A year-long construction project on Snelling and St. Clair avenues wrapped up this week and the intersection now hosts two-lane traffic again, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
The project, which began in May 2024, included resurfacing a half-mile of Snelling Avenue between St. Clair and Grand avenues and replacing the signal system. MnDOT also installed pedestrian bump-outs and ADA-compliant crossings at each intersection from St. Clair to Grand Avenue.
After intermittent closures last week, the intersection opened and the new signal system turned on Thursday. Minor construction activities, such as replacing the boulevard’s trees and sod, will continue throughout the summer.
Like many of his predecessors, President Donald Trump has affirmed the importance of historically Black colleges and universities, hailing them as a pathway to careers and a better life for students in the U.S.
The schools have not faced cuts to federal grants of the kind that have rocked Ivy League schools Trump has blasted as hotbeds of “wokeness” and antisemitism, and the president has said HBCUs’ core federal funding is not at risk.
But that is not to say it’s a comfortable time for HBCUs’ leaders. As the Trump administration cracks down elsewhere on programs to support underrepresented students, the colleges have been expressing gratitude for the administration’s recognition while mostly keeping quiet on its sweeping attacks against diversity, equity and inclusion policies.
“HBCUs, in general, I don’t believe are in a position to be adamantly and vociferously opposed to these attacks, but deep down we all know what’s going on,” said Deron Snyder, an alumnus of and professor at Howard University. “It’s just how much can you actually say without fear of retribution.”
An executive order signed by Trump in April recognizes HBCUs and pledges his administration’s support. It calls for an annual White House summit, private sector partnerships, and an advisory board with the Education Department, but it does not guarantee any new federal funding.
The order won praise from some Black universities, including Howard University and Morgan State University, as well as organizations that work with HBCUs. Harry Williams, president of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, said the order should serve as a call-to-action for corporations, foundations and lawmakers to redouble support for HBCUs and their students.
But the colleges’ leaders have said little on other administration actions that are out of line with the mission of HBCUs, which were founded to educate formerly enslaved people.
FILE – President Donald Trump holds a signed an executive order relating to school discipline policies as Education Secretary Linda McMahon listens in the Oval Office of the White House, April 23, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, file)
FILE – A graduation themed printed mural is seen on the Howard University campus, July 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, FILE)
FILE – A Morehouse College student lines up before the school commencement, May 19, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)
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FILE – President Donald Trump holds a signed an executive order relating to school discipline policies as Education Secretary Linda McMahon listens in the Oval Office of the White House, April 23, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, file)
The administration’s campaign against DEI has encouraged restrictions on classroom discussions around racism and led to cuts in federal research grants. As it threatens to cut federal funding from schools, some colleges have shuttered diversity offices and ended other programs to support students of color.
For HBCUs, the moment is reminiscent of the era decades ago when Black colleges were compelled to argue that school segregation was wrong but also needed to maintain government support for their institutions, said Marybeth Gasman, a Rutgers University professor who has studied the history of HBCUs.
Black college leaders “don’t want HBCUs to be under the umbrella of DEI, but I don’t know any HBCU president who would agree with the way that Donald Trump is dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts,” she said.
The Trump administration has cut federal research grants for several universities, pressuring them to comply with his agenda. Since Harvard University refused the administration’s demands for changes to its policies and leadership, the government has slashed $2.6 billion in funding, which the Ivy League school has described as retaliation.
In an interview in April, Trump told NewsNation that Black colleges and universities should not be concerned about losing their funding.
U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell of Alabama, vice chair of the House HBCU caucus, said there has long been bipartisan support for the colleges. But she said there will be new vigilance of their federal support in light of the administration’s record on programs serving minorities.
Sewell, a Democrat, said it is also alarming to see the administration move to dismantle the Education Department.
“We’ll be pushing back fiercely against that and do all that we can to make sure that our HBCUs get the money that they deserve,” Sewell said. She said the Congressional Black Caucus has been paying close attention to the Republicans’ funding plan for a program that supports 19 HBCUs through the Department of Agriculture.
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Williams, of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, said HBCUs have exceeded all expectations of the opportunities they have provided for for underrepresented students. He said he is grateful for the administration’s support, but when asked about its actions toward diversity initiatives, he said the administration has challenges it is working through.
“Hard work pays off and education pays off. That’s why these institutions are so critical to this country,” he said. “The realities of those other challenges that we’re grappling with right now in terms of what the administration is dealing with as it relates to their priorities, we were just pleased to know that they recognize the importance of what these institutions have done for the country will continue to do in a very deliberate way.”
AP journalists Collin Binkley and Matt Brown in Washington contributed to this report.
The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
The Twins on Friday recalled right-hander Travis Adams from Class AAA St. Paul and added him to the 26-man active roster. He will be available to make his major league debut tonight against Toronto at Target Field.
To make room, left-hander Kody Funderburk was optioned back to St. Paul. In his second stint with the Twins this season, Funderburk appeared in seven games, allowing eight runs on 15 hits and four walks in eight innings. He struck out four.
Adams, 25, has appeared in 13 games (two starts) for the Saints this season, going 3-1 with a 3.43 earned-run average and three saves. He has allowed 38 hits and fanned 37 in 42 innings for St. Paul.
Hannah Husom thwarted a rally with a defensive gem, then all but iced a state title with her bat.
The senior’s two-run single capped a four-run fourth inning and Champlin Park was clutch in crunch time to beat Bloomington Jefferson 6-0 in the Class 4A softball championship game Friday morning at the University of Minnesota.
Five of six Rebel runs came were plated with two-out hits.
“These girls are built for the moment. Any time you have girls in scoring position, they thrive. They want the at-bat, want to go up there and pick their teammates up,” said Champlin Park coach Bryan Woodley.
Marissa Rothenberger allowed three hits and struck out six, Lauren Heltemes had three of the team’s 13 hits, and the Rebels (24-2) took top honors in the school’s first state appearance.
Up 1-0 in the fourth, Husom made sure the Champlin Park lead would hold.
Brook Borwege and Remi Rudquist had two-out singles for the Jaguars (25-3), but Husom raced to the gap in left-centerfield and, while looking toward the sun, reached out for a tremendous running catch to rob Grace Rolek of an extra-base hit.
“I know I’m fast, like I know I could get there, but I was shocked. It was a good hit, but it was a good catch,” Husom said.
Ever made a bigger catch?
“No, because that was a huge moment. I think that was the best catch I could have made,” she said.
In center field, Ava Parent — who had the game-winning hit for the Rebels in the semifinals Wednesday in Mankato — had the best look at what she termed an “insane” and “electric” snare.
“I wasn’t surprised that she caught. It was an amazing catch, so it was very exciting, but I knew she had it in her. … That catch just fired everyone up for the next inning,” she said.
The momentum carried to the bottom of the frame where Champlin Park scored four times.
Chloe Postma and Amanda Kotsmith had traditional singles, and Heltemes loaded the bases on a dribbler inside the first-base line. Two batters later, and with two outs, Parent had two-run single, and Husom did the same for a 5-0 lead.
“Losing in the section championship last year really gave us that drive, because we knew we could do it,” Husom said. “Coming into this year we were like, ‘We’re the best team in the state’. We had the confidence. We kept telling ourselves that.”
Seeded fourth, Jefferson upset top-seeded Forest Lake 3-2 in a semifinal but couldn’t get anything going in the title tilt.
“They outplayed us in every aspect of the game,” said coach Jim Hanson.
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