Social Issues

How the jury in the Ahmaud Arbery case ended up nearly all white — and why it matters
Eleven jurors in the case are white, and one is Black. While the judge acknowledged "intentional discrimination in the panel," he said he was unable to reinstate any jurors who had been dismissed.
For poet Sonia Sanchez — at age 87 — there's more work to be done
For over 60 years, poet and activist Sonia Sanchez has helped redefine American culture, politics and education. She is this year's winner of the Gish Prize, a $250,000 lifetime achievement honor.
Fight for police reform will continue despite fall of ballot measure
Minneapolis voters may have rejected a ballot initiative to restructure public safety in the city, but longtime advocates for police accountability — some of whom opposed the amendment — say their fight isn’t over yet.
Duluth elects Azrin Awal as its first Asian American City Council member
Azrin Awal, a 25-year-old immigrant from Bangladesh, is also the first Muslim to join the council in the mostly white port city on Lake Superior. Awal's campaign focused on inclusion, affordable housing and climate issues.
Meet Judge Beth Robinson, the first out lesbian to serve on any federal circuit court
Beth Robinson laid the legal groundwork for marriage equality before becoming an associate justice on the Vermont Supreme Court. Her confirmation is being hailed as a milestone for LGBTQ representation.
A new Mastercard design is meant to make life easier for visually impaired users
Mastercard is distributing a new bank card next year that aims to help customers with vision impairments. The card has notches cut into the sides to help customers find the right card by touch alone.
The 2020 census likely left out people of color at rates higher than a decade ago
After COVID-19 disruptions and Trump administration interference, last year's national head count may have undercounted people of color at higher rates than in 2010, an Urban Institute study finds.
How loss of historical lands makes Native Americans more vulnerable to climate change
Indigenous nations across the U.S. lost nearly 99 percent of their historical land base over time, new research shows. What little land they have left is especially vulnerable to climate change risks.