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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 rescue operation saves hundreds of animals across the state. A proposed federal bill has some communities concerned about voter registration. And, Minnesota's largest credit union is spreading its wings. I'm Chantel SinGs.
In just 72 hours, the Animal Humane Society rescued more than 200 animals from overwhelmed homes across four Minnesota counties. CBS News reports that the rapid-response effort that unfolded earlier this month included rescuing 80 cats and 53 pigeons. The birds are being quarantined due to avian flu concerns. Many of the cats are battling infections and mites, but are reportedly recovering well. The agency's Humane Investigations team operates statewide and says it handled 430 cases last year, affecting more than 5,700 animals.
The US House has passed a bill dramatically changing voter registration requirements. As reporter Jose Ozoria explains, some in Minnesota feel it's needed to prevent voter fraud, while others say it will make it nearly impossible for some to prove their eligibility.
Jose Ozoria: During the next federal election cycle, the crowds at your local polling site might look very different. The US House of Representatives recently passed the SAVE Act. If made law, the bill would require individuals to provide in-person proof of US citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. Minnesota State Senator Mark Koran believes the legislation will quell many instances of illegal voting.
Mark Koran: To ensure that only people who are legally eligible to vote that we have the information to verify on registration. It's not every time you vote on registration. What the challenge you have is in some 15 different states that we don't have voter ID to validate, even on the registration part.
Jose Ozoria: On the other side of the debate, Secretary of State Steve Simon believes there are better ways to prevent the potential of non-citizens voting in US elections. Methods that do not create the chaos he believes the SAVE Act will have on the voter registration process.
Steve Simon: If the issue is that people think an ineligible person might vote, there are better ways to get at this issue, more data, sharing more information. A lot of folks would be surprised to know that this country does not have a master list of US citizens. That doesn't exist. Okay, there is no list that you check to say if you're on the list you can vote, but there are ways that we can piece together more and better information from the federal government.
Jose Ozoria: Voter advocacy organizations nationwide have mobilized to spread awareness of the proposed bill and inform legislators of the growing concerns. Lily Sasse, director of We Choose Us, an organization for multi-racial democracy in Minnesota, describes the groundwork being laid by voter advocacy organizations regarding the SAVE Act.
Lilly Sasse: Continuing to put pressure on our elected officials, our senators, in particular, right now to explain to them the harms of this bill and make sure that we have enough people who are on the side of voters in order for this bill to not pass.
Jose Ozoria: The Legal Defense Fund, a nonprofit legal organization, stated that a law with these requirements would undercut voter registration drives, which have been essential for mobilizing political participation in Black communities. They also state that only half the US population and only 1/3 of black Americans hold a valid US passport, which would be a significant hurdle for registration under the SAVE Act. State Senator Mark Koran views the requirement of documentary proof of citizenship not as a hindrance, but as vital to safeguard the integrity of federal elections.
Mark Koran: We had a long time great elections prior to online registration, having online registration, having no ability and no requirements now to validate who's there, didn't enhance our process to ensure only legal citizens have access to vote.
Jose Ozoria: Minnesota Secretary of State, Steve Simon, does not see an upside to the SAVE Act.
Steve Simon: Potentially shut out millions and millions of people nationwide who are eligible to vote, and this has the potential to make everyday voting for everyday people an unnecessary obstacle course.
Jose Ozoria: The bill is now in the hands of the US Senate. For North Star stories, I'm Jose Ozoria.
ANCHOR: You are listening to North Star Stories.
Minnesota's largest Credit Union is trying to become even larger. Wings Credit Union is joining forces with Colorado-based Ent Credit Union, the largest in its state. The deal will create a combined credit union with nearly 20 billion dollars in assets and nearly one million members across multiple states. The merged financial institutions will keep the Wings name and will be led by Ent's CEO, Chad Graves. Officials say members of both credit unions will continue to see the same services, with expanded access to more branches and digital banking tools. The merger is expected to be finalized in 2026.
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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.