Kare11
Bringing diversity to the Minnesota Girl Scouts
BIPOC Mentored Troop 18793 is one of the few Girl Scout troops in the state run by women of color working to inspire young girls of color.
BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. — Girl Scout troops are very common, but not many are like BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) Mentored Troop 18793.
It’s one of the few Girl Scout troops in the state run by women of color working to inspire young girls of color.
Paulette Bonneur is one of the troop leaders. She says it’s important that young girls of color are surrounded by people they can relate to.
“Traditionally, we’ve seen nongroups of color in Girl Scouting,” said Bonneur.
It’s important that stereotypes are broken.
“We get people that walk up to us and say, oh my gosh, I’ve never seen a Black troop leader. Or, oh my goodness, I didn’t know I could do this,” said Bonneur.
Breaking stereotypes doesn’t mean forgetting tradition, though.
“Of course, we do your normal Girl Scouts things, but we put a little flare into it,” said Bonneur.
The group of 13 girls is able to explore their curiosity, dream big and learn about the world around them while also learning about their world.
“We talk about culture, so what makes us unique? We talk about Black history month, and we talk about women of color that inspire us,” said Bonneur.
Parents say the added culture doesn’t take away from important life lessons.
“My daughter is biracial, and I wanted her to have an example of women of color that are leading our community and doing great things,” said Denise Jones.
“This is a great opportunity for every young BIPOC kid out there, so they can have a voice,” said Chinwendu Terrell.
A voice that matters just as much as the next.
“There are too many girls that feel like they’re not enough or they’re too much, and I know how it feels, so I don’t want that for them,” said Bonneur.
So we strive to be better by breaking up the norm.
“If you have an opportunity to make a change, why wouldn’t you do it,” said Bonneur.
You can find more information about mentored troops here.
Watch the latest coverage from KARE11 Sunrise in our YouTube playlist:
Kare11
Enrollment moves upward in Universities of Wisconsin system
MADISON, Wis. — Overall enrollment in the Universities of Wisconsin system’s four-year schools ticked upward this fall compared with last year, data released Tuesday shows.
The system released enrollment numbers as of the 10th day of the 2024 fall semester. They show overall enrollment stood at 164,431 students, up 1.2% from the 10th day of the 2023 fall semester.
UW-Green Bay saw 975 new students for a 10.5% increase in enrollment, the largest percentage jump among the 13 four-year schools. Enrollment at UW-Madison, the system’s flagship university, increased nearly 3%. UW-Superior, the most remote campus, in Douglas County in far northwestern Wisconsin, saw a 3.6% increase.
Five schools saw their enrollment shrink, including Eau Claire, Oshkosh, Parkside, Platteville and Stout.
Overall enrollment at the system’s two-year branch campuses fell 22%. The most dramatic drop-off was at UW-Stevens Point’s Marshfield campus, where enrollment plunged nearly 45% compared with fall 2023.
UW officials have blamed declining numbers of high school graduates and more graduates eschewing college for the workforce for faltering enrollment.
Kare11
Student at Anoka Technical College stabbed with screwdriver
An adult male was arrested after the incident.
ANOKA, Minn. — A student was stabbed in the hand at Anoka Technical College Tuesday, authorities said.
A spokesperson with the Anoka Police Department told KARE 11 that officers were dispatched early in the afternoon. At the school, it was learned a student was stabbed in the hand with a screwdriver.
An adult male was taken into custody, officials said. The student was taken to the hospital for treatment.
Anoka Technical College said in a statement that safety and security is the top priority for everyone on campus:
Just before noon today, an incident occurred between two students at Anoka Technical College, in the automotive lab, resulting in one of the students receiving an injury to the hand. The Anoka Police Department responded and took the suspect into custody. The victim was treated by on-campus security officers before going to the hospital for further evaluation and treatment.
At Anoka Technical College, our top priority is the safety and security of everyone on campus. This incident is being investigated by the college and local law enforcement. Support services are available for students and employees impacted by this situation.
Kare11
BCA identifies man shot by police in St. Paul
The BCA said the 40-year-old man was still hospitalized at Regions Hospital on Tuesday.
ST PAUL, Minn. — Police have identified the man shot and injured by officers after pointing a gun at police on Monday evening.
According to a press release from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), Earl Bennett, 40, was shot by police near Allianz Field.
Officials said Bennett does not have a permanent address but has been staying in the Twin Cities Metro area.
Bennett is hospitalized in critical but stable condition at Regions Hospital in St. Paul.
The incident started just before 7:45 p.m. Monday when police were called to the 400 block of Pierce Street for reports of shots fired. Officers found a man with a handgun when they responded to the scene.
St. Paul police spokesman Sgt. Mike Ernster told reporters on Monday night that when officers approached the man, he put the gun to his own head. Police began to negotiate with the man for a peaceful surrender, but he reportedly refused to drop the weapon, instead walking south on Snelling Avenue.
Police attempted to use “less lethal” means to subdue Bennett, but when he lifted his handgun and pointed it at police, multiple officers fired their weapons, striking the suspect.
The BCA said it is in the early stages of its investigation.
All the officers who discharged their weapons have been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings