News | Southwest Connector

Volunteers assist staff at the ReStore locations. (Photo submitted)

Local Do-It-Yourselfers head to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore at 2700 Minnehaha Ave. to get inspired.The outlet sells new and like-new furniture, appliances and building materials at discounted … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 4/27/21

Minneapolis Home Energy Disclosure program wins Innovation Award

The city of Minneapolis Home Energy Disclosure program was honored with a competitive Innovation Award from the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA) on March 23, 2021. Starting with the … more

4/27/21

Cardboard placed in recycling bins is picked up by Eureka Recycling and sorted at their NE Minneapolis facility. It ends up here at WestRock in St. Paul's Midway neighborhood, where it is remade into one of two types of recycled paper. (Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

Understanding the life cycle of recycled cardboard

For people who care about conserving resources, recycling is a given. But what really happens to all the cardboard and paper dumped in curbside recycling bins? Mike Gunderson is general manager of … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 4/27/21

Calls for justice ring out as Chauvin trial gets underway

When hundreds of people gathered outside the Hennepin County Courthouse on March 8, 2021, the first day of the Derek Chauvin murder trial, they set the tone for the month to come: they would be … more

By JILL BOOGREN | 3/25/21

This map shows the affect that the pollution from the city's expanded public works site will have on south Minneapolis. The site is in the city's Green Zone and sits along the popular Midtown Greenway bike and walking path.

City plans to increase pollution in Green Zone, tear down Roof Depot building in April

The pollution from the city’s proposed plan to expand its public works facility at Hiawatha and E. 26th would affect a majority of South Minneapolis, pointed out representatives of the East … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 3/24/21

'Rudy (in his red hoodie sweater) makes our lives better'

"As someone who lived alone for many years, my dogs and cats have always been an important daily life-line for me, providing consistent companionship, instantaneous cuddles, and immense comfort. My … more

3/24/21

Bee lawns protect pollinators and your precious time

There are better ways to spend your spring and summer than mowing the lawn. The noise, smell of exhaust fumes, heat, and humidity add up to a less than pleasant chore. How many perfect Saturday … more

By Russ Henry, Bee Safe Minneapolis, Minnehaha Landscaping | 3/24/21

Over 500 people marched along the Mississippi River on March 11 to protest Enbridge drilling their tar sands Line 3 pipeline under the headwaters of the Mississippi. It was part of the largest ever grassroots multi-faith day of action to lift up bold climate demands in over 40 countries. (Photos by Margie O’Loughlin)

Line 3 threatens Mississippi River

Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light held a rally on March 11 to protest the Enbridge Energy Line 3 Pipeline Replacement Program. A spokesperson for the group said, “Construction of the tar … more

3/24/21

Ward 11 council member Jeremy Schroeder said, “The science is clear: we need serious, dedicated action at all levels to combat climate change and create environmental justice.” (Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

STATE OF CLIMATE EMERGENCY

The city of Minneapolis declared a State of Climate Emergency in December 2019. The resolution (which passed the Minneapolis City Council unanimously) demanded a “massive-scale mobilization to … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 3/24/21

Seeking justice, caring for people: preparing for the days ahead

As the criminal trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin begins, the Twin Cities will once again be front and center in confronting the trauma of racism, police brutality, and White supremacy.To … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 3/24/21

START YOUR ENGINES!

Nelson’s Automotive (5415 34th Ave.) shut down in March 2020 just like everyone else did as they waited to see what the impact of COVID-19 would be. They opened back up a few weeks later when … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 3/24/21

Themes identified by stakeholders as priority solutions for transforming community safety

Nine months in: where’s the city on police reform?

In June 2020, two weeks after George Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police sparking a global uprising, nine city council members stood on a stage above huge, bold letters that spelled “DEFUND … more

By JILL BOOGREN | 2/24/21

"Going to Dunwoody at age 38 was like doing a polar plunge - super shocking, hard to explain, an extremely hard experience, and also exhilarating and eye opening," said Longfellow resident Cathy Heying, who is executive director at The Lift garage, a low-cost option for those at 150% of federal poverty guidelines. (Photo by Carina Lofgren, Portraits from 6 ft)

From social worker to auto tech

How does a social worker and pastor end up running an auto garage? The path between the two isn’t as far apart as one might think, according to Cathy Heying. “When I was working at St, … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 2/24/21

Founder and executive director Keno Evol said, “We recognize at Black Table Arts that art is fun, art is joyful, and it keeps our imaginations alive in the work of community organizing.” (Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

Doors open at Black Table Arts

Black Table Arts (BTA) is a new cooperative for Black artists in the heart of south Minneapolis. The shared, creative work-space, performance space, community gathering area, and book store is, in … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 2/24/21

Rod Johnson and Kathy Hollander love their Chevy Bolt. The charging unit plugs into a standard 110 volt wall outlet, and then the charging plug fits into a port on the outside of the car. Using the ChargePoint app, users can monitor the Bolt's charging progress while away from the car. The Bolt can go about 240 miles on a full charge. (Photos by Terry Faust)

Driving all electric in South Minneapolis

During the two years that Rod Johnson and his wife, Kathy Hollander, have owned their all-electric Chevy Bolt they have been able to cross routine auto maintenance off their “to do” list. … more

By IRIC NATHANSON | 2/24/21

BUY NOTHING PROJECT

When South Minneapolis resident Kathryn Spotts first heard about the Buy Nothing Project in 2017, she learned there were only two groups operating in the Twin Cities: one in St. Paul’s Highland … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 2/24/21

It’s all hands on deck as artists and volunteers hoist the new metal fist onto its base in George Floyd Square. Artist Jordan Powell Karis is in green (Photo by Jill Boogren)

Raising a fist for BLACK POWER

On Jan. 18, community members at George Floyd Square honored the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by raising a fist. Literally. A little after noon, Jordan Powell Karis, with a team of artists … more

By Jill Boogren | 1/27/21

Executive director Tom Coleman with Winston, a service dog-in-training. (Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

Local non-profit trains service dogs for vets and kids

Anyone who has ever owned a dog knows that training one is hard work. Most of us are satisfied with the basics – but Tom and Julie Coleman, co-founders of Pawsitivity Service Dogs in St. Paul, … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 1/27/21

Library services are limited at Hennepin County Libraries, but they are open to visits. East Lake Library Supervisor Sarah Connolly answers questions and helps folks find materials. (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

East Lake Library reopens

The East Lake Library has reopened. The library had been closed since fires and unrest tore through the neighborhood during the last week of May 2020. Prior to that, the library had only been open … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 1/27/21

STABLE HOMES, STABLE SCHOOLS

When a child does not know where he or she is going to sleep at night, studying for that math test loses its importance. Having a roof over one’s head becomes more of a priority than acing the … more

By JAN WILLMS | 1/27/21