Social Issues

Minnesota Chippewa Tribe members voting on whether to continue blood quantum
A vote being counted Wednesday will guide discussions on whether to keep the controversial requirement known as “blood quantum” — that individuals must have 25 percent of Minnesota Chippewa Tribe blood to be eligible for tribal membership.
Explainer: Challenge pending to North Dakota abortion ban
North Dakota’s only abortion clinic has gone to court seeking to block a trigger law banning abortion in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's reversal of a national right to abortion. Legal experts and even clinic supporters acknowledge the suit may just delay the inevitable.
Drug overdose deaths reach record levels in 2021
The number of Minnesotans who died of drug overdoses last year increased by more than 20 percent.
A former Nahan employee, who is Black, said management ignored or minimized his complaints that two white employees repeatedly made racist comments and used racial slurs.
Mpls. man seeks reparations from the church that enslaved his ancestors
Elton Wright-Trusclair’s ancestors were among the more than 1,000 people enslaved by the Society of Jesus, many of whom toiled at Georgetown University. The church has pledged $100 million towards scholarships and other charitable causes designed to benefit descendants of the enslaved and Black communities. However, Wright-Trusclair and others say they want direct reparations.
Animal rescue groups across the U.S. band together to rescue 4,000 beagles
A federal judge ordered thousands of dogs to be rehomed from a Virginia research facility after several inspections revealed poor conditions. Animal rescue groups are working to do just that.
Dr. Joi on Minnesota's Black liberation movement
Dr. Joi is a community healer, speaker, and founder of Joi Unlimited and the Healing Justice Foundation and author of the book “Healing: The Act of Radical Self-Care.” Listen to her conversation with Shvonne Johnson on her new organization based in Minneapolis called Pimento Relief Services and leading Black liberation work in Minnesota.