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THE VOICE OF BLACK MINNESOTA SINCE 1934 May 14 - 20, 2026
Vol. 92
No. 41
Phone: 612-827-4021 www.spokesman-recorder.com
Clock ticks as MN gun bill stalls in House By Izzy Canizares Contributing Writer sweeping gun reform bill that would ban the sale of semiautomatic assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines passed the Minnesota Senate on a narrow 34-33 vote May 4, but its future is uncertain in the House, where Republicans remain opposed and the legislative session ends in two weeks. The bill also includes $20 million in school safety aid for every school in Minnesota, $2.7 million in school-linked behavioral health grants for early intervention, funding for mental health and public safety, and an anonymous reporting system. It is among the most ambitious gun legislation the state has considered. The bill comes after a series of deadly shootings in Minnesota in the past year, including the Annunciation school shooting, the murders of state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark Hortman, and the killings of fected too many of our famiRenee Good and Alex Pretti. lies, and shattered the peace Parents of Annunciation vic- of too many of our schools tims advocated for the legis- and churches,” Senate Majorlation. ity Leader Erin Murphy said. “Today, the Senate stood “We know that gun violence is up and voted to protect the complex, and this bill is a laylives of Minnesotans and to ered approach to dealing with help prevent the unthinkable it. It protects our schools and tragedies that have taken children, invests in mental too many of our children, af-
Tima Miroshnichenko health intervention and prevention, and keeps the most dangerous weapons off our streets.” Every Senate Republican voted against the measure, and opponents say the same dynamic is likely to play out in the House. “Minnesotans have been
Minnesota schools breaking law on free college program
asking their elected leaders to pass gun violence prevention legislation, and that is exactly what we are doing with a comprehensive package that will save lives,” said Sen. Ron Latz. “These are reasonable measures that would help prevent mass shootings, injuries, and deaths in our
communities. I urge my colleagues in the House to find common ground and join us in keeping Minnesotans safe.” Sen. Zaynab Mohamed, the bill’s co-author, said the legislation does not force a tradeoff between gun restrictions and school investment. “This legislation is com-
prehensive, and doesn’t compromise on our values,” Mohamed said. “Students and parents do not want us to choose between banning weapons of war and investing in schools. They demand we do both. Any one of these provisions would make our ■ See GUN on page 5
Golden Thyme marks one year under new stewardship, carrying Rondo’s legacy forward By Jasmine McBride Editor
n a sunny afternoon along Selby Avenue, the smell of wings and po’ boys drifted through Golden Thyme Restaurant and Bar as neighbors, founders, and community members filled the space to mark a milestone: one Golden Thyme Restaurant and Bar marked their one-year anyear since the beloved Rondo niversary, May 7. All photos courtesy of Jasmine McBride/MSR gathering place reopened unsomebody, and tables just der new leadership. The celebration on May 7 continue… ‘Oh, I didn’t know drew generations of Rondo you were going to be here.’ residents together for food, It makes me feel warm and music, and reflection. A re- fuzzy, because it’s like being union in the truest sense, said part of their families too.” From left, Henry Brick, Ella Palm, Samia Mohamud, Beatrice Handlin, Khalique Rogers. Golden Thyme, which opHeather Raibon, who helped Dante’s Craft shape the restaurant’s menu erated for decades as Golden and atmosphere during its re- Thyme Coffee and Cafe under The 2026 PSEO Informa- were found to be fully com- opening. By Jasmine McBride founders Mychael and Stephtion Gap Report, published by pliant. Editor “It is truly like a family re- anie Wright, was taken over PSEO allows eligible 10th union every time you come in 2024 by Rondo Communi- Mikeya Griffin, president and People for PSEO and Catalyst ore than two- for Systems Change, found through 12th grade students in here,” Raibon said. “Some- ty Land Trust, a three-decade CEO of Rondo Community thirds of Min- that 68% of the state’s 386 to take free college courses, body from someone knows institution in the neighbor- Land Trust. nesota public school districts and charter earning both high school and schools are schools are out of compli- college credit simultaneously. hood. The transition came violating state law by failing ance with Minnesota stat- The program has been availwhen the Wrights were ready to provide students and fami- ute 124D.09, which requires able since 1985 and serves to retire and approached the lies with required information schools to share up-to-date more than 10,000 Minnesota Land Trust about preserving about a free college program information about the Post- students per year. Research their legacy. that can save families tens of Secondary Enrollment Op- has found it saves Minnesota “We asked them to give us thousands of dollars, accord- tions program. Only 51% of families nearly $60 million a chance,” said Mikeya Griffin, ing to a report released at the charter schools and 28% of annually and state taxpayers ■ See GOLDEN THYME ■ See PSEO on page 5 traditional school districts State Capitol on Friday. on page 5