Today, more Minnesotans are losing their local newspapers. Then, we learn about the history behind the Juneteenth holiday. And, there’s a new campaign to “Stay Cool.”
Transcript
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HOST: You're listening to North Star Stories: Voices from Where We Live, a daily newscast about what it means to live in Minnesota.
ANCHOR: Today, more Minnesotans are losing their local newspapers. Then, we learn about the history behind the Juneteenth holiday. And, there's a new campaign to "Stay Cool."
I'm Grace Jacobson.
After half a century in the business, a publishing company in northwestern Minnesota has officially stopped its presses. Richard's Publishing produced four local newspapers. The closure puts Clearwater, Marshall, Red Lake, and Polk Counties in what is referred to as a news desert, meaning residents in those counties have few to no sources for local news. The company says it was a difficult decision, but there just wasn't enough revenue to keep operating. The former editor of one of the papers is planning to launch a digital news platform called The Northern Neighbor.
Today is Juneteenth, which is more than just a day off work for federal and state employees. It's viewed by some as America's second Independence Day, celebrating the end of slavery. Jose Ozoria looks at the history of the holiday here in Minnesota.
Jose Ozoria: From Minneapolis to St Paul Duluth to Rochester, Minnesotans are commemorating and celebrating Juneteenth. In 2021, Juneteenth was declared a federal holiday.
SFX: sounds of a past Juneteenth celebration in Minnesota; fireworks
Jose Ozoria: The state of Minnesota soon followed officially recognizing it as a state holiday for the first time in 2024.
SFX: sounds of a past Juneteenth celebration in Minnesota
Jose Ozoria: This year, communities throughout Minnesota are finding ways to acknowledge the importance of the day.
Shameka Bogan: Kids growing up nowadays and the younger people growing up, that's one of the things that's missing, is those like summer cookouts and family reunions together. And so something like Juneteenth is a good time to really kind of bring that vibe and that feeling back.
SFX: sounds of kids laughing in a park
Jose Ozoria: Shameka Bogan, with the North Side Juneteenth Organization, describes the atmosphere of fun, family and education associated with Juneteenth the north side. Juneteenth Celebration is a series of community events leading up to Juneteenth on the Northside of Minneapolis. This year, the festivities began last weekend.
Shameka Bogan: We're big on people really having an understanding of like, the meaning of Juneteenth and just the culture and the creativity and the history behind it. I think we really strive to bring like a historical aspect to our events, so that even though it's a fun, family friendly event, what are you learning while you're here that you didn't already know?
Jose Ozoria: Along with the fun, cultural, culinary and artistic events that go along with the Juneteenth Celebration, also comes a deep recognition of the historical weight associated with the date and the holiday.
Chantel Rodriguez: It commemorates the end of slavery.
Jose Ozoria: Chantel Rodriguez, senior public historian with the Minnesota Historical Society.
Chantel Rodriguez: It marks the day on June 19, 1865, when Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to inform slaved people that they were free.
Jose Ozoria: The Minnesota Historical Society developed a website as a vehicle to help those who are interested to learn more about the holidays, rich history and black freedom celebrations. Ms. Rodriguez says the Juneteenth celebrations are not a modern occurrence and have a long history.
Chantel Rodriguez: we have this wonderful, long and rich history of African American communities and even enslaved peoples who were celebrating what we call emancipation days since way before 1865.
Jose Ozoria: Throughout Minnesota, there are several events celebrating the holiday, including last weekend's Freedom Day Juneteenth Celebration in Rochester, Duluth Freedom Ball, and St. Cloud's annual Juneteenth event. Kevin Lindsey, CEO of the Minnesota Humanities Center, discusses the pride he has in the events the Humanities Center has executed.
Kevin Lindsey: Humbly, I would say, the fact that we've been able to bring in great speakers such as Angela Tate, Dr Bernice King and Bakari Sellers and, now this year, Sherrilyn Ifill, to talk about Juneteenth and talk about African American History and America's history. I think that that's elevating a conversation as well.
Jose Ozoria: Mr. Lindsay says there's more to Juneteenth than the celebrations.
Kevin Lindsey: It is really telling the story of America through the eyes and lens of African Americans, and Juneteenth is the beginning of that story.
SFX: sounds of a past Juneteenth celebration in Minnesota
Jose Ozoria: For North Star Stories, I’m Jose Ozoria.
ANCHOR: You are listening to North Star Stories.
Hotter summers are here to stay, and state health officials want Minnesotans prepared. The Minnesota Department of Health has launched the "Stay Cool M-N" campaign to help residents remain safe when temperatures heat up. The campaign suggests three practical tips: stay hydrated, stay informed, and stay cool. Extreme heat can be dangerous, especially for vulnerable groups like children, older adults, and outdoor workers. More summer safety tips are online at m-n dot gov forward slash heat.
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HOST: North Star Stories is produced by AMPERS, diverse radio for Minnesota's communities, with support from the McKnight Foundation and the State of Minnesota. Online at ampers dot org.