Ellison Weighs In On Money Transfer Issue for U.S. Somalis

After meeting with Rep. Keith Ellison and Somali community members Friday, Sunrise Community Banks decided it would keep many of its money transfer businesses open for another couple weeks.

According to the Associated Press, Sunrise Community Banks, which many Somalis in Minnesota use to transfer money back to their homeland, originally planned to close many of its branches this week after discovering the bank was rubbing up against government rules around the funding of terrorism. The locations will now remain open until Dec. 30.

The money transfer business has been vital to local Somalis, who often send money to support family members in war-torn Somalia, which has no banking system.

Ellison was pleased with the bank's decision to keep the businesses open and told the Associated Press:

"We need to work it out long term to protect public safety and national security but at the same time not shut down remittances to the most vulnerable part of the globe."

Ellison Opponents to Face Off

Ellison's 2012 election opponents , Lynne Torgerson and Michael Katch will face off at 7 tonight, Dec. 12, during a 5th Congressional District GOP Debate at Rockford Road Library in Crystal, MN.

Stay tuned for coverage of the debate on Tuesday on Patch.

Ellison's Ex-Wife a Finalist for Minneapolis School Board Vacancy

Kim Ellison, the former wife of Keith Ellison, was announced as one of five finalists for a vacant Minneapolis School Board position, created by the resignation of Lydia Lee.

According to a Star Tribune article, Kim Ellison and the other four candidates will be interviewed by the board Thursday. Lee's resignation begins at the year's end.