Good morning, NewPrensa readers! Isabella here. I hope you had a good weekend and are getting ready for 2023 in just 3 days! For the next two weeks Helene is going to take over while I’m abroad. I’m excited to read the news she has to share. 

The Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act was passed last Thursday in Congress. After the unfortunate passing of U.S. District Judge Esther Salas’ son Daniel Anderl in July 2020, she fought to pass a “crucial legislation” that will protect the private information of federal judges and their families. It’ll be a barrier to accessing judges’ addresses and personal information online. Information can “be removed upon written request from the federal judge concerned”, it prohibits the purchasing or selling of their information, and establishes programs to protect such information at a state and local level. 

Salas’ son and husband were shot by Roy Den Hollander, a men’s rights lawyer and anti-feminist, who impersonated a FedEx delivery driver at the home of the family. Salas’ husband, Mark, survived but her son Daniel was shot three times after protecting his father. Hollander spoke about Salas online, calling her “a lazy and incompetent Latina judge.”

Senator Bob Menendez spoke of Salas being targeted for not only being a judge, but also for being one of the only two Latina women on the bench in New Jersey.  

There’s a New Year’s gnome search starting Jan. 3 in St. Louis Park, MN. For each week of January, there will be a gnome placed in one of the city’s parks and it’s up to you to find it. Yes, I’m talking about those tiny little guys with the pointy hats that cover their eyes and a round nose sticking out under. You can follow their Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and sign up for GoDelivery emails to get your clues 

To view the Parks in St. Louis Park, visit here. If you’re lucky enough to find the gnome, snap a picture and get some of its luck transferred to you!

Last but not least, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey’s adopted budget totals $1.66 billion in 2023. The budget is intended for affordable housing, city capacity and performance (roads, trails, 311 response, programs and initiatives), climate and public health, economic inclusion and community safety. Some of these are: $16,800,000 will go to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund; $600,000 for immediate opioid addiction treatment services; $500,000 for the Green Cost Share program; and funding 731 sworn officers in the Police Department and 4 classes of new recruits. The tax levy increase for 2023 will be 6.5%. What do you think of these changes? Let us know! 

Helene here! I’ve been really enjoying the winter, but I’m not getting outside as much as I’d like. I’m comforted to know that there are many Minnesotans who are more committed than me who spend their whole winter outdoors, like the growing number of folks taking up winter bike commuting. The Sahan Journal recently spoke with three winter cyclists of color who are out there year round. They offered up some helpful tips, which to me further proved that the cycling community of the twin cities is a welcoming space. The interviewees shared that when it comes to winter biking, “it’s not all or nothing”, meaning that you don’t have to jump in headfirst. Monica Bryand, who’s 60, started out winter biking only about once a month. The beauty of starting out with something like this is that you can commit however much time and effort works for you.

We also have the benefit of having a devoted network of year round cyclists that want to share their experience and expertise. Groups like Grease Rag, which often have Facebook groups or other forums, spaces to do bike maintenance, and lots of other resources are great places to start. Grease Rag is geared towards FTW cyclists (Femme-Trans-Women) as well as other gender non-conforming cyclists hoping to learn more and build their skillset. Grease Rag also has a Facebook group for BIPOC FTW cyclers called “For Us By Us” which you can learn more about here. Do get out there if you’re able! There’s good people, good trails, and endless things to learn.

We haven’t talked music in a while, dear readers. It’s high time for that to change. Minneapolis based artist Miloe opened for The 1975 at their last three concerts of their North America Tour. It’s undoubtedly exciting for the young musician (just 22 years old!), but he had already done pretty well for himself before playing with The 1975. He’s toured nationally and played at tons of well known festivals all over the country. He grew up in the Congo before coming to Minnesota, and some of the musical influences of his time there shine through in his mostly indie rock/pop songs. His discography is diverse in sound, though, and there’s influences of bedroom pop, synth, and rumba woven all throughout. I love Winona and make ur way. Give ‘em a listen! 

That’s all for this week! 

Isabella and Helene