Public News Service

Straw purchases for guns are already a felony under federal law, but Minnesota lawmakers are expressing the need to do the same under state law following the recent fatal shooting of three first responders in a Twin Cities suburb. (Adobe Stock)

Tragedy has MN lawmakers focused on straw purchases for guns

Minnesota lawmakers return this week following an Easter break. They're expected to resume talks on a gun-safety proposal seeing renewed urgency…

Minnesota recently joined nearly two dozen other states that restore the voting rights of people who are formerly incarcerated, immediately upon their release. (Adobe Stock)

Voting rights restoration highlights Super Tuesday vote in MN

More than a dozen states hold presidential primaries on this Super Tuesday. Minnesota is among them, and the election is seen as a big opportunity …

A handful of large cities in the U.S. have added protections for tenants in a residential complex to organize in response to poor living conditions. Minnesota is looking to make it a statewide protection. (Adobe Stock)

MN considers 'organizing' protections for renters

Minnesota lawmakers face growing calls this session to boost access to affordable housing and there is a proposal to lend a voice to existing renters …

Attendees at a recent COPAL event hold the design of a proposed Latino Center for Community Engagement in the Twin Cities. The organization hopes to have the facility up and running by 2026. (Photo courtesy COPAL)

MN Latino leaders seek new hub to bolster community outreach

Minnesota's legislative session kicked off this week. A bill for construction projects is possible, and those serving Latino communities hope to get …

With the 2024 presidential race in full swing, immigration policy, especially dealing with the southern U.S. border, has reemerged as a key issue. (Adobe Stock)

Undercurrent of immigration myths felt as Congress debates border plan

It remains unclear if a border security proposal in Congress will cross the finish line and as the controversy continues, a group in Minnesota feels …

The Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce says Minnesota ranks 11th in the nation when measuring the growth of college degree attainment between 2010 and 2020. (Adobe Stock)

College degree attainment sees uneven growth for racial groups

The U.S. has seen an increase in the percentage of adults with a college degree, helping to boost lifetime earnings. But a new report shows the …

Martin Luther King Jr. Day was first celebrated as a federal holiday in 1986, but since the mid-1990s, it has been recognized as a day of service. (Adobe Stock)

Service opportunities remain at heart of MLK Day

Today, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Minnesota residents are reminded to seek out service opportunities to make their communities a better place to …

The organization Black Men Teach says in Minnesota, Black males represent 8% of students enrolled in teacher preparation programs, while only 2% successfully graduate. (Adobe Stock)

Shaping a more diverse teacher workforce in MN

It's winter break time for Minnesota school districts. But when classes resume, efforts will continue to ensure there are more teachers of color …

Beyond boosting land access, Minnesota's Route 1 organization is using a new grant to help emerging BIPOC farmers enhance their marketing operations. (Adobe Stock)

Farm innovations in MN seen as tool in ending racial hunger divide

Among Black Minnesotans, some 25% are food insecure. An emerging initiative aims to connect BIPOC communities with healthier and culturally …

According to Gallup, three in four Americans side with the United Auto Workers in their negotiations with U.S. auto companies. (Adobe Stock)

Amid organizing buzz, union membership lags, but leaders still see hope

States such as Minnesota have seen a tidal wave of union organizing amid public support to improve pay and workplace conditions. However, labor …

Census data show Minnesota's Latino population has grown by nearly 40% since 2010, and advocates say this should compel the state to take Latinos more seriously as an economic force, including for high-paying jobs. (Adobe Stock)

Complexities surround Latino 'wealth gap' as MN efforts take hold

A new report found factors like geography play a role in assessing Latino wealth gaps in the U.S. The findings are from the Brookings Institution…

Los datos del censo muestran que la poblaci�n latina de Minnesota ha crecido casi un 40% desde 2010, y los defensores dicen que esto deber�a obligar al estado a tomar m�s en serio a los latinos como fuerza econ�mica, incluso para empleos bien remunerados. (Adobe Stock)

Complejidades rodean 'brecha de riqueza' Latina, a medida que se afianzan esfuerzos en MN

Un nuevo informe señala que factores como la geografía influyen en la evaluación de las diferencias de riqueza de los latinos en Estado…

Until recently, school boards were often free of politics. But pushback against COVID-19 measures, teachings about race and book-ban movements have made them a part of culture war debates in the United States. (Adobe Stock)

Concerns mount over 'extreme' school board candidates in MN

Nearly 100 school board elections are coming up in Minnesota this fall, with some gaining attention because of the candidates who are running…

Those demanding reforms within Minnesota's correctional facilities say incarcerated individuals in Stillwater have lacked access to such basics as showers and recreation time. (Adobe Stock)

MN Faces Calls to Investigate Prison Conditions

Prison reform advocates in Minnesota continue to speak out following a lockdown at the correctional facility in Stillwater. People incarcerated …

Retail experts say the cost of electronics that students need has become a driving factor in the overall rise of school supply expenses. (Adobe Stock)

Amid Budget Pressure, Low-Income Minnesotans Get School-Supply Relief

The average U.S. household will spend nearly $900 on back-to-school supplies this year, and in Minnesota, poverty-fighting organizations are …

From left, Kareem Weaver, Tanji Reed Marshall and Alonso Jaque-Pino discussed the science of reading at an American Federation of Teachers conference. (Photo courtesy of AFT)

Teachers, Leaders Respond to Criticisms of K-12 Schools

With a new school year a little more than a month away, educators remain steadfast in fending off attacks from some parent groups and conservative …

Desde la izquierda, Kareem Weaver, Tanji Reed Marshall y Alonso Jaque-Pino hablaron sobre la ciencia de la lectura en una conferencia de la Federaci�n Estadounidense de Maestros. (Foto cortes�a de AFT)

Maestros, líderes responden a las críticas de las escuelas K-12

Con un nuevo año escolar a poco más de un mes de distancia, los educadores se mantienen firmes en defenderse de los ataques de algunos …

Seg�n Ballotpedia, este a�o se presentaron m�s de 100 proyectos de ley en la Legislatura de Minnesota relacionados con la pol�tica electoral. (Adobe Stock)

Resumen de la política electoral: MN atípico para 2023

Muchas legislaturas estatales de todo el país han concluido su trabajo del año. Como se esperaba, se adoptaron cambios en la política …

According to Ballotpedia, more than 100 bills were introduced in the Minnesota Legislature this year dealing with election policy. (Adobe Stock)

Election Policy Roundup: MN Outlier for 2023

Many state legislatures around the country have wrapped up their work for the year. As expected, election policy changes were adopted, and those …

George Floyd's murder inspired a wave of global protests to fix 'broken' policing policies, and not just in Minneapolis. Activists and civic engagement leaders have long noted that citizen input is an important part of the process. (Adobe Stock)

Federal Probe of Mpls. Police Propels Talk of Civilian Input

The Minneapolis Police Department is one step closer to a consent decree after a scathing federal report was issued late last week. Around …

Four years ago, Minnesota approved what was described as one of the toughest wage-theft laws in the country. But some construction union leaders say the practice is still prevalent within the industry. (Adobe Stock)

MN Adds Extra Wage Theft Protection for Construction Workers

As the summer construction season ramps up, the industry is preparing for new requirements under a pending Minnesota law change. In recent years…

This spring, Minnesota joined the nearly two dozen other states that have legalized recreational marijuana use in some form. (Adobe Stock)

Newly Signed MN Marijuana Law to 'Wipe Away' Minor Offenses

Two months from today, Minnesota will begin the process of removing low-level marijuana convictions for those who have them on their criminal records…

For years, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program has been quickly targeted for cuts when Congress is at odds over spending priorities. (Adobe Stock)

MN Hunger Relief Leader: SNAP Threats Off Mark

Whether it's the recent debt ceiling negotiations or the Farm Bill debate, a key federal food assistance program is again at the mercy of budget …

Community Action Agencies provide services that go beyond energy assistance and home weatherization. Many offer job training programs that take into account the barriers low-income individuals face in advancing in the workplace. (Adobe Stock)

With New Partners, MN's Poverty-Fighting Offices Expand Financial Reach

May is Community Action Month, and Minnesota agencies that help address poverty say demand for services isn't going away. To help clients thrive…

La comunidad hispana o latina representa m�s del 6% de la poblaci�n de Minnesota y m�s del 5% de la mano de obra del estado. (Adobe Stock)

Informe: Latinos en MN, listos para convertirse en fuerza económica

En la última década, Minnesota ha experimentado un aumento del 38% en el número de residentes que se identifican como latinos o …

The Hispanic or Latino community now makes up more than 6% of Minnesota's population and more than 5% of the state's workforce. (Adobe Stock)

MN Report: Latinos Poised to Become Economic Force

Over the past decade, Minnesota has seen a 38% increase in residents who identify as Latino or Hispanic. Amid a tight labor market, a new report …

Studies have shown that while Minnesota has an overall healthy population, there are glaring health disparities. That has prompted efforts to help racial and ethnic groups have equal access to necessities, in hopes of boosting health outcomes. (Adobe Stock)

MN Steps Outside Doctor's Office to Improve Health Outcomes

Research keeps emerging about social determinants of health, including a new study linking these factors to suicide risks. In Minnesota, nonprofits …

Park Plaza Cooperative, based in Fridley, has been a Resident-Owned Community for more than a decade. (Photo courtesy of PPC)

Resident-Owned Communities Intersect Housing and Climate Justice

By Ray Levy Uyeda for Prism.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Minnesota News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public News Se…

Postal union leaders say understaffed facilities are taking a toll on the health and safety of postal workers and the service they provide. (Adobe Stock)

Postal Employees Say They're Fighting 'Toxic' Work Environment

Today is International Workers Day, and in the U.S. postal workers say they're struggling to keep up amid staffing shortages and a work environment …

Minnesota is one of only about a dozen states that tax Social Security income. (Adobe Stock)

MN Social Security Tax Debate Comes Into Focus

The current Minnesota legislative session has seen a lot of big policy moves, and Social Security tax relief could be next. A compromise plan is …

In 2021, 241,000 new apprentices entered the national apprenticeship system, but a new policy report says Black workers are still underrepresented. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Apprenticeship Programs Need to Improve for Black Workers

Labor leaders and various industries recently celebrated the 85th anniversary of a federal law that laid the groundwork for registered apprenticeship …

Minnesota advocates have been pushing for tighter permit regulations in areas that have records of environmental injustice. With the governor's office promoting similar provisions, they hope to be successful this session. (Adobe Stock)

MN Could Include Environmental Justice in Deciding Industrial Projects

Racial disparities exist in Minnesota when it comes to asthma cases. Environmental-justice advocates said it is one example of pollution …

A 2021 study found in Minnesota, about 23% of the construction workforce is misclassified, or is paid off the books. It also found these workers earned 36% less in wages and benefits than others who were regularly employed. (Adobe Stock)<br />

MN's Wage-Theft Law Could See Changes for Construction Workers

Minnesota has what's been described as one of the toughest wage-theft laws in the country. But labor leaders say there still isn't much recourse for …

Hunger-fighting groups say one in six Minnesota school children lives in a household experiencing food insecurity. (Adobe Stock)

MN Looks to Erase Hunger in Schools

Better health and educational outcomes are being touted as the potential benefits as Minnesota lawmakers discuss whether to provide free school meals …

Minnesota has always been among the states with high voter turnout, but Democratic leaders say democracy concerns on a larger scale are prompting them to pursue legislation to increase access to the polls. (Adobe Stock)

MN Part of Push to Expand Access to Voting

State legislatures across the country have reconvened, with many expected to take up election policy, including Minnesota. At the state Capitol…

Minnesota siempre ha estado entre los estados con una alta participaci�n electoral, pero los l�deres dem�cratas dicen que las preocupaciones por la democracia en mayor escala los est�n impulsando a buscar legislaci�n para aumentar el acceso a las urnas. (Adobe Stock)

MN Medida impulsa ampliación del acceso al voto

Las legislaturas estatales de todo el país se han vuelto a reunir y se espera que muchas legislen sobre ley electoral. Eso incluye Minnesota…

One of the provisions in a proposed Minnesota bill to restore driving privileges to undocumented people is data protection, so that agencies wouldn't be able to share a person's immigration status. (Adobe Stock)

MN Debates Drivers' Licenses for Undocumented People

It's been two decades since Minnesota stopped allowing undocumented people to apply for a driver's license. But there's renewed momentum in the …

Una de las facilidades de un proyecto de ley propuesto en Minnesota para restaurar los privilegios de conducir a las personas indocumentadas es la protecci�n de datos, de modo que las agencias no puedan compartir el estado migratorio de una persona. (Adobe Stock)

MN Debate Licencias de Conducir para Indocumentados

Han pasado dos décadas desde que Minnesota dejó de permitir que las personas indocumentadas soliciten una licencia de conducir. Pero hay …

Union leaders representing the nation's railroad workers say it's nearly impossible for members to get time off, given the industry's staffing crunches. (Adobe Stock)

Despite Deal, Rail Workers Say Conditions Still Rough

The nation's railroad workers say while they have a new contract, they're still fighting for quality-of-life issues. That was demonstrated at …

Minnesota nurses have been working without a contract for several months. In September, 15,000 walked off the job in what was believed to be the largest private-sector nurses' strike in U.S. history. (Adobe Stock)

Working Conditions Hang Over Another Possible MN Nurses Strike

Barring an agreement, 15,000 Minnesota nurses will go on strike next week. It would be the second walkout in recent months in a labor dispute that …

Los funcionarios federales dicen que Minnesota alberga m�s de 533,000 peque�as empresas. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Subvenciones fluyen hacia negocios en problemas de MN

Para algunas pequeñas empresas de Minnesota, ha sido más difícil recuperarse por completo de los grandes eventos de los últimos …

In recent years, a range of studies and reports show Minnesota has some of the worst racial disparities in the nation, including in the areas of homeownership and education. (Adobe Stock)

MN Groups Brainstorm Ways to Address Poverty Disparities

On the heels of a regional conference, multiple groups are working on new solutions for reducing the poverty gap in Minnesota. Nonprofits, …

M�s all� del crimen y la seguridad, una encuesta a los residentes de East Metro del �rea de Twin Cities encontr� que la educaci�n y los impactos econ�micos del COVID-19 se consideraban problemas importantes. (Adobe Stock)

En MN encuesta muestra declive en confianza en instituciones clave

Las elecciones intermedias están cerca, lo que significa que los candidatos, los analistas políticos y los medios quieren saber más …

Beyond crime and safety, a survey of East Metro residents of the Twin Cities area found that education and economic impacts from COVID-19 were considered significant issues. (Adobe Stock)

MN Survey Shows Declining Trust in Key Institutions

The midterm elections are near - meaning candidates, political analysts and the media want to know more about what voters are thinking. Those behind …

Researchers say cardiovascular disease is the

New Round of Health Justice Grants in MN Focus on Women

Minnesota continues to rank highly for quality-of-life indicators, including health, but long-standing disparities persist. A new round of grants …

A report from the Social Science Research Council says in the recovery from the 2008 housing crisis, the typical white family's wealth losses slowed to zero, while the typical Black family lost an additional 13% of its wealth. (Adobe Stock)

Foreclosure Prevention Takes On MN's Racial Housing Gap

An uneven pandemic recovery, along with inflation, is fueling concern about foreclosure activity. In Minnesota, there is a push to ensure households …

There's a wide range of religious beliefs about abortion in the U.S., but many in the Jewish faith have expressed support for reproductive rights. (Adobe Stock)

Post Roe: MN Jewish Groups Voice Support for Reproductive Rights

In mid-July, several groups will hold an abortion access rally in Minnesota. They include Jewish-led organizations, who say much of their community …

When voters head to the polls this fall, broader legal arguments will be taking shape over the authority of states in managing federal elections in the future. (Adobe Stock)

Upcoming SCOTUS Arguments Center on Election Authority

Coming off a string of controversial opinions, the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear arguments in a case tied to oversight of federal elections…

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the Public News Service (podcast)"
	"Hey Google, play the Public News Service podcast"
	"Alexa, play Public News Service podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app
	Embed this Newscast

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the 2024 Talks podcast"
	"Hey Google, play the 2024 Talks podcast"
	"Alexa, play 2000 24 Talks podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app
	Embed this Newscast

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the Yonder Report podcast"
	"Hey Google, play the Yonder Report podcast"
	"Alexa, play the Yonder Report podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app
	Embed this Newscast

PNS Daily Newscast - April 16, 2024

2024Talks - April 16, 2024

The Yonder Report - April 11, 2024

MN: Social Justice