Regular Columnists
Ed Felien • Elaine Klaassen • Polly Mann • Tony Bouza • David Tilsen • Debra Keefer Ramage • Stephanie Fox • Johnny Hazard
BY ELAINE KLAASSEN In the March issue of Southside Pride, Ed Felien, the owner, publisher, and editor-in-chief of the newspaper, wrote this: “We have mourned the unfair and untimely death of George Floyd for almost five years. Perhaps it’s time now to celebrate his life. He worked security for local night…
BY STEPHANIE FOX During the 1970s, the Uptown neighborhood — especially the Hennepin Avenue and Lake Street crossroad — was a hub for small businesses and neighborhood artists who were drawn to the vibrant nightlife and music scene, and where local shops, restaurants and bars drew crowds from all over…
BY DEBRA KEEFER RAMAGE Lake Street, old and new Lake Street is one of the main arteries of commerce, traffic and history in South Minneapolis. It contains buildings and sites more than 100 years old, and some of the most interesting brand-new restaurants and businesses, and everything in between. Possibly…
BY ELAINE KLAASSEN On Saturday, April 12, 2025, Christians, Christian-lineage people and allies of other faiths are invited to join a Lenten Pilgrimage of lament and protest against the ongoing injustice of Israel’s military occupation in Gaza and the West Bank, and the United States’ support for the bombing and…
BY DEBRA KEEFER RAMAGE Openings, closings, and other changes After many trials and roadblocks, including a devastating fire just weeks before a planned opening, Khue’s Kitchen finally opened on March 6 at 693 Raymond Avenue in South St. Anthony Park. A week later, there was the opening of Café Yoto…
BY ED FELIEN What’s happening at George Floyd Square? Well, actually, not much. George Floyd was murdered on Chicago Avenue at 38th Street almost five years ago. Since then, the city has sponsored many, many meetings (with free food) and taken surveys to determine how to commemorate the murder of George…
BY CAM GORDON Is the city’s once widely acclaimed violence prevention work falling apart? In February, concerns of mismanagement prompted city council members to propose temporarily moving some violence prevention programs out of the city’s Neighborhood Safety Department to the county. After meeting strong opposition, that idea was tabled, but…
BY DEBRA KEEFER RAMAGE State and nationwide education news We may as well lead off by addressing the huge elephant in the room: the unfolding story of Trump 2.0, and particularly the administration’s bumbling efforts to eliminate the Department of Education. There is a lot of linkage, and overlap, between…