Social Issues

Defense calls for mistrial as Kyle Rittenhouse takes the stand in his homicide trial
Kyle Rittenhouse, the 18-year-old who shot and killed two demonstrators at a racial justice protest last year in Kenosha, Wis., took the stand in his highly-watched homicide trial to say he feared for his life when he fired his rifle.
Despite calls to improve, air travel is still a nightmare for many with disabilities
Congress told the Transportation Security Administration and airlines in 2018 to improve air travel for people with disabilities. But TSA data and stories from flyers suggest little has improved.
New podcast examines racial inequality on the North Shore
"It Happens Here," a new podcast from Grand Marais community radio station WTIP, seeks to uncover the roots of racial inequality on the North Shore. The producers of the podcast, Staci Drouillard and Leah Lemm, joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to discuss the project and share the first episode.
Artist and curator on new installation at Wall of Forgotten Natives
There's a new art installation in Minneapolis at the former site of the Wall of Forgotten Natives, a homeless encampment so named because many of the people staying there in 2018 were Native American. The artist and the curator behind the installation sat down with host Cathy Wurzer to discuss the project.
RISE for Youth works to address racial disparities for young people
RISE for Youth, a new collaboration between Mayo Clinic and the Rochester, Minn., branch of the NAACP, is working to create equitable pathways for Black and underrepresented students.
Four takeaways from the first week of the Kyle Rittenhouse trial
Nearly three hours of testimony came from a video producer for a right-wing news site who filmed Rittenhouse in Kenosha, Wis. Prosecutors also called two men who said they wanted to "protect" businesses.
Trial in the killing of Ahmaud Arbery opening in Georgia
A trial is opening in Brunswick, Ga., for three white men charged with murder in the shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery. The killing of the 25-year-old Black man in February 2020 caused a national outcry after video was made public.