The Minnesota Black Authors Expo hosts its 9th annual event celebrating the publication of authentic narratives and improving literacy.

By Tina Murdock | Reporter

Searching for a world where she fit in. It’s discouraging being a little Black girl growing up in the Twin Cities and not having a single book with characters that look like her. Today, author and CEO of Koinonia Leadership Academy, Talaya L. Tolefree hustles to provide her children with books that accurately reflect their identity — not an unfamiliar conflict for women who share the same background.

The Minnesota Black Authors Expo hosted its 9th annual event Saturday in the Minneapolis Central Library. What began as a conversation between DeVonna Pittman and Jasmine Boudou, the co‑founders of the Minnesota Black Authors Expo in 2017 has evolved to a recurring celebration featuring multiple annual events, writing workshops and performances.

This year’s theme was “Flowing into the future, bringing black books to life.” The five-hour event featured an array of genres, from nonfiction and fiction novels, to coloring books — making it an event anyone can attend.

The Koinonia Leadership Academy is a Minnesota-based nonprofit and leadership development that focuses on community and helping children and parents become more involved in reading. “The excitement that kids had on their face when they saw pictures that reflected them encourages them to want to become better readers,” said Dr. Tolefree.

Over the years, MBAE continues to foster a community that focuses primarily on empowering current and emerging Black authors. They overcome barriers by creating a comfortable space where authors can collectively share their challenges within their publishing industries. “When we come together in community, we say I love you. We say you are awesome just the way you are,” said Dorothy.

Many authors struggle with working with publishing houses because they don’t view the content of their books as in demand. “It’s still challenging. So events like the expo are even more necessary to help get those voices out there,” said award-winning author, T. Aaron Cisco.

Nins, Cisco, and Tolefree shined a similar light on the difficulties of maintaining authenticity during the curating process of books and demands from the market.

Working with a young lady through the publishing process, Dorothy highlights the tedious search of finding an artist who could capture the exact tint of skin for the book’s characters. “There’s so many little nuances that we have embraced in order to tell our real story,” Nins recalls during her opening speech.

The event was hosted in the Minneapolis Central Library.

“Our story has a particular color. It has a particular flavor. It has a particular feel.” — Dorothy Nins, CEO and creative director

This event is more than just authors’ exposure, but an appreciation of writers expressing their true selves. “I want you guys to go by and tell them thank you, thank you for being bold enough to put what you believe and what you feel and what you’ve experienced on paper, because we all have a story, but not all of us have the discipline and the courage to put it on paper,” Dorothy Nins wraps up her speech and directs the audience to begin the first writer’s workshop.

MN Black Authors Expo

• Who: Dorothy Nins, CEO and creative director. DeVonna Pittman and Jasmine Boudou, founders.
• What: Supporting Black authors by acknowledging and celebrating their work.
• When: Oct. 24, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Where: Minneapolis Central Library
• Why it matters: MBAE has a mission to improve literacy among all children, especially in areas with disproportionate educational disparities — this event is free for everyone. This celebration of the authentic voices of Black authors creates empowerment for each author in their publishing journey. Each annual event continues to strengthen this community and encourage the younger generation to create and read on their own.

‘A story with a particular color’ was originally published in East Bank Epitaph on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Costumes and Community Service brings together University of Minnesota students through a shared effort to sort donated glasses and help connect underserved communities with affordable eyewear.

By Karla Daniela Valenzuela | Reporter

One pair at a time, 35 students worked through all 500 donated glasses — cleaning each pair, searching for scratches and bagging them up for shipment. Around the room, students in Halloween costumes sorted through frames wearing everything from animal ears to full Adventure Time outfits. This is what the University of Minnesota’s ReSpectacle club looked like at their Costumes and Community Service event at Coffman Memorial Union on Oct. 28. What may seem like a simple afternoon of volunteering represents part of a larger effort to make eyewear more affordable for those without access to it.

ReSpectacle is a national nonprofit organization centered on two main goals: recycling donated glasses and providing affordable eyewear to underserved communities, said Vincent Norton, president of the ReSpectacle chapter. The University of Minnesota’s ReSpectacle chapter has been around for about five years, working continuously toward the same goal: helping people access glasses without paying the high cost of a brand-new pair.

“Glasses are a piece of plastic. Why do they cost so much money?” — Karah Nelson, freshman at the University of Minnesota

Karah Nelson, a freshman, has seen firsthand how important access to affordable eyewear is. As someone who wears glasses, she questioned why a pair can cost anywhere from $200 to $400, especially when it is something that many people depend on daily.

“Glasses are a piece of plastic. Why do they cost so much money?” Nelson said.

At ReSpectacle, donated glasses go through a four-step process before they become available on their website. Volunteers clean the frames, describe and catalog each pair, take pictures and bag them up for shipment. Each pair receives a QR code that links to its page on the website. Once the glasses arrive at ReSpectacle headquarters, staff measure the lenses and list the frames online so customers can find a pair that matches their prescriptions. Once someone finds their perfect pair, they pay a $7 shipping fee.

Having grown up in underprivileged areas of Minneapolis, Norton has witnessed the many challenges people in his community and family faced when accessing affordable eyewear. He said giving back to the community was something he had always wanted to do.

“I really did see firsthand how hard it is for a lot of people to get glasses,” Norton said.

Nortan said some of the stories that have stayed with him are from parents who can no longer afford glasses for their children after losing their insurance.

“Every single person needs that pair to do everything they need,” Norton said.

The chapter receives donated glasses from ReSpectacle’s headquarters as well as community members who drop off their old glasses at donation bins throughout the Twin Cities.

The community’s support has helped make it one of the organization’s leading chapters. Norton said it is ranked №1 among ReSpectacle chapters nationwide and has donated more than 20,000 pairs of glasses.

In a step toward expanding its reach, ReSpectacle recently partnered with Phalen Fairview Clinic to bring its glasses directly to patients. Through the partnership, doctors promote the nonprofit’s website and distribute flyers to help patients learn about their options.

Each pair of glasses sorted, cleaned and packaged that afternoon came one step closer to finding a new home. Community members can donate their used glasses at one of ReSpectacle’s eight donation locations throughout the Twin Cities, while those looking for affordable eyewear can browse the frames on ReSpectacle’s website. What starts in a donation bin at the store will eventually help someone see the world a little more clearly.

Costumes and community service

• Who: ReSpectacle volunteers meet for the Costumes and Community Service event.
• What: Volunteers clean, check for scratches and package 500 glasses.
• When: Oct 28, 2026.
• Where: Coffman Memorial Union room in room 324 at the University of Minnesota.
• Why it matters: This volunteer event helps underserved communities get access to affordable eyewear for a low price. Members of the community donate glasses at their local stores, which then go on to be cleaned and inspected before they are shipped off to be put on their website. Giving those who need glasses an affordable option.

More than just a pair of glasses was originally published in East Bank Epitaph on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Multiple progressive student groups collaborate together for an event to teach students about getting involved in campus and city organizations

By Andy Hanson | Reporter

Students sat shoulder-to-shoulder in the small classroom in Folwell Hall. They dragged in chairs from other rooms and ate free pizza sitting on the desk outside. When Room 107 was filled with more than twenty students, they ushered into Room 105 next door for more space.

Four student groups — Zero Burn UMN, Young Democratic Socialists of America, Students for a Democratic Society and Students for Justice in Palestine — met together to present about organizing with campus and city organizations in front of more than two dozen students Oct. 28.

“We have a lot of opportunities for students to get involved, but there might not be clear avenues, so today is the day to provide them those avenues.” — Arwa Alakech, president of Zero Burn UMN

President of Zero Burn UMN Arwa Alakech was the first speaker of the night.

“We have a lot of opportunities for students to get involved, but there might not be clear avenues,” Alakech said. “So today is the day to provide them those avenues.”

The event kicked off with Alakech speaking. Zero Burn UMN started last semester with the goal of shutting down the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center trash incinerator, out of concern for its environmental impact.

The HERC trash incinerator was built in response to a 1980 Minnesota policy prioritizing incinerating trash rather than putting it in landfills. Alakech said there is massive community opposition to the incinerator due to air emissions and disproportionate health impacts on low income neighborhoods.

Currently there is no concrete plan for shutting down the incinerator. Hennepin County passed a resolution to develop a plan to shut it down sometime between 2028 and 2040.

Students continued to enter the room during the meeting, filling up the seats.

YDSA’s main goal this semester is to make the University of Minnesota a sanctuary campus, to protect students and faculty from federal immigration enforcement. The group also has aspirations of getting rid of Flock cameras.

Speakers for YDSA made it a point to acknowledge that their group is split up into various subgroups. They said there are roles for everyone, so each person can contribute in their own way.

SDS pointed out that it is the largest independent progressive student organization in the country. With more than 50 SDS chapters throughout the country, the University of Minnesota chapter ranks among the oldest.

SJP closed the night by going over the club’s founding, goals and actions. SJP said they a long-term goal for the University of Minnesota to divest from weapons manufacturers.

“I think having a space on campus helps students be themselves, and then helps students connect to organizations where they can continue to do work that’s important to them outside of campus,” said one student at the meeting affiliated with Zero Burn.

After the presentation ended, students stuck around to ask questions and socialize, and eventually filtered out into the pouring rain.

“Organizing 101” briefing

• Who: Zero Burn, Students for a Democratic Society, Young Democratic Socialists of America, Students for Justice in Palestine and more than two dozen students
• What: Collaborate for a meeting about getting involved in organizations
• When: Oct. 28 from 6–7 p.m.
• Where: Folwell Hall Room 105
• Why it matters: There was a large turnout of students discussing salient issues in Minneapolis, learning about ways to get involved on and off campus with different organizations.

Four student groups unite for Organizing 101 briefing was originally published in East Bank Epitaph on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Protestors say Governor Tim Walz has 71 days left to sign an executive order to make Minnesota legally protected from a second Metro Surge.

By Adamaris Gonzalez-Catano and Kate Logan | Reporters

The corner of Chicago Avenue and Lake street which echoed with honks. As cars drove by, they passed protestors who held signs. Alissa Washington and Jana Williams stood between two large speakers. People in yellow vests representing The Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC) were seen in the crowd. Some held clipboards, others carried flags.

MIRAC, an organization led by community members from surrounding metro areas, held a protest Oct. 24. The U.S. Department of Justice currently lists Minnesota as a sanctuary jurisdiction. Meaning Minnesota holds legal power to limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement agencies, such as Immigration Customs Enforcement. Though currently, state officials have maintained it is not. MIRAC held this protest to pressure Gov. Tim Walz to make Minnesota a sanctuary state.

About 60 people attended the protest, which called for the community to sign a petition, via paper or QR code. MIRAC has been organizing protests tackling issues affecting Minnesota communities since 2006. The organization is active on its website where the petition can also be found.

“I don’t believe in open borders,” a protester attending said, “but we don’t need to mistreat people.”

The organization held vigils Jan. 24 to honor Alex Pretti and Renee Good after their deaths during Operation Metro Surge. They were both fatally shot by ICE agents. Organizer Montana Hirsch joined MIRAC in 2019 and shared how demands of this petition include banning all 287(g) agreements. This agreement consists of a partnership with ICE agents and state or local law enforcement agencies.

“We don’t expect people to shy away or be scared because that’s not what Minneapolis is,” Hirsch said, “that’s not what Minnesota does.”

Alissa Washington and Jana Williams, two event speakers, questioned Walz’s inability to sign the executive order into law.

“He has nothing to lose by approving our sanctuary state petition,” Washington said.

Washington, the executive director of the Wrongfully Incarcerated and Over-Sentenced Families Council, shared her experience as a first-generation immigrant. In an interview, she shared she felt inspired to be an activist during her time at Atlanta Metropolitan State College. She is now 36.

“Our people are stuck and we’re screaming for help and for us to be seen as human.” — Alissa Washington, Executive Director of Wrongfully Incarcerated and Over-Sentenced Individuals

She shared how towards the end of the summer her uncle, Nohn Noradeth, 72, lived in Minnesota for 40 years before being kidnapped and deported to Laos by ICE. Washington became the legal guardian for her uncle’s four kids while still battling with her fiance’s incarceration and cousin’s death in Rush City prison. MIRAC showed up for the family by providing community funded donations to families affected by immigration raids — it was then that Washington also expressed interest in participation.

“Our people are stuck and we’re screaming for help and for us to be seen as human,” Washington said.

Washington shows interest in helping the future generations. She has attempted to offer opportunities to do research and support the pro-bono lawyers from her organization.

After her speech, Washington was left overwhelmed with emotions. Williams embraced her. Williams’ niece, Alisson Lussier and Arionna Buckanaga, were murdered in Minneapolis. She recounted how the police called off the crime scene. Williams has been involved in other events such as the honor march for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives.

“The only reason why Allison’s case got charged. That’s the only reason Arionna’s case got charged,” Williams said, “Is because of stuff like this. Is because of this. Because of us standing together.”

Anti-ICE Protest, Community Driven

• Who: Alissa Washington, Jana Williams, MIRAC
• What: Governor Tim Walz to sign an executive order, making Minnesota a sanctuary state.
• When: Oct. 24, 2026, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Where: Intersection of Chicago Avenue and Lake Street
• Why it matters: MIRAC brings a similar sign with them to most protests, stating how many days have gone by without a death caused by ICE. For this protest, they wrote 7 days had gone by without ICE killing a civilian.

Activists hold petition protest in hopes of making Minnesota a sanctuary state was originally published in East Bank Epitaph on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Encounters at a vegan bake sale lead to discussions of ethics and how the University of Minnesota can be more accommodating.

By Rachel Tauferner | Reporter

At 10 a.m., students James Keys and Logan Ingbretson wait patiently for customers to approach their table. They share warm smiles as someone comes closer, but they do not stop. They are quietly optimistic that someone will eventually approach them and ask about their vegan baked goods for sale.

Living in a dorm room and eating in the dining hall can be challenging for incoming college freshmen. Some students are tasked with taking care of themselves for the first time in their life. Part of the responsibility requires that they eat right and not gain the “freshman 15.”

Some students with restricted diets struggle to find balance. Trying to eat right can be hard for vegan students at the University of Minnesota, especially seniors Ingbretson and Keys.

“We also hope to inspire curiosity in veganism as a whole,” — James Keys, officer of Compassionate Action for Animals

Covered in banana bread, oat and chocolate cookies the table welcomes people to buy or donate to a vegan organization at the University of Minnesota. Compassionate Action for Animals hosts a vegan bake sale on the east bridgehead of Washington Avenue Bridge Oct. 22, 2026 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The organization encourages students to bring vegan baked goods, individually wrapped, for sale. The money from the sale goes toward other events, such as vegan cookouts. At these events, students gain a deeper understanding of vegan diets and how to eat properly.

“We also hope to inspire curiosity in veganism as a whole,” Keys said.

There are clubs to support fellow vegan students at the University of Minnesota, but Keys and Ingbretson disagree with some accommodations in dining halls and around campus. Ingbretson has been practicing veganism for three months, but remembers a time when there was a lack of healthy vegan food options in his freshman dining hall.

“It was before I was vegan, but all I remember is the first time I ever tried tofu,” Ingbretson said. “Yeah, it was so bad.”

The students ranked the dining halls from least to most accommodating, to have a better understanding of the struggle with eating properly at school. For them, there was not much thought.

“17th is the best dining hall,” said Keys. “So they’re better at cooking things like tofu.”

The officers claim that some dining halls, such as 17th Avenue Residence Hall, provide better options for vegan students. Not only do they include tofu cooked right, but the workers properly prepare black bean burgers for the students. Instead of eating a pile of mush, students are satisfied with something to call a meal.

The officers also talked about their reasons for becoming vegan. For Ingbretson, he thinks more about the ethics.

As a 16-year-old, Ingbretson ran away from home and ate anything people were willing to give him. He was in no position to be picky. A majority of times these donations contained animal products. He knows eating anything that came from an animal is wrong, but he became homeless and needed to eat. Desperate, he ate these gifts as a way to survive.

Over time, Ingbretson believed he couldn’t eat anything that came from animals. He saw videos of animals being mistreated at feedlots and wanted to make a change. Moving into his apartment, he decided this will be the day he no longer eats something that comes from another breathing creature.

“I’ve been vegan ever since,” Ingbretson said. “And I don’t think I’ll ever not be vegan.”

Compassionate Action for Animals supports everyone who hopes to join. “Whether someone is vegan or not, everyone is welcome,” Keys said. Students Ingbretson and Keys believe in the organization they are a part of. They are there to inform and persuade those to be more compassionate for every living thing.

“It is vanity holding something in a cage,” Ingbretson said.

Their compassion for animals continues on, and to other students who are curious about what it means to be vegan. Ingbretson supports animals and wants to give one final piece of advice to the public.

“Stop eating beef,” Ingbretson said.

Vegan Bake Sale, Compassionate Action for Animals

• Who: James Keys and Logan Ingbretson, officers of Compassionate Action for Animals
• What: Outreach to learn more about and support veganism
• When: Oct. 22.
• Where: East Bridgehead, Washington Avenue Bridge Minneapolis
• Why it matters: The University of Minnesota is committed to creating a positive environment for all students. Vegans can be overlooked, so the stand helps other vegan students know they have a place to go

Compassion begins by supporting vegans was originally published in East Bank Epitaph on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

The New York Times and the Minnesota Star Tribune visit the University of Minnesota to discuss fact-based reporting during Operation Metro Surge.

By Stella Christianson and Sarah Cunniffe | Reporters

Ten shots in 5 seconds. The video slowed each one down, while the audience in the Best Buy theatre sat motionless as they were transported back in time. For four minutes, they were back on Nicollet Avenue, watching Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents murder Alex Pretti.

The New York Times showed its video at a panel Oct. 26 at the University of Minnesota. The panel included journalists from The New York Times and the Minnesota Star Tribune as they discussed their experiences reporting breaking news during Operation Metro Surge. About 100 people attended the event, with a mix of students and faculty in the audience. The panel was one of the many events hosted by the the Hubbard school during the Journalism and Mass Communication Week.

“We bear witness, and then we ask questions, and then we report, and then we dig,” said Kathleen Hennessey, editor and senior vice president of the Minnesota Star Tribune.

To start the discussion off, Patrick Healy, an assistant managing editor for standards and trust at The Times and the moderator of the event, asked the audience a question: Where do you get your news? The answers from the audience varied. One attendee mentioned using Reddit as their main source of news. Another audience member said Democracy Now. Journalism student Regan Guirguis said she listened to The Times’ podcast, The Daily, every morning.

“My dad was always like, ‘You need to watch the news,’ ” Guirguis said, “and I was like, OK cool.”

Healy cited The Times’ research showing the biggest driver of public trust in media depends on how much people perceive the story to be accurate. The biggest eroder of trust is the belief that there is bias. Too much editing and censorship can drive people toward finding out information via social media.

“Content creators mirror their audience,” said Ernesto Londoño, the Times’ Midwest correspondent.

Social media platforms such as TikTok play into their algorithms by promoting videos catering to the specific user’s political views. Therefore, they become more likely to follow someone with similar political ideology and deem the content creator as being more credible than a news organization.

To cater to a younger audience in an ever-changing media environment, The New York Times and other news organizations are having conversations about transforming their publications to be more video-oriented. The challenge remains of how to garner public trust and distribute information in an increasingly digital world.

For Hennessey, the push toward video starts at home. Her 17-year-old son doesn’t read much news, she said, but she still wants him to know what’s happening.

“We have to find a way to communicate in the way that young people will consume,” Hennessey said.

“I don’t think we can hold back or decide not to report big, significant stories out of fear.” — Ernesto Londoño, Midwest correspondent at The New York Times

Londoño described what trust can cost. His story on fraud in Minnesota’s Medicaid programs ran as the Trump administration singled out Somali residents — Londoño said he expected the administration to weaponize this. Just days later, online creator Nick Shirley released his viral video about daycare centers, triggering a political uproar.

“We don’t have control about how our journalism shapes events down the line,” Londoño said. “I don’t think we can hold back or decide not to report big, significant stories out of fear.”

After Pretti was shot, former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that Pretti “came to the scene of a deportation action with ‘weapons’ and ‘committed an act of domestic terrorism.’ ”

However, online creators and public bystanders released videos that depicted a different scene. The New York Times compilation of the videos exposed the truth: Pretti did not take out his weapon to use against federal agents and posed no threat.

“I think the value of that work is so much stronger than eyewitness accounts,” Londoño said. “Anybody can watch this in slow motion … and walk away with a conclusion where everybody’s at least operating under the same set of facts.”

Bearing Witness: A Discussion About Journalism Locally and Nationally

• Who: Journalists and editors from The New York Times and the Minnesota Star Tribune.
• What: Host a panel and Q&A to discuss trust and accountability in the news.
• When: Oct. 26 at 4:30 p.m.
• Where: The Best Buy Theatre in Northrop Auditorium at the University of Minnesota.
• Why it matters: This event appeals to the media, bringing into question what the future of journalism entails. Accuracy builds trust as algorithms and content creators pull young people away from traditional news sources. The New York Times’ coverage of Operation Metro Surge and the Alex Pretti shooting shows how newsrooms are using context and video to compete with eyewitness clips circulating online.

How journalists are regaining public trust was originally published in East Bank Epitaph on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Sarah Schuler runs puzzling events throughout the Twin Cities, drawing teams of four — such as Fine Ass Pieces and Gandor Calls For Pieces — and hoping to foster connection.

By Karolyn Deiss | Reporter

Sarah Schuler, 5, drifted to sleep on the hard floor under her grandparents’ dining table. She had no blanket or pillow, just childhood eagerness and leftover holiday warmth to keep her comfortable.

Christmas usually ended like that: a full stomach, dishes being cleared and puzzle pieces spread across the tabletop. Her mom’s side of the family crowded around and began clicking pieces into place, and Schuler tried to stay awake. She really did. But her heavy eyelids eventually gave out.

“I didn’t want to miss out on any of the action,” Schuler, now 31, said. “Maybe I got some puzzling knowledge through sleeping under the puzzle table.”

Schuler, also known as Sarah Does Puzzles, hosts team speed-puzzling contests at bars and breweries throughout the Twin Cities. She held a competition at A Bar of Their Own Sunday, where 13 teams of four vied to be the first to complete a 500-piece puzzle.

The sports bar’s website boasts that it’s the first in the Twin Cities to screen exclusively women’s sports. The smattering of puzzlers wearing merch for teams such as the Minnesota Frost and Seattle Storm reflected their mission. But Jillian Hiscock, the bar’s owner, said events, such as puzzling, reinforce its larger goal to be a welcoming place for community.

“The world is absolutely crazy right now,” Hiscock said. “And any time we can hit the pause button and take some time to block out the noise, I think that’s a great thing.”

Grace Hiyakumoto, a 39-year-old cancer nurse, ordered a burger and fries in a to-go box, in case she couldn’t finish it in time to puzzle. Katie Peterson, a 40-year-old student services worker, was the last to arrive, held up by city parking. Ann Jones, a 35-year-old who works nights at a group home, sipped on her water across from Hannah Merrazin, a 39-year-old sign language interpreter, who wore a shirt emblazoned with their team name, Fine Ass Pieces.

“It’s been really great to see other people in the world that care about the little things.” — Hannah Merrazin, puzzler

They began competing in Schuler’s contests in February 2024, after their previous trivia night tradition fell through, and puzzling serves as an avenue to regularly connect when life gets busy. Jones noted that it can pull her out of the house during a hard week, and Hiyakumoto added that the events brought the community together during Operation Metro Surge.

“It’s been really great to see other people in the world that care about the little things,” Merrazin said. “A puzzle competition is not something that’s going to give you a claim in the world. It’s enjoyable and just reminding ourselves that not everyone in the world is angry all the time.”

For some, like Sara and Aaron Moreno of the winning team, Gandor Calls For Pieces, puzzling provides a night out that breaks up daily life. The couple, along with Sara’s twin sister KC Thompson and her husband Curtis Thompson, completed the night’s fall-themed puzzle in 45 minutes and 10 seconds, eking out the win by seven seconds over team Hooligan Crew.

“We’re just happy to be out of the house without the kids,” Sara said.

Meanwhile, her sister KC — who, according to her teammates, had puzzling competitions on her bucket list — said she was “riding the high” of their win.

For between 45 minutes and two hours, puzzlers danced around tables in the warm bar lighting, water bottles and puzzle boxes relegated to the floor. Some, including team Fine Ass Pieces, gossiped about family or work drama. Others, such as The Dolly Partners and team Puzzle? I Don’t Even Know Her! had faces taut with concentration. At the bar, Schuler snacked on a plate of nachos and chatted with staff, awaiting the moment to bring out her purple clipboard and record times.

“It’s nice,” Schuler said, “to just be able to focus on one problem that you know you can solve.”

Speed Puzzling at A Bar of Their Own

• Who: Sarah Schuler (Sarah Does Puzzles), 13 teams of four puzzlers
• What: Teams competed to finish a 500-piece puzzle with the fastest time.
• When: Oct. 25.
• Where: A Bar of Their Own (2207 E Franklin Ave., Minneapolis, Minn.).
• Why it matters: Schuler aims to create a third space where puzzlers can connect. Competitors come for a variety of reasons, including to have a rare night out from the kids, to catch up with friends, and, as one puzzler put it, to reconnect with “the little things.”

Team speed puzzling creates a competitive yet easy-going third space was originally published in East Bank Epitaph on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Minneapolis City Council added a new way for community members to make their voices heard during the 2027 budget process.

By Lizzy Nyoike, Iris Villanueva-Alvarado | Reporters

Celeste Levy, a North side resident in Minneapolis, walked to the mic that raised slightly above her face. Levy described where she lives as a diverse and lower income neighborhood. Levy commenced the session.

“Nobody pays attention to us. We don’t exist for the most part.”

Similar to the rest of the speakers, Levy voiced her concern for an aspect of the budget being cut out in the mayor’s recommended budget cuts. That recommended budget cut included revoking the north side pollutant position out of the budget.

Living near a shingle factory put residents at risk, Levy noted at the meeting.

Members of the Minneapolis community attended the third City Council budget listening session held by the City Council, the session Thursday at the Urban Research and Outreach Engagement Center in North Minneapolis to be accessible to the community.

Sean Green, City of Minneapolis Budget Director in the Finance and Property Services Department, opened with a brief presentation. His presentation included key 2027 recommended budget projections, changes in the mayor’s recommended budget, a summary of the mayor’s proposed budget changes, 2027 tax levy journey and an estimation of what $1,000 of taxes pays for.

About 50 residents attended the session, 17 of which expressed concerns to the proposed budget.

“I can’t explain how important this support is to me as a worker and a single mom. When I can’t get paid I can’t pay my rent, my bills, or food for my kid.” –Milca, speaker at the budget listening session

Levy and sixteen others pled their cases, having three minutes to speak to the council.

Each of the council members from eight out of the 13 wards were present at the listening session.

Many of the residents spoke on where the city’s budget would be placed, a few pointed out that $20.5 million more would be allocated into the Minneapolis Police Department.

“Publicly available information tells us that MPD is about a third of our budget,” Bryon, a speaker at the session, said.

Residents raised considerations for the budget to be distributed in various programs like Homegrown, not cutting city positions and to keep public safety programs instilled like T.O.U.C.H.

Teaching Our Urban Communities Hope, otherwise known as T.O.U.C.H, a reimagination to public safety by committing to stopping real issues of society, and dealing with them head on — With the goal to mentor Minneapolis youth, prevent violence and engage closely with Minneapolis communities, as stated on their website.

Muhammad Abdul-Ahe of ward nine in South Minneapolis spoke on behalf of the public safety sector of the MPD budget.

“We are a solution to what’s going on in our cities — [when] it comes to crime, violent crime and gun crimes that’s happening in our city,” he said.

The MPD budget decided to cut out the violence prevention program due to budget cuts, according to Mayor Jacob Frey.

Abdul-Ahe advocated to the council for the program to be reconsidered and to not be cut.

“We don’t get talked about all the work that we’re doing on the ground, and it’s unfair,” Abdul-Ahe said during the session.

In many police reports, failure to mention the program arriving on the scenes occurred often, Abdul-Ahe said.

Jamison Whiting worked at the city attorney’s office, where he developed and produced policing alternatives, he said. He also said he worked alongside programs such as T.O.U.C.H., understanding both the success and failure of each of the programs.

“We’ve seen a lot of success for some, and not in others, right?” Whiting said. “And so I think figuring out those that do work — supporting, funding, making sure they have what they need to do their work? and do it really well.”

After both listening sessions city council members will make amendments to the mayor’s budget cuts, city council member of ward 11, Whiting stated.

The second and final listening session will be held Nov. 5 at Whittier Elementary School Cafeteria from 6–7 p.m.

About Minneapolis City Council Listening Session

• Who: Minneapolis city council representatives
• What: City Council hosts community listening sessions for 2027 budget
• When: Oct. 29, 2026
• Where: University of Minnesota Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center (UROC) in North Minneapolis.
• Why it matters: An open community forum that provided opportunites for community members to come and share their concerns for the city’s proposed 2027 budget.

City of Minneapolis community members share concerns about 2027 proposed budget was originally published in East Bank Epitaph on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Students who chose to spend their Halloween weekend at the university’s event found music, facepainting and fun at the Whole Music Club.

By Emily Krautbauer | Reporter

Tyler Kordprom had been optimistic about his first Halloween event since he started planning this summer. Standing outside of the entrance to the Whole Music Club in the basement of Coffman Memorial Union, he said he expected over 100 attendees. When asked what current check-ins were, co-worker Mackenzie Chang, working nearby provided the answer.

“Twenty-seven,” she said.

Kordprom’s event, “Nightmare at the Whole,” follows a tradition of Student Unions and Activities Halloween programming. This year’s University-sponsored event through SUA was held on Oct. 30 from 4:30 to 8 p.m., it featured Harry Potter Lego prizes for costume party winners, Halloween staples including “Thriller” along with the eerie “Poltergeist” theme song and free Papa John’s pizza. But walking in, it is clear by the empty tables and quiet patrons that something else may be at play for the festive event.

“I assume everyone is going out,” fellow SUA event planner Claire Rehfeldt said.

“Events right on going-out-nights aren’t as well-attended.” — Claire Rehfeldt, event planner

She held last year’s Halloween event, pumpkin painting. She recalls it being well-received, but credited that to the fact it took place multiple days before Halloween and during the day.

“Events right on going-out-nights aren’t as well-attended,” Rehfeldt said.

Though not as bustling as some other University events, those inside were appreciative of what activities were provided on the day before Halloween.

“I am enjoying the music. It’s fun. We raided the dress-up area,” student Svetlana Herrington, dressed as a witch, said. She comes to a lot of SUA activities and checks the GopherLink events page regularly to know when they are happening, but shares a similar sentiment with other attendees. The event got added to their busy Halloween weekend plans because of the early time frame, letting them attend and still seek out other festivities.

“It’s before other parties later,” Herrington said about her decision to attend.

Like Herrington and her friend, Julianna Lemanski-Trujillo, who agreed to go only a few hours earlier, many attendees stopped by on their way through Coffman, while they waited for friends or because they saw the poster hanging up in the building.

“It’s been up and down,” facepainter Latoya said. Of the designs she had done that night — she motioned behind her to one of the tables occupied by two students where a student with a sparkly makeup-like design stood socializing — was a look for a BLANKPINK’S Lisa costume.

Despite the slow start, Kordprom was still engaged with attendees. UMN students may have other plans for Halloween, enough people showed up to keep him busy greeting, getting costume contest entries and occasionally queuing up song requests at his event.

“Have you gotten some food? Take some to go,” Kordprom said to participants at the exit of the Whole.

Nightmare at the Whole

• Who: SUA hosted a Halloween party in Coffman Memorial Union as part of their ongoing initiative to provide an on campus event for students during Halloween.
• What: “Nightmare at the Whole” gave students the opportunity to take home hats, win Legos as part of their costume competition, enjoy food and music early on Halloween weekend.
• When: Oct. 30 from 4–8:00 p.m.
• Where: The basement level of Coffman Memorial Union at the Whole Music Club
• Why it matters: The University’s event creates a spooky, festive mood for students looking to enjoy Halloween without going out. Those looking to get in the spirit can take home free costume items from propeller hats to giraffe headbands to crab glasses, along with a facepaint for a short notice costume on a budget.

University of Minnesota students party on campus this Halloween was originally published in East Bank Epitaph on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

This student club embraces an unexpected twist on a classic Halloween tradition.

By Sawyer Henry and Aiden Ritchey | Reporters

Skritchh, chrkk, scchplat! Victoria Jaimes watches as club members stand around the table digging serrated knives into the three pumpkins. While slicing open the top and digging their hands to scoop out the guts, the group brainstorms the best imagery to win the upcoming pumpkin carving contest. Something that represents love, humanity, and the pro-life values that brought them all together.

The Students for Human Life club, a smaller chapter of a larger national organization, Students for Life of America, meets biweekly at Coffman Memorial Union at the University of Minnesota. Other than participating in SFLA’s pumpkin carving contest, this chapter also discusses pro-life philosophy and how to charitably engage with pro-choice counterarguments.

“We have a presence at the U,” Jaimes said, a junior in psychology who recently took over as club president, “We realize our viewpoint is not super popular. We just want the people to know that we exist somewhere. You know, try to build a community here.”

Under Jaimes’ leadership and vision for the club, meetings begin with a presentation from an officer using educational resources from their larger affiliates, the Equal Rights Institute and Students for Life of America to educate and encourage conversation.

“We want to seek to understand somebody with the opposing view or just somebody that wants to know our opinion, right?” Matthew Vos said, a junior in construction management.

Vos led the opening presentation, created with the small group of attendees in mind, on bodily autonomy and the sovereign zone. He briefly covered arguments against pro-choice catchlines such as “my body, my choice.” Vos attributed all research to the Equal Rights Institute at the end of the presentation.

“That’s usually how we start, and then we have something a little more fun, a little more lighthearted,” Jaimes said.

Around the room, club members have decided on their pumpkin art and began precise outlines and chiseling. One member in particular chose to carve the image of a baby in the womb, another member etched the image of a cross.

“We want to just have an environment where other pro-lifers can talk, just having that space on campus is really important.” –Victoria Jaimes, president of Students for Human Life

The club also gets together for activities such as chalk drawing in front of the student union. Recently, it started making baby blankets to donate to local pregnancy resource centers. According to Jaimes, activities allow members to connect, reflect and chat about ideas from the presentation.

“We want to just have an environment where other pro-lifers can talk, having that space on campus is really important,” Jaimes said.

Throughout the meeting, students discussed having a non-dominant opinion on campus.

According to the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression’s annual College Free Speech Rankings, the University of Minnesota ranks an F score, with 47% of student respondents reporting that they self censor once or twice a month. The ranking also includes a penalty from the attempted disruption of an event featuring an anti-abortion speaker. This likely refers to student protests against the “Abortion is Oppression” tour led by Kristin Hawkins, the president of SFLA, visiting the university October of last year.

Despite this, the Students for Human Life club occasionally sets up tabling as a form of outreach on the Washington Ave bridge. Willing pedestrians are welcome to approach, discuss, and debate their opinions. The club aims to have productive, civil conversations.

“I enjoy it because it really does get our view out there,” Vos said. “I pretty much know I’m never going to change an opinion on the spot. I know I would never change my opinion on the spot, but maybe I get home and go, ‘man, whatever that person said really resonated with me.”

Next Saturday, November 7th, the club will be hosting the Life In Focus Film Festival at the Coffman Theater, with student tickets costing $5.

The Students for Human Life wants everyone on campus to recognize that for them, there is more than meets the eye — which typically develops 4–6 weeks after conception.

About Pro-life Pumpkin Carving

• Who: Students for Human Life of America University of Minnesota Chapter; Victoria Jaimes and Matthew Vos
• What: A pro-life pumpkin carving contest hosted by a student organization
• When: Monday, Oct. 26 2026
• Where: Coffman Memorial Union, University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus
• Why it matters: Demonstrates how student organizations utilize creative events for outreach, political messaging, and community engagement.

Pumpkin carving for life was originally published in East Bank Epitaph on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.