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North Star Stories: Voices from Where We Live is a daily, five-minute newscast that shines a spotlight on the stories and perspectives of Minnesota’s diverse communities, including Black, Latine, Asian American, East African individuals, people living with disabilities, LGBTQIA2S+ residents, laborers, veterans, and those from Greater Minnesota.
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HOST: You're listening to North Star Stories: Voices from Where We Live, a daily newscast about what it means to live in Minnesota.
ANCHOR: In today's segment, a special election will fill the seat vacated by the former DFL leader. Then, how a Twin City nonprofit serving vulnerable communities is navigating federal cuts. And, community organizations come together to help those in Northern Minnesota.
I'm Gracie J.
The governor has called a special election for House District 34B, covering parts of Brooklyn Park, Champlin, and Coon Rapids in the Twin Cities area. The seat has been vacant since the tragic deaths of former DFL leader Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, who were killed in a targeted political attack. Voters will head to the polls on Tuesday, September 16th. Because the timeline is short, election officials recommend dropping your ballot off in person. Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on September 16th. You can pre-register by September 9th or register at the polls on Election Day.
Next, after losing most of its federal funding, the Center for Victims of Torture has scaled back its work around the globe. In St. Paul, its Healing Center remains open, but the people it serves are facing new barriers to stability and healing. Xan Holston has more.
Neal Porter: Imagine you are undergoing surgery in an operating room.
Xan Holston: Neal Porter is Director of International Services at the Center for Victims of Torture, or CVT, a Minnesota-based global leader in mental health care for victims of torture around the world.
Neal Porter: Now imagine mid-surgery and without explanation, the surgeon and her team are ordered to leave the operating room, unable to return, leaving you stranded alone, exposed and unhealed.
Xan Holston: Porter is describing what he said started happening to CVT earlier this year when sweeping executive orders from President Trump cut its funding by 75% and demanded it stop its overseas operations. The order slashed CVTs budget from $38 million to $11 million forcing mass layoffs.
Neal Porter: We've laid off more than 400 people globally, including 25 here in Minnesota.
Xan Holston: In May, CVT sued the Trump administration, arguing it was unconstitutional for it to withhold funding that had already been approved by Congress. But those cuts were finalized in July, when Congress approved a rescission package that legally slashed $9 billion from programs like the US Agency for International Development, a major funding source for CVT. CVT is still fighting that decision in court, but the damage has already been done. Hundreds of staff gone, and programs around the world shut down almost overnight. CVT's international programs have been hit the hardest, but its Healing Center in St Paul is also feeling the strain. Jill Davidson is social services lead there.
Jill Davidson: Torture is an experience that really isolates people.
Xan Holston: The Healing Center provides social and mental health support for survivors of torture, many of whom are seeking asylum in the US. Davidson said one of the most important first steps is establishing trust with clients.
Jill Davidson: To be consistent, to be reliable, to tell people what they can expect and to follow through.
Xan Holston: But increasingly aggressive immigration enforcement is disrupting that consistency. Davidson said many clients are afraid to come to the center or even leave their homes to go to work, leading to more isolation.
Jill Davidson: We have seen a huge increase in mental health symptoms, and many of the people who had shown great progress in their recovery have regressed within an extremely short period of time.
Xan Holston: New rules and increased fees for asylum seekers are also sowing confusion, making the path towards citizenship even more challenging. Asylum seekers, many of whom arrive in the US with little to nothing, must pay for an attorney, then wait five months before they can even apply for a work permit. Previously free, that application now cost hundreds of dollars.
Jill Davidson: They're depending on people in their community for everything they need because they have no way to make their own money.
Xan Holston: Davidson said the rules punish the very people who need help the most, forcing them deeper into fear and instability.
Jill Davidson: I do wonder what our American values are when we treat newcomers this way.
Xan Holston: For North Star Stories, I'm Xan Holston.
ANCHOR: You are listening to North Star Stories.
Residents of Northern Minnesota who are struggling financially are getting access to some extra help next week.
Local agencies and nonprofits are coming together to host the first-ever Community Connect event in Ely on Tuesday, September 9th. The free event includes a meal, free hygiene items, housing support, as well as resources for older adults and families. Arrowhead Transit is providing free rides to and from the event on existing bus routes. The event is taking place at the Ely Area Community Hub from 10 am to 2 pm next Tuesday.
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HOST: North Star Stories is produced by AMPERS, diverse radio for Minnesota's communities, with support from the McKnight Foundation and the State of Minnesota. Online at ampers dot org.