The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has awarded more than $4.8 million to 39 organizations to provide more than 4,000 young people with workforce development and training opportunities.

DEED’s Youth at Work Opportunity Grants Program serves youth of color and youth with disabilities who are economically disadvantaged or considered to be at-risk. Grantees will connect young people ages 14-to-24 with good-paying jobs in high-growth industries, taking a targeted approach for youth who face the largest systemic barriers.

“Youth development and job training is crucial to the wellbeing of our communities and our state’s economy,” said DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek. “At DEED, we take pride in providing opportunities and assistance for some of our most vulnerable community members. Supporting the youth of today helps ensure Minnesota has a healthy and vibrant workforce tomorrow.”

“Across Minnesota, our Youth at Work partners are helping young people gain valuable skills and pursue economic stability,” said DEED Deputy Commissioner for Workforce Development Marc Majors. “We’re proud that these grants will support the next generation in building a stronger and more resilient workforce.”

Youth at Work grantees are listed below (many organizations serve regions beyond the cities in which they are located):

Achieve Twin Cities, Minneapolis – $236,200

African Economic Development Solutions (AEDS), St. Paul – $120,000

African Immigrants Community Services, Minneapolis – $100,000

American Indian OIC, Minneapolis – $100,000

Anoka County Job Training Center, Blaine – $300,000

Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency, Virginia – $100,000

Bi-County Community Action Programs, Inc., Bemidji – $100,000

Career Solutions, St. Cloud – $242,000

Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services, Inc., Monticello – $300,000

City Academy High School, St. Paul – $100,000

City of Duluth Workforce Development, Duluth – $300,000

City of Minneapolis, Minneapolis – $1,350,000

City of Saint Paul Parks and Recreation – Right Track, St. Paul – $1,350,000

Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio, St. Paul – $100,000

Elpis Enterprises, St. Paul – $156,000

Face to Face Health & Counseling Service, Inc., St. Paul – $100,000

Faribault Public Schools, Faribault – $190,000

Genesys Works Twin Cities, St. Paul – $200,000

Greater Bemidji/Minnesota Innovation Initiative, Bemidji – $200,000

Hennepin County Department of Workforce Development, Minneapolis – $300,000

Hired, Minneapolis – $200,000

Independent School District No. 625 (St. Paul Public Schools), St. Paul – $150,000

JET – Northeast Minnesota Office of Job Training, Virginia – $300,000

Karen Organization of Minnesota, Roseville – $100,000

MIGIZI Communications, Inc., Minneapolis – $142,000

Minnesota Training Partnership, St. Paul – $100,000

Port Authority of the City of Bloomington, Bloomington – $100,000

Project Legacy, Rochester – $100,000

Red Lake Band of Ojibwe, Redby– $200,000

Rural Minnesota CEP, Inc., Detroit Lakes – $200,000

RWDA 5 – South Central Workforce Council/Minnesota Valley Action Council and Southwest Private Industry Council, Mankato – $500,000

Sabathani Community Center, Minneapolis – $200,000

Smart North, Minneapolis – $200,000

Spark-Y: Youth Action Labs, Minneapolis – $200,000

The Lower Sioux Indian Community in the State of Minnesota, Morton – $150,000

Urban Boatbuilders, St. Paul– $100,000

Wildflyer Coffee, Minneapolis – $200,000

Workforce Development, Inc., Rochester – $200,000

Youthprise, St. Paul – $200,000

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The stunning vote to release the Epstein files saw all members of Minnesota’s House and Senate delegations voting yes to release the files.

Minnesota Republicans and almost every other Republican were all lined up to vote no, but all changed their mind after President Trump said he now supports the release of the files.

Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Democrat, celebrated the vote but had criticism for those who had previously planned to vote no on releasing the files.

“While I am glad the House passed this legislation, it is unconscionable that we needed a discharge petition to get a vote because Republican Leadership refused to take up this issue,” she said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Republican Rep. Brad Finstad praised the House Oversight Committee, which last week released more than 20,000 pages of records from Epstein’s estate, for its work.

“Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have experienced untold physical and emotional damage at the hands of powerful people. It’s these women, more than anyone, who deserve to know the truth,” Finstad said.

DFL Congresswoman Kelly Morrison met with survivors of Epstein’s abuse, who were on Capitol Hill ahead of the vote.

“Well, it’s really emotional to listen to these remarkable people retell some of their stories, talk about the decades of frustration that they have suffered through in their journey to try to get justice,” Morrison said. “It was very emotional, and I’m just struck by, honestly, their courage, their resilience and their determination.”

Rep. Tom Emmer, who is a member of the GOP leadership, released a statement saying, “House Republicans have been consistent with our calls for transparency and for accountability regarding Epstein. That is why I voted in favor of the Epstein Files Transparency Act.”

Things are moving quickly right now on Capitol Hill. Late Tuesday afternoon, the Senate followed the House in voting to release the files.