Staff Directory 6738325

Myron Medcalf

Columnist | News & Politics

Myron Medcalf is a local columnist for Star Tribune and recipient of the 2022 Society of Professional Journalists Sigma Delta Chi Award for general column writing.


Myron Medcalf is currently a senior college basketball reporter and nationally syndicated radio host with ESPN. He's a former Star Tribune news and sports reporter.
Recent content from Myron Medcalf
St. Paul chef Justin Sutherland has been cast on "Top Chef."

Medcalf: Celebrity status should not excuse chef Justin Sutherland's behavior

Famous men often get a pass when accused of harming women.
Isabella Fisher, from right, an intern and marriage and family therapy graduate student at Saint Mary's University of MN, talks with clinical supervis

Medcalf: Bloomington offers hopeful model for reducing police clashes with people in mental distress

Giving people access quickly to counselors and therapists could be a game changer.
Chue Yang, who was once homeless himself, checks in on friend Long Vang, 43, who has been homeless for a couple years and acts as leader for the camp

Medcalf: What's the best way to give to Minnesotans asking for help?

St. Paul's anti-panhandling signs may inadvertently dehumanize those experiencing homelessness.
This image from surveillance video shows when a car driven by who police say was a 10-year-old boy buzzed a school playground in north Minneapolis on

Medcalf: We owe our most high-risk youth more than we've given them

Our Minnesota community is facing a crisis, and it's our collective responsibility to address it.
Gisele Parnell calls her mom after school in Maplewood, Minn., on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024.

Medcalf: Debate over banning smartphones in Minnesota classrooms needs measured approach

Cellphones can be both a distraction to learning and a powerful tool to enhance education.
Travelers at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on July 23, 2024.

Medcalf: Let's bask in this moment of pride for our Minnesota airport

Of all the brag-worthy things in this state, MSP's #1 ranking means the most to this frequent flyer.
Ramsey County Attorney John Choi, center, announces he and an independent team are in phase three of a review of former Ramsey County Medical Examiner

Medcalf: Review of ex-Ramsey County medical examiner's decisions casts larger doubt on justice system oversight

Probe should go beyond individuals to restore credibility.
Hundreds of supporters and opponents of a proposed housing development with a mosque attended a Lino Lakes City Council meeting.

Medcalf: Lino Lakes community must stand up against anti-Muslim rhetoric

Amid calls to censure a city council member who praised an Islamophobic rant, the people of this town will be remembered for their response.
The Lowry Apartments on Wabasha Street in downtown St. Paul.

Medcalf: St. Paul Lowry Apartments residents who endured shoddy living conditions were easy to ignore

Too often, our society looks the other way when the underprivileged are suffering.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz gets a huge hug from students at Webster Elementary after he signed into law a bill that guarantees free school meals (bre

Medcalf: Walz's emergence a chance to tell a new story about Minnesota

The full truth of our state is complex, multicultural and hopeful.
Muslim leaders are asking for community information on a fire that destroyed garages at the Mercy Mosque at 2647 Bloomington Ave. S.

Medcalf: Recent attacks against Minnesota mosques, Muslims are unsettling. Does anybody care?

We should not pick which humans to support when hatred looms.
The Co-Lab mentorship program, a pilot program in St. Paul, pairs business leaders with young Black adults for guidance and inspiration about career c

Medcalf: What good allyship in Minnesota looks like

A Twin Cities program connecting business leaders and young Black adults is helping to address the persistent economic equity gap.
Pastor Mike Emmert, left, listens as Denise Raper, aunt of Minneapolis police Officer Jamal Mitchell, right, speaks during a public memorial service f

Medcalf: Minneapolis officer's death reflects a universal threat - guns are everywhere

No one is spared from the proliferation of gun violence.
Amran Farah is one of a few Somali American lawyers in the Twin Cities and has been an important voice for change.

Medcalf: Meet Amran Farah, accomplished lawyer, pioneer

She's one of a few Somali American lawyers in the Twin Cities and an important voice for change.
Myron Medcalf

Medcalf: A letter to absentee fathers — it's not too late to get it right

All fathers make mistakes but don't let that stop you from making a fresh start with your children.
What should we tell young people about the future of higher education?

Medcalf: Pondering future of a college degree as employment landscape changes

What is in store for schools like St. Cloud State University, which is forced to make cuts to deal with a budget shortfall?
George Floyd aunt Angela Harrelson of Minneapolis left and his uncle Selwyn Jones of Gettysburg, South Dakota spoke to the members of the media outsid

Medcalf: George Floyd's uncle speaks out 4 years after his nephew's murder

"Do something," he says, urging the fight for progress and justice to continue.
Second Harvest Heartland (www.2harvest.org), Sundays at the Minneapolis Farmers Market, 312 E. Lyndale Av. N., Minneapolis, 612-333-1718, www.mplsfarm

Medcalf: As Feeding Our Future trial continues, will hungry kids lose support?

Food shelf visits are up, and local charities worry about trial's potential chilling effect on donors.
Marvin Haynes embraces his neices Destiny Coleman and Grace Coleman after being released from prison on Monday, Dec. 11, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minn. Af

Medcalf: Marvin Haynes, exonerated in 2005 Minneapolis murder, will speak at book club

Marvin Haynes spent 19 years in prison after a wrongful conviction: "Every time I talk about it, I just get emotional."
Sen. Nicole Mitchell, DFL-Woodbury, at the State Capitol in St. Paul on May 1.

Medcalf: Sen. Mitchell case reveals grace gap for the powerless

Empathy for people's struggles should be extended to all.
Anthony Ray Hinton was 29 and innocent when he was arrested and charged with capital murder after a string of fatal armed robberies in 1985 in Birming

Medcalf: Exonerated of murder, author will speak at our Minneapolis book club about 'life and freedom'

Anthony Ray Hinton spent nearly 30 years on death row for a murder he didn't commit: "The only way I knew that I could get my joy back is that I had to forgive them."
Afternoon traffic moved along the I-94 freeway as it cuts through the Rondo neighborhood in St. Paul.

Medcalf: Will plans to restore St. Paul's Rondo replace what was stolen?

Ideas must include measures that will not only restore the area but also create an economic boost for the people most impacted by injustice.
Myron Medcalf

Medcalf: Young adults' demand for work-life balance offers lessons for us all

Loving a job is one thing — allowing it to become your whole identity is hazardous.
A fight occurred Thursday outside a Chick-fil-A in Roseville.

Medcalf: Were up to 200 kids really actively fighting in Roseville?

Reports of recent incident deserve scrutiny — not a rush to judgment.
These guns were confiscated in Carver County from Christian Oberender, who amassed an arsenal despite a history of violence and mental health issues.

Medcalf: Deadly men with guns were once boys who did not know what to do with their anger

There is hope for the boys who haven't yet become those men, if we can reach them.
Coventry Royster Cowens, co-founder of the Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery

Medcalf: Why Black History month is needed

Meet the Minneapolis woman who leads a museum shining a spotlight on Black Minnesotans' contributions.
Anthony Ray Hinton was 29 and innocent when he was arrested and charged with capital murder after a string of fatal armed robberies in 1985 in Birming

Medcalf: Here's what we're reading next for local antiracism book club

Anthony Ray Hinton, who was wrongly convicted and then freed from death row, shares his story
Columnist Myron Medcalf

Medcalf: Taking name used by Indigenous mental health crisis center was wrong

Throughout history, attacks on Indigenous communities have involved efforts to take their land, erase their traditions and history and remove or ignore symbolism of their names.

Medcalf: Let's remember homeless Minnesotans are our neighbors, too

It's time to change the language used in conversations about people unhoused in the Twin Cities.
Lit candles in glass containers in snowbank.

Medcalf: Even in tough times, we all need and deserve to seek moments of joy

The winter solstice is behind us and the days will get brighter, but it can be challenging to see the light in our own lives.

Medcalf: Years later, the memory of covering my first murder trial still haunts me

Marvin Haynes was a teenager when he was sentenced to life in prison. Questions raised recently about his case are troubling.
Children work on tablets during a preschool class at the Life Learning Center - Head Start, in Cincinnati.

Medcalf: What does news avoidance mean for next generation?

I'm not convinced my children's generation will see the value of the news the same way I did.
Lt. Aimee Linson running on a treadmill, pictured in a 2019 Star Tribune file photo.

Medcalf: Promotion of Minneapolis police officer after she forwarded a racist email deserves scrutiny

Police chief's response to critics highlights department's refusal to be held accountable.
Store owner Dionne Sims and Nova the dog sit for an interview inside Black Garnet Books on Small Business Saturday in St. Paul, Minn., on Saturday, No

Medcalf: Here's why we must confront book-banning efforts in Minnesota and elsewhere

America hasn't been a theme park for everybody. Children should know that.
Hennepin County Chief Judge Todd Barnette, shown in 2020.

Medcalf: Nominee for Minneapolis public safety commissioner shares his own encounters with police

No one person can fix a broken system, but Hennepin County Chief Judge Todd Barnette's personal experiences and professional credentials would serve him well in the role.
With temperatures approaching 80 degrees, it didn't really feel like fall, but color is starting to fill the forest in northern Minnesota and moving s

Medcalf: How this Minnesota night owl made the switch to become an early riser

Waking up earlier gives me a burst of energy, peace the rest of the day
istock

Medcalf: Dialogue about school resource officers failed our kids

Our children deserve a more holistic approach to their well-being than the one presented in this conversation. Instead of chokeholds and policing, what about relationships and resources?
Red Balloon.

Medcalf: My quest to read more books led me to 'reading therapist' in St. Paul

Limit Netflix viewing, go on reading dates with friends and other advice to get back to reading more.
Finalists were acknowledged during a banquet to name the 2023 Minnesota Teacher of the Year on May 7 at The River Center in St. Paul.

Medcalf: As a new school year begins, Minnesota's teachers and students need our support now more than ever

Aftershocks of pandemic have made a tough job even more challenging for teachers, and it will take all of us to fix it.
Columnist Myron Medcalf.

Medcalf: What Minnesota's wealth gap says about opportunity and power structure

If we are to see real progress in addressing gender and racial economic disparities, companies must do more to recognize and reward the impact of women and BIPOC individuals.
iStockphoto.com

Medcalf: Minnesota's new policy banning school suspensions for our youngest students is progress

Law aims to curb discipline bias in schools, especially during the critical early years.
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland listened as Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey spoke about how Minneapolis will comply with the DOJ investigation Frid

Medcalf: An apology was in order, Mayor Frey

Why did it take a federal investigation into Minneapolis police conduct to confirm for city leaders what Black Minneapolitans have been saying for years?
Myron Medcalf

Medcalf: On embracing the wonderful, imperfect journey of fatherhood

Fatherhood is a responsibility and a chance to embrace growth.
River Bend Park in Savage.

Medcalf: Decision to remove hoops from park to fight crime is cruel

The decision follows two recent shootings in six weeks at River Bend Park in Savage. Officials do not shut down baseball diamonds and hockey rinks. But basketball rims are an easy target,
Aerial view of George Floyd Square, at 38th Street and Chicago Avenue in south Minneapolis.

Medcalf: At George Floyd Square and beyond, the vow to never forget continues

The "Rise and Remember" event to mark the May 25 anniversary of Floyd's murder is a testament to a community's strength and perseverance.
Poet Javier Zamora, reading at Sacred Heart School, in Washington, D.C. in 2018. Wikimedia Commons license.

Medcalf: Join us for a timely discussion with the author of 'Solito'

Has social media compromised our possession of family memories?

Medcalf: How much should parents post about their children?

A Minnesota mom who rewarded her son for staying off social media weighs in.
FILE - Two people embraced outside of a bank building where a shooting took place in Louisville, Ky., Monday, April 10, 2023. A shooting at the bank k

Medcalf: Is gun violence really the legacy we want to leave for our children?

Those who live with the pain of that violence watch headlines about the tragedies disappear in 24 hours.
Beverly Cottman

Medcalf: The legacy of Minnesota artist, thinker Beverly Cottman

The loss of BIPOC elders carries impact in their significance to the foundations of the community.
Medcalf: Javier Zamora's 'Solito' is spring reading selection for anti-racism book club

Medcalf: Javier Zamora's 'Solito' is spring reading selection for anti-racism book club

The memoir explores the complex story of the immigrant experience.
Luis Cabrera and Carlos Toro, left to right, cleared snow on the sidewalk in front of the Butcher’s Tale on Hennepin Avenue on Thursday in downtown

Medcalf: Nothing like a Minnesota snowstorm to unite us

Drama aside, tough winters here remind us that we're all in this together
Marcos Jimenez, who shops there twice a month, is disappointed that the Aldi in its North Minneapolis location which will be closing this Sunday in Mi

Medcalf: Aldi's closing is a reminder of how north Minneapolis community is starved of key resources

For some, the store's decision to leave is not just an inconvenience — it's a death sentence.
Kyla O’Neal

Medcalf: No woman should have to live in fear for her life for rejecting a man

We should not allow ourselves to become desensitized to the ongoing partner violence by men that cost women their lives.
The New Year's Eve ball sits atop One Times Square in New York. In 2023, the proverbial ladder many will attempt to climb will have endless rungs. But

Medcalf: On rethinking the way we approach New Year goals

I no longer believe in resolutions, only growth.
Pastor Travis Novell heads home after an after-service gathering at Judson Memorial Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minn., on Sunday, March 20, 2022. B

Medcalf: Do social media posts of good deeds actually spur others to do good?

I worry these public displays have turned random acts of kindness into an exploitative ambition.
Myron Medcalf

Medcalf: Therapy is a valuable tool in dealing with life's struggles

Many men could benefit from mental health treatment, but are reluctant to seek help
Barbara Currin

Medcalf: Minnesota woman who suffered in prison discovered writing was her therapy — and her talent

Barbara Currin put pencil to paper and found herself.
Entrepreneur Jayton Metcalf in front of his kiosk at Rosedale Mall.

Medcalf: Minnesota designer seeks to uplift people with clothing line sporting positive messages

The 22-year-old started working on his streetwear brand during the pandemic to bring light to those around him.
The late author Octavia Butler signed a copy of “Fledgling” after speaking and answering questions from the audience on Oct. 25, 2005. Her book �

Medcalf: The anti-racism book club meets Thursday in Minneapolis. Join us!

It will be the first in-person gathering since the Mary Ann Key Book Club began in the wake of George Floyd's murder.
University of Minnesota Regent Steve Sviggum shown June 10, 2022, in Minneapolis.

Medcalf: What Steve Sviggum's question reveals about the University of Minnesota

The vice chair of the University of Minnesota's Board of Regents just made the system's institutions less safe for its BIPOC students.
Myron Medcalf

Medcalf: Why I wanted to allow people to post comments on my column

The comments can lead to fruitful dialogue in real life.
Octavia Butler signed a copy of “Fledgling” after speaking and answering questions from the audience on Oct. 25, 2005. Her book, “Parable of the

Medcalf: Join us for our anti-racism book club talk about late author's prophetic lessons

Octavia E. Butler's writings — suggesting involving young people and connecting through our shared humanity — are key to curing societal ills.
Edward Barlow, a music teacher at Anwatin Middle School in Minneapolis, played the drums during Wednesday's rally. "What we're doing is not sustainabl

Medcalf: Give Minneapolis teachers of color a chance to be there for students who need them most

The toxic dialogue around the Minneapolis teachers' contract ignores the impact teachers of color have on the school district and students who resemble them.
Angela Rose Myers, President of the Minneapolis NAACP, speaks to media during a press conference outside of City Hall on Friday, July 9, 2021, in Minn

Medcalf: A survival guide for teen girls and their loving parents

Six wise Minnesota women offer advice to their younger selves about navigating high school.
Therapist James Chadwick

Medcalf: Rethinking masculinity for the next generation

Altering the perception of masculinity among our young men is key to shepherding them to the future.
Octavia Butler signing a copy of “Fledgling” after speaking and answering questions from the audience on Oct. 25, 2005. Her book, “The “Parabl

Medcalf: Fall selection for anti-racism book club offers a measure of promise

Octavia Butler's "The Parable of the Sower" is a dystopian novel that speaks to today's challenges, offers remedy for change
Meghan Dunn and Josie Johnstone are street outreach practitioners at People Incorporated Mental Health Services.

Medcalf: Minnesotans who are experiencing homelessness deserve to be seen, heard

A walk with two outreach workers offered an introduction to those living in tents and on the streets — and to their hopes and dreams
An attendee wore a Somali flag tie while holding Somali and American flags during the Somali Independence Day festival on July 2 on Lake Street in Min

Medcalf: The lasting damage of Mpls. Council Member Rainville's rant

In ways he cannot understand, Michael Rainville has hurt the Somali American community in Minnesota and beyond.
A sunset over Clear Lake in Iowa, where the author spent part of a 10-day break from work.

Medcalf: Take a vacation this summer, Minnesotans — you deserve it

Unplugging from work occasionally is healthy, and a choice we don't make as often as we should.
Dudley Edmondson in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in California.

Medcalf: Black outdoorsman wants BIPOC Minnesotans to see state's parks, trails as theirs, too

He has hiked around the world in places accessible to all, but not always viewed as inclusive.
Joy Dolo with the Blackout Improv troupe.

Medcalf: It's OK to laugh, even in these tough times, Black comedians in Minnesota say

Black comedians in Minnesota talk about their art and the power of laughter
Myron Medcalf and his childhood friend Bruce Henderson

Medcalf: How to reconnect with friends you've lost touch with during the pandemic

It can be a struggle to find our social stride now that the world has opened up again.
Marlena Myles, artist

Medcalf: Minnesota artist's work is a form of activism and connection for Native American community

Marlena Myles is among the featured speakers at an upcoming anti-racism book club community discussion
Shekiala McMillan-Washington, of Twin Cities Sneakers

Medcalf: Inside the world of Minnesota sneakerheads

A growing community of sneaker aficionados sees footwear as a mode of self-expression
Jean Mendoza, left, and Debbie Reese

Medcalf: An invitation to learn U.S. history from an Indigenous perspective

Upcoming Mary Ann Key Book Club event features former teacher who helped adapt popular book for young people.