NEWS

Deal or no deal!

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 04:32:21 GMT

On the fourth day of court, Ramsey County Attorneys offered a surprising deal to immediately release Koua Fong Lee if he simply admitted to being at fault in the 2006 fatal crash for which he was already convicted. Simply admit your guilt and you get to go home for the first time in nearly three years to your wife and kids--or risk going back to prison for another five years if the Judge finds against your case.

Harrington Wins East Side Primaries: Despite increase in voter turnout from Hmong voters, the four Hmong candidates split votes across the board, assuring no Hmong at the Capitol

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 04:19:35 GMT

For weeks now, nearly every phone call on Hmong radio stations in the Twin Cities has been about the same thing: The State Senate District 67 primaries. One by one, complaints and suggestions continue to pile up on how a Hmong candidate could have prevailed in the August 10th primary elections, which was won handily by former St. Paul Police Chief John Harrington.

The Heart Of A Champion: In 2007 Yia Lee suffered a life threatening heart attack. Three years later, he wins a championship at July 4th!

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 04:06:16 GMT

With a reputation for his ferocious defensive skills on the soccer field, Yia Lee is known by the nickname, “Vulture”. In this year’s July 4th men’s championship soccer game, Lee anchored the defense for “Twin Stars”, the legendary Minnesota team. Swarming to the ball and keeping attackers well covered, Lee’s play was pivotal in preventing California’s all-star team, “King United”, from scoring any goals in that thrilling championship game.

Koua Fong Lee: Guilty of crime... Or a victim of 'unintended acceleration'

Sat, 03 Jul 2010 09:05:46 GMT

Ever since that tragic moment in June 2006 when his Toyota Camry rammed into the back of an Oldsmobile and killing three of its occupants, Koua Fong Lee has never backed away from his original story of how he lost control of the ’96 Camry as it unexpectedly shot up an exit ramp, reaching speeds up to 90 MPH.

Century College Celebrates Second Annual Asian Alumni Reunion

Thu, 06 May 2010 05:27:58 GMT

Successful Asians, pretty dancing girls and most importantly, free food--a winning combination.
On March 27, Century College held its second annual Asian Alumni Reunion Banquet, honoring those Century graduates who have made their mark on the world.

This Year In Review: Part 2

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 07:04:39 GMT

This Year In Review: The biggest stories from the Hmong Community in 2009. Part 2.

With nearly 10,000 supporters outside of the Federal Courthouse in Sacramento, CA, the roar of their chants and cheers could be heard 16 floors above where Hmong leader and patriarch Gen. Vang Pao and ten other defendants were arguing for their cases to be dismissed.

A Fallen American Hero, Kham Xiong Part 2

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 07:03:21 GMT

A Fallen American Hero, Kham Xiong Part 2

This disbelief became more of a reality when the family flew to Texas to participate in the Memorial Services the following week. "We wanted to go see if the shooting was real," Tong Chor says. On Nov. 9. Tong Chor and Panou flew to Texas to be with their daughter-in-law and three grandchildren.

Kab Mob Siab B, Kab Mob Ntxim Ntshai, Yuav Tau Tiv Thaiv

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 05:46:54 GMT

Kab mob siab B (Hepatitis B) yog ib yam kab mob uas ntxim ntshai thiab tsis muaj tshuaj yuav los kho tau. Nws tsim nyog peb Hmoob yuav tau kawm paub kom zoo thiab yuav tau tiv thaiv kom txhob kis rau lwm tus.

Hmong Buffet?

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 05:41:15 GMT

“If I get fat, I’m going to blame it on you!” Laughed Sen. Mee Moua to the owners of Rice Palace Asian Buffet while balancing a plate full of sweet pork, spring rolls and grilled shrimp. “No, I’m not kidding, this place is good!”

Triumphs & Tragedies With Yia "The Bull" Mua

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 05:13:51 GMT

During the summer of 1999, Yia “The Bull” Mua was everywhere. Photos of the young kick-boxer from Fresno, CA were splashed on posters, billboards and the front pages of local media here in the Twin Cities. With a chiseled body and an assortment of championship belts hanging from his broad shoulders, Yia “The Bull” Mua struck an intimidating pose as the centerpiece for a historical fight-event that was to take place during the July 4th weekend.

Patch Xiong: The Power of Stories

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 22:16:36 GMT

Some people call it insanity, some people call it an active imagination but Patch Xiong calls it fate. On a night when he was going to commit suicide he was saved by a woman.

This Year In Review: The biggest stories from the Hmong Community in 2009.

Sat, 02 Jan 2010 18:49:10 GMT

This Year In Review: The biggest stories from the Hmong Community in 2009.

Are You A Pho-King? The 10-Pound Pho Challenge

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:23:55 GMT

“Free t-shirt and a free meal!” These are the words only college students would do anything for, and they did. After a discussion on Facebook, over 30 college students agreed to take on Saigon’s 10lb Pho Challenge together.

A Fallen American Hero, Kham Xiong

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 18:14:21 GMT

He was a good son and a good soldier. The eldest son from a large family, Kham Xiong would call his parents nearly every evening to check on his family and to give updates on his impending deployment to Afghanistan.

Typhoon FC Interview

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 12:10:35 GMT

Typhoon FC performed the unthinkable this year by repeating as July 4th Men’s Soccer champions. How does a team whose players are spread throughout the country come together in just one day and win this prestigious tournament? We sat down with team founder David Xiong to ask these important questions:

Hmong Team Wins Shwans USA Cup

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 12:01:30 GMT

Proudly wearing their traditional Hmong costumes, players and their parents from St. Paul’s United Express attended the Shwans’s USA Cup opening ceremonies with great awe.

They were going to enter one of the largest soccer tournaments in the world with over 13,000 participants and 841 teams coming from all over the world to converge in the National Sports Center in Blaine, MN during the week of July 17-25.

Menomonie Murders

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 11:50:23 GMT

Inside their narrow, dimly lit trailer home, Ka Ge and May Xiong Kong courteously greet visitors and family members who have come to support the Kong family as they take on the heavy-hearted task of preparing for the funerals of their three sons.

Koob Tsheej July 4 Tseemceeb, Hmoob Xav Kom Ua 3 Hnub

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 01:16:23 GMT

Txhia txhia xyoo Hmoob nyob lwm lub tebchaws thiab nyob Amelikas kub siab lug tuaj koom peb Hmoob Minnesota lub koobtsheej July 4 yam zoo siab hlo luag ntxhwb ntxhi txhia tus. Lub koom haum Hmoob, Lao Family Inc., yog lub uas tsa lub koobtsheej no txhia xyoo.

Soccer Fight

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 00:35:20 GMT

With the score tied at 1-1 midway through the second-half, the soccer match between “International” and “Vipers” was a tightly fought struggle that included much physical play.

A team comprised of top-level players representing a variety of different nationalities, “International’s” participation in the July 4th soccer tournament was made possible this year after a controversial decision was made by Lao Family, the host of the July 4th Sports Festival, to begin including teams of all nationalities in the soccer competition.

9 BULLETS TO KILL BOY: "NOT EXCESSIVE"

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:32:58 GMT

Played out like a real-life episode of CSI or Law & Order, the Jason Andersen Wrongful Death Trial (aka “The Fong Lee Trial”) involved everything from planted gun allegations to forensic video evidence to courtroom dramatics suitable for any television crime show.

Gran Torino Behind the Scenes: The Hmong Documentary on Blu-Ray June 9!

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 05:54:06 GMT

Did you ever wonder how Bee Vang and Ahney Her landed the lead roles in Gran Torino? Or what life was like for the Hmong actors off set when they were shooting in Detroit?

Finding Justice For Fong Lee

Tue, 19 May 2009 20:26:21 GMT

The tears have never stopped for Youa Vang Lee.

When the rest of the world watches recently released videos of her son Fong Lee being chased by police, there is growing doubt whether a gun is in the teen’s hand as initially claimed by the police.

Finding Justice For Fong Lee Page3

Tue, 19 May 2009 20:25:22 GMT

Page 3 of Finding Justice For Fong Lee

Finding Justice For Fong Lee, Page 2

Tue, 19 May 2009 20:23:30 GMT

Page 2 of Finding Justice For Fong Lee

Online Chatting Leads to Sexual Assault of a Minor

Tue, 19 May 2009 18:13:26 GMT

A 35-year-old Brooklyn Park man is in police custody after he allegedly lured a 16-year-old Milwauee, WI girl into his car and drove her to Minnesota where he raped her and kept her locked up against her will.

When You Smile, She Smiles: The Story of Dr. Peterson

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 16:51:06 GMT

Tens of thousands of Hmong-Minnesotans can smile with pride when they mention their dentist’s name, “Pog Thaib” (translated to, “The Thai Lady”).

Century College: Over 30 Years of Preparing Hmong Students for the World

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 16:23:06 GMT

When Blong Yang began working at Century College in 1979 (known back then as Lakewood Community College) there were a total of four Asians in the entire school.

Jump 30 years later and Asians comprise the largest population group outside of white students at Century, playing a crucial role in the school’s future.

At The Helm: Interview with Lao Lu Hang, new executive director of Minnesota Hmong Chamber of Commerce

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:28:20 GMT

With the slumping national economy and a rash of recent business failures in the Hmong community, it is more important than ever to have a strong Chamber of Commerce serving the community.

Banquet Celebrates The Good News With The Hmong Economy

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 13:44:45 GMT

Despite the down economy being on everybody’s mind, there was much to celebrate this year at the Minnesota Hmong Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet held at the historical Landmark Center in down town St. Paul on February 24.

Hmong Archives Reaches a Milestone

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 13:44:23 GMT

The section where University Avenue runs through Frogtown is an interesting place with the assortment of Asian restaurants, the local owned stores, and the other cultural icons scattered every couple of blocks that give this part of the Twin Cities a soul of its own.

The GLBT Community Celebrates Another Year Of Togetherness

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 13:41:55 GMT

Crammed to capacity at the brand-new Wilder Center in St. Paul on February 28, more than 300 supporters clapped and cheered as the seven beauty contestants of this year’s Miss SOY Pageant were called onto the stage one last time before the judges made their decision.

Meet the Prodigies

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 11:17:57 GMT

Talk to 10-year-old Athena Yang from Eagle Lake, FL and you might think she was the shyest girl you have ever met. Then see her take a golf swing that bullets a golf ball 200 plus yards away and your perception of her might change.

Fresno in a Flash: A photo journal from the Hmong International New Year (Fresno)

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 04:13:48 GMT

For those in the know, Fresno is a city that is on the rise. The streets are cleaner, the graffiti has significantly disappeared and to a large extent, the violence has really tapered off.

Bee Vang Interview

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 04:10:21 GMT

If you’ve been to the movies lately, there is a chance you may have seen the preview for Gran Torino, the full-feature film starring and directed by Hollywood icon Clint Eastwood and a cast of Hmong actors.

Minnesota Hmong Protest against BK "Whopper virgin" campaign

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 03:41:22 GMT

Minnesotan Seng Vang is deeply offended by Burger King’s portrayal of Hmong people in its “Whopper Virgin” campaign. The offensive segment of the campaign featured Hmong people in Northern Thailand “simply as “tribesmen” who “don’t even have a word for burger,” Seng Vang wrote in a protest letter to Burger King.

Good Instead of Celebrating Thanksgiving or the Hmong New Year

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 03:34:08 GMT

Instead of celebrating Thanksgiving or the Hmong New Year, a Manitowoc family is instead dealing with funeral arrangements for two young brothers. 13 year old Jimmy Yang and 12 year old Larry Yang fell through thin ice while crossing a river in Two Rivers, WI. The Manitowoc County Coroner says the boys died from drowning and hypothermia after being submerged for more than 45 minutes.

Restoring Hope: Students Join The Fight For Justice In Washington DC

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 03:22:03 GMT

Sometimes in life, if you are lucky, you will experience moments that leave you changed forever. You will never know when, why, or even how but when the moment presents itself, life, as you know it, begins to have a whole new meaning.

Florida Golf

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 03:12:19 GMT

It started as a Florida thing. Three years later, the Hmong Florida Golf Open has become one of the largest Hmong golf tournaments in America. This year’s tournament was held outside of Orlando, FL at the Remington Golf Club in Kissimmee during the weekend of January 23 – 25,