Mshale

08/20/2026

Brooklyn Park has invested millions in its Small Business Center, but city officials acknowledge many entrepreneurs still don’t know it exists.

Now the city is trying to change that with BUILD in Brooklyn Park, a new initiative designed to connect entrepreneurs with resources and raise the center’s visibility.

“We have this hidden secret in Brooklyn Park,” longtime technology entrepreneur Cindy Hill told Mshale.

Brooklyn Park launched BUILD in Brooklyn Park to raise the Small Business Center’s profile and connect entrepreneurs with resources as occupancy and revenue grow.

08/20/2026

Brooklyn Park is looking for a resident to serve on its Charter Commission, the independent body responsible for reviewing the city’s governing charter.

Unlike the city’s other commissions, Charter Commission members are appointed by the chief judge of Hennepin County District Court rather than the City Council.

No previous experience is required. Applications for the at-large opening are due Sept. 18.

Brooklyn Park is accepting applications through Sept. 18 for an at-large opening on its Charter Commission, whose members are appointed by a Hennepin County judge.

08/19/2026

A federal judge has cleared the way for the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status for nearly 1,100 Somalis nationwide.

The decision comes as ICE's own data show enforcement against Somali nationals had already increased sharply: ICE recorded 133 removals during the first six months of fiscal 2026 — more than twice the 63 Somali nationals removed during all of fiscal 2024.
The Somalia decision is part of the Trump administration's broader effort to dismantle TPS protections for immigrants from countries around the world.

A federal judge has cleared the way for the Trump administration to end TPS for Somalis as ICE data show arrests, detention and removals had already increased.

08/18/2026

Mshale needs your support.

For more than two decades, we have worked to tell the stories of Minnesota’s African communities — covering elections and public policy, immigration, business, culture and the people shaping our communities.

Independent journalism takes resources. If Mshale is a source you turn to for news and information, please consider supporting our work with a contribution.

Whether it’s $10, $25, $50 or more, every contribution helps us continue showing up and telling the stories that matter.

Because our stories matter. Because our voices matter.

Support Mshale today: https://mshale.fundjournalism.org/donate/

08/17/2026

Brooklyn Park’s November election is taking shape. Mayor Hollies Winston and Councilmember Shelle Page, who advanced from last week’s mayoral primary, are among the candidates invited to an Aug. 27 election forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Brooklyn Park, Osseo and Maple Grove. Candidates for three City Council seats have also been invited.
The forum begins at 6:30 p.m. at Brooklyn Park City Hall and is free and open to the public. Questions for candidates can be submitted to the League in advance.

Brooklyn Park mayoral and City Council candidates will participate in an Aug. 27 election forum hosted by the League of Women Voters ahead of the November election.

08/14/2026

BREAKING: The Justice Department is seeking to strip 25 naturalized Americans of their U.S. citizenship — including seven people from Africa.

Among them is a Liberian-born man whose case was filed in federal court in Minnesota.

The 25 cases are part of a sharp expansion of denaturalization efforts under the Trump administration, with 123 civil complaints filed since President Trump returned to office in January 2025.

Here’s what we know about the seven African cases and what the government alleges.

The Justice Department is seeking to revoke the citizenship of 25 naturalized Americans, including seven from Africa and a Liberian man in Minnesota.

08/13/2026

U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar cruised to victory in Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional District primary, capturing 80.71% of the vote against four Democratic challengers.

Omar, currently the only member of Congress born on the African continent, will face Republican John Nagel in November as she seeks a fifth term.

U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar won Minnesota’s Fifth District Democratic primary with 80.71% of the vote and will face Republican John Nagel in November.

08/12/2026

BROOKLYN CENTER ELECTION RESULTS: City Council member Teneshia Kragness dominated Tuesday’s four-way mayoral primary, capturing 52.86% of the vote.
Alexander Koenig secured the second spot on the November ballot by just seven votes, receiving 683 votes to City Council member Laurie Ann Moore’s 676.
Koenig’s narrow advancement comes days after Mshale reported that an apartment-owner-funded political committee spent $5,589.60 in independent expenditures supporting his candidacy.
In the City Council race, Gretchen Enger, Dan Jerzak, Nahid Khan and Mark Viste advanced to compete for two seats in November.

Teneshia Kragness, Alexander Koenig, Laurie Ann Moore, Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Center mayor, Brooklyn Center elections, Minnesota primary election, Citizens for Safer Cities, Gretchen Enger, Dan Jerzak, Nahid Khan, Mark Viste

08/12/2026

BROOKLYN PARK ELECTION RESULTS: Mayor Hollies Winston and City Council member Shelle Page are headed to a November showdown after advancing from Tuesday’s four-way mayoral primary.

Winston led the field with 48.58% of the vote, followed by Page with 27.29%. Boyd Morson and Maria Tran were eliminated.

In the East District City Council primary, incumbent Christian Eriksen finished first with 52.43%, while Allen Miskowiec secured the second November ballot spot. Liberian-born Philip Seton Gaye-Bai finished third, just two votes ahead of Aaron Endris.

Brooklyn Park Mayor Hollies Winston and Council member Shelle Page advanced to the November election, while Christian Eriksen led the East District primary.

08/12/2026

BREAKING: Minnesota Rep. Huldah Momanyi Hiltsley has defeated former Brooklyn Park City Council member Wynfred Russell in the DFL primary for House District 38A.

Momanyi-Hiltsley received 48.79% of the vote to Russell’s 41.81%, winning by 261 votes in a rematch of their razor-thin 2024 primary. Richard Klatte finished third with 9.40%.

The first-term lawmaker, who became the first Kenyan-born person elected to a state legislature in the United States in 2024, will face Republican Charlie Kistler in November.

Minnesota Rep. Huldah Momanyi Hiltsley defeated Wynfred Russell in the DFL primary for House District 38A, winning their 2024 rematch by 261 votes.