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Voices Gather to Support Local Independent Media

Building narratives that inspire and sustain our communities for generations to come requires investment, Jasmine Russell said. "It's essential for infrastructure, just like education, housing, health care. Without trusted information, communities can't make informed decisions, organize effectively, or participate in democracy."

FUTURE FORWARD: A Solution to Youth Homelessness 

As a member of the youth delegation connecting with legislators this year, we are recommending development of a pilot program to identify, renovate, and repurpose vacant buildings into affordable housing for youth, with dedicated funding allocated in the next state budget cycle.

Minnesotans Testify About the Need for a Large-Scale (Data Center) Water Permit Process

"Two months after the DNR warned the city about the significant water demand of the data center, the city signed a contract that guarantees the developer up to 2.93 million gallons of water a day.”

Supportive Housing, and Other Solutions Proposed in This Legislative Session

One of the Minnesota legislative bills now signed into law helps supportive housing providers stay open in 2026 with an infusion of $9 million, to make up for some of the funds lost from the federal government. We unpack why this is one of several important housing bills being discussed for the state.

COMMENTARY: I Refuse to Let My Daughter’s Future Be Built on Endless War

Important state meeting on Thursday. Call and email today the members of the SBI board and executive staff. Demand the SBI divest our pensions from bonds that profit off of war, genocides, and weapons manufacturers.

The Capitol Action Day Around Violence Protection

Organizers responsible for the day and call to action included Violence Free Minnesota (VFMN), the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MNCASA), Mending the Sacred Hoop (MSH), Minnesota Alliance on Crime (MAC), Minnesota Children’s Alliance (MCA), and the Minnesota Indian Women’s Sexual Assault Coalition (MIWSAC).

ACTION: Community Voices Needed to Push for Data Center Moratorium

"Call your representatives and Governor Walz. Tell them we expect Minnesota to lead on the standards needed to protect our state. Minnesota can get this right, but only if we’re willing to slow down enough to think this through. Tell Walz and your elected officials to put a pause on data center development. Tell elected officials to stop allowing NDAs in data center development."

Deep Dive: Debating the Impact of Gun Violence in Minnesota (3 perspectives)

This deep dive into gun violence prevention legislation explores a national effort to build bipartisan agreement, and two recent debates at the Minnesota capitol about reducing access to assault weapons and creating a central state office focused on gun violence prevention. “In 2024, deaths from gun violence around the rest of the country fell by 5 percent, but here in Minnesota, they rose by 6 percent,” said Maggiy Emery.

COLUMN: Centering the Most Impacted

How do we continually reimagine traditional processes to center leadership so the voices of those most impacted are providing leadership, not simply input?

NEWS: The Mark of Operation Metro Surge on Minnesota’s Workforce and Economy

Local officials, business leaders, and immigrant rights advocates talked about the economic impact of ICE insurgence at a Minnesota House committee meeting. The long-term care sector faces particular pressure, given that approximately 30 percent of its workers are foreign-born. Minnesota’s immigrant business owners and workers generate $41 billion in economic output each year in the state.

Community Values in Action

This compilation of stories reflects the community values Minnesotans care about: protecting children, caregivers, health care patients, and renters. It includes the values reflected in an essay from Cannon Falls, from someone who was arrested for protest, and of community members at an MPR town hall.

We the People: Immigration Law and Constitutional Rights

We asked the team at Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS), which has worked with immigrants for decades, to walk through some of the questions people tend not to understand about immigration. We also received other details from immigration attorneys and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to clarify what the law says about immigration and constitutional rights.