Recent content from Marissa Evans
Minn. racial discrimination cases often hit dead end
Some of the complaints are alarmingly visceral, with shopkeepers hurling racial slurs at people of color and children of color demeaned in public or at schools.
In his 'dream job,' Abdi Warsame works to rebuild trust at the Minneapolis public housing agency
The former City Council member wants to preserve and create new housing amid funding troubles and fears of displacement.
Willmar man killed by stray bullet in his garage
Willmar police said they're investigating but there's no indication the man was the intended target or victim
'Help is coming': Minnesota prepares for $375 million in federal rental assistance to arrive
Federal aid expected in weeks; advocates urge tenants and landlords to be patient.
Housing advocates, officials in Minnesota hope for a stronger federal role under Biden
Advocates look to the Biden administration to take on a bigger role as an eviction crisis looms.
Twin Cities librarians fielding more questions about race, social justice in year of George Floyd
Tasha Nins, a children's librarian with Ramsey County Library, said more parents are asking for books on race and social justice.
Hospitals seize Minnesotans' tax refunds for owed medical debts
Patients, often struggling, caught off guard, others question ethics of policy.
Landlords go to court to fight Walz's eviction moratorium
Two apartment owners challenge the state order designed to curb virus.
![Medical assistant Samara Yusuf tested a patient in the drive-through COVID-19 testing site at North Memorial Health in Robbinsdale. ] LEILA NAVIDI •](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/426GQHKXF44TP6JPPX4LBGSLLM.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
State hits fresh record with 5,908 new coronavirus cases
Gov. Tim Walz is expected to renew the peacetime pandemic state of emergency this week, triggering a sixth special session of the Minnesota Legislature.
Minnesota tenants facing eviction during pandemic for police calls, drugs, damage
They're forced out due to police calls, property damage, other problems.
Small landlords in Minnesota grow wary as eviction moratorium continues
Rent payments are down, and bills are piling up.
Ramsey County judge holds court above garage, awaits reopening of eviction cases
Officials look to remote access, other "new normal" procedures.
More than 1,200 complaints filed to Minnesota attorney general about eviction moratorium
The updated numbers come as tenant and landlord relations have become strained in some cases as the statewide ban on evictions continues.
Minneapolis delays reopening 38th Street and Chicago Avenue
The intersection won't open Monday as planned as community activists and city officials work to figure out what to do with the area where George Floyd was killed.
People of color hit harder by COVID-19 in Twin Cities, data confirm
Black and Hispanic Minnesotans are far more likely to be infected than white Minnesotans, state data show.
As 1967 uprising anniversary nears, parallels to George Floyd protests surface
Fifty-three years later, the unrest in north Minneapolis resonates in a new way.
St. Paul City Council adopts new tenant-screening guidelines
Council members are hoping the changes will help residents in the renter-majority city find housing, particularly for people of color, those with low incomes and those formerly incarcerated.
Landlords grow anxious as Minnesota halt on evictions continues
Gov. Walz's executive order in effect until July 13.
St. Paul City Council moves ahead with tenant screening ordinance
St. Paul proposal would change how landlords can use tenant histories.
Minneapolis Public Housing Authority to begin Elliot Twins high-rise renovations
Residents will be able to stay in place, Minneapolis Housing Authority says.
Minneapolis police chief is caught in force's racial legacy
Medaria Arradondo, the city's first black police chief, now finds himself in a harsh national spotlight, the face of a mostly white department that killed another black man.
Before nightfall, Minneapolis residents debated what was safer: staying or going
From hoses to garbage cans, residents across the Twin Cities prepared Saturday for destruction reaching their neighborhoods.
Patricia Forster, a teacher and lover of the outdoors, dies of complications of COVID-19 at 83
"She was never sitting around except when she was reading," a daughter said.
Appeals court: City inspectors must enforce code violations in Minneapolis public housing
Appeals court sides with a tenant whose calls about poor conditions went unheeded.
Minnesota legal advocates race to prepare for eviction court in COVID-19 world
Tenant advocates fear thousands of evictions will be filed when moratorium ends.
Minnesota AG's office fielded 400 complaints since eviction proceedings stopped
Keith Ellison said he was "a little shocked" that his office had received that many.
With May rent looming, Minnesota landlords are counseling tenants one by one
It comes as unemployment claims soar and rents come due for the second time since a statewide stay-at-home order began.
Spreads of coronavirus exposes racial inequalities in Minn., U.S.
At first glance, the numbers in Minnesota's cases don't appear out of proportion. But officials say the actual numbers of victims in the state's minority communities are likely higher.
Homeowners and mortgage lenders brace for coronavirus aftermath
Forbearance programs offer temporary relief.
Mound fire leaves up to 75 displaced, 2 hurt
The blaze occurred at an apartment complex, according to TV reports.
One man shot and wounded at Faribault's Days Inn
One man who was arrested told police he did it in self-defense. Authorities are looking for another man.
'Anxiety is through the roof': Crisis takes toll on Minnesota mental health providers, clients
The pandemic has upended the availability of treatment, activities, routines, and access to people that help Minnesota residents cope with mental illness.
Gov. Walz announces halt to eviction proceedings amid coronavirus
The governor said in a news conference call from self-imposed quarantine that landlords and financial institutions cannot start eviction proceedings during the state's peacetime emergency for the virus.
Two men shot, wounded at Oakdale's Hilton Garden Inn
Two people involved in the shooting have been arrested.
Courts suspend some housing actions amid coronavirus concerns
Housing actions can bring dozens of people through a court house, making it a potential place for the virus to spread.
Minnesota eviction numbers see dramatic decline in past decade
The number statewide has dropped 33% since the foreclosure crisis.
Minneapolis council member's call to slow repairs on scattered-site housing defeated
Residents' advocacy group had raised concerns about the effect of renovations.
Abdi Warsame chosen to lead Minneapolis public housing agency
The Minneapolis City Council member received unanimous approval Wednesday to lead the agency.
Minneapolis elected officials urge delay in renovation plan for 640 houses
Council member, state senators want assurances no families will be displaced by the "scattered site" work.
New Minnesota rule locks in rents for some low-income tenants
The one-year lock, which applies to units getting a federal housing credit, aims to stabilize rents for low-income residents.
Minneapolis City Council passes tenant relocation assistance ordinance
Minneapolis landlords who have license revoked will have to pay for tenants' move
Minnesotans on food stamps would lose under federal proposal for utility costs
Minnesotans on food stamps would lose out if utility deduction changes.
![Minneapolis Public Housing Authority interim executive director Tracey Scott photographed during an interview. ] CARLOS GONZALEZ • cgonzalez@st](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/AEX4MXKXDWSEAEZPCVMPKP2PUU.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
After fatal fire, Minnesota senators press for money for sprinklers in public housing
"Having this issue come to the fore this way is really tragic," Sen. Tina Smith said.
![MPHA buildings in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood of Minneapolis, including 1611 South 6th Street, right, and Cedar High Apartments, left. ] LEILA NA](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/PRODGT7UR5NYXSNCF4H6LTGLBU.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
After Minneapolis public housing fire, lack of funding comes to light
Statewide, Minnesota public housing authorities have an estimated $354.9 million in critical maintenance and repairs, according to a report this year.
North Minneapolis landlord prepares for fight with Minnesota AG
Landlord has been cited 1,300 times for code violations, but he says he's not to blame.
![City Council president Lisa Bender, center, and other council members speak about the 2040 Comprehensive Plan before voting. ] LEILA NAVIDI ¥ lei](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/EEFPOJ6CEPOVVV5NFSZ7NTT2FM.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Minneapolis eyes permanent policy for mixed-income communities
Developers say the plan for "inclusionary zoning" will make building harder.
Groups call for Rep. Ilhan Omar to stop action on Minneapolis public housing plan
DFL committee's letter says residents need more clarity about plan.
Minnesota's affordable housing help gets a $259 million boost
It comes amid mounting pressure to curb low supply, rising rents, lost dreams.
More than 800 homeless Minnesota veterans finding stability with housing vouchers
Rent voucher is just one part of VASH program.
Minneapolis City Council committee approves $18 million for Affordable Housing Trust Fund projects
"A landmark day," mayor says after the unanimous council committee vote.
Minneapolis rolls out syringe box collection initiative
Ten containers are being deployed to keep used needles off the streets.
'You're not alone': Pregnancy, postpartum helpline gives Minn. moms stigma-free way to get help
Launched in 2011, the pregnancy and postpartum support helpline has supported 1,200 mothers with mental health troubles.
![A light rain fell on the Stonehouse Square Apartments as a car passed by Tuesday. ] ANTHONY SOUFFLE • anthony.souffle@startribune.com Residents](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/YUMQP2LGQS5KNVE4FVPKPWLQKI.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
New owner will preserve affordable housing in historic Mpls. building
Commonbond Communities bought Stonehouse Square for $11 million and will renew a Section 8 contract for 19 low-income units.
New rules hit Minneapolis corner stores hard
Minneapolis hopes to help convenience shop owners who say new health laws, particularly on tobacco, have dried up business.
Minneapolis council to research rent control before moving forward
A 1984 statute would require voters to approve rent control policy but council members first want to consider if the idea works.
St. Paul Public Housing Agency gets OK for program to preserve public housing units
St. Paul agency to receive $220 million over 20 years to keep units maintained.
Minnesota attorney general sues Minneapolis landlord
Keith Ellison says Steven Meldahl failed to repair North Side properties, preyed on low-income tenants.
Trump campaign threatens to sue Mpls. over rally expense
Tensions between Minneapolis city leaders and President Donald Trump's campaign escalated Monday when the campaign threatened to sue the city for trying to force it to pay $530,000 for security during this week's rally.
Ousted director of city-backed credit union alleges retaliation
Ousted director says she was forced to fire the CFO because he is white.
Leaders of proposed north Mpls. credit union terminated amid fraud allegations
Misconduct accusations cloud nonprofit pushing social justice.
North Minneapolis residents welcome shutdown of metal shredder
But residents also want legal consequences for Northern Metal Recycling.
Former public radio fundraiser Barbara Appleby dies at 57
Appleby was a shrewd fundraiser in the public media world, going to various radio stations nationwide to share best practices.
Tenants of embattled Minneapolis landlord get temporary reprieve from eviction
Judge canceled trial, threatened to dismiss most evictions after landlord improperly filed cases.
Minneapolis Council passes limits on tenant screening by landlords
City Council members have pushed the ordinance as a way to reduce barriers amid Minneapolis' affordable housing crisis.
Small landlords fear Minneapolis limits on tenant screening
On Friday, the Minneapolis City Council is expected to vote on an ordinance that would limit the ability of landlords to screen the backgrounds of tenants.
Metro HRA proposes minimum rent requirements for Section 8 voucher holders
270 households would pay at least $50; St. Paul, Mpls. have similar policy.
