Social Issues

Eddie Benton-Banai, co-founder of the American Indian Movement, dies at 89
Eddie Benton-Banai co-founded the American Indian Movement and founded the Red School House, a St. Paul community school focused on Indigenous education. Benton-Banai was Anishanaabe Ojibwe from the Lac Courte Oreilles reservation. He died in Hayward, Wis., on Monday.
Making George Floyd's Square
A monthlong series looking at how the community has transformed the site of George Floyd’s killing — 38th Street and Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis — and at the people behind its transformation. It is the culmination of reporting over several months, and a partnership with South High School to engage neighborhood youth in telling their community’s story.
Preserving George Floyd's memorial: 'Allow these pieces to continue to protest'
As winter settles in, activity has only picked up at the memorial-turned-autonomous-zone in Minneapolis where George Floyd was killed by police in May. Jeanelle Austin is among the caretakers working to preserve the offerings left at the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue.
U.S. women's soccer team settles part of gender discrimination suit
The agreement is a partial victory for the World Cup champions, who will see an improvement in hotel accommodations, venues, travel and staffing. A dispute over pay has yet to be resolved.
Podcast takes aim at 'toxic masculinity' in Hmong culture
Two Minnesota podcasters are trying to shed light on a subject many Hmong men would rather avoid: A male-dominated culture that can lead to domestic abuse.
Freemasons say they're needed now more than ever. So why are their ranks dwindling?
Freemasons once counted Founding Fathers, ex-presidents and titans of industry among their members. But for many, the allure is gone from the once shadowy fraternity, and membership has fallen off.
Photographer explores Asian American identity in 'Where We're Really From'
Photographer Eric Lee finds his own childhood reflected in his multimedia project, "Where We're Really From." It explores growing up Asian American, through two young brothers, Henry and Hayle Pham.
Biden plans swift moves to protect and advance LGBTQ rights
Among Biden’s plans: Lifting the Trump administration’s near-total ban on military service for transgender people, barring federal contractors from anti-LGBTQ job discrimination, and creating high-level LGBTQ-rights positions in the federal government.