Social Issues

Since changing its intake questionnaire, Hennepin County has seen a reversal, with more people of color — who are also more likely to experience homelessness — prioritized for permanent housing.
Black nurse volunteers give shots to Minnesota's most vulnerable
Inequities persist between how easily and quickly Minnesotans of color are getting vaccinated for COVID-19, as compared to their white neighbors. Helping to bridge that gap is a volunteer network of Black nurses, who say giving shots in familiar locations is key to getting more people of color vaccinated more quickly.
Floyd's family takes its seat in ex-officer's murder trial
A member of George Floyd's family often occupies a reserved seat in the back corner of the Minneapolis courtroom where former police officer Derek Chauvin is on trial in Floyd's death. The seat reserved for Chauvin's family goes unclaimed.
Chauvin trial: MPD instructor says cops aren't trained to use knee on neck
A Minneapolis use-of-force instructor testified that officers aren't trained to use their legs or knees on somebody's neck, while another police official told jurors that Derek Chauvin received extensive training in how to defuse tense situations.
African immigrant health groups battle a transatlantic tide of vaccine disinformation
Efforts to address hesitancy among Black people in America often overlook African immigrants, who get information from friends and family back home through social media platforms such as WhatsApp.
Former Obama official on the surge at the border: 'This is a refugee crisis'
Any effort to address what's happening on the border has to start with root causes in Central America, says Cecilia Muñoz, who was head of the Domestic Policy Council in the Obama administration.
Explainer: Legion of Chauvin prosecutors, each with own role
Viewers watching the trial of a former Minneapolis officer charged with murder in George Floyd 's death may be struck by the array of prosecutors taking turns presenting their case. The choice of who does what is no accident.
A new University of Minnesota Living Learning Community called the Dakota Language House will launch next fall to advance and support students' learning of the Dakota language.
Chauvin trial: Floyd restraint violated cops' training, ethics, chief says
Derek Chauvin should have stopped subduing George Floyd once Floyd stopped resisting, Medaria Arradondo told the court in Chauvin’s murder trial. The chief said Chauvin’s use of force on Floyd was not reasonable and outside the bounds of department policy.
Photos: People's Power Love Fest at George Floyd Square
With bright sunshine and unseasonable warmth making it feel more like summer, George Floyd Square in south Minneapolis hosted the People’s Power Love Fest on Sunday.