Social Issues

Debate over medically assisted suicide returns to State Capitol
A Minnesota House committee takes up legislation legalizing medically assisted suicide under certain conditions.
Over 14 years, Fargo gardens grow community
A project called Growing Together is helping new Americans in Fargo access healthy food — but the gardeners involved say it’s also building relationships between lifelong North Dakotans and refugees who came to Fargo from around the world.
Poll: Most Americans want to see Congress pass gun restrictions
Democrats and Republicans agree that Congress should tighten gun laws by passing universal background checks and red flag laws, and require gun licenses as well as increase funding for mental health.
Minnesota's top education official pledges to tackle 'pernicious' achievement gap
For decades, Minnesota education leaders have vowed to close gaps between white students and students of color. Minnesota’s Education Commissioner Mary Cathryn Ricker said she's focusing on a number of strategies to make Minnesota's education system more equitable.
Minnesota still ranks low in more holistic look at school achievement data
The secondary school achievement index takes into account math and reading scores, on-time graduation rates and the number of students doing well on Advance Placement tests. With all that taken into account, Minnesota is still in the bottom third of states.
Iowa bets, Minnesota holds on sports gambling
The start of another NFL season has many fans in Minnesota wondering when the state might legalize sports betting. An attempt failed earlier this year, but supporters say they’ll try again next year.
Minnesota Somalis get a national forum on NPR’S 1A
1A interviewed Somalis in Minneapolis on a variety of issues related to their experiences coming to and living in Minnesota.
In Pittsburgh, juvenile offenders in jail go back to school, too
The Allegheny County Jail runs a full high school for juveniles charged as adults. "In this part of the building, you are a student," Principal Jay Moser tells students on the first day.