In today’s segment, a new law that gives Minnesotans power over their online data Then, the state’s Clemency Review Commission recently met. We hear from a Minnesotan who was recommended for a pardon. The Board of Pardons decides his case next month. And, a new option for those who don’t want to be buried or cremated.
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Executive Producer: Victor Palomino Producer: Emily Krumberger Anchor: Chantel SinGsReader scripting: Xan Holston Fact checking: Joel Glaser, Victor Palomino Editorial support: Emily Krumberger Mixing & mastering: Chris Harwood
Transcript
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HOST: You're listening to North Star Stories: Voices from Where We Live. Today in Minnesota:
ANCHOR: A new law that gives Minnesotans power over their online data Then, the state Board of Pardons recently met, we hear from a Minnesotan who received a pardon. And, a new option for those who don't want to be buried or cremated.
I'm Chantel SinGs.
Digital privacy just got a lot stronger in Minnesota. Under the newly enacted Minnesota Consumer Data Privacy Act, residents now have more control over how online platforms collect and use their data. That includes the right to see what information a business has about you, get a copy of it, and request that personal or sensitive data be deleted. The law also lets people opt out of targeted ads and the sale of their personal data. Companies must also clearly explain how to opt out and respond to requests within 45 days. Minnesota joins 19 other states that have enacted similar legislation.
Next, if you've been convicted of a crime in Minnesota, eventually, you can be pardoned. It's not easy, but it's possible. Producer Emily Krumberger explains the process and talks with someone whom the state recently pardoned.
Emily Krumberger: Minnesota's 9-member Clemency Review Commission met earlier this month to review a list of clemency applicants. One of those was community organizer and Hamline University adjunct professor Jason Sole.
Jason Sole: I'm just grateful to get through the first step. Like that's amazing.
Emily Krumberger: Jason was convicted three times between 1997 and 2005, one for possession of a firearm, and two for possession of a controlled substance. Since then, he's completed his prison sentence and probation.
Emily Krumberger: After Jason's public hearing, during which he had ten minutes to speak about his case, the Clemency Review Commission voted unanimously, in front of a packed room of supporters and 138 attendees over Zoom, to recommend him for a pardon.
Jason Sole: it's a process that can work for you, but it also can tear you down.
Emily Krumberger: The Board of Pardons will ultimately decide Jason's clemency case, along with other applicants, on September 24th.
Jason Sole: I'd like to see a one-step process.
Zeke Caligiuri: Clemency, directly in Minnesota, is associated with two processes.
Emily Krumberger: Zeke Caligiuri is the Community Engagement Manager at Minnesota Justice Research Center.
Zeke Caligiuri: One is the pardoning of somebody's state record. People that apply for pardons are people that are completely done with their sentences. Whereas, people who apply for commutations are asking for some mercy from the current sentence that they are under.
Emily Krumberger: Before 2023--
Zeke Caligiuri: You had a clemency agent who would take applications.
Emily Krumberger: But now, they have--
Zeke Caligiuri: Nine other voices now that they can also consider when looking into any particular case.
Emily Krumberger: The creation of the Commission was also intended to speed up the process and prevent a backlog of applications.
Jason Sole: My application was 55 pages. Six reference letters. So, 49 pages of what did you do? Why do you want this? All of that kind of stuff, every address. Didn't hear anything back for five months, and I reached out to them and said, what's going on? I'm just checking on the status of my application. And they said, "Yeah we got it." Responded in 4 hours.
Emily Krumberger: In 2023, the Board of Pardons processed 159 clemency applications, but only granted 55 pardons or commutations. The same year, Minnesota had the 13th highest rate of mass punishment - meaning imprisonment or community supervision- amongst states in the country, according to the Prison Policy Initiative. And across race, the state imprisons Black and Indigenous residents at far higher rates than white Minnesotans.
Emily Krumberger: A pardon can restore voting rights, clear barriers to housing, jobs, or business loans. However, for Zeke, a pardon goes far beyond these things.
Zeke Caligiuri: I believe in people's abilities to be able to build a version of themselves that, for one, isn't going to continue to cause harm in the world, but also that, you know, can do some really wonderful things.
Jason Sole: Things went well for me. I want things to be better for the people who come in behind me.
Emily Krumberger: For North Star Stories, I'm Emily Krumberger.
ANCHOR: Minnesotans who don't want to be buried, cremated, or donate their body to science now have another option. Natural Organic Reduction, or N-O-R, also referred to as human composting, is now legal in Minnesota. But those wishing to take advantage of the new option have to wait a little longer. While human composting is legal, there aren't any companies that offer the service in our state. Return Home, the leading N-O-R provider, says it's actively looking to open a facility in Minnesota.
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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.