The New Normal

ABOUT The New Normal is a series of news stories and community conversations devoted to identifying community priorities as we face serious economic challenges.

Click here to see articles, Q & As, and other content related to the New Normal.

Join us for a conversation about Inequality
Thursday, November 24, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
2600 E. Franklin Ave. in Minneapolis.
Parking and entrance in the rear of the Wells Fargo Bank.
R.S.V.P. lisa@tcdailyplanet.net

Times are tough, and some analysts say that the American economy may never go back to robust pre-recession levels of prosperity—that we must accept a lower standard of living, higher unemployment, and diminished prospects as "the New Normal." Others maintain that the current economic downturn is cyclical, and that our economy has met and overcome similar difficult economic times in the past. In any case, right now we see cities, counties and school districts forced to make difficult budgeting choices with declining resources. With funding from the Bush Foundation, The Twin Cities Media Alliance will report dozens of articles and host 40 community conversations about today's "New Normal."

Each month we'll tackle a different topic, including neighborhoods, the state budget, education, health care, public services, immigrant communities, the environment, work and inequality.

We are asking Twin Cities community members, both in person and online, "What challenges are you facing from our current economy? How will you adjust your priorities and goals for the future? What do you think our priorities should be, as we face tough economic choices?"

PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS We team up with partner organizations to host our community conversations. Nonprofits, community and neighborhood groups, and our ethnic media partners assist in recruiting participants and moderators. Our partners are essential in extending the reach of our community conversations and broadening the diversity of our discussions.  

MODERATORS A moderator will facilitate each community meeting using a framing article published in the Twin Cities Daily Planet and a discussion guide.

CONTENT Click here to see articles, Q & As, and other content related to the New Normal. Our coverage begins in March, 2011 and will culminate in a public event, including speakers and workshops in November to which participants, policy makers, the media and the general public will be invited.

CONTACT US If you would like to be a community partner, host a community meeting, be a moderator, or write an article for the New Normal, please contact Lisa Peterson-de la Cueva at lisa@tcdailyplanet.net.

CALENDAR We host four community conversations each month in coffee houses and community centers across the Twin Cities. Click here for information on June conversations on health care!

• March Neighborhoods
• April State Budget
• May Work
• June Health Care
• July Immigrant Communities
• August Transportation
• September Environmental Protection
• October Education
• November Inequality