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Insight News • October 13, 2025 - October 19, 2025 • Page 1
Insight News
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October 13, 2025 - October 19, 2025
Vol. 52 No. 41 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com
State Theatre, Minneapolis World Premiere The world premiere stage adaptation of PRINCE’S legendary film and album PURPLE RAIN™ comes to Hennepin Arts’ historic State Theatre October 16-November 23, 2025. The world premiere
musical adaptation, PURPLE RAIN, brings to life the electrifying, fictional journey of “The Kid,” a talented but troubled young musician trying to make it in the Minneapolis club scene. As he contends with a tumultu-
ous home life, a rival band, and an unexpected romance with an aspiring young singer, “The Kid” fights to find his voice and seize his moment in the spotlight. Based on the origi-
nal screenplay by Albert Magnoli and William Blinn, this pre-Broadway debut is directed by Tony Award® nominee Lileana Blain-Cruz. It features a book by Tony Award winner and Pulitzer Prize finalist Bran-
den Jacobs-Jenkins with music supervision, arrangements, and orchestrations by Tony Award winner Jason Michael Webb and choreography by Ebony Williams. Longtime Prince collaborators Bobby Z and Morris
Hayes join the award-winning creative team as Prince Music Advisors.
Saint Paul Federation Harry Colbert Jr. named Vice of Educators endorses President at The Center for Mayor Melvin Carter Broadcast Journalism The Saint Paul Federation of Educators (SPFE) last week endorsed incumbent Mayor Melvin Carter, citing his steadfast leadership and commitment to Saint Paul’s students, educators, and families. This latest endorsement cements what is now Mayor Carter’s strongest and most united campaign coalition to date, Carter’s campaign said in a press statement. First elected in 2018 as the city’s 46th and first African-American mayor Melvin Carter is a fourth-generation Saint Paul resident. Carter has built a reputation for elevating equity and community empowerment. Carter lead successful efforts to raise the city’s minimum wage to $15 per hour and he created the Office of Financial Empowerment to address financial stability and community wealth building. Under his administration, Saint Paul brought back its Affordable Housing Trust Fund, and expanded support for immigrants and refugees. His administration implemented what it described as a Community-First Public Safety framework to address root causes of public safety challenges. The city tripled free programming in recreation centers and eliminated late fines in public libraries to increase accessibility and created CollegeBound Saint Paul, an innovative initiative that provides every child born in the city with a $50 college savings account. Saint Paul also launched its People’s Prosperity Guaranteed Income Pilot Program to support low-income families. With the SPFE endorsement, Carter’s team says
Credit: melvincarter.org
Mayor Melvin Carter, the 46th and first African-American mayor of Saint Paul, Minnesota it has built his most formidable slate of labor support ever, securing endorsements from the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA), Carpenters, SEIU, IUPAT District Council 82, Steamfitters/Pipefitters Local 455, Sprinkler Fitters Local 417, Plumbers Local 34, and IBEW Local 110. “This campaign reflects the energy and vision of our entire community,” said Carter. “The support of educators, alongside labor, environmental advocates, and faith leaders shows that Saint Paul’s progressive movement is united in our shared vision for a more just and more equitable city.” Carter has also received endorsements from Governor Tim Walz, Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan, Attorney Gen-
eral Keith Ellison, U.S. Senator Tina Smith, and U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, as well as City Council Members: Johnson, Coleman, Jost, and Bowie Faith in Minnesota, Sustain Saint Paul, the Sierra Club, and Move MN Action endorsed Carter. Carter says he is entering the final stretch of the campaign in his “best electoral position ever,” claiming the broad base of support across every sector of the city underscores his position as the clear choice for Saint Paul’s future. Carter said the campaign will look to build momentum by hosting field events with Senator Tina Smith, Lt Governor Peggy Flanagan, and other prominent DFLers.
The Center for Broadcast Journalism (CBJ) last week announced the appointment of media veteran Harry Colbert Jr. as its new Vice President. A respected figure in the journalism industry, Colbert will begin his tenure in November 2025, bringing a wealth of expertise and a vision for innovative programming that aligns with CBJ’s mission. Answering the urgent need and call to elevate, develop, and preserve independent Black media and its makers is among the top priorities for the organization. Colbert will be responsible for shaping the editorial and programming vision of the organization, ensuring that the strategy remains bold, innovative, and true to CBJ’s commitment to advancing journalism. His extensive experience will also be instrumental in enhancing the capabilities of Power 104.7 FM, CBJ's broadcast radio station. “Harry will provide steady leadership for our organization. His guidance will not only help us maintain our momentum but also promote continued growth and success, said Georgia Fort, President of CBJ. She said Colbert’s values align with CBJ’s mission to mobilize the next generation of journalists through rich reporting experience, education, and meaningful connections aimed at enhancing representation in media. “As a purpose-driven journalist, Colbert embodies a community-first value system that aligns perfectly with CBJ’s
objectives,” CBJ said in announcing the appointment. A former managing editor at MinnPost and editor-in-chief at North News— where he led the publication to receive three Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) awards and five first-place honors at the 2021 Minnesota Newspaper Association (MNA) awards—Colbert has a proven track record of excellence in journalism. His accolades include additional SPJ awards, four MNA awards, three National Newspaper Publishers Association Merit Awards, and three nominations for the National Association of Black Journalists Salute to Excellence. Colbert served as the managing editor of Insight News and has contributed col-
umns to various publications, including the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s The Village. Colbert is also an established presence in the media, having appeared on MSNBC’s “The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell,” and having been featured in Variety and The Independent. Colbert’s has served as an instructor of print and radio journalism for several organizations, including the Greater St. Louis Association of Black Journalists and ThreeSixty Journalism. Additionally, he has taught at Minneapolis’ North Community High School and Camden High School, helping to shape the next generation of journalists. He is also a former Diversity Fellow at the University of Minnesota’s Hubbard School of Journalism.