Minnesota

Celebrating the Black Vote: A new exhibition in Minnesota | Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

Published

1 year ago

January 25, 2025

Celebrating the Black Vote: A new exhibition in Minnesota | Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

Credit: Minnesota African American Heritage Museum

A powerful new exhibition, “The Black Vote,” will open this February at the Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery (MAAHMG). This multimedia showcase explores the history of African Americans’ fight for voting rights in Minnesota and celebrates the rise of Black elected officials in the state.

The exhibition, which runs from February 6 through May 31, 2025, also commemorates the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Curated by historian Mica L. Anders, the exhibit features works by celebrated artists Charles Caldwell, Karen Caldwell, A. Drew Hammond, and Laura Marie. Visitors can expect a blend of historical insight and artistic expression that highlights the perseverance and contributions of African Americans in shaping democracy.

About the Exhibition

“The Black Vote” tells the compelling story of how African Americans fought for and achieved the right to vote in Minnesota. It also shines a light on the leaders who broke barriers to become influential figures in the state’s political landscape. Through archival materials, multimedia presentations, and vibrant artwork, the exhibit creates a rich narrative of empowerment and resilience.

Mica L. Anders: Uncovering Hidden Histories

Mica L. Anders is a respected historian and genealogist dedicated to bringing untold African American stories to light. A member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and the Minnesota African American Heritage Museum’s first history fellow, Anders is known for her meticulous research and passion for uncovering overlooked narratives. Her contributions to “The Black Vote” amplify the voices of those who paved the way for progress.

Charles Caldwell: Capturing the African American Experience

Charles Caldwell’s art celebrates the universal human experience, told through the lens of African American life. Known for his ability to convey love, sorrow, and joy, Caldwell creates work that resonates deeply with audiences. His portfolio spans portraits, murals, and mosaics, each piece crafted with a dedication to storytelling and community.

Karen Caldwell: Bridging Narratives Across Diasporas

Karen Caldwell, a British-born Barbadian artist now based in Minneapolis, explores the interconnected stories of the African and Caribbean diasporas. Her vibrant works reflect her lived experiences and celebrate cultural resilience. With exhibitions spanning Europe, the Caribbean, and North America, Caldwell’s art brings a global perspective to the exhibit.

A. Drew Hammond: Champion of Social Justice Through Art

A. Drew Hammond’s evocative collages and mixed-media works explore the complexities of African American life and the pursuit of justice. From creating public murals to running the Tipton-Hammond Arts Center with his wife, Hammond is committed to using art as a platform for change. His pieces in “The Black Vote” are a testament to his passion for storytelling and advocacy.

Laura Marie: A Visionary of Beauty and Unity

Laura Marie, a self-taught artist, uses oil painting to highlight the beauty and humanity of her subjects. Inspired by the potential for art to make the world a better place, her work reflects hope and connection. Her contributions to the exhibit provide a heartfelt perspective on the ongoing fight for equality and representation.

Join Us This Black History Month

“The Black Vote” is a must-see for anyone interested in the history and future of democracy, representation, and art. The Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery invites visitors of all ages and backgrounds to explore this powerful exhibition and reflect on the progress made—and the work still to be done.

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Minnesota

Minnesota voter registration review finds county record errors

Published

46 minutes ago

July 10, 2026

Press Room

Minnesota voter registration review finds county record errors

A new state evaluation found Minnesota’s voter registration system mostly works as intended, but some counties did not update their records accurately.

On Wednesday, the Office of the Legislative Auditor published a summary of new voter registration applications submitted in the summer and fall of 2024. The findings stated counties processed 96% of new applications within the legal time frames, but struggled to process applications when recieved within 20 days of an election.

The report also said counties did not always update voter registration records as required by law when the Office of the Secretary of State flagged possible disqualifying conditions, such as incarceration. Counties sent required notices within 10 days to 84% of registered voters whose incarceration or guardianship challenges they removed.

The report goes on to say counties followed the identity verification process correctly for 99.9% of applicants and followed the residency verification process correctly for 99% of applicants. But among applicants counties manually reviewed for residency, counties either inaccurately assigned voter statuses or failed to document their rationale in more than one-third of the cases reviewed.

The Secretary of State maintains the Statewide Voter Registration System, while counties are responsible for creating and maintaining their own voter registration records. As of January of 2026, nearly 3.8 million people were registered to vote in Minnesota.

Top officials respond

Reaction to the report from Minnesota leaders has been mixed, with some top Republicans saying Secretary of State Steve Simon is to blame for inactive voters being left on voter rolls.

However, Simon’s takeaway from the evaluation was mostly positive, saying, “the report found our office has established the appropriate procedures for counties and that counties have performed their work with a nearly perfect record of accuracy.”

Cory Kampf, president of the Minnesota Association of County Officers, said counties generally agreed with the recommendations but asked for more context. He added voter residency was verified in 99% of applications, following the correct processes.

Speaker Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, and Leader Harry Niska, R-Ramsey, full statement reads: “This voter registration audit exposes major loopholes in our system, including the thousands of votes that were allowed to register and cast a ballot on Election Day but couldn’t be verified as legal voters. It also showed that the Secretary of State does not follow the law for inactive voters, choosing to leave voters on the rolls years after they should have been deactivated. These are major problems that need to be addressed. Integrity in elections is paramount, and Minnesotans deserve certainty that only legal voters are deciding our elections.”

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Minnesota

Minnesota Looks to Add 1,100 Child Care Slots, With Melrose Among the 11 Funded Communities

Published

11 hours ago

July 9, 2026

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Minnesota Looks to Add 1,100 Child Care Slots, With Melrose Among the 11 Funded Communities

UNDATED (WJON News) — The city of Melrose is one of 11 communities and organizations sharing in the latest round of child care grants.

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development has announced more than $1.4-million in child care economic development grants that will create more than 1,100 new child care slots across the state.

DEED says more than 80% of the money is slated for outstate Minnesota.

Commissioner Matt Varilek says the grants help working families by ensuring parents are able to work. It also helps employers retain talent and establish the foundation for long-term economic vitality.

Since the program’s start in July 2023, DEED has awarded more than $13-million in grants to 56 organizations to fund child care startups and business expansions.

25 Board Games That We All Played in the ’70s

From well-known favorites like Clue to cult classics like Masterpiece, these 1970s board games bring a wave of nostalgia for a time when life felt simpler — and maybe even a little more exciting.

Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz

LOOK: The Best Car Ads of the 1970s in One Nostalgic Gallery

From the Pinto to the Civic, get ready to relive the days of manual windows and two-door wagons as we flip through some of the most iconic car print ads from 1970s magazines.

Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz

Summer Vacation in the ’80s: These Nostalgic Photos Say It All

Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz

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Where to watch Cleveland Guardians vs Minnesota Twins: TV channel, start time, streaming for July 9

Published

21 hours ago

July 9, 2026

Press Room

Where to watch Cleveland Guardians vs Minnesota Twins: TV channel, start time, streaming for July 9

The 2026 MLB season has surpassed the quarter mark, and after each team’s first 40 games, there’s plenty of reasons to tune in all summer long.

Chicago White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami has already proven doubters wrong by launching 17 home runs, Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes consistently looks like the best version of himself on the mound and Milwaukee ace Jacob Misiorowski is throwing harder than any starter in the majors.

The MLB action continues on Thursday as the Cleveland Guardians visit the Minnesota Twins.

Here’s everything you need to know to tune in for the first pitch.

See USA TODAY’s sortable MLB schedule to filter by team or division.