This week’s edition covers stories
from May 15th to May 21st, 2025.
Today’s issue is 798 words, a 7-minute read.
Hey folks, Isabella here.
If you survived Rain-a-Whirl this past weekend without your umbrella flipping inside out or your thrifted jean jacket soaking through, congrats, you’re officially weatherproof. Just in time for Memorial Day weekend, MnDOT wants you to know: the orange cones are here, they’re loud, and they’re not going anywhere. While some road crews are taking a well-deserved break, the “permanent projects” (read: that same ramp you’ve been avoiding since February) are very much still doing their thing. So, unless you want to spend your holiday BBQ stuck on 35W, maybe check 511MN before hitting the road.
But it’s not all detours and delays. The Walker Art Center just dropped a stacked lineup of free summer events that scream main character energy. From rooftop comedy to garden art-making to Sound for Silents movie nights scored live under the stars, the vibes are strong. And best of all? You don’t need to drive far to find them.
From Trauma to Triumph: The Take It
Down Act and the Power of
Survivor-Led Change
On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, President Trump signed the Take It Down Act into law, a rare bipartisan win aimed at curbing the spread of non-consensual intimate images and AI-generated deepfakes. The law makes it a federal crime to knowingly share intimate content without someone’s consent, including deepfakes, and gives social media platforms 48 hours to remove such content once flagged. Fail to comply, and you’re legally liable.
Senators Amy Klobuchar and Ted Cruz co-authored the bill, backed by First Lady Melania Trump and tech giants like Meta. But behind the polished press conferences and headlines is a deeper, more emotional story, one that started far beyond Washington, D.C.
Last summer, I had the honor of meeting Olimpia Coral Melo, a Mexican activist whose private video was leaked online when she was just a teenager. It went viral. Her mental health shattered. She nearly took her life. But she rose, not quietly. She mobilized. At 19, she helped introduce legislation in Puebla, Mexico, and sparked a movement that led to “La Ley Olimpia,” a sweeping legal framework now recognized in 28 Mexican states. It criminalizes digital violence and provides victims with legal and psychological support.
Olimpia and her collective, Frente Nacional para la Sororidad, didn’t stop there. Her network of digital defenders helped shape the Take It Down Act here in the U.S., bringing survivor-centered perspectives and real-life urgency to lawmakers who needed to hear it.
Gen Z grew up on the internet. We know how fast a private moment can go viral, how a screenshot can wreck someone’s world. The Take It Down Act isn’t perfect (critics worry about free speech and vague language), but it’s a major step toward digital justice. The law’s enactment is a significant step in addressing digital abuse, a reality that many, especially women and marginalized communities, face daily. The law’s relevance hits especially hard in Netflix’s newly released series Forever, where the character Keisha endures the trauma of a leaked intimate video by her ex-boyfriend, Christian. The show portrays her journey through shame, resilience, and self-discovery, highlighting the profound impact of such violations.
While the law has faced criticism from digital rights groups concerned about potential overreach and censorship, its core mission remains clear: to provide victims with tools for justice and to hold perpetrators accountable. It underscores the importance of centering survivor voices in policymaking, demonstrating that meaningful change arises when those most affected lead the charge.
Drag Shows at Risk After The
Saloon Cuts Performer Pay
The Saloon, one of Minneapolis’ longest-running LGBTQ+ bars, is scaling back funding for its drag shows, citing downtown economic struggles. Only its marquee shows, Werk and Hot Pink, will continue receiving financial support. Other shows, like the alternative favorite Ghoulfriends, are being forced to end or rely solely on tips and community fundraising. Drag producers, including Slaymantha Fox of Booked, say the change threatens inclusive performance spaces and undercuts support for emerging artists. Community members are calling for better communication and transparency, especially as The Saloon prepares for its lucrative Pride block party. Despite uncertainty, producers remain hopeful, seeking sponsors to keep the shows alive.
Minneapolis Will Implement Police
Reforms Despite DOJ Withdrawal
The U.S. Department of Justice has withdrawn from a proposed federal consent decree with the Minneapolis Police Department, citing it no longer believes the agreement is in the public interest. The move aligns with President Trump’s administration, which opposes consent decrees. The decree followed a federal investigation that found systemic issues in MPD after George Floyd’s murder. Despite the DOJ’s exit, city leaders, including Mayor Jacob Frey and Police Chief Brian O’Hara, affirmed that Minneapolis will continue implementing all outlined reforms. Local activists voiced concern about the lack of federal oversight but praised the city’s commitment to change.
Stay informed, stay connected.
See you next week!
–
Isabella and the NewPrensa team
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Hi, friend: Isabella and Mateo here!
We’re Communications Specialists by day and
drowning in rain by night!
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