skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Tuesday, July 2, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

CO nursing homes left in dark as utilities cut power to prevent wildfire; First Democrat in Congress calls on Biden to withdraw after debate; Report says abortion restrictions cost SD's economy $670 million annually; CT '988' hotline services rank high in national report; NE Winnebago Educare promotes children's well-being.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Sentencing is delayed in former President Trump's New York felony conviction, Democrats vow a legislative overhaul of the Supreme Court, and the last female GOP Senators are voted out of the South Carolina Legislature.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Ugly, imperfect produce destined for the landfill is being upcycled by a California candy company, a Texas volunteer uses his Navy training to map the gaps in broadband, and Pennsylvania has a new commission tasked with reversing its shrinking rural population.

MN Latino leaders seek new hub to bolster community outreach

play audio
Play

Tuesday, February 13, 2024   

Minnesota's legislative session kicked off this week. A bill for construction projects is possible, and those serving Latino communities hope to get support for a centralized facility they say is much needed to connect with clients.

The new session isn't expected to see as many ambitious policy moves as last year, but a bonding bill for things such as transportation and water systems is on the list.

The organization COPAL is asking for $7 million in state funding so it can open a Latino Center for Community Engagement in Minneapolis.

Francisco Segovia, COPAL executive director, said they need to upgrade their operations in anticipation of population trends.

"Latinos, we are positioned to be almost 10% of the population by 2030 in Minnesota, and we want to build the infrastructure to support our community members to thrive," Segovia said.

COPAL provides services such as health and wellness and workers' rights, with a presence in the Twin Cities, Mankato and Rochester. But officials say there are limitations with their current offices, such as individual rooms for one-on-one meetings.

It's unclear if the funding request will be approved amid other bonding bill priorities. And while Democrats hold majorities this session, GOP votes are needed for such a bill.

Lourdes Menjívar, regional director for COPAL's Mankato office, said transportation is a barrier for the local Latino community, and added the centralized location could enhance infrastructure for online events, potentially allowing more people to access their programs and information.

"We're working with nine counties in the Mankato area office," Menjivar explained. "So, they can connect everywhere in Minnesota if people have a specific base to make any activities."

COPAL has already secured property for the proposed facility. Organizers say owning this building space would allow them to lease community and meeting rooms to other racial and ethnic populations lacking a hub. So far, the campaign has raised $2 million. The state contribution would make up the majority of the project costs, if the full amount is awarded.

Disclosure: COPAL MN contributes to our fund for reporting on Civic Engagement, Environmental Justice, Immigrant Issues, Social Justice. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
There are no income or registration requirements for kids to participate in the state's Summer Meals program, which serves breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner to all youths up to age 18. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

With school cafeterias closed for the summer, community groups and nonprofits are working to ensure that Colorado's one in five children who go …


Social Issues

play sound

Former President Donald Trump has taken credit for placing three conservative justices on the U.S. Supreme Court. On Monday, the court awarded him a …

Health and Wellness

play sound

As summer kicks into full gear, North Carolina dentists stressed the importance of maintaining children's dental health. Dr. Miranda Kalaskey…


Memphis Light, Gas and Water is the largest three-service public power utility in the nation, serving more than 440,000 customers in Memphis and Shelby County. (Vika art/AdobeStock)

Social Issues

play sound

By Ashli Blow for Tennessee Lookout.Broadcast version by Danielle Smith for Tennessee News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Publ…

Social Issues

play sound

Connecticut advocates are distressed about the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Grants Pass v. Gloria Johnson. The ruling said public camping bans …

Environment

play sound

The Conservation Fund, which works to protect land and nature across the U.S. has announced it has protected more than 1 million acres of working …

Health and Wellness

play sound

A Virginia community health center is part of a program addressing food scarcity. The National Association of Community Health Centers' 2024 …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021