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THE VOICE OF BLACK MINNESOTA SINCE 1934
November 13 -19, 2025
Vol. 92
No. 15
Human toll rising as SNAP funds delayed By Jasmine McBride Managing Editor
innesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, U.S. Representative Betty McCollum, and Ramsey County Commissioner Rena Moran gathered Nov. 3 at the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center to spotlight the urgent consequences of the Trump administration’s refusal to fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition As-
sistance Program (SNAP) during the nearly five-week federal government shutdown. The press conference brought together elected leaders, a SNAP recipient, and a local food-shelf manager to illustrate the human cost of delayed benefits and the cascading economic effects across Minnesota communities. “Donald Trump will go to any lengths to make sure hungry Americans stay hungry,” Ellison said. “This is about basic
human dignity. People need food on their tables, and we cannot wait any longer. SNAP is not a political bargaining chip — it is essential for families to survive.” Matteo, a Minnesota SNAP recipient, shared his experience managing illness while relying on the program. “I found out I had cancer … I do get my food stamps of $292 a month, which, as prices continue to go up, I don’t care how good of a budgeter you are, that is hard
Phone: 612-827-4021 www.spokesman-recorder.com to stretch,” he said. “It’s shameful,” Matteo continued. “None of us are proud to be on it, and while I’m on it right now, I definitely do not plan to be on it for the rest of my life. Even if you do get disability and all support programs, it is still below poverty.” A local food-shelf manager highlighted a dramatic increase in demand. “We’ve seen families who have never needed help before,” they said. “People are coming in asking for basic staples: milk, eggs, bread. Our shelves are stretched to the limit, and we are doing everything we can, but the need is overwhelming.” ■ See SNAP on page 5
Court upholds Home Depot ban on Black Lives Matter insignia
Caro Linda Bo worked at this Home Depot store in Northeast Minneapolis from August of 2020 until early 2021 before quitting over concerns about workplace racism. Matt Sepic/MPR By Matt Sepic
(l-r) Ramsey County Commissioner Rena Moran, Catholic Charities Director of Fund Access Stacy Lund, SNAP recipient Mateo, Congresswoman Betty McCollum, Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Hallie Q. Brown Executive Director Benny Roberts at a Nov. 3 press conference at Hallie Q. Brown Community Center addressing the impact of SNAP cuts Jasmine McBride/MSR
State launches ambitious marijuana expungement program By Clint Combs Contributing Writer innesota is attempting something few states have tried: clearing thousands of marijuana convictions automatically, without requiring anyone to petition the courts. On Wednesday, state officials and legal experts gathered at the Sabathani Community Center in South Minneapolis to outline the scope of what they called one of the most ambitious government-led expungement efforts in the country. The Cannabis Expungement Board has begun reviewing felony-level cases for possible expungement or resentencing, while the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has already cleared more than 57,000 low-level
galization law. “It is our job, as the government, to undo that harm.” Minnesota’s law created two tracks for expungement. Low-level marijuana cases, including petty and misdemeanor offenses, are automatically handled by the BCA. More serious felony convictions are reviewed individually by the Cannabis Expungement Board, which includes a mix of legal, corrections, and child welfare officials. Unlike many other states, Minnesota does not require people to petition a court, pay a filing fee, or wait for a judge’s discretion. Former Minneapolis City Attorney Jim Rowader, now executive director of the board, said the board is preparing to review thousands of felony cases over the next year. “That’s huge,” said attorney
federal appeals court panel ruled on Thursday that managers of a Twin Cities Home Depot store acted lawfully when they banned an employee from writing a Black Lives Matter slogan on their uniform. Caro Linda Bo, 33, started working at the retailer’s location in Northeast Minneapolis in August 2020, three months after Minneapolis police killed George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, bringing new urgency to the Black Lives Matter movement. Soon after they were hired,
Bo joined with other employees in writing “BLM” in black marker on their orange aprons, the store’s uniform. Bo couldn’t be reached for comment. But according to court documents, Bo testified that they did it to be approachable to customers and as a “symbol of solidarity” against “prejudice and racism.” While the nation was in the midst of a racial reckoning, another was underway in the store’s break room, where in February 2021 someone twice vandalized a Black History Month display. Later that month, managers of the location on New Brighton ■ See HOME on page 5
Courtroom protesters demand ‘No More Stolen Lives’
Families, activists expose gaps in domestic violence protections By Clint Combs Contributing Writer
llison Lussier’s life ended in a North Loop apartment in February 2024, but questions surrounding her death continue to reverberate through Minneapolis. Family members and Indigenous activists say the system failed Lussier, a 29-year-old woman with a history of domestic abuse, and are calling for accountability as her former boyfriend, Charles Henry Foss, faces only minor charges unrelated to her death. Lussier died from a subdural hematoma, a blood buildup between the brain and skull that can result from violence, according to the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office. The manner of death remains undetermined, and toxicology reports revealed significant amounts of fentanyl and methamphetamine in her system. Foss, who was sentenced to 13 months in jail for an (l-r) Executive Director of the Cannabis Expungement unrelated break-in and standBoard Jim Rowader, MN 1st District Judge Christopher off, appeared in Hennepin Bates, Director at The Legal Revolution Jon Geffen, County Court wearing an XL Outreach Coordinator at the Minnesota Attorney General’s orange jumpsuit. Prosecutors Office Marco Hernandez, and MN Sen. Lindsey Port speak described his erratic behavior, about marijuana expungement at the Sabathani Center on which included fleeing police Nov. 6. Clint Combs/MSR with a knife and agreeing to surrender only after requestJon Geffen, who has worked ing a McDonald’s milkshake. marijuana records. “Prohibition and the over- on expungement cases for two Advocates argue Foss should policing of specific communi- decades. “If you go to a job face charges related to Lusties is a harm the government interview or try to rent hous- sier’s death, citing a pattern of did,” said State Senator Lindsey ing, you need to know what’s domestic abuse. Port, one of the authors of on your record. This ensures Jana Williams, Lussier’s aunt, Minnesota’s 2023 cannabis le- ■ See EXPUNGEMENT on page 5 and half a dozen Indigenous
Staff Grace Walz later offered a rescheduled meeting. City Auditor Robert Timmerman said the office lacks sufficient resources to investigate high-profile domestic violence cases, noting active audits into Lussier’s death and other incidents.
“If Minneapolis police had listened months ago, Allison might still be alive.”
The story reflects broader disparities. A 2023 Department of Justice investigation found Minneapolis police disproportionately stop and use force against Black and Indigenous residents, who also experience higher rates of domestic violence. Black women account for 40% of domestic violence victims in Minnesota Jana Williams (r), Allison Lussier’s aunt, speaks with Indigenous despite making up only 7% of and domestic violence activists after the court hearing. the population. Advocates connect Lussier’s activists wearing red “No More apolis Police Department proStolen Lives” shirts attended cedures for high-risk domestic death to other cases, includthe court hearing. “If Minneap- violence cases. City officials ing Davis Motouri and Mariah olis police had listened months largely declined or failed to fol- Samuels, highlighting patterns ■ See LUSSIER on page 5 ago, Allison might still be alive,” low through, though Chief of Williams said, emphasizing the systemic failures that contributed to her niece’s death. CORRECTION Emails obtained by the MSR Last week, we printed some incorrect information in show Hennepin County ComMr Jackman’s obituary/story: his date of birth is Oct 19, missioner Irene Fernando re- 1944; his middle name is spelled O’Neal; and his daughter’s peatedly requesting a meeting name is spelled Dauhn. We apologize for these errors with Mayor Jacob Frey in October to discuss gaps in Minne-