Social Issues

Shooting deaths rattle small, tight-knit U.S. Hmong community
Fresno has been the heart of California’s Hmong community for decades, drawing refugees from war-torn Southeast Asia who built a tight-knit population in the farm town. Now, they’re reeling from the shooting deaths of four Hmong American men at a weekend party.
Minnesota-made tool tracks the how and why behind mass shootings
Twin Cities researchers launched a new national database Tuesday that aims to show the conditions contributing to these violent incidents.
Many Native Americans can't get clean water, report finds
A new report from the U.S. Water Alliance found race is the strongest predictor of water and sanitation access. This has implications for public health.
#OkBoomer vs. #OkMillennial: workplace nightmare, or just a meme?
The popularity of #OkBoomer suggests there might be a yawning gap in attitudes between old and young. Those differences can sometimes play out in the workforce, which now spans five generations.
Contractor accused of trafficking unauthorized workers faces trial
Labor-trafficking cases are rarely prosecuted in Minnesota. The case of Ricardo Batres, who prosecutors say exploited unauthorized immigrants who worked for him, is the first of its kind to go to trial in Hennepin County.
Tents, stench, smoke: Health risks are gripping migrant camp
A humanitarian crisis is worsening each day at the camp across the border from Brownsville, Texas, where a large American flag flapping in the wind is visible from more than 700 tents. As many as 2,000 immigrants are waiting for U.S. court hearings amid deteriorating medical and sanitary conditions.
Youth, diversity take the reins of power at St. Paul City Hall
“We made our campaigns about people,” says council member-elect Nelsie Yang, 24 — a renter, a woman of color and one of the new faces of political power in St. Paul.
Catholic bishops’ new anti-abuse hotline to be ready soon
A new national hotline to report sexual misconduct accusations against Catholic bishops in the U.S. could be operating by the end of February, three months ahead of the deadline set by Pope Francis.
Supreme Court may side with Trump on 'DREAMers'
At issue is the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which granted temporary protection from deportation to roughly 700,000 young people.
Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center receives $500,000 grant
The Bush Foundation announced more than $2 million in grants to five nonprofits in Minnesota and the Dakotas Tuesday. One of them is the Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center, which provides housing and other services for Native American women experiencing addiction, sexual trauma and mental health issues.