Author: Sandy Pappas

Neighborhood NewsPublic Interest

Working Toward Fewer Gun Deaths in Minnesota

This month marks three years since the tragic shooting on West Seventh Street that killed one person and injured 14 others. Since then, the U.S. has continued to experience more gun violence than nearly every other country in the world. Guns continue to be a top cause of death for children and teens, and from schools to bars and movie theaters, gun violence overshadows nearly every venue of public life. 

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Neighborhood NewsFamily & EducationFeatureLifestyle & Wellness

Playgrounds are for everyone

Play is a central part of childhood, and a trip to the neighborhood playground is often the highlight of a child’s day. A game of “the ground is lava” can turn a slide into a volcano, a stranger into a friend. Playing together helps children learn how to collaborate, problem-solve and stretch their imaginations. In fact, the United Nations names play as one of the rights of every child, and organizations from the American Academy of Pediatrics to the Centers for Disease Control recommend active play for children every day, citing countless socio-emotional and health benefits.

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