News

By: James Berreth

June 15, 2025

Neighbors of Vance Boelter, the suspect in the shooting deaths of Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, can breathe a sigh of relief after he was located and successfully arrested, according to The Associated Press.  

Earlier in the day, the late model Buick Boelter was known to drive was located along a dusty road along with some of his possessions in the near vicinity. The findings gave the various agencies searching for Boelter an area of concentration which ultimately led to his discovery. 

Much has become public about Boelter, his life, and possible motivations which The Metropolitan will fully cover as soon as we are able to verify all information independently.  

For tonight, let us all give thanks to the courageous men and women who worked tirelessly to find the suspect.

By: Singyi Lo

June 15, 2025

On June 14, 2025, American citizens gathered to protest U.S. President Donald Trump, aligning with his 79th birthday and a military parade in Washington, D.C. In Minnesota, the No King’s Protest took place at the state capitol in St. Paul. The march began at St. Paul College and continued to the Minnesota State Capitol, where Governor Tim Walz was expected to deliver a speech.

Some of the speakers at the rally included Off JaWaggon and Pottymouth Pollyana (Mandy Rae), two advocates for democracy and women’s rights with around two million followers on TikTok. They praised Minnesotans for uniting in opposition to President Trump and his administration. As Rae declared in her speech, “We will not negotiate our democracy, and we will never bow to a king.”

In St. Paul alone, thousands gathered, holding homemade signs expressing their opposition to the president and his administration’s decisions amid the nation’s current challenges. Their messages ranged from advocating for the abolition of ICE and protecting immigration to defending children’s education, embodying the values they believe America represents.

Other speakers at the rally included Zach Lindstrom from the 50-51 Movement, who emphasized the importance of unity and shared struggle, stating, “In times like this, it is of the utmost importance to lean on each other. This is a burden that should not be carried alone.” Other speakers included Rebecca with Indivisible Twin Cities, Nekima Levy Armstrong, Sara Guadalupe, lead organizer with Copal, Kyle Tran Myhre, also known as Guante, Monique Cullars-Doty with Black Lives Matter Twin Cities Metro, and Attorney General Keith Ellison.

Ellison spoke about the late Madam Speaker, Rep. Melissa Hortman, and her contributions to the country and Minnesota. He urged Minnesotans to “not stop striking” in honor of those who had lost their lives resisting authoritarian power. Throughout the rally, speakers reinforced a message of national solidarity, reminding Americans to stand together during challenging times.

By: James Heider

May 29, 2025

During a momentous Easter weekend, Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church, passed away at the age of 88—on one of the faith’s most sacred holidays. His death sent shockwaves through the Church’s more than one billion followers worldwide, including 62 million in the United States, leaving many to contemplate the future of their religion. Known for his progressive views, Pope Francis stirred both admiration and debate among Catholics with his advocacy for climate action and his efforts to promote inclusivity for LGBTQ individuals and women’s rights within the Church.

With the passing of Pope Francis, the conclave has selected 69-year-old Robert Provost as the next leader of the Catholic Church, making him the first American Pope in history. Born and raised in the Chicago area, Provost holds both American and Peruvian citizenship, having dedicated much of his life to missionary work in Peru. His appointment marks a historic shift for the Church, but how will his leadership impact the average American Catholic?

In his first public address, Pope Leo XIV emphasized “building bridges” and standing by those who have suffered, highlighting peace, unity, dignity, and the rights of the poor and working class. His leadership comes at a pivotal moment for the Catholic Church, as uncertainty looms over whether he will continue Pope Francis’s progressive stance or shift toward the more conservative values dominant among bishops and practitioners. How will Pope Leo XIV’s approach shape the Church’s future?

Pope Leo XIV and former Pope Francis share a common vision on immigration, women’s roles in the Church, and climate action. Earlier this year, Francis strongly condemned Trump’s anti-immigration stance, even writing to American bishops to criticize his policies and call out JD Vance for using Catholicism to justify deportations. Leo echoed this sentiment on social media, stating, “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others.”

Leo also backed Francis’s push to make the Vatican more environmentally friendly, supporting the transition to solar panels and electric vehicles. He has prioritized climate change as a key issue in his papacy. Additionally, Leo seeks to expand women’s inclusion in Church leadership, having overseen Francis’s groundbreaking decision to allow three women into the voting bloc for bishop nominations—a significant step forward, as women are still barred from becoming priests.

Pope Leo XIV and Pope Francis diverge on LGBTQ inclusion within the Catholic Church. Francis sought to recognize same-sex marriages in Catholic churches, sparking controversy among members. While Leo XIV has not recently addressed the issue, his past actions suggest opposition. He previously spoke out against gender education in Peru, arguing that it promotes “genders that don’t exist,” and in 2012, he criticized Western media for fostering acceptance of same-sex relationships and non-traditional families.

While the Pope holds no direct political power over American policy, his global influence is undeniable. With hundreds of millions of followers worldwide, his stance on key issues can shape discourse and even impact decisions within the U.S. government. As the current administration identifies as Catholic, the Pope’s positions may hold considerable weight, making it crucial to track his leadership, especially in times of political uncertainty.