Opinion | Southwest Connector

Hercules, an Olde English Bulldogge, had his tail cut off by a breeder at a young age before he joined the Peter family.

I’ve had three family dogs that I can remember in my lifetime. Hunter was a yellow Labrador, Hercules an Olde English Bulldogge, and now, Smokey, our German Shepherd mix. When I was growing up, … more

By Chloe Peter | 1/19/23

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

Return to sender

One day as I am writing a draft of this column, I become aware that the U.S. mail has arrived at my house. I bring in the mail. An envelope jumps out at me with the words RETURN TO SENDER. Sad! Those … more

By Donald L. Hammen | 1/19/23

Money can buy the right to speech

I enjoyed Donald Hammen's last article in the Messenger. To me, yes, money is speech in many circumstances, but not all. What most prominently comes to mind is Twitter. In many ways, this platform is … more

1/3/23

WARD ELEVEN ALLIED VOICES FOR EQUITY INVITE YOU TO FEB. 8 MEETING

Money can buy the right to speechI enjoyed Donald Hammen's last article in the Messenger. To me, yes, money is speech in many circumstances, but not all. What most prominently comes to mind is … more

1/3/23

Add more holidays to your life and honor what is significant to you

My children and I tested positive for COVID-19 about a week before Thanksgiving, which meant we had to miss a larger family gathering that my in-laws were hosting. We made the best of it on … more

By Eddie Glenn | 12/13/22

Wedge resident Dave Whorton talks to community members before a neighborhood public safety walk. (Photo by Eric Ortiz)

It’s time to learn to walk again

Walking is one of those big early milestones in life. When you’re a kid, you have to walk before you can run. As you get older, walking is how we move through the world from task to task each … more

By Eric Ortiz | 12/13/22

My vacation was full of transcendent experiences of natural beauty, including these redwoods, but I was most inspired by the work of other people doing good. (Photo by Larry LaVercombe)

The value of three documentaries I watched on a plane

In flight and bookending our Sonoma County vacation, where we enjoyed winding wine-country roads, redwood forests, and sunbathing seals at the mouth of the Russian River, I watched three … more

By Larry LaVercombe | 12/13/22

A more sustainable season

Extra waste from the holiday season is a big problem in America. The average American throws away 25 percent more trash during the Thanksgiving to New Year’s holiday season, according to … more

By Chloe Peter | 12/1/22

Centrists research and don’t blindly check boxes

I take exception to Mr. LaVercombe’s premise that it is the unaffiliated swing voters (his “comfortable” who are tyrants. I think it is the strident malcontents and activists … more

By Donald Wolesky | 12/1/22

Look closer at Credit Card Competition Act of 2022

The Black community has struggled to keep up financially with White peers. Much of this can be attributed to a lack of access to financial services offered to the community. Nontraditional services … more

By Brett Buckner | 12/1/22

Donald L. Hammen reading a copy of the Messenger.

Musings on $20

Each day since writing the last Stories and Journeys column, I have been checking the obituries in the newspapers I read. None of them are mine. So, here I go again.Before starting to write this … more

11/30/22

TMC Publications sales representative Denis Woulfe has worked on both the editorial and advertising sides of newspapers, and relishes the opportunity to work with area businesses on developing marketing plans and finding solutions to reaching their audience.

Carrying on a tradition, one step at a time

It was the summer before my junior year at Hamline University in 1977. I had already been named the editor of the Hamline Oracle, Hamline’s student newspaper, for my junior year, and I decided … more

Denis Woulfe | 11/17/22

Our midterm elections and the tyranny of the comfortable

It’s Monday the 7th, and I’m writing the first section of this column the day before The Election. I’ll write the second half on Nov. 9... PART ONE I’ve finally … more

Larry LaVercombe | 11/17/22

Time is running out to hold Big Tech accountable for abusing local news

Local journalism is facing an existential crisis because of Big Tech's abusive business tactics. In the early days of the internet, the news was something you had to go out of your way … more

News Media Alliance | 11/10/22

We need to have more conversations about eating disorders

With all the trend diets that are popular in the media right now, it can be difficult to know where I stand when it comes to my own body image. I am bombarded by social media posts about if I just … more

Chloe Peter | 11/3/22

Let’s talk about Black lives matter yard signs

I have always been a longform type of guy. I usually don’t bother with Twitter and stuff like that. I find life too complex, communication too subtle. Catch phrases serve political candidates … more

Eddie Glenn, East Harriet neighborhood | 11/3/22

DON’T BE LURED INTO LIVE-TRAPPING WILDLIFE

The cry of an animal in distress caught my attention one warm August morning. I hurried outside. Animal suffering mostly takes place behind closed doors, at factory farms and research labs, but the … more

By Kristen Olsen Ericsson resident | 11/1/22

Why do schools still spank students?

I am astounded that schools are still spanking students in the United States, even if the use of it is declining. If a parent hit their kids that’s child abuse. If an adult hits an adult … more

11/1/22

I am inviting you to my committal service

As far as I can tell I haven't died. I am writing this column. The service will take place at Lakewood Cemetery, the site of my internment. Details to follow. The theme of the service will be coming … more

By Donald L. Hammen | 11/1/22

Why we must work to get out the vote this year

We still live in a democracy – where the person who gets the most votes, the person who wins the election, is the person who takes office. That could change if Republicans take control … more

Larry LaVercombe | 10/21/22