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Insight News • December 15, 2025 - December 21, 2025 • Page 1
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Vol. 52 No. 50 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com
Homeownership Build Wealth MN’s blueprint for legacy Jeffery Robinson, Program DIrector, Build Wealth MN INC and David McGee, CEO, Build Wealth MN
By Pulane Choane, Contributing writer (Part 2 in a series) One month after the Legacy Summit opened with a stark reminder that less than half of Black households in the United States own homes compared with nearly three quarters of White households, the conversation shifted from broad vision to the ground floor work of creating generational anchors. In Part I we traced the larger dream of long-term prosperity. This second installment brings readers into the room where that dream turned into a practical map for families who want to build and keep wealth. The homeownership panel opened with a moment
that set the emotional tone for the entire discussion. Moderator Jeffery Robinson told a story so ordinary yet so powerful that people in the audience nodded before he even finished the sentence. He recalled buying a home with his wife and not knowing that this simple act would one day become the lifeline for people he loved. “When me and my wife bought our house, we never knew that our house would be the place where I would save my best friend's marriage. ‘Cause when him and his wife separated, I asked him to move in with me and I placed them in the coldest room in the house,” he said, and before he could finish hist story, someone from the audience responded, “You know
that's wrong.” But Robinson retorted: “No, that was exactly what I was supposed to do, ‘cause I can't make my house more comfortable than the house that he's leaving or else he'll never go back. So, after two months of staying in the freezer, he was ready to go back”. With a chuckle, he paused before sharing the next example. “When my nephew came here from the Bahamas for school, that extra bedroom meant he could focus on studying instead of trying to pay rent. When my brother came home from incarceration, our home was the place he rebuilt his life. Today he owns a house with his wife and kids. All of that started because we had a place where
he could land.” The room stayed quiet as Robinson continued. “And so, when I when I think about how home ownership has expanded my legacy, my understanding of what legacy is, it's more it's much more than just owning a home. It's much much more than just owning a home. Every time somebody came to our house, we never had to ask somebody else for permission for them to move into our house. And that's what it's really about.” If Part I established why legacy matters, this moment showed what it looks like in practice. A home is not only an asset on a balance sheet. It is the tool that allows families to protect each other, reduce future
crises, stabilize children and create momentum for the next generation. It is the opposite of starting over every decade. Henry Rucker, a loan officer who has guided families into ownership for decades, picked up from that emotional foundation with a message that immediately grounded the room. He said the biggest barriers he sees are not income or even credit, but misinformation and silence. “We noticed there were a lot of women of color, African American women, who were getting help buying homes. And that is a blessing. But the men who were either already in the home or wanted to be in the home did not have the credit score or the system around them to make it possi-
ble,” he told the audience. Rucker said many Black men carry financial embarrassment alone, shaped by years of hearing rules that were never true. “People are walking around thinking they need perfect credit and twenty percent down. That is simply not true,” he said. “You can have a score in the six twenties and still qualify. You can have a score as low as six hundred. Those are facts, not myths. But if you don’t know the rules of the game, you cannot play the game.” He urged men to stop silently disqualifying themselves. “I always tell people it is never a hard no. It is a slow yes,” he said, leaning forward
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New statue to honor Gordon Parks: ‘Represents the best of Minnesota, and the very best of St. Paul’
By Tom Gitaa, Publisher, Mshale St. Paul will have a statue of Gordon Parks, seen here in 2000, at its downtown to honor the legacy of the country’s first Black director to make a major Hollywood studio film. His photography career started in Minnesota’s capital city. A new statue in St. Paul will honor photographer, author, filmmaker and activist Gordon Parks. State Rep. Samakab Hussein and state Sen. Foung Hawj – both Democrats representing St. Paul – announced Sunday during a press conference at the Landmark Center that they had succeeded in securing a $250,000 appropriation for the commemoration. The funding was part of the 2025 Legacy Bill that Gov. Walz signed into law in the summer. The two legislators carried the bill in their respective chambers. The announcement on Sunday happened on what would have been Park’s’ 113th birthday. He died in 2006 at the
age of 93. In 2008 when time came to dedicate a new building for the then Unidale Alternative Learning Center, St. Paul Public Schools renamed it Gordon Parks High School in honor of his legacy. On his birthday in November 30, 2000 HBO released a documentary about his life, Gordon Parks: Half Past Autumn. He was America’s first Black director to make a major Hollywood studio film and got his photography career started in St. Paul. Although a native of Fort Scott, Kansas, Parks made St. Paul his home after moving there when he was 14 following his mother’s death. Once in St. Paul he stayed with his sister Maggie and her husband, but his brother-in-law kicked him out when he was 15 making him homeless. According to an account by the Minnesota Museum of American Art, Parks then moved in with another sister Lillian, later leading to a stay at a boarding house in St. Paul. A movie poster of the 2000 HBO documentary about the life of Gordon Parks on display at the Landmark Center on
Credit: Courtesy of and © The Gordon Parks Foundation
Gordon Parks
Credit: Mshale Staff Photo by Tom Gitaa
State Sen. Foung Hawj, Dr. Robin Hickman-Winfield, grandniece of Gordon Parks and State Rep. Samakab Hussein at a press conference at the Landmark Center in St. Paul on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 where they announced a state appropriation through the Legacy Fund to build a statue of Parks at Landmark Plaza.
Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 during an announcement by state legislators on what would have been his 113th birthday that a statue to honor his legacy will be put up in the city where his career started. By his early twenties he worked various jobs in both St. Paul and Minneapolis, eventually getting his start as a photographer at the state’s only Black newspapers at the time, the St. Paul Recorder and the Minneapolis Spokesman (Now the Minnesota Spokesman Re-
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Page 2 • December 15, 2025 - December 21, 2025 • Insight News
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Insight News • December 15, 2025 - December 21, 2025 • Page 3
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Vol. 52 No. 50 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com
Noor condemns attacks on immigrant communities
Flexible-open design approved for
George Floyd Square Marking major step in community-led vision
Minneapolis is moving forward with a long-awaited transformation at George Floyd Square, as city leaders formally approve the flexible-open street concept for 38th & Chicago — a decision years in the making and shaped by thousands of community voices. Mayor Jacob Frey called the vote a pivotal mo-
ment for the city and for a space that has become a global symbol of justice, resistance, and community care. “Thousands of voices shaped this plan, and today we turned years of work into real progress,” Frey said. “Approving the flexible-open option means we are finally moving forward together.” With the concept now approved by both the Mayor and City Council, the project moves into detailed design and implementation. City staff will continue working closely with neighbors as final plans are developed. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2026. City leaders say this step marks the beginning of
a new chapter — one rooted in healing, unity, and a shared commitment to honoring George Floyd’s life while building a vibrant, inclusive future for the community that has held this space with care since 2020. The flexible-open layout, first recommended in the 2024 George Floyd Square Visioning and Priorities Report, restores transit along Chicago Avenue while permanently preventing vehicles from crossing the location where George Floyd was murdered. The design balances everyday mobility needs with the community’s expectation that the area remain a sacred space for memorials, gatherings, and public expres-
sion.
Ward 8 Council Member Andrea Jenkins, who has worked closely with residents and business owners since 2020, said the approval affirms the community’s long-standing priorities. “This action represents a victory for community voices and a commitment to the future of this sacred space,” Jenkins said. She highlighted how neighbors consistently called for a plan that honors George Floyd’s memory while strengthening local economic vitality. “George Floyd’s life
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Trump administration’s immigrant detention policy broadly rejected by federal judges By Cassandra Burke Robertson
Professor of Law and Director of the Center for Professional Ethics, Case Western Reserve University In federal courtrooms across America, a pattern has emerged in cases in which immigrants are being rounded up and jailed without a hearing. That’s a departure from fundamental constitutional protections in the U.S. that provide the right to a hearing before indefinite imprisonment. In response, federal
judges are systematically rejecting the Trump administration’s attempt to drastically expand who can be locked up without a hearing while awaiting deportation proceedings. The Trump White House policy has been challenged in at least 362 cases in federal district courts, according to a recent ruling by U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan. Challengers have prevailed in 350 of those cases – decided by over 160 different judges sitting in about 50 different courts across the United States. Behind those numbers are thousands of people whose freedom hangs in the balance while courts decide
whether their imprisonment is lawful. Trump administration officials claim they are targeting only “the worst of the worst” in immigration enforcement. Yet nearly three-quarters of people detained had no criminal history at all. Of those with criminal histories, many involved only minor offenses such as traffic violations.
The immigrants are in civil immigration proceedings to determine whether they can remain in the United States. Yet under the administration’s new policy, many are being held in jail-like facilities indefinitely, including “state-run prisons located in remote areas, soft-sided
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Northside Forward investment signals new momentum for Black enterprise, housing innovation, and community revival North Minneapolis is set to see a major boost after a $2 million donation was committed to advance community-rooted businesses and projects tied to the Northside Forward plan. Leaders say the investment is about far more than financial capital — it is a show of confidence in the entrepreneurs, builders, families, and youth shaping the future of the Northside. Tyrize Cox, Chief Community Revitalization Officer at the African American Leadership Forum, expressed gratitude for the donor’s vision and the businesses and workers who carry Northside Forward’s
mission forward every day. She said the investment marks a major step toward a stronger and more inclusive local economy. Community leaders say this is what it looks like when the Northside invests in its own future — with clarity, courage, and collective commitment. In the coming weeks, Northside Forward will highlight businesses and projects supported by the funding and share stories of transformation sparked by the investment. A significant portion of the donation will help accelerate George Modular Solutions, a major industrial
Join Insight News Editor-in-Chief Al McFarlane on The Conversation with Al McFarlane broadcast , 1pm Tuesday, Dec 22 on KFAI FM90.3 and across social media platforms ( X, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Knubia) for a conversation on moving from plan to progress redevelopment transforming an 83,000-square-foot warehouse in North Minneapolis into a state-of-the-art volumetric modular manufacturing facility. From this site, housing modules
will be produced for both affordable and market-rate homes across Minnesota and the Midwest.
MOMENTUM
Business
Trump Klan puts forward a credit rule that could take America back decades
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State Representative Mohamud Noor issued a forceful condemnation of President Trump’s recent hateful remarks targeting Somali communities, calling the rhetoric dangerous, inflammatory, and morally irresponsible. Noor also denounced the ongoing ICE intimidation campaign, describing it as harmful, illegal in many cases, and built on false claims about immigrant neighbors. He urged the broader community to reject these actions and stand in defense of Minnesota’s immigrant families. Noor shared a toolkit developed by Senate colleagues that includes resources on legal rights, emergency contacts, advocacy support, and community assistance. He encouraged residents to circulate the information widely to strengthen
Rep. Mohamud Noor
community protection and preparedness. Paid leave set to transform care for Minnesota families in 2026 Noor highlighted the approaching launch of Minnesota’s Paid Family & Medical
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Walz appoints O’Malley
to lead statewide program integrity effort Gov. Tim Walz announced that Tim O’Malley will serve as Minnesota’s new director of program integrity, leading a statewide effort to strengthen fraud prevention and safeguard public resources. The administration also confirmed a partnership with WayPoint, a Minnesota-based firm specializing in financial investigations and compliance, to help implement a comprehensive fraud prevention program across state government. O’Malley, a judge and former superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, will work across agencies to improve oversight, coordination and accountability. His background also includes service as an FBI agent and nationally recognized reform work within the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Walz said the appointment builds on several years of executive and biparti-
san legislative actions aimed at detecting and preventing fraud in programs serving Minnesotans. The governor said the state is strengthening its defenses against fraud and made clear that those who commit fraud in Minnesota will be pursued and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. O’Malley said his role is focused on public service rather than politics, emphasizing the importance of restoring and maintaining trust in public institutions. He said Minnesotans have no tolerance for fraud and that the issue must be addressed aggressively to protect both taxpayers and vulnerable communities. WayPoint, Inc. is a professional services firm made up of former law enforcement officers and federal agents. The
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Rep. Marc Veasey announces he will not seek re-election after new Texas maps undercut CBC seats By Lauren Burke Congressman Marc Veasey will not seek re-election for his congressional seat in Texas. Rep. Veasey has served in Congress since 2013. The partisan redistricting purge has now impacted all three Black members of the Texas congressional delegation. On December 8, Rep. Jasmine Crockett announced she would run for U.S. Senate. The map changes have also forced competition between Black lawmakers on the state and federal level and decreased federal representation for Black communities in Texas. Texas is now majority Hispanic. Hispanics make up 40 percent of the population. Whites make up 39 percent of the population and Blacks make up 14 percent. Though Texas is becoming increasingly diverse,
Congressman Marc Veasey political representation in the state does not reflect the racial diversity because of gerrymandering. Rep. Veasey’s Dallas-area congressional seat was changed after a round of partisan congressional map moves by Texas Republicans in August. The GOP actions came after President Donald Trump
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I2H
PFAS in pregnant women’s drinking water puts their babies at higher risk, study finds
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Page 4 • December 15, 2025 - December 21, 2025 • Insight News
Henry Rucker
Blueprint From Cover as if speaking to each man individually. “Most people do not realize where they are financially. And we get embarrassed. We think we need a seven hundred and fifty credit score, or that we do not have enough in the bank. None of that is true. The information is out there, but people do not know it exists.” Rucker then walked the room through the very resources designed for them. “Think about what Brother Eric Michal Dyson said earlier. Advancing Black Homeownership can get you up to forty-five thousand dollars. There is a
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Tre Adams
program called FirstGen that gives you thirty-two thousand. The City of Minneapolis has down payment money. Minnesota Partners is here with money. These are real numbers, real dollars, not token support.” Knowing this, he said, shifts power back into the hands of Black buyers. “When you walk into a lender’s office, and they say, ‘I don’t know if you qualify,’ but you know you have that six sixty credit score, you have a 401k, you have the income, you have the assets, you can say, ‘Actually, I do qualify. And if you don’t want to help me, I can go down the street to someone who will.’ That is the confidence that comes with understanding the process.” Rucker told the room why this work is personal for
him. “Today marks twenty-five years since I bought my house in 2000,” he said, pausing as the room quieted. “My daughter has never walked into a place that wasn’t her home. I never rented. She is nineteen now, at North Carolina Central HBCU, celebrating homecoming. And this morning I woke up thinking; this is a blessing. I am about to speak to Black men, and my daughter is thriving because I bought a home twenty-five years ago. That is it for me.” Tre Adams, a real estate professional who often partners with community organizations, added another dimension. He described the emotional weight of losing family property and why owning a home is about memory as much as finance. “There is a house
my family lived in years ago,” he said. “I still drive by it from time to time. That place holds pieces of who we were. When you lose that, you lose part of your history. When you keep it, you give the next generation a sense of where they come from.” Adams also spoke about the courage required to begin. “A lot of folks are capable and ready, but they do not believe they are. Once they sit down with someone who can explain the costs, the programs and the steps, something shifts. They start imagining themselves in that home. That belief is the first door that opens the rest.” Shereese Turner from non-profit organization,
Shereese Turner Habitat for Humanity added the structural perspective. She shared how her own family lost land because there was no will or trust, and how lack of legal preparation can erase everything a family builds. “People think the hardest part is getting the house,” she said. “But the real challenge is keeping it and passing it on. Probate can take property from a family without anyone meaning harm. Foreclosure can erase years of sacrifice. I want people to get through ownership, not just get into it.” She described how Habitat now works in deeper partnership with Black communities, financial coaches and local housing programs. “We want to make sure people have support before and after they close, so the
house becomes a foundation for the next generation.” By the time the panel ended, the mood in the room had shifted. The first part of the Summit had inspired people. This session gave them a path. It showed that legacy is not an abstract dream. It is a sequence of conversations, programs, legal steps and daily choices that turn a paycheck into equity and equity into stability. Robinson closed with a simple invitation. “You heard the stories and you heard the facts. What matters now is connection. Do not leave these resources in the room. Pick them up and let someone walk with you. Legacy becomes real when you take the next step.”
Parks From Cover corder). He went on to become one of the nation’s greatest photographers with his 1948 photo essay on the life of a Harlem gang leader winning him widespread acclaim. The Gordon Parks Foundation, which archives his work, said the photo essay landed him a “position as the first African American staff photographer for Life.” In 1969, he became the first Black director to make a major Hollywood studio film with the release of “Shaft” in 1971 which he directed, starring Richard Roundtree as private detective John Shaft. “The living memorial to Gordon Parks must be complete because it honors one of America’s greatest storytellers. Gordon Parks represents the best
Credit: Mshale Staff Photo by Tom Gitaa
Gordon Parks
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State Sen. Foung Hawj, left, and State Rep. Samakab Hussein, right, take a group photo with the family of Gordon Parks after the two announced on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 at the Landmark Center that they secured $250,000 towards the commemoration of Parks’ life in the city where the late Parks started his career. of Minnesota, and the very best of St. Paul. It just makes sense that we build the Gordon Parks memorial here in the city where his extraordinary career began,” Sen. Hawj said. Hawj said Parks worked hard to realize his dream and inspired generations to expand their horizons and “imagine new futures.” The statue honoring Parks will be placed at Landmark Plaza in downtown St. Paul, adjacent to the historic Landmark Center where Sunday’s ceremony took place, and is near where a statue of a Peanuts character is located that honors St. Paul native Charles Schulz. Across the plaza is the historic St. Paul Hotel and is also less than a block from the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts. No artist has
been commissioned yet to create the statue. Retired WCCO anchor Don Shelby said at the press conference that there are also plans to create a permanent exhibit of Parks’ work at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. St. Paul’s Pioneer Press quoted him the next day that the exhibit will cost $75,000 a year. Dr. Robin Hickman-Winfield, who is Parks’ grandniece, and the CEO and executive producer of SoulTouch Productions, told Mshale that the exhibit at the airport will require additional fundraising of which details will be forthcoming. During her remarks at Sunday’s presser, Hickman-Winfield recalled a moment during a celebratory memorial at the Minnesota History Center after Parks’ passing
where “I remember then Councilmember Debbie Montgomery got up and she said ‘if we can have Snoopy on Parade we should have had a statue of Gordon Parks’ (so) this has been a long journey,” adding that March 2026 will mark 20 years since the passing of Parks. “This effort in partnership with Robin we are looking to hopefully not just take a moment to recognize the initial funding of $250,000 from the Legislature but we are seeking to leverage and partner with her to amplify Gordon Parks memory beyond this commemoration,” Minnesota Humanities Center CEO Kevin Lindsey said in his remarks.
Rep. Samakab Hussein is the first Somali American to represent St. Paul in the Minnesota House of Representatives. He is vice chair of the House Legacy Finance committee. He said he was proud to have caried the bill in the House but ultimately it was also personal to him because with a statue of Gordon Parks in the heart of downtown “I want my kids to look at downtown St. Paul and say ‘I can be like him, or I can be better, or I can try, I can dream’ and that dream we are making it a reality today.” “I know he is watching us and we are doing what Minnesota should look like,” Hussein said.
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Insight News • December 15, 2025 - December 21, 2025 • Page 5
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Floyd From 3 mattered, and this decision ensures that his legacy will continue to inspire justice, healing, and economic empowerment for generations to come.” Local business lead-
Detention From 3 tent structures, military bases, and even in prisons in other countries,” according to a report from the Migration Policy Institute think tank. As a law professor who studies due process in immigration proceedings, I view the overwhelming judicial consensus against this policy as the federal courts performing their essential constitutional function: checking executive overreach. The courts are enforcing fundamental due process protections. Whether this consensus will prevail, however, depends on appeals courts and, ultimately, the Supreme Court. A radical reinterpretation The current controversy centers on a policy shift the Department of Homeland Security implemented in July 2025. In an internal memo, DHS reinterpreted decades-old immigration law to classify vir-
Momentum From 3 Projected impact: • 168 well-paying, accessible jobs within the first three years • 100 additional jobs in the following two years • A locally rooted industry that supports both economic mobility and the region’s growing housing needs • Supporters say this is exactly the type of forward-looking, community-grounded investment Northside Forward was designed to champion — one
Immigrant From 3 Leave program, scheduled to begin January 1, 2026. Minnesota will join a small group of states offering guaranteed paid leave, filling a national gap where the U.S. remains the only developed country without a universal paid leave standard. Under the new law, workers will receive partial wage replacement for up to 12 weeks of medical leave for serious health conditions, including
O’Malley From 3 firm specializes in forensic accounting, financial investigations, business risk mitigation, health care compliance and tax litigation support. Under the partnership, WayPoint will advise the state on developing: • Consistent investigative and reporting policies across agencies • A fraud prevention framework that can be implemented statewide • Improved data shar-
Veasey From 3 signaled to Texas Republicans that he wanted more GOP seats. The strategy was made clear: Alter congressional maps so Republicans can maintain control of the U.S. House and win the midterm elections in 2026. But Democrats in California and Virginia are countering the move.
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ers echoed that sentiment. PJ Hill, a property owner in the area, said the design brings renewed hope. “The flexible-open design respects the history that shaped George Floyd Square while creating a path forward that invites people back to support local shops, take part in community events, and feel proud of this space again.” Since 2020, the City
has partnered with residents through forums, workshops, focus groups, and neighborhood dialogues to shape a unified vision for the Square. That process outlined: • Core racial and cultural values guiding the Square’s future • Community-centered stewardship principles for the Peoples’ Way site
•
Locations and processes for future memorials • A recommended street and sidewalk design supporting safety, art, transit access, and public use The newly approved flexible-open design reflects that work and includes: • Safer walking, rolling, and biking routes • Restored Metro Transit
service along Chicago Avenue, including the state’s busiest bus line Permanent protection of the exact site where George Floyd was murdered New sidewalks, planted boulevards, trees, green stormwater systems, pedestrian lighting, and offstreet bikeways Expanded space for me-
morials, public art, and community gatherings Even before 2020, the area required major infrastructure upgrades. The approved design allows the City to begin necessary reconstruction work, including replacing aging utilities, removing lead service lines, and coordinating redevelopment with future memorial plans.
tually all undocumented immigrants in the U.S. as “applicants for admission” who are subject to mandatory detention under the Immigration and Nationality Act. For 30 years, this provision applied primarily to people apprehended at the border shortly after entering the country. The new interpretation extends it to anyone present in the U.S. illegally. That includes people who entered years or decades ago, have established families and businesses and are pursuing legal pathways to remain in the U.S. The practical effect of the change is that people who were previously entitled to request release on bond while their deportation cases proceeded are now subject to automatic, indefinite detention without court review of whether their imprisonment is justified.
wide.
Courts overwhelmed by petitions Within months of the July policy announcement, more than 700 emergency habeas petitions – legal challenges to unlawful imprisonment – reached federal courts nation-
In Michigan alone, U.S. District Judge Hala Jarbou – a Trump appointee – received more than 100 individual cases from detainees challenging their imprisonment. Then, 97 additional detainees filed a joint lawsuit. Cases arose across the country as immigrants who were arrested at workplaces, courthouses or during routine check-ins with immigration officers asked federal courts to order their release or grant them bond hearings. The Trump administration has fought these cases on multiple fronts. It has argued that the detention policy is lawful and that federal courts lack jurisdiction to review it at all. The government has invoked provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act that it claims strip courts of jurisdiction over certain immigration decisions. But federal judges have largely rejected these jurisdictional arguments. They have found that courts retain the power to review whether detentions comply with the Constitution and federal law.
As one district court judge explained, accepting the government’s position would mean the executive branch could detain noncitizens indefinitely without ever having to justify that detention to a court. It’s a result that would raise “serious constitutional concerns” about suspending habeas corpus, the fundamental right to challenge unlawful imprisonment. Judge Kaplan similarly concluded that the “current administration’s unilateral decision that all noncitizens … are to be mandatorily detained affords to such individuals no process, let alone due process. It is unconstitutional.” The policy’s ripple effects extend beyond the courts. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained a record 66,000 people in November 2025 – more than any previous administration had ever held at one time. The American Immigration Council, which advocates for immigration rights, documented 23 deaths in ICE detention during fiscal year 2025. The previous four years combined saw 24 such deaths.
A nationwide remedy The piecemeal nature of hundreds of individual court rulings creates its own problems. Each emergency petition requires rushed briefing and a hearing. That strains the courts and detained immigrants’ ability to secure representation. Outcomes can vary based on which judge hears a case, creating geographic disparities in who remains detained and who is released. That’s why the November decision in Maldonado Bautista v. Santacruz is potentially transformative. U.S. District Judge Sunshine S. Sykes certified a nationwide class of noncitizens subject to the policy and separately ruled that the government’s interpretation of the law was wrong – detainees are entitled to bond hearings. Combined with the nationwide class certification, this ruling could require the Trump administration to provide bond hearings to thousands of people currently in mandatory detention. But implementation has been uneven. Immigration judges – who are Justice De-
partment employees, not independent federal judges – have responded inconsistently to Judge Sykes’ order. In a recent immigration court decision in Memphis, Tenn., a judge denied a bond hearing request. The judge stated that further guidance from the Executive Office for Immigration Review, a Department of Justice office, was required before complying with Sykes’ order. Attorneys representing the class say they’ve seen similar resistance from some immigration judges, while others have begun granting bond hearings. They plan to return to federal court in January 2026 to present evidence of this confusion and seek further relief. The near-unanimous rejection by federal judges – insulated from political pressure by lifetime appointments – demonstrates why the Constitution grants judges life tenure. Federal courts remain the final check when executive action threatens fundamental due process rights.
that brings 21st-century jobs into the neighborhood while contributing solutions to Minnesota’s housing crisis. North Market prepares for a new chapter in food justice For more than seven years, North Market in the Camden neighborhood has operated as more than a grocery store. It has served as a community anchor — a place where families access healthy food, local entrepreneurs launch new products, and residents gather for classes and events. With this new investment, North Market is preparing to deepen its role as a hub for food justice and economic op-
portunity. The emerging vision includes: • Incubation and expansion opportunities for Black food entrepreneurs • Youth learning culinary and business skills while feeding their peers • Urban agriculture connected to community health • Reliable, affordable access to fresh food for families • A long-term community asset strengthened by aligned partners Northside Forward leaders say business stabilization is a core part of their strategy, and this funding opens the door for North Market to remain a thriving, community-centered resource for years to come.
North Commons Park Part of the $2 million donation will contribute to closing the remaining funding gap for the historic $45 million renovation of North Commons Park — the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board’s largest single investment in a neighborhood park. Plans for the redesigned space include: • New indoor courts • Upgraded outdoor pools • A modern field house • Flexible areas for gatherings, celebrations, and community events City and community leaders say the renovated park will offer first-class recreational
spaces that reflect the strength, creativity, and pride of the Northside. Northside Forward is also exploring ways to use part of the donation to expand Black-owned franchises. Franchising offers proven business structures, training, and brand support — all key tools for entrepreneurs seeking stability and growth. More Black ownership in franchising means: • Greater representation in industries that have historically excluded Black entrepreneurs • Stronger pathways to generational wealth
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pregnancy and recovery, and up to 12 weeks of family leave to care for a newborn, a sick loved one, or a qualifying military or safety event. Those needing both medical and family leave can take up to 20 weeks annually. The program’s 2026 premium rate is set at 0.88%, typically split between employers and employees at roughly $5 per week each. Built on Minnesota’s Unemployment Insurance platform, the system is designed for stability at launch. DEED has been working with employers statewide to integrate
feedback and ensure readiness, while also offering toolkits to help workers understand eligibility and benefits. Noor framed Paid Leave as a long-awaited safeguard for families who face financial strain when forced to choose between income and caregiving. Rising property taxes tied to federal actions, counties warn Minnesota homeowners are now receiving their truth-in-taxation notices, many facing sharp increases. Noor pointed to federal policy deci-
sions as a significant cause. He criticized President Trump and Congressional Republicans for prioritizing tax breaks for billionaires while cutting essential services that communities rely on. A major example is the deep federal reduction to SNAP included in this summer’s reconciliation bill. SNAP supports families facing food insecurity, but cuts—paired with new administrative burdens—
shift costs to counties. Ramsey County estimates a 4.82% property tax levy increase tied to managing the new requirements alone; Anoka County projects approximately 4%. Noor stressed that DFL lawmakers continue pushing for affordability reforms but warned that federal disinvestment leaves Minnesota families carrying heavier financial burdens. The Minnesota De-
partment of Revenue offers additional resources to help homeowners understand their property tax statements. Noor invites residents to stay engaged Noor encouraged constituents to contact his office with questions or concerns about ongoing legislative work. He emphasized the importance of community input as Minnesota prepares for major policy shifts in 2026 and beyond.
ing among agencies, consistent with state and federal law • Specialized skills and positions needed to audit, review and investigate fraud BCA Superintendent Drew Evans said fraud causes harm beyond financial losses, disrupting lives and undermining confidence in public programs. He said the BCA’s financial crimes unit is working with local, state and federal partners to investigate offenses and build stronger barriers to prevent fraud before it occurs. Shireen Gandhi, temporary commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Services, said the department has zero tolerance for
fraud, waste or abuse. She said DHS is focused on strengthening program integrity, tightening oversight and ensuring that public dollars are used to support Minnesotans who rely on essential services. O’Malley is currently the interim chief judge of the Court of Administrative Hearings. He previously served as BCA superintendent under Gov. Tim Pawlenty and, beginning in 2014, led ministerial standards and safe environment efforts for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. He is scheduled to begin his role as director of program integrity next month.
Rep. Veasey will now run for Tarrant County judge, according to several news reports. On December 4, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the new racially gerrymandered maps recently created by Texas Republicans could go forward and be used for the 2026 elections. Marc Veasey has represented Texas’s 33rd Congressional District in Congress for 12 years. Rep. Veasey’s district includes Fort Worth and parts of
Dallas. While in Congress, Veasey has been a leading voice on voting rights, economic equity, healthcare access, and expanding digital infrastructure. He has played a prominent role in national discussions on technology and opportunity, including efforts to close the digital divide. Veasey has also served in leadership within the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Progressive Caucus. The congressional primaries in Texas are March 3, 2026.
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Increased local hiring and economic circulation • A practical approach to narrowing the racial wealth gap Leaders emphasize that the goal is not simply job creation, but community ownership and long-term economic power. The $2 million commitment, said Northside Forward leadership, is a direct affirmation of North Minneapolis’ resilience, creativity, and discipline. It reinforces the initiative’s four pillars: economic growth, livability, homeownership, and vibrant community life.
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Insight News • December 15, 2025 - December 21, 2025 • Page 7
Community Brooklyn Park residents invited to nominate Harrison Park upgrades leaders, play, move, and celebrate this winter near completion Brooklyn Park’s Recreation and Parks department is closing out the year with a full slate of community events, programs, and opportunities for residents of all ages — from preschool explorers and teens to older adults and adaptive recreation participants. Even with snow on the ground, the city is already looking ahead to Tater Daze 2026. Brooklyn Park is accepting nominations for the 2026 Tater Daze Parade Grand Marshal, seeking a resident who reflects the city’s vision of being “a thriving community inspiring pride where opportunities exist for all.”
Nominees must: 1.
Be a Brooklyn Park resident 2. Be over the age of 18 3. Have gone out of their way to support the community and made a real impact in Brooklyn Park The selected Grand Marshal will lead the Tater Daze Parade on Saturday, May 30, 2026, and be highlighted in Park Pages and on Recreation and Parks social media. Self-nominations are welcome. The city is inviting residents to close out the year with food, culture, and games.
Winter game night & family jigsaw race – December 19
Residents are invited to a Winter Game Night and Family Jigsaw Race on Friday, December 19. The game lounge opens at 5:30 p.m., the family puzzle race begins at 6 p.m., and winter-themed trivia starts at 8 p.m. Teams of up to six people can register for a 350-piece family puzzle race for $10 per family, with prizes for the top three finishers. Entry to the game lounge is free and includes board and card games, trivia, an Elf movie screening, free hot cocoa and cookies, and pizza for purchase from Godfather’s Pizza. Optional pizza orders can be placed through the registration link. Recreation and Parks is offering multiple ways for adults and families to stay active this winter. A 5-on-5 adult basketball league at the Community Activity Center gym will play Thursday nights under National Federation rules, with two certified officials and a scorekeeper at each game. Registration is open through Friday, December 26, with play beginning January 8. The $600 team fee covers 7–8 regular season games and a single-elimination playoff. Historic Eidem Farm will host nature preschool day camps for children ages 3–5 on Dec. 29, Dec. 30, Jan. 19, and Feb. 20. Campers will explore barnyards, gardens, insects,
amphibians, snowshoeing, and animal tracking while using all their senses to experience the farm in all seasons. Programs run in rain or snow, with rain suits and boots available onsite. Children must be at least 3 years old and fully toilet trained by September 1; registration is requested one week prior to each camp date. For families unsure which swim level to select, Brooklyn Park Aquatics is offering a free Winter Swim Assessment Day on Saturday, December 13, from 10:30 a.m.– 12:15 p.m. at Jackson Middle School Pool, 6000 109th Ave N, Champlin. Children ages 3–12 will be assessed based on American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim standards and placed in appropriate levels. Families register for a 15-minute time slot and are asked to arrive 10 minutes early with swimsuits, towels, and goggles. Residents who use adult fitness classes, pickleball, or fitness rooms at the Community Activity Center must submit updated 2026 enrollment packets before returning to programs in January. Offerings include SilverSneakers, yoga, cardio strength, Zumba, and open pickleball for adults 18+. A new daytime Hatha yoga class will launch in 2026, focused on body alignment, strength, flexibility, mindfulness, and breathwork. The class is accessible for beginners and experienced participants alike. Updated packets are required for all fitness classes, including the new Hatha yoga session. Brooklyn Park continues to expand its adaptive recreation offerings for residents with developmental disabilities.
Adaptive fitness – ages 13+
Wednesdays, Jan. 21 – Mar. 18, 4:30–5:30 p.m. Community Activity Center $81 residents | $97.20 non-residents Participants will engage in modified fitness games and activities designed for all abilities, focusing on exercise skills and fun group interaction.
Beauty within: adaptive art – ages 13+
Thursdays, Jan. 22 – Mar. 19, 5–6 p.m. Community Activity Center $81 residents | $97.20 non-residents This new adaptive art class offers guided projects each week and a collaborative final piece at the end of the session. All materials are supplied, and family members or personal care providers are welcome.
Winter adaptive aquatics •
Aquafinners (ages 5–14): group swim lessons for
children with developmental disabilities, held during quiet pool times at Brooklyn and Jackson Middle Schools. Lessons focus on water safety and beginner swim skills in an inclusive environment. • Aqua Fun Fit (ages 15+): a fitness-focused aquatics class for teens and adults with developmental disabilities who already have basic swim skills and water safety awareness. Fees vary by site and residency, with sessions running from late January through mid-March. A three-day retreat is planned for youth and young adults ages 5–24 to explore mental health, self-care, and wellness. The retreat will feature interactive sessions, creative activities, and supportive spaces to promote healing and empowerment. Daytime indoor pickleball at the Community Activity Center runs October–April for $3 per session, with SilverSneakers, OnePass, and Renew Active benefits accepted. Residents can also join an email list for free to receive schedule updates and promotions.
Teen programming during Zanewood construction
Due to construction delays at Zanewood Recreation Center, teen programming is temporarily split between Zanewood and Hamilton Park through December 31, 2025. Enhanced teen programming and new youth spaces are expected to fully reopen in January 2026, including Morning Mix and expanded K–5 offerings. Current teen programs include: • Elevating Young Women into Business – entrepreneurship, financial literacy, self-care, and leadership • Chess Club – open to all skill levels • Open Gym – Mondays and Wednesdays, 4:30–8 p.m. • Art Plug – painting, sculpture, and mixed media • Aura Beauty – lessons in hair, barbering, makeup, skincare, and self-care • Young Men’s Group – life skills and leadership development • Debate Club: Convince Us! – weekly prompts, public speaking, and critical thinking All teen programs are free, with transportation provided from Zanewood to Hamilton Park.
Adults on the move
Brooklyn Park’s Adults on the Move program offers trips and social events for older adults and other residents
interested in lifelong learning and recreation. Featured trips include: • The Sons, Branson Style Show • Wednesday, Jan. 28, 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m., $110 • A lunch and live show at the Riverside Inn Event Center in Cold Spring, Minn., featuring three-part harmony, comedy, bluegrass, country, cowboy, gospel, and patriotic music. Registration deadline is Dec. 15. • Minnesota railroad history day trip Thursday, Feb. 5, 9:15 a.m.– 2:45 p.m., $102 A tour of the James J. Hill House and St. Paul’s Union Depot, including lunch at 1881 Eating House. Participants choose from several meal options and learn how railroads shaped St. Paul’s history. Registration deadline is Jan. 5. The city emphasizes inclusion and accessibility in all programming. Residents can request disability-related accommodations, behavioral supports, allergy-related adjustments, or other inclusion needs when registering. Staff work with families to develop individualized inclusion plans where needed. Brooklyn Park also offers fee assistance and scholarships for residents. Depending on income and household size, fee assistance can reduce program costs by up to 75 percent, with a maximum scholarship of $400 per person, per year. Additional support may be available for families experiencing homelessness or for children who are wards of the state. Assistance does not apply to facility rentals, leagues, private lessons, or trips, but additional help is available for summer camps and Summer Fusion. Reach for Resources is offering several winter events in Brooklyn Park and has launched Reach in Motion, a transportation service that helps people use county waiver funds to pay for Lyft rides through a Lyft Pass. The service includes assistance with app setup, waiver coordination, and monthly funding allocation, with a $28 monthly fee for the transportation support. Community Action Partnership is also highlighted for its sponsorship of the city’s Spooktacular event and its assistance to Hennepin County residents needing help with energy bills. Residents seeking more information about any of these programs or needing language or accessibility support are encouraged to contact the Community Activity Center or email the city’s access and inclusion team.
Full reopening and community celebration planned for spring The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) reports that major improvements at Harrison Park are nearly finished, marking a significant milestone in the park’s multiyear transformation. While most new features are already open for winter use, final touches will be completed once warmer weather returns next spring. The Harrison Park upgrades are funded through the 20-Year Neighborhood Park Plan (NPP20), the historic 2016 agreement between MPRB and the City of Minneapolis that directs resources toward racial and economic equity across more than 160 neighborhood parks. NPP20 provides more than $13 million annually for maintaining, repairing, and replacing park facilities, ensuring that communities like Harrison receive long-overdue investment. The newly rebuilt playground opened in early December, offering families a refreshed space to play through the winter. For now, the area uses engineered wood fiber mulch as temporary surfacing. In spring, contractors will install permanent poured-in-place
rubber surfacing in key areas — a major accessibility upgrade that will allow more children of all abilities to navigate the playground safely and comfortably. The new multi-use sport court is open and available to the public. Pickleball players can check out nets and paddles at the Harrison Recreation Center or bring their own equipment. Futsal nets will be added in spring, with recreation center staff preparing programs and open-play opportunities to activate the space. The project’s plaza area is nearly ready, with a pavilion scheduled for installation in mid-January following a production delay. Once installed, the pavilion will serve as a shaded community gathering space and anchor for events and programming. Fall planting has already added new life to the park, including a volunteer event where community members planted 17 trees. Additional shrubs and plantings will be added in spring, completing the naturalized meadow area near the sport court and rounding out the park’s ecological improvements. When the final phase of improvements is completed, MPRB will partner with neighborhood groups, school communities, and project funders to host a community celebration marking Harrison Park’s official reopening. Event details will be shared once confirmed.
MNJRC centers lived experience in push for humane justice reform The Minnesota Justice Research Center (MNJRC) grounds its work in a familiar principle: those closest to the problem are closest to the solution. The organization emphasizes that people most affected by the criminal legal system are too often excluded from the decision-making processes that define it. In response, the MNJRC partners with formerly incarcerated and justice-impacted individuals to elevate their lived experience and reimagine a system that is humane, equitable, accountable, and restorative. The center urges supporters to help sustain this approach by contributing to its ongoing work.
How the organization is advancing this mission
Closing Stillwater Prison: This spring, the MNJRC drew attention to unsafe conditions in the state’s oldest prisons and helped influence the legislature’s decision to close MCF-Stillwater. The organization convened community members, researchers, and
formerly incarcerated people to examine recent findings, discuss the facilities’ dangerous conditions, and identify next steps. It has since launched a campaign to ensure the closure is carried out safely and justly, with leadership from formerly incarcerated individuals. Just Lead Fellowship: This year, the MNJRC launched a 12-month pilot fellowship designed to build the leadership skills and capacities of justice-impacted individuals. The program draws on participants’ firsthand knowledge of the criminal legal system as preparation for influential roles on state boards and commissions. Fellows explore topics including leadership foundations, self-discovery, practical application of skills, and longterm sustainability. The MNJRC underscores the importance—and proven value—of centering directly impacted people in the work of transforming Minnesota’s justice system. The organization invites supporters who share this belief to donate and help propel these efforts forward.
Hiawatha Links project advances as cultural resource review deepens understanding of historic landscape Lake Harriet Bandshell The long-term redesign of Hiawatha Golf Course and surrounding parkland is entering a new phase, as Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) staff and consultants continue a detailed cultural resource study required to shape the next stage of design. In August, MPRB released three design concepts for Hiawatha Links, drawing strong public interest and renewed debate over the course’s future. After that open house and an initial round of site analysis, the design team determined that more extensive cultural resource work was necessary to fully understand the site’s historical, environmental, and cultural significance. Working alongside the Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), the team developed a plan to document the additional data. The result is a draft set of cultural
resource documents that build on previous National Register of Historic Places research. The expanded research focuses on three core areas: • The site’s recommended designation as a Traditional Cultural Place (TCP) • Historical and present-day conditions of the cultural landscape • Architectural and site design recommendations rooted in cultural and historical context SHPO is now reviewing the new cultural resource documentation. Once that review is complete, the Hiawatha Links design team will incorporate SHPO’s guidance into the draft 30% schematic design. That draft will then go through SHPO’s Environmental Review process before being released for public review. The third project
open house — expected spring 2026 — will give community members their next opportunity to weigh in on the emerging design. The current work fulfills requirements under the Minnesota Historic Preservation Act. Project leaders note that additional state and federal cultural reviews, including Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, will be required once the project becomes federalized. The Hiawatha Golf Course site has flooded four times in the last 75 years. After the most recent major flood in 2014, MPRB learned the course required pumping more than 240 million gallons of groundwater each year—without a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources permit—simply to stay playable. In response, Commissioners directed staff to develop
a long-term, ecologically focused plan that reduces groundwater pumping and creates a more flood-resilient landscape. The three conceptual designs released in August 2025 reflect years of technical study, community engagement, focus groups, and conversations with a wide range of stakeholders. Those concepts—still early in the design process—aim to balance historical preservation, environmental responsibility, recreation, and the cultural importance of the site. As the cultural resource review continues, MPRB says community voices will remain central to the Hiawatha Links process. The upcoming 30% schematic design and the spring 2026 open house are expected to offer the clearest picture yet of how the redesigned course and parkland could look and function.
makeover enters final stretch Completion expected by end of month The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) says the three-year renovation of the Lake Harriet Bandshell area is on track to finish by the end of 2025, marking the close of a major upgrade to one of the region’s most beloved cultural landmarks. The final phase of work — replacing the roofs on the boat launch building and picnic shelter — is expected to wrap up by late December, weather permitting. Crews are completing the last pieces of construction in a project that required careful coordination around the popular Music and Movies series and other seasonal events that draw thousands to the lakeshore each year. The renovation has
unfolded in multiple stages. Earlier phases included structural repairs to the Bandshell and concessions building, a fresh blue repainting of all area structures, new seating installations, and upgraded gardens that enhance the surrounding landscape. MPRB officials said they appreciate the public’s patience as improvements were made to an iconic gathering place that serves both neighborhood residents and visitors from across the metro. They also reminded park users to avoid active construction zones, obey posted signage, and refrain from moving or climbing fences while the final work is underway. When complete, the refreshed Bandshell area will stand ready for future seasons of performances, community gatherings, and lakeside recreation — renewed and better equipped for the decades ahead.
Page 8 • December 15, 2025 - December 21, 2025 • Insight News
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Business Trump Klan puts forward a credit rule That could take America back decades
By Stacy M. Brown Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent On a cold Friday morning, with coffee still warm and the country already tired, Alphonso David spoke without ornament, naming a danger that has followed this country for generations and never truly left. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, David told the Black Press of America’s Let It Be Known, is proposing a rule that would strip away key fair lending protections and make it far more difficult to prove discrimination in the credit market. The proposal would eliminate disparate impact as a tool for enforcement, narrow how discrimination and discouragement are defined, and restrict special-purpose credit programs that have helped expand access to homeownership and small business lending for people long excluded from financial markets. “This is a public service announcement for anyone that cares about economic opportunity in the United States,” David said. “The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which is being run by the architect of Project 2025, Russell Vought, is trying to dismantle systems that ensure that people can get access to credit.” David, one of the nation’s leading civil rights advocates, rejected any attempt to treat the proposal as technical or benign. What is being advanced, he said, is modern redlining, up-
dated for an era of data models and algorithms rather than paper maps and red ink. Redlining, David reminded viewers on “Let It Be Known,” was never about individual failure or financial risk. It was a deliberate system built to deny mortgages, insurance, and credit to Black and other minority families based on where they lived and who they were, cutting them off from home equity and the most common pathway to generational wealth in the United States. “This new rule would implement modern-day redlining,” David said. “It would eliminate disparate impact, which is a tool that reveals discrimination when it shows up in outcomes, not intent.” Disparate impact has long allowed borrowers and regulators to prove discrimination through patterns rather than admissions. David explained that discrimination rarely announces itself. Under the proposed rule, a borrower could no longer rely on evidence showing that entire neighborhoods or communities were being excluded. “If a bank is denying all the Black people in a neighborhood loans, and you happen to be one of them, you’re not able to show that everyone else is being denied in order to prove your case,” David said. The stakes, he said, are especially alarming given existing disparities. Black borrowers are already being denied mortgages at nearly twice the rate of White borrowers, even when income and credit profiles
are comparable. “This rule would lock those disparities in place,” David said. David laid out examples that would become harder to challenge if the rule takes effect. A bank could stop approving loans in a predominantly Black neighborhood by labeling it high risk through an algorithm. A Black entrepreneur with strong revenues could be denied small business credit because of zip code-based scoring. Borrowers could be charged higher interest rates without the ability to show that others in their community faced the same treatment. “The policy looks neutral on paper,” David said. “But the outcome is exclusion, and this rule would make it nearly impossible to challenge that.” David traced the legal protections now under threat back to the Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974. The law was originally enacted to allow women access to credit, at a time when many could not open accounts without a man’s approval. Two years later, Congress expanded the law to prohibit discrimination based on race and ethnicity. “Congress wanted to ensure that financial institutions could not discriminate when issuing credit,” David said. “This new rule will make it that much more difficult for people of color, and in some cases women, to get credit from these institutions.” What further unsettles
David is that the CFPB itself admits it lacks data to measure the costs or benefits of the proposal. “The agency does not have any evidence to justify this rule,” David said. “Quite the contrary.” He pointed to data showing Black borrowers are denied mortgages at nearly twice the rate of White borrowers with comparable financial profiles, warning that the proposal would harden those inequities into policy. With the public comment period nearing its close, David urged immediate action. He said there were fewer than five days remaining for the public to submit comments before the deadline. He encouraged viewers to contact elected officials and share the information widely, warning that policy changes often move fastest when communities are unaware. States may provide some protection, David said, particularly those with strong fair lending laws. But federal enforcement sets the baseline, and when federal agencies retreat, enforcement becomes fragmented and weaker. The consequences, he warned, would extend beyond individual borrowers. Black banks, already constrained in lending power, would face increased pressure as communities turn to them to fill gaps left by larger institutions. “The burden on Black banks will increase,” David said. “They’ll be asked to close a gap that the largest institutions are allowed to widen.”
Donald Trump As the conversation closed, David turned from policy to memory, invoking generations who fought similar battles when the law itself was hostile. “They’re counting
on us giving up,” David said. “They’re counting on us looking the other way. And once we actually wake up, we’ll realize that we’ve reverted back to the 1950s.”
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Insight News • December 15, 2025 - December 21, 2025 • Page 9
Insight 2 Health PFAS in pregnant women’s drinking water puts their babies at higher risk, study finds By Derek Lemoine Professor of Economics, University of Arizona Ashley Langer Professor of Economics, University of Arizona Bo Guo Associate Professor of Hydrology, University of Arizona When pregnant women drink water that comes from wells downstream of sites contaminated with PFAS, known as “forever chemicals,” the risks to their babies’ health substantially increase, a new study found. These risks include the chance of low birth weight, preterm birth and infant mortality. Even more troubling, our team of economic researchers and hydrologists found that PFAS exposure increases the likelihood of extremely lowweight and extremely preterm births, which are strongly associated with lifelong health challenges.
What wells showed us about PFAS risks
PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, have captured the attention of the public and regulators in recent years for good reason. These man-made compounds persist in the environment, accumulate in human bodies and may cause harm even at extremely low concentrations. Most current knowledge about the reproductive effects of PFAS comes from laboratory studies on animals such as rats, or from correlations between PFAS levels in human blood and health outcomes.
Both approaches have important limitations. Rats and humans have different bodies, exposures and living conditions. And independent factors, such as kidney functioning, may in some cases be the true drivers of health problems. We wanted to learn about the effects of PFAS on real-world human lives in a way that comes as close as possible to a randomized experiment. Intentionally exposing people to PFAS would be unethical, but the environment gave us a natural experiment of its own. We looked at the locations of wells that supply New Hampshire residents with drinking water and how those locations related to birth outcomes. We collected data on all births in the state from 2010 to 2019 and zoomed in on the 11,539 births that occurred within 3.1 miles (5 kilometers) of a site known to be contaminated with PFAS and where the mothers were served by public water systems. Some contamination came from industries, other from landfills or firefighting activities. PFAS from contaminated sites slowly migrate down through soil into groundwater, where they move downstream with the groundwater’s flow. This created a simple but powerful contrast: pregnant women whose homes received water from wells that were downstream, in groundwater terms, from the PFAS source were likely to have been exposed to PFAS from the contaminated site, but those who received water from wells that were upstream of those sites should not have been exposed. Using outside data on PFAS testing, we confirmed that PFAS levels were indeed greater in “downstream” wells than
justify the EPA’s rule.
Treating PFAS
in “upstream” wells. The locations of utilities’ drinking water wells are sensitive data that are not publicly available, so the women likely would not have known whether they were exposed. Prior to the state beginning to test for PFAS in 2016, they may not have even known the nearby site had PFAS.
PFAS connections to the riskiest births
We found what we believe is clear evidence of harm from PFAS exposure. Women who received water from wells downstream of PFAS-contaminated sites had on average a 43% greater chance of having a low-weight baby, defined as under 5.5 pounds (2,500 grams) at birth, than those receiving water from upstream wells with no other PFAS sources nearby. Those downstream had a 20% greater chance of a preterm birth, defined as before 37 weeks, and a 191% greater chance of the infant not surviving its first year. Per 100,000 births, this works out to 2,639 additional low-weight births, 1,475 additional preterm births and
611 additional deaths in the first year of life. Looking at the cases with the lowest birth weights and earliest preterm births, we found that the women receiving water from wells downstream from PFAS sources had a 180% greater chance of a birth under 2.2 pounds (1,000 grams) and a 168% greater chance of a birth before 28 weeks than those with upstream wells. Per 100,000 births, that’s about 607 additional extremely low-weight births and 466 additional extremely preterm births.
PFAS contamination is costly
When considering regulations to control PFAS, it helps to express the benefits of PFAS cleanup in monetary terms to compare them to the costs of cleanup. Researchers use various methods to put a dollar value on the cost of low-weight and preterm births based on their higher medical bills, lower subsequent health and decreased lifetime earnings. We used the New Hampshire data and locations of PFAS-contaminated sites in 11 other states with detailed
PFAS testing to estimate costs from PFAS exposure nationwide related to low birth weight, preterm births and infant mortality. The results are eye-opening. We estimate that the effects of PFAS on each year’s low-weight births cost society about US$7.8 billion over the lifetimes of those babies, with more babies born every year. We found the effects of PFAS on preterm births and infant mortality cost the U.S. about $5.6 billion over the lifetimes of those babies born each year, with some of these costs overlapping with the costs associated with low-weight births. An analysis produced for the American Water Works Association estimated that removing PFAS from drinking water to meet the EPA’s PFAS limits would cost utilities alone $3.8 billion on an annual basis. These costs could ultimately fall on water customers, but the broader public also bears much of the cost of harm to fetuses. We believe that just the reproductive health benefits of protecting water systems from PFAS contamination could
There is still much to learn about the risks from PFAS and how to avoid harm. We studied the health effects of PFOA and PFOS, two “long-chain” species of PFAS that were the most widely used types in the U.S. They are no longer produced in the U.S., but they are still present in soil and groundwater. Future work could focus on newer, “short-chain” PFAS, which may have different health impacts. PFAS are in many types of products, and there are many routes for exposure, including through food. Effective treatment to remove PFAS from water is an area of ongoing research, but the long-chain PFAS we studied can be removed from water with activated carbon filters, either at the utility level or inside one’s home. Our results indicate that pregnant women have special reason to be concerned about exposure to long-chain PFAS through drinking water. If pregnant women suspect their drinking water may contain PFAS, we believe they should strongly consider installing water filters that can remove PFAS and then replacing those filters on a regular schedule. Disclosure statement Ashley Langer receives funding from the National Science Foundation. Bo Guo and Derek Lemoine do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
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Page 10 • December 15, 2025 - December 21, 2025 • Insight News
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Sports Twins search for Draft Lottery luck While reflecting on a complicated Top-10 track record
last two seasons, Lee has posted a 75 OPS+ in 189 games. He's slated to open next season as Minnesota’s starting shortstop, and that comes with pressure on both sides of the ball. The organization still believes his approach and swing will win out in the long run, but it is fair to say he has been more frustrating than fulfilling so far. His upcoming season may be one of the most critical individual storylines on the roster.
Minnesota hopes to strike gold Tuesday, but history shows that hitting on premium picks is easier said than done. By Cody Christie The Minnesota Twins enter Tuesday’s MLB Draft Lottery with the second-best odds at securing the No. 1 overall pick, and they are guaranteed to select in the top 10 for the 2026 MLB Draft. It's a rare opportunity for a club that has spent most of the past decade trying to compete while still building internally. Any time a front office gets access to elite amateur talent, the stakes rise. Minnesota’s recent history with premium picks shows promise in some places, frustration in others, and plenty of room for debate, as the club prepares for what could be a franchise-shaping selection. Here’s a look back at
Minnesota’s recent track record with top-10 picks and how those players have developed in the team’s farm system.
2023 MLB Draft: OF Walker Jenkins (5th Overall Pick)
Minnesota used the fifth overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft on outfielder Jenkins, and his rapid rise through the system has earned him national attention. In many other draft classes, he likely would have been the first overall pick. Few prospects reach Triple A as 20-year-olds, and players who do often develop into above-average big-league regulars. Jenkins has shown advanced bat speed and a mature approach, but he is still an unfinished product. Last season, he posted a 135 wRC+ in 84
Image courtesy of © Matt Blewett-Imagn Images
games. There are no guarantees in prospect development, though, and the Twins will need patience as he adjusts to the highest levels of the minors. His trajectory is encouraging, but stardom is not yet assured.
2022 MLB Draft: SS Brooks Lee (8th Overall Pick)
One year before Jenkins, the Twins grabbed college shortstop Lee with the eighth
overall pick. His plus hit tool turned him into one of the fastest-moving prospects in baseball, and helped him reach the major leagues ahead of schedule. Minnesota pushed him to Triple-A St. Paul in his first full professional season, and he made his MLB debut in 2024. That intriguingly natural feel for hitting has yet to translate to production in his early MLB returns. Over the
2017 MLB Draft: SS Royce Lewis (1st Overall)
Lewis was Derek Falvey’s first premium draft choice as chief of Twins baseball operations, when they selected him first overall in 2017. The Twins took Lewis over a group that included Hunter Greene, Brendan McKay, and MacKenzie Gore, ultimately signing him to an underslot deal to distribute additional money to the rest of the class. For stretches, that decision looked brilliant. Lew-
is has flashed superstar ability, launching big home runs and showcasing a dynamic skill set that few players can match. The trouble, of course, is that injuries and inconsistent playing time have made it difficult for the Twins to view him as their long-term anchor. Last season, he played in a career-high 106 games but posted an 83 OPS+. Lewis remains a fascinating talent whose next chapter could swing the team’s overall trajectory.
Looking Back at the Previous Regime’s Track Record
Before the current front office took over, Minnesota went through a stretch of four straight top-10 picks under Terry Ryan. The results were uninspiring, except for one undeniable success story. Tyler Jay, Nick Gordon, and Kohl Stewart were all selected in the top six picks, but
LOTTERY 11
Falvey gets green light to build around Twins' top players By Matthew Leach ORLANDO, Fla. -- What was a “hope” and a “goal” earlier this offseason is now a stated plan. The Twins’ front office expects that it has leeway to add to the Major League roster without trading away key pieces to make payroll room.
So despite extensive rumors, Pablo López, Joe Ryan and Byron Buxton are not on the trading block. That doesn’t mean the Twins won’t get calls about their three most prominent players. And it doesn’t even necessarily mean none of them will be dealt. But in the strongest terms yet, Twins president of baseball and business operations Derek Falvey said Monday at the annual Winter
Meetings that he has clearance to build around that core rather than subtracting from it.
Winter Meetings presented by CohnReznick: Complete coverage
Falvey had said all offseason that that was his goal, but until recently he did not have the direction from ownership that he could execute it.
Derek Falvey
B L A N CO & R E P OSA D O 75 0 M L 8 8 P R O O F | 4 4 % A BV 1 0 0 % P U R O D E AG AV E D O U B L E D I ST I L L E D 5 0 % S M O K E D A N D 5 0 % ST E A M E D D I S C OV E R M O R E AT F O R YO U M A S E S P I R I T U !
R E V E L S P I R I T S .C O M
And while some specific details are still unknown, the front office is now comfortable saying explicitly that it will not have to trade one of its highest-paid players in order to fill the needs that the team has. “I said this at the [General Managers’ Meetings
FALVEY 11
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Insight News • December 15, 2025 - December 21, 2025 • Page 11
Children remember Jellybean Johnson as a devoted father beyond the music To the world, Garry “Jellybean” Johnson was a musical force, a cultural icon, and a cornerstone of the Minneapolis Sound. To his children, he was first and foremost a devoted father whose love, presence, and guidance shaped their lives in deeply personal ways. Johnson shared a distinct and intentional relationship with each of his children — Bianca Rhodes, Kamisha Johnson,
Olivia Keogh, Jacob Lund, and Chris Lund. Each bond reflected care and attention, built through quiet conversations, shared laughter, hard-earned life lessons, and simply showing up. Together, he created family moments marked by honesty, humor, creativity, and unwavering support. Those closest to him say the man behind the stage lights nurtured individuality,
encouraged self-expression, and believed fiercely in his children. They remember a father who led with heart — a mentor, protector, and steady presence whose influence extended far beyond music. In the months ahead, Johnson’s children plan to share these personal stories, honoring not only his artistic legacy but also the legacy he built at home. Through remembrance, story-
telling, and community, they hope to celebrate the fullness of his life and the values he passed on. Garry “Jellybean” Johnson’s impact continues through his children, who remain united in love, gratitude, and pride, committed to preserving the truth of who he was — not just as a legend, but as a father who loved deeply and lived fully.
Jellybean Johnson
Rep. Bennie Thompson asks Trump officials about Antifa; finds no answers By Lauren Burke
Kwanzaa: meaning, origin, and guiding principles Kwanzaa is a cultural holiday that celebrates African heritage, unity, and shared values among people of African descent. Observed annually from December 26 to January 1, Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday, but a communal and ethical one, centered on history, culture, and collective responsibility.
a sense of purpose and dignity. Rather than replacing existing holidays, Kwanzaa was designed to complement them by offering a space for cultural reflection and recommitment. Over time, it has grown beyond the United States and is now observed by millions of people worldwide.
Meaning of Kwanzaa
The seven principles of Kwanzaa (Nguzo Saba)
The word Kwanzaa comes from the Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza,” meaning “first fruits.” First-fruits celebrations were common across many African societies and marked harvest time with thanksgiving, reflection, and communal renewal. The extra “a” in Kwanzaa was added to make the word symbolically represent the seven principles on which the holiday is based. At its core, Kwanzaa affirms African identity, promotes cultural pride, and encourages people to reconnect with values rooted in African traditions while applying them to contemporary life.
Origin of Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, a scholar and activist, during the Black Freedom Movement in the United States. In the aftermath of urban unrest and social upheaval, Karenga sought to provide a unifying cultural framework that would strengthen community bonds and foster
Lottery From 10 in November], I was hoping to find a way to build around the core that we have,” Falvey said. “I think we have that ability now to try and navigate through that. And we’ll figure out exactly what that looks like through the course of the offseason.”
Get Twins gifts for the holidays
It’s unclear how much flexibility the Twins will have. Reports have suggested that, even with the announcement that the stars will stay, the Twins will not approach their 2025 payroll, which began the
Falvey From 10 none developed into cornerstone players. Gordon provided some big-league value, but not enough to justify his draft spot. Stewart never found traction. Jay moved to the bullpen and battled injuries.
Each day of Kwanzaa focuses on one of seven core principles, known collectively as the Nguzo Saba. These principles are expressed in Swahili and reflect values drawn from diverse African philosophies. 1. Umoja (unity): Striving for togetherness in the family, community, nation, and world. 2. Kujichagulia (self-determination): Defining, naming, creating, and speaking for ourselves rather than being defined by others. 3. Ujima (collective work and responsibility): Building and maintaining the community together and solving problems collectively. 4. Ujamaa (cooperative economics): Supporting and building businesses that benefit the community as a whole. 5. Nia (purpose): Working collectively to restore and develop the community in ways that honor its history and people.
6.
7.
Kuumba (creativity): Using creativity to leave the community more beautiful and beneficial than it was inherited. Imani (faith): Believing in the people, their leaders, their struggle, and the righteousness of their cause.
Symbols and practice
Kwanzaa is celebrated through rituals and symbols, including the kinara (candle holder), mishumaa saba (seven candles), mkeka (mat), mazao (crops), kikombe cha umoja (unity cup), and zawadi (gifts). Each symbol reinforces themes of unity, heritage, and responsibility. Daily gatherings often include lighting a candle, discussing the principle of the day, storytelling, music, and reflection. On the final day, January 1, participants celebrate with a feast known as Karamu, emphasizing community and gratitude.
Enduring significance
More than half a century after its creation, Kwanzaa continues to serve as a time for reflection, education, and recommitment. It encourages individuals and communities to look inward, honor their roots, and actively build a future grounded in shared values. Kwanzaa’s enduring message is simple but profound: culture matters, community
On September 22, President Donald Trump signed an executive order designating “antifa” as a domestic terrorist organization. Trump has repeatedly referred to “antifa” on social media. On October 8, at the White House, Trump hosted an “antifa” roundtable. Sitting between his Attorney General Pam Bondi and his Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, the event branded “Antifa” as a domestic “terrorist organization.” But on December 11, at a hearing of the House Committee on Homeland Security, Secretary Noem and Michael Glasheen, an official with the National Security Branch of the FBI, were blank-faced on several issues brought up by Democrats on the committee. The Trump Administration — and now a top FBI official have proclaimed that antifa is the FBI’s “primary concern.” But Glasheen could not answer any detailed questions or provide any evidence or data regarding the location of “antifa” or membership numbers. Nor could he respond to who the leader of “antifa” is. After Glasheen stated that “antifa is our primary concern right now,” during the December 11 hearing, he was hammered by Rep. Bennie Thompson (DMS), the most senior Democrat on the committee, who asked the FBI for facts. The FBI official could provide none. Thompson asked Glasheen to reference FBI data on what Trump, and now the FBI, is calling the number one domestic terrorist threat in the U.S. “Right now, what I see from my position is that that’s the most immediate terrorist threat we’re facing on the domestic side,” Glasheen told Homeland Security committee members on December 11. “So, where is Antifa headquartered? Where in the
season in the neighborhood of $140 million. Current estimates have them somewhere around $95 million before any additional offseason moves, leaving a wide range of possible landing spots. The Twins' most obvious, glaring need is in the bullpen, after they traded away five of their top relievers at last season’s Trade Deadline. Falvey and general manager Jeremy Zoll acknowledged that that need will be addressed both from within and from without. Some starting pitching candidates will likely end up pitching in relief, but the club also expects to add some bullpen help from outside the organization. Minnesota has added one reliever so far this winter, right-
hander Eric Orze. “Some of it is going to have to come from outside, some of it is going to be guys stepping up,” Falvey said. “There’s no question. You’re not going to have an entirely filled bullpen from external. You’re going to have some guys that are already in that group. But I would say that, as it stands right now, we’re going to look to add to it.” Beyond that, the Twins could use one or two bats to deepen their lineup, with first base a particular opportunity to upgrade. They would likely look for a right-handed hitter, given a plethora of left-handed-hitting options at the corner outfield and designated hitter spots. They also have Kody
Clemens, a lefty batter, and Edouard Julien as internal candidates for first base. Zoll indicated that the club is not likely to look to move one of its outfield/DH players -- such as Matt Wallner or Trevor Larnach -- to first. “Obviously bullpen feels like the area that, after we went through what we did at the Deadline, rebuilding that group and reinforcing in that space I think would give us a chance to push forward,” Zoll said. “And then on the offensive side, another bat or two with some thump, with some impact, to bolster a group that we’re excited about and that young core that we’re excited to keep growing with.”
Byron Buxton, selected second overall in 2012, became the exception. When healthy, he has played at an MVP level and turned into a franchise icon. Without Buxton’s success, that run of picks would be remembered far more harshly. The MLB Draft remains one of the most unpredictable talent pipelines in
sports. Variability in development, wide gaps in competition levels, and the number of professional levels a player must climb after being drafted before getting to the majors all contribute to uncertainty. Still, teams must hit on top-10 picks if they want sustained success—especially teams like Minnesota, who operate with a below-average
payroll. Minnesota’s recent record shows both optimism and caution as it prepares for a potentially pivotal selection in 2026. With the lottery approaching and talent evaluations underway, the Twins know this opportunity does not come around often. The true test will be turning a premium pick into a premium player.
United States does antifa exist if it’s a terrorist organization and you’ve identified it as number one?” Rep. Thompson pressed Glasheen. “How many members do they have in the United States as of right now?” Thompson also asked. “It’s very fluid … the investigations are active,” Glasheen responded as he nervously moved his hands, seated next to Secretary Noem. “Sir, you wouldn’t come to this committee to say something that you can’t prove. I know you wouldn’t do that. But you did,” Rep. Thompson said. Thompson is the senior member of the House Committee. The exchange quickly went viral on social media. In past committee testimony under previous administrations, the FBI has identified white supremacists as the number one domestic terrorist threat in the U.S. On December 5, 2023, FBI Director Christopher Wray testified that, “the greatest terrorism threat to our homeland is posed by lone actors or small cells of individuals who typically radicalize to violence online, and who primarily use easily accessible weapons to attack soft targets. We see the lone offender threat with both Domestic Violent Extremists (“DVEs”) and HVEs, two distinct threats, both of which are located primarily in the United States and typically radicalize and mobilize to violence on their own.” The Trump Administration has been attempting to erase reality on the issue of white supremacy and domestic terror. Rep. Thompson and other Democrats have been raising alarms all year on Trump’s increasing levels of militarization inside the U.S. and their brazen disregard for civil liberties and
due process. In a statement before the House voted on the National Defense Authorization Act, Rep. Thompson pointed out that the bill, “could lead to major civil liberties violations. Most troubling is that the proposal would waive wiretapping prohibitions for DHS carrying out counterdrone operations across any of its missions—including immigration enforcement. Now is not the time to write Trump’s DHS a blank check. The Trump Administration has shown it cannot be trusted.” During the committee meeting on December 11, Noem was faced with questions on ICE arrests that have involved American citizens and veterans who have served in combat being apprehended. Secretary Noem denied that American citizens were being apprehended by ICE. Rep. Seth Magaziner (D-RI) hammered Noem when he asked if any American citizens or veterans were being abducted by ICE and then produced two examples that were in fact true by showcasing the individuals who were arrested, and in one case deported, live during the hearing. Secretary Noem left the hearing early, referencing another event she had to attend. It was later reported that the event she referenced was cancelled. Because many members of Congress have been saying for months that the Trump Administration is largely unresponsive to their policy questions, committee hearings with Trump cabinet officials have become the only place where questioning can take place. That has often resulted in embarrassing and telling exchanges that have featured few detailed policy answers from the Administration.
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Page 12 • December 15, 2025 - December 21, 2025 • Insight News
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