Minneapolis school board hopefuls speak at candidates’ forum

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On Aug. 22, the Minnesota Women’s Political Caucus partnered with the Sabathani Community Center in South Minneapolis to offer community members a chance to listen to and interact with School Board candidates at a forum designed to engage and inform. Among the issues discussed were funding; race, class and the achievement gap; and the very makeup of the board itself. Eight of nine candidates showed up to present their plans. Allison Johnson was unable to attend because of a scheduling conflict. Continue Reading

Grand Rounds: residents voice environment, traffic concerns

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George Puzak’s family has made its home in the Northeast or Southeast Como neighborhoods for the past 100 years. With that history behind him, he looks ahead with optimism to the area’s future – and that means the completion of the three-mile “missing link” of the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway, a 50-mile parkway that weaves around Minneapolis. When complete, the missing link will connect East River Parkway, part of the Downtown Riverfront Round, with St. Anthony Parkway in the Northeast Round. Puzak, vice chairman of a 21-member Citizen’s Advisory Committee convened to determine specific objectives for the project, said it’s achievable. Continue Reading

Big river, little artists

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For Kathy Swenson, the Mississippi River is more than a scenic body of water dividing the Twin Cities. As a park ranger with the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA) — a 72-mile stretch of river that includes Minneapolis and St. Paul — the river represents the area’s vitality. Swenson said since she began her involvement with the Big River Journey student learning experience, she has a renewed sense of faith in the river’s future caretakers. The Big River Journey, a classroom and river site-based comprehensive educational program, teaches Minnesota children in fourth through sixth grade about the Mississippi. Continue Reading

Organizations focus on getting out the younger vote

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Karlee Weinmann

With the youngest part of the electorate notoriously apathetic on Election Day, nonpartisan organizations hope to educate young voters and change attitudes on a local and national scale in preparation for Nov. 7.

The Ad Council is working with the Federal Voting Assistance Program to generate interest and emphasize the importance of voting, especially among college-age citizens.

The national public service announcement campaign, called “Pay Attention and Vote,” targets 18- to 30-year-olds, a valuable and often untapped voter population.

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Tuesday primaries to narrow the field

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Karlee Weinmann

With the election season under way, primary elections mark the first major obstacle for office hopefuls. Voters will head to polls Tuesday to cast their ballots in the primary, in which political parties select candidates for the November general election. Some University students will trek to polling places for the first time.

Minnesota Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer emphasized that no one takes office immediately after a primary.

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