Opinion | Southwest Connector

Our brain grows every time we make a mistake. Really, it's science . In that case, the world should be filled with geniuses at every turn. So why does it feel like we're surrounded by a … more

By Eric Ortiz | 5/15/24

Donald L. Hammen is a longtime south Minneapolis resident, and serves on the All Elders United for Justice steering committee.

Potential rift and retirement

IS THERE A RIFT BETWEEN THE MINNEAPOLIS REGIONAL RETIREES COUNCIL (AFL-CIO) AND ALL ELDERS UNITED FOR JUSTICE? “Building power through unity: All Elders United for Justice aims to bring … more

By Donald L. Hammen | 5/15/24

Dean Ridings is the CEO of America’s Newspapers. On behalf of its approximately 1,700 newspaper and Solutions Partner companies, America’s Newspapers is committed to explaining, defending and advancing the vital role of newspapers in democracy and civil life. They put an emphasis on educating the public on all the ways newspapers contribute to building a community identity and the success of local businesses. Learn more: newspapers.org.

Congress must follow New York’s lead

The state of New York, led by a powerful coalition of local publishers, has just approved game-changing legislation in the fight to preserve local news outlets and community journalism. By including … more

By Dean Ridings | 5/15/24

MINNESOTA BILL THREATENS SMALL NEWSPAPERS LIKE US

A proposal to create a statewide recycling program financed by paper and packaging producers is included in the House & Senate Environment Omnibus bills (HF 3911/ SF 3887). However, unless there … more

By Dean Ridings | 5/15/24

The problem of rising homelessness

Is homelessness a bad thing? In our community, yes, it is. As a student in Minneapolis, I see homeless people every day on my way to school. I see encampments and officers forcibly … more

5/15/24

Michele Rae, RPh, MA, NBC-HWC is the founder of The Center Within, LLC and author of “Living From the Center Within: Co-Creating Who You Are Becoming.” She provides holistic coaching designed to accelerate and support personal, professional, and organizational transformation.

What values support community health?

When was the last time you reflected on your personal and our community values? Values are principles we care about that guide our behavior. Aligning our personal and community values with our … more

By Michele Rae | 5/15/24

TMC Publications CO is a small, family-run business. Here is owner Tesha M. Christensen with her two kiddos.

Bill will hurt small newspapers like us

A proposal to create a statewide recycling program financed by paper and packaging producers is included in the House & Senate Environment Omnibus bills (HF 3911/ SF 3887). However, unless there … more

5/6/24

Eric Ortiz lives in the Wedge with his family. When he’s not bonding, he is community building with the Strong Mind Strong Body Foundation and writing bilingual children’s books with his kids. Their first book, “How the Zookalex Saved the Village,” is available in English and Spanish.

We need to make kids America's top priority

It's hard to get a consensus on anything in the United States these days. But one issue unites the whole country. According to " The State of Kids and Families in America 2024 ," a report from … more

By Eric Ortiz | 4/17/24

Encounters and conversations

So far in 2024, I have been showing up for more meetings and events in-person or via Zoom. In person showing up has been enabled by three factors. 1) The mild winter weather enabling me to be out and … more

By Donald L. Hammen | 4/17/24

Letters - Apr 2024

Thanks for your coverage Thanks to Cam Gordon for his coverage of the March 2 rally on Lyndale Avenue, and the contrasting viewpoints of the two participating groups on the reconstruction … more

4/17/24

Larry LaVercombe is a writer, filmmaker, and activist, born in Detroit and arrived in Minneapolis in 1975. He lived in a treehouse in San Diego before getting an MFA from the USC Film School. He writes most days, and as Team Larry he has been selling residential real estate in Minneapolis for 26 years.

How real estate agent commissions will now affect us

You’ve heard, I’m sure, about the court ruling and the decision by the National Association of Realtors: Buyer’s agents will no longer receive a “standardized” 2.7% … more

By Larry LaVercombe | 4/17/24

Mercado Central, the Latino marketplace at the corner of Lake Street and Bloomington Avenue in Minneapolis.

Mercado Central keeps teaching community ‘How to buy the pond’

Mexico City is 2,106 miles from Minneapolis. But you don't have to travel that far to experience authentic Latino culture. The Mercado Central , or Central Market, is a few minutes from any … more

By Eric Ortiz | 3/26/24

Prior to starting Ambit, Chuck was a Big Four Consulting Manager in the Data & Digital Trust practice advising the Big Tech industry through the dynamic internet regulatory landscape to create safer digital experiences for everyone.

Engaging the next generation of news consumers

Social media and the internet have fundamentally disrupted how news is consumed and how that news is monetized. News consumers are increasingly reading their news on social sites, enabling social … more

By Chuck Peters | 3/20/24

Weighing in on legislation

Dear Reader, you have continued to tell me your Medicare stories via tesha@tmcpub.com . A Southwest Connector reader, Judy M., has written to tell me her Medicare Advantage story and her … more

By Donald L. Hammen | 3/20/24

We’ve set our priorities in Ward 7 office

I am thrilled to be writing in after my first two months in office, a period during which my new team has come together and jumped right into the work, learning the ins and outs of the city … more

By Katie Cashman | 3/20/24

Letters - Mar 2024

We like ucare medicare advantage plan Read your column in the Southwest Connector on Medicare Advantage plans. Would like to point out the following: Medicare … more

3/20/24

Eric Ortiz vive en The Wedge con su familia. Cuando no está construyendo comunidad, es el director de contenido de la Fundación Strong Mind Strong Body y escribe libros infantiles bilingües con sus hijos. Su primer libro, "Cómo el Zookalex Salvó al Pueblo", está disponible en inglés y español.

Es hora de destacar nuestra humanidad con la inmigración

Todos tienen una voz, pero no todas las voces son escuchadas hoy. Este no es un problema nuevo. Mis abuelos paternos, ambos mexicano-americanos de primera generación que crecieron en Los … more

Por Eric Ortiz | 2/14/24

Youth and elders brainstorm ideas during a community solutions workshop at Walker Library on Feb. 3.

A solution for school disengagement

T he world has changed. Our education system has not. As a result, school is broken . It's so bad that many kids don't go to school anymore. Chronic absenteeism was an issue before the pandemic. … more

By Eric Ortiz | 2/14/24

Your property values went up if you live by Bryant bike lanes

So the guy says, “Government’s job is to build the roads. Our city built this ‘bold and transformational’ bike-friendly project, and they managed to forget you might need to a … more

By Larry LaVercombe | 2/14/24

Local author loves paper newspapers

Just writing to let you know we did get our paper. Hope your delivery services work out — I myself love a paper newspaper and appreciate reading about what’s happening in the ‘hood. … more

1/29/24