Crime, Law and Justice

Juneteenth: A day of joy and pain — and now national action
In just about any other year, Juneteenth would be marked by African American families across the nation with a cookout, a parade or a community festival. But Juneteenth 2020 will be a day of protest in many places.
Mayors: Change Minnesota law, don't let fired cops return to work
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and other Twin Cities area mayors expressed frustration Thursday that officers disciplined or fired for unreasonable use of force and other “egregious” behaviors can be restored to the force by an arbitrator under state law.
What should happen to the murals and other street art honoring George Floyd?
Since the police killing of George Floyd, artists have painted murals and built installations around the Twin Cities and elsewhere, in many cases on plywood that’s destined to come down.
'Still in gridlock': Walz presses GOP to go big on police overhaul package
“Now is the time,” Gov. Tim Walz said Thursday as he urged Senate GOP leaders to work with House DFLers on a package of sweeping changes to how policing is done in Minnesota. Republicans say they will end the special session Friday.
Organizers say offering a space to talk, vent quelled third night of St. Cloud protests
After two nights of protests marred by arrests and property damage, St. Cloud’s third night in a row of demonstrations on Tuesday was more peaceful. Community organizers say that's largely because young people were given space to voice their anger over racism and injustice.
 'A Good Time for the Truth: Race in MN' chosen as next One Book One Minnesota read
The Friends of the St. Paul Library has announced that the second selection for its One Book One Minnesota program is the 2016 anthology “A Good Time for the Truth: Race in Minnesota.” The book centers around conversations about racial disparities in Minnesota through essays written by Native American writers and writers of color.
'Hampton' no more: Man sheds family name with ties to Confederate general
Skip Auld's great-grandfather was named after Wade Hampton III. Four generations of Auld men shared the name — until last year, when Auld learned more about Hampton's racist life and legacy.
5 years after Charleston church massacre, what have we learned?
In 2015, a white supremacist murdered nine worshippers at a historic African American church in South Carolina. The heinous tragedy prompted a racial reckoning that has lessons for today.