BLCK Press

19/06/2025

The Pursuit For Full Freedom: After decades of advocacy, a prominent voice in justice reform finally gets a date to plead his case.

The news comes weeks after Jason Sole publicly gave the State a Juneteenth deadline to act on his petition—a bold demand that resonated with many advocates, and shined a spotlight on what he and others have described as a broken and politically delayed clemency process.

Link to the full story in comments.

18/06/2025

Tonight, DFL House and Senate members invite the community to a candlelight vigil to honor the memory of Melissa and Mark Hortman. The vigil is from 8 to 9:30pm on the State Capitol steps. Attendees are asked to bring their own candles, but no signs of any kind. The vigil will be held from 8-9:30pm on the State Capitol Steps.

Rep. Hortman’s legacy includes her fierce leadership—insisting on diverse voices at the decision-making table, standing up when others stayed silent, and enacting systemic change to lift up historically marginalized communities. Scroll through the slides to see some of her contributions.

14/06/2025

Developing: Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband were assassinated early this morning in what officials are calling a politically motivated attack. A manifesto naming other lawmakers was found in the suspect’s vehicle leading to increased security for elected officials statewide. The shooter remains at large.

Law enforcement confirmed the suspect was wearing a police-style uniform, had a badge, and drove a fake squad car.

Brooklyn Park and surrounding areas remain under lockdown as a large-scale manhunt continues. The suspect is believed to be on foot. Residents are urged to shelter in place and report suspicious activity immediately.
This is a developing story at blckpress.com

12/06/2025

DEVELOPING - A federal judge released Isavela Lopez this morning. Outside the federal courthouse in downtown Saint Paul, over 150 community members came to make noise in support of Isa.

One community member encouraged the crowd, “We need to scream loud! Isa is in there. She can hear us.”

Federal agents claim Isa assaulted agents during the chaotic Federal Operation on June 3 at Lake and Bloomington in Minneapolis. There is video showing men in fatigues assaulting Isa, holding her to the ground and then shoving her backward over knocked over bins.

On Monday, Isa was detained by plain-clothed men in an unmarked vehicle upon leaving an interview with independent journalist Georgia Fort.

10/06/2025

Arrest Outside Our Office Raises Serious Concerns About Press Freedom And Public Safety.

I am deeply shaken. Yesterday, something happened on our doorstep that illuminated the lack of protection or strategy from local officials when it comes to press freedom and public safety. After witnessing a disturbing federal arrest unfold just outside our office, I immediately contacted several el...

10/06/2025

Here’s a first hand account from Georgia Fort:Moments after concluding our interview with Isabel Lopez, she exited our office building. As she stepped outside, several men in unmarked vehicles—none wearing visible badges—took her. We exited minutes after her only witnessing the aftermath. Her ...

09/06/2025

The Minnesota Legislature has passed a bill to remove undocumented adults from MinnesotaCare, the state-subsidized health insurance program for low-income residents. 

The People of Color and Indigenous (POCI)  Caucus and allies denounce the repeal of healthcare for undocumented Minnesotans as a politically driven, morally indefensible act that will hurt the state’s most vulnerable. 

The legislation now heads to Governor Tim Walz for his signature. Full story at blckpress.com

09/06/2025

The Minnesota Legislature has passed a bill to remove undocumented adults from MinnesotaCare, the state-subsidized health insurance program for low-income residents.

The People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus and allies denounce the repeal of healthcare for undocumented Minnesotans as a politically driven, morally indefensible act that will hurt the state’s most vulnerable.

The legislation now heads to Governor Tim Walz for his signature. Full story below.

June 9, 2025 – In a dramatic and emotionally charged special session, the Minnesota Legislature passed a bill to remove undocumented adults from MinnesotaCare, the state-subsidized health insurance program for low-income residents. The program was slated to expand open enrollment to all residents,...

05/06/2025

Big news for environmental justice in Minnesota! The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is taking decisive action to revoke the operating permit of Northern Iron after ongoing violations and failures to comply with air quality standards.

Supported by lawmakers and environmental advocates alike, this move is a clear message: our communities deserve clean air and corporate accountability.

“This moment is a victory for families living near Northern Iron,” said Melissa Lorentz of the Eastside Environmental Justice Group. “Over the past year, single mothers and folks juggling multiple jobs have made sacrifices to shed light on Northern Iron’s pollution. The people of the Eastside will not back down until Northern Iron is gone.”

Read the full story at blckpress.com

04/06/2025

If it wasn’t about immigration, why was ICE in South Minneapolis yesterday? According to officials, a new federal task force comprised of several agencies including ICE was conducting a search for evidence related to a transnational s*x trafficking organization. Mayor Frey and Chief O’Hara say they were unaware of the federal operation until yesterday. O’Hara said the approach was “tone deaf”.

Read the full story at blckpress.com

03/06/2025

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT 

Georgia Fort, founder of BLCK Press and President of the Center for Broadcast Journalism, has been selected as a 2025 Bush Fellow! 

“This fellowship is not just about me,” Georgia shared. “It’s about our community, our stories, and the next generation of journalists who will change the face of media.”

This new chapter will support her growth as a visionary media leader — including studying at Harvard and building a long-term strategy to scale Black media representation across Minnesota.

We’re so proud to share this moment with you all. The future of journalism is bold, Black, and bright. Read the full story at blckpress.com

29/05/2025

Please read and share!

A person of interest has been established in the disappearance of Jordan “Manny” Collins Jr.; however, no one has been arrested or formally charged.

Manny, described as a kind-hearted, thoughtful, and goal-driven teen, is 5’8” tall, weighs about 140 pounds, and has black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a white ribbed tank top and red-and-black plaid pants.

There’s a link to the full story in the comments.