Attorney, Jeff Hassan is Executive Director to the African American Leadership Forum. The mission of AALF’s Executive Director is to create full employment, build wealth, close the achievement gap, affect legislative policy and promote healthy living in the Twin Cities African American Community. To accomplish these tasks, Mr. Hassan must first address an age old issue that affect the thought process of every day Minnesotans, especially those who read the Star Tribune. These thought processes could very well inadvertently affect legislation and funding crucial to change necessary in the African American community. As a father is to his child and as a leader is to his tribe —Mr. Hassan is the Alpha Male, and he is very protective of African American leaders and passionately demonstrates this in his open letter to the Star Tribune today.

Loan credit restrictions loosened as federal parent loan program aims to increase accessibility
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As part of the revamps to the Higher Education Act, the federal government is changing its credit requirements to increase accessibility for parent loans.
Some non-partisan notes on 2014 votes
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Have you ever found yourself alone and clueless in the voting booth, suddenly aware that there are whole columns of unknown candidates vying for positions you never knew existed? There’s an app for that! Continue Reading

Find a lost dog? Do these 6 things stat
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As much as we don’t want anyone to lose his or her dog, sometimes it happens. Despite our best intentions and our years of dog-owning experience, sometimes our dogs get loose, especially around holidays like the 4th of July (thank you, fireworks) and Halloween (frequent opening and closing of doors, scary masks, constant doorbell ringing, etc.). Continue Reading
How to keep your pet safe on Halloween
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For many people, it’s one of the most anticipated nights of the year – filled with the magic of costumes, the sweetness of treats and plenty of family fun. But for our beloved pets, Halloween might not be such a celebration.This is a Community Voices submission and is moderated but not edited. The opinions expressed by Community Voices contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the TC Daily Planet.Before putting on your costume and filling the candy bowl on October 31, please make sure that your pet has a safe space indoors to spend the evening. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Humane Society of the United States both strongly recommend that pets spend the evening in a familiar, quiet room away from the commotion at the front door. This is especially important for dogs and cats, who could become frightened or stressed by the strange smells, noises, and decorations and behave unpredictably as a result. Leaving your pet out in the yard is not a good idea.For cat owners, Halloween can be especially terrifying. Continue Reading
Smarten up – politically and fiscally – with State Smart!
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A little learning is a dangerous thing. Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian Spring; There shallow draughts intoxicate the brain, and drinking largely sobers us again. -Alexander Pope Continue Reading