Augsburg University Professor and Political Science Chair Andrew Aoki joined KSTP’s Tom Hauser on the weekly news segment, Political Insider to discuss President Donald J. Trump’s September address to the United Nations. Aoki also discussed local political dynamics between the Minnesota State Legislature and Governor Mark Dayton in the interview.
Hex Houses for Hurricane Victims and Refugees
This fall’s Nobel Peace Prize Forum showcased the innovative “Hex House,” a pop-up emergency shelter created to help respond to refugee and natural disaster housing crises. As part of Augsburg University’s continued commitment to social justice and technology, this six-sided, 510 square-foot prototype was constructed and on display at Murphy Square throughout the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize Forum. The tiny houses can be packed in a kit, shipped flat, and assembled with tools and instructions, much like an IKEA design.
See the stories at Finance & Commerce and KARE 11.
KSTP’s Political Insider program features Andy Aoki
This week, Andy Aoki, department chair of political science and Sabo fellow at Augsburg College, was a featured analyst on Political Insider, a weekly news segment broadcast on KSTP.
Aoki joined Larry Jacobs, a University of Minnesota faculty member, and provided input on a variety of local and national political stories including Minnesota’s health care affordability issue and confirmation hearings for President Elect Donald Trump’s cabinet members.
Andy Aoki appears on KSTP’s Political Insider program
This week, Andy Aoki, department chair of political science and Sabo fellow at Augsburg College, appeared on Political Insider, a weekly news segment on KSTP.
Aoki joined Joe Pescek, a Hamline Univeristy faculty member, and provided input on a variety of local and national political stories including President-Elect Donald Trump’s social media commentary and a potential career move for U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison.
KSTP reports: Augsburg College men’s hockey team wins MIAC title
KSTP television recently reported on the Augsburg College men’s hockey team’s win in a tense, triple overtime match against St. John’s University on March 5 to clinch the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship. The game was the third longest in NCAA Division III history, lasting 102:53.
Senior Mack Ohnsted ’16 scored the game-winning goal in the opening minutes of the match’s third overtime period; he was assisted by Eli May ’18. The Auggies twice rallied from two-goal deficits to bring the game into overtime.
Watch and read Augsburg Wins MIAC Hockey Championship Over St. John’s In 3OT Thriller on the KSTP site.
Gabby Giffords, Mark Kelly, and Minnesota leaders announce “Minnesota Coalition for Common Sense” at Augsburg-hosted press conference
On February 25, former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and retired astronaut Captain Mark Kelly, co-founders of Americans for Responsible Solutions, joined Minnesota leaders at Augsburg College to announce a new bipartisan organization, the “Minnesota Coalition for Common Sense.” The coalition’s members – which include leaders from across sectors and parties – will urge their elected officials to advance policies that help keep guns out of the wrong hands.
Giffords was wounded severely during a 2011 shooting that resulted in six deaths. She and husband, Kelly, have announced similar coalitions in New Hampshire and Oregon during the past several months.
Augsburg College President Paul Pribbenow welcomed the event’s guests to campus and offered opening remarks at the press conference.
Media coverage of the event includes:
- Star Tribune – Former Arizona Congresswoman Giffords brings gun control initiative to Minnesota
- WCCO television – ‘Never Stop Fighting’: Gabby Giffords Visits MN With Gun Control Message
- Minnesota Public Radio – Gabrielle Giffords in Minnesota, calls for gun control
- Bring Me The News – Giffords visits Minnesota to launch coalition to help prevent gun violence
- KARE 11 television – Gabby Giffords leads new Minn. coalition to reduce gun violence
- KSTP television – Former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in Twin Cities Discussing Gun Control
- Christian Science Monitor – Gabby Giffords brings gun control fight to Minnesota (+video)
KSTP interviews Joseph Erickson on Minneapolis Public Schools’ superintendent controversy
ABC affiliate KSTP recently aired an interview with Joseph Erickson, professor of education at Augsburg College, about the Minneapolis School Board decision to replace Sergio Paez, their first choice for Minneapolis Public School’s vacant superintendent position. Erickson served on the board from 2002 to 2006 and was its chair for two of those years. During this period, the school board hired two superintendents.
“This is their job. Hiring the superintendent and setting policy is their job,” Erickson said. “They should take it very seriously.”
He also pointed out that the current board is in a rare situation: interim superintendent Michael Goar is still available should the board decide to offer him the position. Usually, a district’s second and third choices have moved on to other positions at this point in the process.
Video and text versions of the interview are available on the KSTP website, “Minneapolis Public Schools Still Searching for Permanent Superintendent.”
Andy Aoki appears on KSTP’s Political Insider program
This month, Andy Aoki, department chair of political science and Sabo fellow at Augsburg College, appeared on Political Insider, a weekly news segment on KSTP. Aoki joined Joe Pescek, a Hamline Univeristy faculty member, and provided input on a variety of local and national political stories including Gov. Mark Dayton’s request for a special legislative session.
Watch: Political Insider: US Presidential Campaign, Infrastructure and Economy in Minn. on the KSTP site.
KSTP reports on $400,000 grant for Augsburg Ice Arena
KSTP recently reported that the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission awarded more than $2 million in grants to area communities to build new ice arenas or improve existing arenas. Augsburg College was awarded a $400,000 grant for Augsburg Ice Arena. According an announcement on the MASC website, the grant will be used to eliminate the use of R-22, a greenhouse gas with a high ozone depletion potential, from the arena’s cooling system.
Read: Program Gives More Than $2M in Grants to Improve Minn. Ice Arenas on the KSTP site.
Twin Cities media report on lawmakers’ Cuba trip organized by Augsburg College center
A bipartisan group of five state legislators, staff, and some family members traveled to Cuba as part of new interest in strengthening ties between the two countries and preparing for potential trade opportunities. Augsburg College’s Center for Global Education and Experience helped to organize the trip, which was mentioned in Twin Cities-based print and broadcast media.
KSTP aired a story covering the trip, which will be unofficial and self-funded by the participants. According to the television news organization, the trip will focus on increasing the lawmakers’ understanding of Cuba and its economic climate.
The Star Tribune also published trip information prior to the departure of participants.
Read: Five Minnesota legislators, staff head to Cuba on the newspaper website.