Over the weekend, Hispanic Heritage Month got underway. In Minnesota, people are recognizing the diversity within these populations, as well as leadership opportunities.

Becky Valencia, operations manager of Communities Organizing Latino Power and Action (COPAL) said not all of Minnesota's Latino residents are from Mexico, as is often assumed.

Many have connections to places like Ecuador and have different needs. As they establish roots here, national polls show Latinos have a growing distrust of government.

However, Valencia noted that young adults are increasingly interested in fostering a better relationship between elected leaders and community members.

"A lot of the times it's been very rewarding to see that in our community, organizers continue to plant that seed," said Valencia. "And so, we have seen a lot more people be active and actually searching for opportunities to be more involved."

As for weaving in culture, entrepreneurship is one avenue. Minnesota is now home to more than 12,000 Latino-owned businesses.

Valencia said several organizations help these business owners overcome obstacles in expanding their reach.

She said younger generations want to keep alive their distinct heritage and traditions, and access to resources is a big part of that.

Valencia said fostering more civic engagement is especially important in an election year. She said Latinos have pressing needs that resonate with the rest of Minnesota.

"There's this huge gap between healthcare and what's accessible," said Valencia. "That's an area for sure that we've heard a lot of communication, which I think it's not only for the Latino community, Latina community, but also for other communities in general."

According to Census data from Minnesota Compass, nearly 370,000 people of Latino descent call Minnesota home. This population increased 38% between 2010 and 2020.

In addition to Mexicans and Ecuadorians, the largest Latino cultural groups in the state are Salvadorans, Guatemalans, and Colombians.

Events for Black History Month are being held around the U.S.

In South Dakota, leaders of the state's main history museum, which is currently under renovation, hope the public chips in with artifacts to give future attractions more depth. The Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre is getting a face-lift and an expansion, with a full reopening planned for the first half of 2026.

Ben Jones, director of the South Dakota State Historical Society, said in planning exhibits, they have room to make certain displays shine a little more.

"As we've designed the museum, we've seen a number of spots where we have gaps in our museum collection," Jones explained.

He pointed out Black history is an example of the dilemma, citing Chet Jones, the first African American legislator in South Dakota. Jones acknowledged they are limited with what they have in telling Jones' rise to prominence through a display. The Historical Society welcomes any photos, documents or other important items, which could be donated.

Jones emphasized Ted Blakey, who helped champion civil rights in South Dakota, is another key figure they would like to highlight in a more prominent way. He argued Blakey's story and the backgrounds of others who helped shape Black History should not be left behind when reflecting how America came to be.

"It demonstrates how we have not, and how we have, lived up to our founding principles," Jones observed.

The museum might not be ready for visitors in time for next year's Black History Month but Jones anticipates it will reopen before America's celebration of its 250th birthday in July 2026. He suggested key exhibits, including one about unique communities called "Who Belongs," will provide more accuracy and authenticity when weaving in the experiences of minority populations.


get more stories like this via email

Halloween is a busy time of year for some of Wyoming's historical sites, where staff throw thematic events to help fund programming for the rest of the year.

In October, Wyomingites can experience their state's history in new ways - like paranormal investigations at Fort Caspar, and a haunted evening tour of the Wyoming Frontier Prison in Rawlins.

That prison served as the state penitentiary between 1901 and 1981, during which Historic Site Director Tina Hill said nearly 14,000 people served time.

"When you go through the 80 years of history here," said Hill, "you see how the people who lived in Wyoming thought about crimes, and punishment, and the penal system. And so you can kind of see how things evolved."

In the 1950s, the concept of rehabilitation spread through the penal system - and with it, Hill says, gymnasiums, libraries and classes.

Now, the site is on the National Registry of Historic Places, and about 15,000 people tour it each year.

Northeast of the prison at Fort Caspar, Halloween visitors can use infrared thermometers, laser grids and more on the site's ghost investigations tours.

Aside from the fort's paranormal activities, museum Director Rick Young said it's on a historic migration corridor.

"Oregon, California, Mormon Pioneer, Pony Express trails," said Young. "We had a ferry crossing at our location. We had a bridge crossing at our location. It was a Pony Express station. And then it became a military fort."

These days, the site has a central Wyoming history museum and a park.

The historic fort buildings are furnished as they would have been in 1865, the year of two battles there and when the site was formally named Fort Caspar.





get more stories like this via email

Summerlike temperatures are still around but winter is lurking and Minnesotans will soon have to crank up their thermostats.

Now, there is outreach to help Latinos use federal incentives to lower their energy bills. The Inflation Reduction Act provides a mix of tax credits and rebates for households considering options like solar panels or more efficient heating systems. Such information is often slow to reach underserved populations and Minnesota's Communities Organizing Latino Power and Action doesn't want it to happen this time.

Danny Garcia, virtual navigator for the group, said his team is taking a multifaceted approach.

"We translate this information to make it more accessible," Garcia outlined. "We are relying heavily on social media, creating videos, creating flyers to distribute."

A specific Inflation Reduction Act initiative, the Home Energy Rebate program, will be carried out by the state and agencies are still preparing for launch. Other incentives, namely tax credits, are already available. Beyond creating awareness, community navigators will focus on application assistance. A 2022 national analysis found Hispanic families were less likely to take advantage of government programs due to anti-immigrant politics and other factors.

It is not just overcoming trust issues. Garcia suggested some residents might feel overwhelmed when considering all their options. He stressed they want them to look at the bigger picture: A more energy-efficient home with cleaner air running through it stands a better chance of improving outcomes as opposed to sticking with aging systems and appliances.

"You can get sick more often and this just creates a circle, a burden," Garcia pointed out. "Then you need to spend more money on your health and then you don't have enough money to cover other bills."

The U.S. Energy Department reported the Hispanic community faces a median energy burden 24% higher than white households. The Inflation Reduction Act has a bonus credit program specifically geared for those often stuck with higher energy bills with increased tax credits for solar and wind projects built in these communities or serving low-income residents.