Social Issues

California governor wants Texas-like law to ban assault guns
California Gov. Gavin Newsom pledged to empower private citizens to enforce a ban on the manufacture and sale of assault weapons, citing the same authority claimed by lawmakers in Texas to outlaw most abortions once a heartbeat is detected.
StoryCorps: The day Santas stormed Macy's to protest for AIDS awareness
On Black Friday 1991, AIDS activists protested the department store's decision to not rehire a Santa who had HIV. At StoryCorps, the man who inspired the protest reconnected with an activist who helped organize it.
Supreme Court refuses to block Texas abortion law as legal fights move forward
The justices allowed the abortion providers' challenges to go ahead against Texas' licensing officials – but not against anyone else. The court also blocked the Justice Department's challenge.
Photos: Protesters march for Daunte Wright during Kimberly Potter's trial
Community members gathered for a rally during Kimberly Potter’s trial to demand justice for Daunte Wright, who was killed by Potter. Among the demonstrators was Jacob Blake Sr., the father of Jacob Blake who was shot and paralyzed by police in Kenosha, Wis., in August 2020.
Analysis of early testimony in the Potter trial from a criminal justice professor
The trial of former Brooklyn Center police officer Kimberly Potter for the killing of Daunte Wright is in its second day of testimony. For analysis of what’s happened so far, host Cathy Wurzer was joined by Kami Chavis, professor of law and director of the Criminal Justice Program at Wake Forest University.
What comes next for police reform in Minnesota?
Opening statements started this week in the trial of former Brooklyn Center police officer Kimberly Potter. Potter is charged with manslaughter in the death of Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old Black man. MPR News host Angela Davis spoke with reporters about the trial and the future of public safety reform in Minnesota
A mental health advocate for people with disabilities plans for the future
Kayte Barton, a mental health advocate for people with disabilities in Woodbury, Minn., is looking toward her future and planning for retirement. Twila Dang, co-host of the podcast Small Change: Money Stories from the Neighborhood, brought more on Barton’s story to Minnesota Now host Cathy Wurzer.
Native American students unearth troubled history at U of M Morris
Archival research suggests as many as seven students from the Morris Industrial School for Indians could be buried on campus. Today, Native American students attend the university for free — but there’s a cost to reckoning with the site’s troubled history.