December 19, 2003 - Developers have unveiled plans for a $600 million development project to be built along the Hiawatha Light Rail line near the Mall of America. Bloomington Central Station will include office space, residential housing and a 700 room hotel and resort that will feature a 60 thousand square foot water park. Planners say the 45 acre parcel of land will be transformed into the state's first transit-oriented development and a national model. However, some opponents of light rail, say the development would make sense even without its connection to the Hiawatha line. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports.
December 11, 2003 - An audit has found that 33 priests in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis have been accused of sexual abuse. The claims span 50 years and involve 69 credible allegations by people who say they were abused as minors in the years before 1988. The audit also says that the church is complying with anti-sexual abuse standards adopted by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops last year. In some cases, auditors say the churches efforts to help victims of abuse have gone above and beyond the bishops' guidelines. However, some say the audit is under-reporting the number of people who've been abused by priests. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports
December 10, 2003 - The city of Minneapolis has towed more than 600 cars in the first phase of a snow emergency that went into effect Tuesday night. Today WEDS city employees gathered at the impound lot to talk to the people who have come to claim those cars. They want to know why so many people have their cars towed and what the city can do to better inform them about snow emergencies. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports
December 1, 2003 - The Minneapolis NAACP has begun a program called the "411 on the five- 0" , slang for the 'information on the police.' It's aimed at educating community members about how the police do their jobs. But the program is also designed to help people of color avoid contentious situations with police. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports
November 28, 2003 - Most law firms in the twin cities do pro bono work. But only the six major law firms offer free legal clinics. Leonard, Street and Deinhard was the first to open an office in one of the poorest areas of Minneapolis. The one room office is located in a health clinic that serves clients that are mostly poor people of color. And many of the clients are immigrants who don't speak English. Recently, the firm celebrated the 10th anniversary of it's clinic. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports:
November 25, 2003 - The Minneapolis Police Department will be the subject of an audit under a new project announced today (Tues) to combat racial profiling. The project was inspired by traffic stop data showing drivers of color in Minneapolis are more likely than white drivers to be pulled over and searched. Members of an audit team will ride along in police vehicles and analyze police procedural manuals to try to determine what's behind the racial disparities in traffic stops. Minneapolis city officials say they hope this model will be adopted by more police departments around the state. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports:
November 14, 2003 - Percussionist Marc Anderson has followed a musical path that has taken him far from his hometown of Austin, Minnesota. From the foothills of the Himalayas, to the steaming forests of west Africa, Anderson has spanned the globe in the spirit of musical and cultural exploration. He's recognized by musicians around the world as an authority on African drumming. Like his music, Anderson has made the people and cultural traditions he's come across in his travels a part of his personal life. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports:
October 31, 2003 - MPR’s Brandt Williams reports on who speaks for Black community. Reports includes comments from church leaders, an academic, a city council member, and resident of the community.
October 23, 2003 -
October 15, 2003 - Community activists in Minneapolis expressed outrage today (WEDS) over allegations of police brutality by Minneapolis police officers. Minneapolis police have asked the FBI to investigate the allegation. Members of groups which represent several communities of color say they believe an African American male suspect was sexually assaulted while in custody Monday afternoon. The activists are demanding a federal civil rights investigation of the Minneapolis department. MPR's Brandt Williams reports