers treatment for drug addictions, housing assistance and reentry support.

About 4,500 people are released from Minnesota prisons each year. Many of them have spent years, if not decades, behind bars, separated from friends, family and community.What happens when they finally return? How do they rebuild their lives during this complex and often precarious transition?That was the topic at a collaborative Sahan Community Live and North Star Journey Live event recorded on April 24 at the St. Paul Neighborhood Network. Co-hosted by MPR News senior editor Brandt Williams and Sahan Journal digital producer Alberto Villafan, formerly incarcerated Minnesotans shared first-hand stories of what makes reentry such a difficult process. Community leaders and reentry advocates also shared what helps and what holds back people as they exit incarceration and reintegrate into their community.Guests: Antonio Williams is the founder and executive director of T.O.N.E. U.P., a grassroots organization dedicated to empowering formerly incarcerated individuals.Rea Smith is the Women's Services Project Coordinator of the Behavioral Health Division at the Minnesota Department of Human Services.Erick Washington is the co-founder of the Kingsmen Project.James Becker is the assistant federal defender and federal defender representative in the District of Minnesota Reentry Court program.David Riley is an addictions counselor at RS Eden, a Minneapolis-based organization that offers treatment for drug addictions, housing assistance and reentry support.

The Minnesota Senate has passed a bill providing some benefits to Hmong and Lao veterans who helped the U.S. military during the Vietnam War. In the 1960s and early ‘70s, the CIA recruited tens of thousands of Hmong people in an operation known as the Secret War. Many of those recruits lost their lives. Others fled their home country when the war ended 50 years ago, eventually moving to states like Minnesota.  The bill still needs to be passed by the Minnesota House to become law. DFL Sen. Susan Pha, DFL-Brooklyn Park, is a co-author of the bill and joined Minnesota Now to talk about the impact it may have.  This story was first reported by Sahan Journal.

Five counties in Minnesota recently made agreements with ICE to help with immigration enforcement. What that means is different depending on the county, and its separate from previous agreements to hold ICE detainees in three local jails around the state. Sahan Journal reporter Andrew Hazzard is following this story. He joined MPR News host Nina Moini to explain.This conversation was produced by Alanna Elder.

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.

A woman has filed a class-action lawsuit against a factory that produces metal parts near her home. The suit says the Northern Iron metal foundry is releasing pollution that is harming health and property values in the area. The company that owns the foundry is also in a legal battle with the state of Minnesota over its permit. Reporter Andrew Hazzard has been following the situation for Sahan Journal and joined Minnesota Now to talk about what he's learned.

How did your family end up in Minnesota? Do you know the story of your ancestors' journey? In the 1800s, immigrants to our region primarily came from Scandinavia and Germany. More recently, major populations have come to Minnesota from Laos, Somalia, Mexico, Liberia, Ecuador, Afghanistan and India. In fact, almost 500,000 people who live in Minnesota today were born outside of the United States. But behind the where is also a why. And over time, those narratives can get lost if not recorded. North Star Journey Live: Immigrant Stories That's why MPR News, together with Sahan Journal, presented a collaborative North Star Journey Live and Sahan Community Live conversation at St. Paul Neighborhood Network on Feb. 20. Hosted by immigration reporters Sarah Thamer and Katelyn Vue, this in-person event focused on how immigrant communities in Minnesota preserve their histories and pass them on to new generations. Panelists shared their own arrival stories and tips for recording your own family's journey. Immigration stories Mu Performing Arts Real immigrant stories, told with puppets At Wellstone International High Students, Swedish-Americans swap immigrant stories How this Minneapolis street Grew from immigrant neighborhood to culinary hotspot You can listen to and watch more immigrant and refugee stories at the Minnesota Historical Society's Becoming Minnesotan online archive and the Immigrant History Research Center at the University of Minnesota. Panelists: Diego Guaman is the interim director of Movimiento Comunitario Minnesota and cofounder of the Aztec dance group Kalpulli Tlaloctecuhtli. Julie Vang is program manager at Green Card Voices — a nonprofit that uses storytelling to build community connections between immigrants and their neighbors.Marian Hassan is an educator and author helping to preserve Somali oral histories.Saengmany Ratsabout is an independent scholar and community advocate who studies Southeast Asian history and is helping to document the history of the Lao diaspora. He's also one of the founders of the Immigrant Stories project at the University of Minnesota's Immigration History Research Center. Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.  

A Minneapolis charter school can be held legally responsible for hiring a gym teacher who sexually assaulted students, according to the Minnesota Supreme Court, who ruled on the case Wednesday. Adam Hjermstad was convicted in 2021 for the sexual assaults of students where he taught and coached basketball. One of the survivors and his family sued the charter school Harvest Best Academy for hiring Hjermstad. Sahan Journal education reporter Becky Dernbach joined Minnesota Now to talk about how the Supreme Court's ruling could have implications for schools across the state. Former teacher, coach in Minneapolis faces new charges of sexually assaulting childrenMinneapolis charter school may be liable for hiring teacher who sexually assaulted student, court rules

How did your family end up in Minnesota? Do you know the story of your ancestors' journey? In the 1800s, immigrants to our region primarily came from Scandinavia and Germany. More recently, major populations have come to Minnesota from Laos, Somalia, Mexico, Liberia, Ecuador, Afghanistan and India. In fact, almost 500,000 people who live in Minnesota today were born outside of the United States. But behind the where is also a why. And over time, those narratives can get lost if not recorded. North Star Journey Live: Immigrant Stories That's why MPR News, together with Sahan Journal, presented a collaborative North Star Journey Live and Sahan Community Live conversation at St. Paul Neighborhood Network on Feb. 20. Hosted by immigration reporters Sarah Thamer and Katelyn Vue, this in-person event focused on how immigrant communities in Minnesota preserve their histories and pass them on to new generations. Panelists shared their own arrival stories and tips for recording your own family's journey. Immigration stories Mu Performing Arts Real immigrant stories, told with puppets At Wellstone International High Students, Swedish-Americans swap immigrant stories How this Minneapolis street Grew from immigrant neighborhood to culinary hotspot You can listen to and watch more immigrant and refugee stories at the Minnesota Historical Society's Becoming Minnesotan online archive and the Immigrant History Research Center at the University of Minnesota. Panelists: Diego Guaman is the interim director of Movimiento Comunitario Minnesota and cofounder of the Aztec dance group Kalpulli Tlaloctecuhtli. Julie Vang is program manager at Green Card Voices — a nonprofit that uses storytelling to build community connections between immigrants and their neighbors.Marian Hassan is an educator and author helping to preserve Somali oral histories.Saengmany Ratsabout is an independent scholar and community advocate who studies Southeast Asian history and is helping to document the history of the Lao diaspora. He's also one of the founders of the Immigrant Stories project at the University of Minnesota's Immigration History Research Center. Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.  

On this episode, we're joined by Katelyn Vue. Katelyn is a reporter for the non-profit newsroom Sahan Journal in Minnesota covering the immigration and housing beats. She's been with them for a little over 2 years. In 2024 she shared the Young Journalist of the Year award from the Minnesota branch of the Society of Professional Journalists.Katelyn is a graduate of the University of Minnesota. She's our 2nd Hmong guest to appear, joining tv news anchor Chenue Her.Katelyn is a product of Report for America, a non-profit that helps pay the salaries of journalists across the country. Applications to join the next Report for America corps of reporters are due on February 3.Katelyn talked about the importance of building trust with sources and recounted notable stories, including those on housing issues and different cultural communities. She also reflected on the challenges and rewards of her work, the impact of Report for America on her career, and the importance of maintaining mental health as a journalist.Notable articlesYou live day by day': Language, cultural stigma add to barriers for unhoused Hmonghttps://sahanjournal.com/housing/hmong-homeless-st-paul-minnesota-encampmentsThe funeral with 400 Whopper Juniorshttps://sahanjournal.com/immigration/burger-king-whopper-jr-400-burgers-hmong-funeral/The West Side Flats Displacementhttps://sahanjournal.com/housing/st-paul-west-side-flats-displacement-report-apology-reparations/ Lebanese Community Response To Israeli Attackshttps://sahanjournal.com/immigration/lebanon-minnesota-community-response-israeli-attacks/Katelyn's Salutes: Susan Du, Minneapolis Star Tribune and Chao Xiong, Sahan JournalThank you as always for listening. Please send us feedback to journalismsalute@gmail.com Visit our website: thejournalismsalute.org Mark's website (MarkSimonmedia.com)Tweet us at @journalismpod and Bluesky at @marksimon.bsky.socialSubscribe to our newsletter– journalismsalute.substack.com

A state program created by a 2023 law allows teachers to become licensed to teach heritage languages. Since then, the group of teachers getting a license has been growing.In 2024, on Minnesota Now we spoke to one of the 15 teachers who became the first in the state to teach Hmong. Now a new group of teachers have become licensed to teach in Somali and Karen.Sahan Journal education reporter Becky Dernbach wrote about this recently and she joined the program. Ehtalow Zar is a math teacher who also teaches Karen language and culture at Johnson Senior High School in St. Paul. She's one of two teachers who just became the first licensed to teach Karen language in the state, and maybe the nation. She joined the program as well.

The Vikings suffered a devasting lost in the first round of the NFL playoffs. The boys mourn the loss and ask where do they go from here. Max details his recent expedition pheasant hunting South Dakota. Matt goes over his spear fishing excursion up on Lake Winnibigoshish.Later in  the show (48:43) Matt sits down with Joey Peters from the Sahan Journal. Joey is a journalist who has been covering the Feeding Out Futures trial and more recently the autism treatment centers that are being accused of defrauding Medicaid for millions of dollars. You can check out his latest work here:https://sahanjournal.com/news/autism-center-raid-minneapolis-st-cloud-feeding-our-future/ Send us a text

Temperatures are dropping and winter is on its way. That means conditions are more dangerous for people experiencing homelessness and living outside. A recent story from Sahan Journal looked at two encampments that have become a home base for unhoused Hmong and Karen people in East St. Paul. A new organization is visiting encampments every Tuesday with food and supplies while trying to connect residents with services. Sahan Journal reporter Katelyn Vue reported on the organization and spoke with MPR News host Nina Moini about it.

It has been a month since Israel launched a ground invasion in Lebanon in the escalating conflict with Hezbollah. More than 2,700 people in Lebanon have been killed and more than a million have been displaced since the Hamas attacks on Israel, according to the latest estimates reported by BBC. This violence is also taking a toll on Minnesotans with ties to the region. MPR News host Cathy Wurzer talks with a Minneapolis business owner who has family in Lebanon. Louisa Farhat is the owner of Sweet Lou's Craft Sausage and Butchery — a retailer and food truck. She was recently featured in Sahan Journal and is selling gift cards to raise money for the Lebanese Red Cross.

Kim Ellison is running for re-election to an at-large seat on the Minneapolis School Board, which means every voter in the city will have her on their ballot There are two competitive school board races this year. One is for a citywide at-large seat and the other is in district 6. This is one of four episodes with candidates for those two seats. In addition to listening to this podcast, I recommend reading the candidate interviews in Minneapolis Schools Voices (https://www.mplsschoolsvoices.news) and Sahan Journal (https://sahanjournal.com). 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

Shayla Owodunni is running for an at-large seat on the Minneapolis School Board, which means every voter in the city will have her on their ballot There are two competitive school board races this year. One is for a citywide at-large seat and the other is in district 6. This is one of four episodes with candidates for those two seats. In addition to listening to this podcast, I recommend reading the candidate interviews in Minneapolis Schools Voices (https://www.mplsschoolsvoices.news) and Sahan Journal (https://sahanjournal.com). 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

For immigrants to America, so much is new. New culture, new language, new systems, new opportunities.The learning curve is steep. But eventually, someone pushes through to a new level and becomes the first in their community to achieve a goal. Maybe they become the first in their family to graduate from college, or the first to start a small business. Maybe they are the first to purchase farmland or the first to publish a book that integrates their culture into the American story.On Oct. 17, MPR News' North Star Journey Live partnered with Sahan Journal to host a conversation about firsts. What do these trailblazers from immigrant communities have in common? What are the unique rewards and challenges that come with being the first to embark on a new journey?The celebration was hosted by MPR News' Nina Moini, who herself is the first American journalist in her immigrant family, and Sahan Journal digital producer Alberto Gomez. North Star Journey Live: The Firsts Panelists included Chenue Her, the first Hmong man to become a TV news anchor; Rodrigo Cala, who is the first in his family to buy a farm in the U.S.; Michael Vang, one of the first Hmong soccer players to play professionally in the U.S.; Sen. Zaynab Mohamed, the first person under age 26 to win a seat in the Minnesota Senate; Remona Htoo, one of the first Karen children's book authors in the U.S.; and Abenezer Merdassa, an Ethiopian-American comic who found his way into the stand-up world thanks to procrastinating his finals.

Greta Callahan is running for Minneapolis School Board in district 6, located in southwest Minneapolis. There are two competitive school board races this year. One is for a citywide at-large seat and the other is in district 6. This is one of four episodes with candidates for those two seats. In addition to listening to this podcast, I recommend reading the candidate interviews in Minneapolis Schools Voices (https://www.mplsschoolsvoices.news) and Sahan Journal (https://sahanjournal.com). 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

Lara Bergman is running for Minneapolis School Board in district 6, located in southwest Minneapolis. There are two competitive school board races this year. One is for a citywide at-large seat and the other is in district 6. This is one of four episodes with candidates for those two seats. In addition to listening to this podcast, I recommend reading the candidate interviews in Minneapolis Schools Voices (https://www.mplsschoolsvoices.news) and Sahan Journal (https://sahanjournal.com). 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

For immigrants to America, so much is new. New culture, new language, new systems, new opportunities.The learning curve is steep. But eventually, someone pushes through to a new level and becomes the first in their community to achieve a goal. Maybe they become the first in their family to graduate from college, or the first to start a small business. Maybe they are the first to purchase farmland or the first to publish a book that integrates their culture into the American story.On Oct. 17, MPR News' North Star Journey Live partnered with Sahan Journal to host a conversation about firsts. What do these trailblazers from immigrant communities have in common? What are the unique rewards and challenges that come with being the first to embark on a new journey?The celebration was hosted by MPR News' Nina Moini, who herself is the first American journalist in her immigrant family, and Sahan Journal digital producer Alberto Gomez. North Star Journey Live: The Firsts Panelists included Chenue Her, the first Hmong man to become a TV news anchor; Rodrigo Cala, who is the first in his family to buy a farm in the U.S.; Michael Vang, one of the first Hmong soccer players to play professionally in the U.S.; Sen. Zaynab Mohamed, the first person under age 26 to win a seat in the Minnesota Senate; Remona Htoo, one of the first Karen children's book authors in the U.S.; and Abenezer Merdassa, an Ethiopian-American comic who found his way into the stand-up world thanks to procrastinating his finals.

The Minnesota Supreme Court is considering a challenge to a deal between the Minneapolis school district and teachers' union. The agreement in question ended a Minneapolis teachers' strike two and a half years ago and included job protections for teachers of color.Before the agreement, Minneapolis Public Schools would have to lay off teachers in order of seniority, so the last ones hired would be the first let go. Now the district can exempt teachers from underrepresented groups from that rule. But a Minneapolis resident sued over this provision, saying it's unconstitutional. What the court is weighing is whether a taxpayer, who helps fund the district, has legal standing to sue over something like a union contract. Sahan Journal education reporter Becky Dernbach has been following this and she joins MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to break it down.

Minnesota's new climate laws passed in 2023 require all electricity in the state to come from carbon-free sources by the year 2040. But it's up to regulators to decide what exactly counts as carbon free — the key question that has arisen is whether burning trash and timber for energy should be a part of the mix. There may not be an answer until the end of 2025 after the Public Utilities Commission recently moved to delay the decision. Andrew Hazzard has been following this. He covers climate change and environmental justice for Sahan Journal and he joined Minnesota Now to talk about his reporting.

Vanan Murugesan is now running the Sahan Journal and joins Jason to talk about the importance of the local, digital journalism model and his vision for the Journal

Hour 2: Jason talks with Marques Johnson who just opened Tender Lovin Chix in Uptown on DeRusha Eats. Then he talks with the new head of the Sahan Journal, Vanan Murugesan about local digital journalism

Join us for a discussion hosted by our colleagues at Sahan Journal — a nonprofit dedicated to reporting for immigrants and communities of color in Minnesota — about how to thrive as a business in Minnesota.Mukhtar Ibrahim, the founding publisher and CEO of Sahan Journal, talks with a panel of Black, immigrant entrepreneurs in tech, farming, fashion, food and wellness — including the man who started the first Jamaican restaurant in the U.S. that catered to the unique palates of Minnesotans.How did they get their businesses started and what did they learn about how to thrive as a business in Minnesota? Tune in for the conversation.Guests:Beatrice Adenodi, interim director of economic and community development at the African Career Education and Resource, Inc.David Manly, founder and CEO of the tech startup Juduh.Modoh Wanda, CEO of African Fashion Week Minnesota.Dr. Stephen Menya, chiropractor and co-owner of Lions Gym and Wellness Center.Tomme Beevas, founder and chief strategic officer of Pimento Jamaican Kitchen.Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

It has been nearly a month since all Minnesota-born adoptees gained access to their birth records. The Open Records Bill was a huge win for adoptees, in part because it allowed them to request medical history from their birth parents. However, there are still many Minnesota adoptees born in a different country whose medical history remains a question mark. Heewon Lee is assistant program director of the Genetic Counseling Program at the University of Minnesota. She joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to talk about a new Sahan Journal story looking at how international adoptees piece together a personal health history and what they can — and cannot —learn from genetic testing.

Dan and Ellen talk to Larry Ryckman. Ryckman is editor of The Colorado Sun, the subject of a chapter that Dan wrote for our book, "What Works in Community News." The Sun was founded by journalists who worked at The Denver Post, which had been cut and cut and cut under the ownership of Alden Global Capital, a hedge fund that the Post staff called "vulture capitalists." The Sun was founded as a for-profit public benefit corporation. A PBC is a legal designation covering for-profit organizations that serve society in some way. Among other things, a PBC is under no fiduciary obligation to enrich its owners and may instead plow revenues back into the enterprise. And we've found that for-profit models are rare in the world of news startups. But that changed last year, when The Sun joined its nonprofit peers. Ryckman explains. Dan gives a listen to a New York Times podcast with Robert Putnam, the Harvard University political scientist who wrote “Bowling Alone” some years back. In a fascinating 40 minutes, Putnam talks about his work in trying to build social capital. He never once mentions local news, but there are important intersections between his ideas and what this podcast is focused on. Ellen reports on an important transition at Sahan Journal in Minnesota, one of the projects we wrote about in our book. The founding CEO and publisher, Mukhtar Ibrahim, is moving on and a successor has been named. Starting in September, Vanan Murugesan will be leading Sahan. He has experience in the nonprofit sector and also has experience in public media.      

Donald Trump announced his running mate, JD Vance, at the Republican National Convention Monday. We have the latest live from the convention. Plus, we unpacked the rhetoric and conspiracy theories that are swirling after an assassination attempt on the former president. And as Republican party leaders gather in Milwaukee, we heard what two young conservative voters are thinking about the election now. It was another weekend with heavy rain. We found out how recent floods are affecting water quality.Plus, we met the new leader of the news organization Sahan Journal. And we recapped the Lynx's sold-out game against the Indiana Fever, with the new voice of Lynx Radio.

On Minnesota Now, we've heard many stories brought to light by reporters at Sahan Journal. It's a nonprofit newsroom launched in 2019 to cover immigrants and communities of color in Minnesota. On Monday, the organization announced its new leader. Vanan Murugesan is taking the helm as executive director after founder Mukhtar Ibrahim announced he was stepping down last October. For the last nine years, Murugesan has worked at Pillsbury United Communities, where he co-founded a nonprofit grocery store in north Minneapolis. And he stepped into the local media landscape by helping with the launches of the community news outlet North News and south Minneapolis radio station KRSM. Murugesen joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer.

Some Democrats, including Minnesota congressmembers, are joining calls for a new nominee for president. We spoke about upheaval in the party as President Joe Biden says he's committed to the race. Plus, we heard from one of Minnesota's uncommitted delegates.A new data story by Sahan Journal shows the heavy — and unequal — toll of fentanyl in Minnesota. A historian has learned the state may have been more important to the Underground Railroad than previously thought. We found out about the time that a well-known abolitionist spent living in St. Paul. We learned how people in the city of Cook are trying to prevent health problems caused by indoor flooding.And we heard stories by young journalists who recently finished Radio Camp here at MPR News.Our Minnesota Music Minute was “Unbound” by Bizhiki, and our Song of the Day was “Two Wheels and Westerns” by Luke Lynell.

A late-night Yemeni coffee chain is expanding into the Twin Cities. The first Minnesota location of Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Company opened its Little Canada roastery in early May. But the service that Qamaria provides goes beyond coffee — the coffee shop creates much-needed spaces for young Muslims to gather and socialize in the evenings. Sahan Journal reporter Hibah Ansari recently visited Qamaria and published a story about it. Ansari joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to talk about the increase in late-night third spaces for Muslim youth like Qamaria.

On  this episode we chat with Joey Peters. Joey is a journalist for the Sahan Journal and has been covering the Feeding Our Futures Trial.The "Feeding Our Future" case involves a significant fraud scheme where multiple individuals and entities exploited federal nutrition programs intended to provide free meals to children during the COVID-19 pandemic. The nonprofit organization Feeding Our Future, along with other participants, allegedly submitted false documentation and reports for meals that were never served and created fake meal distribution sites. The funds obtained through this fraudulent activity were misappropriated for personal use, including luxury purchases and real estate.Federal authorities, including the FBI and the Department of Justice, launched an investigation leading to several indictments and arrests on charges such as wire fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering. This case, involving tens of millions of dollars, is one of the largest pandemic-related fraud cases, highlighting vulnerabilities in emergency federal aid programs and undermining public trust in charitable organizations. Legal proceedings are ongoing, with further indictments and actions anticipated.You can check out some of Joey's work here: https://sahanjournal.com/author/joey-peters/ 

Public schools in Minnesota have a growing need to be equipped for a wide range of temperatures. School years in the state can be hot and muggy on either end and freezing in the middle. And if students are uncomfortable, it's difficult to focus on learning. A high school on the East Side of Saint Paul is wrapping up its first year with a new heating and cooling system that draws energy from the ground. The district plans to install more of these geothermal systems at two other schools as part of its goal of cutting greenhouse gas pollution. The district is joining a larger wave of investments in geothermal energy. Sahan Journal climate and environment reporter Andrew Hazzard wrote about the district's switch and joined Minnesota Now to talk about it.

Students from the largest school district in the state are standing up to their school board. A march and rally are planned ahead of the Anoka-Hennepin school board meeting on Monday night. This comes after a school board member backed by a conservative parents rights group said he plans to force a budget showdown if the district does not scrap all programs aimed at racial and gender equity. Education reporter Becky Dernbach has been covering the controversy for Sahan Journal and joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about it.

Karen and Hmong parents in Minnesota say they are increasingly alarmed by the substance abuse they see in their communities' youth. Opioids are the largest problem, specifically the the deadly drug fentanyl.MPR News partnered with Sahan Journal to talk about this painful topic, at a special North Star Journey Live event in mid-November, hosted at the Washington Technology Magnet School in St. Paul.There, health leaders, community members and youth advocates explored the complex interplay of genetic factors and life experiences that contribute to substance abuse, addiction and mental health challenges in Minnesota's Hmong and Karen communities.They also addressed the long-lasting impacts of immigration experiences, highlighting the urgent need for improved mental health data within Minnesota's communities of color.Listen to this special North Star Journey Live discussion, moderated by MPR News host Angela Davis and Sahan Journal's Samantha HoangLong.Guests:Say Klo Wah is a youth case manager at the Karen Organization of Minnesota.François Vang is a clinical social worker who currently works as a therapist at Nystrom and Associates.Dr. Dziwe Ntaba is an assistant professor of emergency medicine at the University of Minnesota Medical School. Thanks to a Bush Foundation Fellowship in 2021, Dr. Ntaba also worked within the Minneapolis Health Department's Opioid Response Team.Abdirahman Mukhtar is a community leader, youth advocate and the founder of Daryeel Youth, a nonprofit organization that specifically targets substance abuse and addiction issues among East African youth in the Twin Cities.North Star Journey Live (formerly known as In Focus) is a live event series and reoccurring topic on MPR News with Angela Davis centered around what Minnesota's diverse communities need to thrive.

If you've ever tried to learn a second or third language, you know translating words from one language to another is not a one-to-one deal. Professional translators need to know the nuances of both languages to communicate meaning.The Minnesota Department of Human Services translates some of its documents into five languages besides English, according to its website. Those are Hmong, Russian, Somali, Spanish and Vietnamese. The website says other languages are available based on need. Some of the agency's Hmong and Somali translations drew criticism recently, as freelance journalist Gustav DeMars reported for Sahan Journal. They reviewed translations in the five other languages. And Somali speakers found one of the sentences was also lost its meaning to a literal translation.

Beginning Wednesday, houses of worship in the Twin Cities will open their doors to provide extra beds to migrant families who need a place to stay. According to a recent story in the Sahan Journal, Hennepin County staff say their shelters for families experiencing homelessness are beyond capacity and half of the families in the shelters are recent arrivals from the southern border and major U.S. cities. MPR News Host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Liliana Letran-Garcia, CEO of the nonprofit Interfaith Action of Greater St. Paul, the nonprofit coordinating the program.

On Thursday, Minnesota senators in the Housing and Homelessness Prevention Committee are meeting at the State Capitol. One of the bills on their agenda today would create protections for homebuyers who sign on to a contract-for-deed.That's where instead of taking out a mortgage loan, you pay in installments. It offers a path to home ownership for people who struggle to get approved for a loan or don't want one. Many Muslims, for example, do not pay or earn interest as part of their faith, and members of the Somali community have lost homes and huge sums of money to these deals. State and federal lawmakers have introduced reforms in response to work by Sahan Journal and Propublica. Jessica Lussenhop, a Propublica reporter based in in Minneapolis, joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to talk about it.

The rhetoric is inflammatory, but there's no disputing the data. The number of migrants who crossed the southern U.S. border is hitting historic highs. In December, the Department of Homeland Security reported more than 300,000 people crossed the border, either by applying for asylum at entry points or by trying to cross the border illegally. According a Pew survey, Americans across party lines say the government is doing a bad job handling the current surge. Congress is locked in a standoff. Earlier this month, it failed to pass a bipartisan bill to increase border security, after Republicans in the House said it was “dead on arrival.” Meanwhile, thousands of migrants — coming from a wide variety of countries like Venezuela, Ecuador, Russia and India — are stuck in makeshift camps at the border, waiting to be processed. The reality of this broken system is not a surprise to Minnesota's immigrant communities. Many have fought their way through it or are still waiting for action. And all are watching for what happens next. Beyond the Border: The immigration crisis, up close To get some answers, MPR News, together with Sahan Journal, convened a panel of immigration experts on Feb. 8, at El Colegio High School in Minneapolis. Hosts Angela Davis and Sahan Journal immigration reporter Hibah Ansari asked them to share stories about Minnesotans caught in the system and how immigrants and refugees to Minnesota are viewing this election year. Don't miss this special Sahan Community and North Star Journey Live discussion. Experts: Emilia Gonzalez is the executive director for Unidos MN.John Bruning is the supervising litigation attorney at The Advocates for Human Rights.Jenny Stohl Powell is the legal director at the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota.Nasra Ismail is the the U.S. enterprise executive director of Alight. North Star Journey Live is a live event series and reoccurring topic on MPR News with Angela Davis centered around what Minnesota's diverse communities need to thrive.Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.  

Have you ever checked the ingredients in a bottle of nail polish? How about hair dye or chemical straighteners? Many of these products do what they do thanks to strong chemicals that can be bad for our health. Ngan Hoang, owner of Cali Nails in Minneapolis, slowly switched over to safer products over four years. The University of Minnesota School of Public Health recently received federal money to talk to salon owners in the Twin Cities about doing the same. Sahan Journal reporter Joey Peters covered the program and joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to talk about it. You can read his story here.