Social Issues

Rochester officials seek solutions to keep homeless out of skyways
After a brutal winter when more homeless people used the city skyways for shelter, Rochester officials are seeking new solutions for the coming cold season.
Acting head of Customs and Border Protection plans to step down
John Sanders is expected to make his resignation effective July 5, two officials said. The move comes after hundreds of children were removed from a facility without adequate food and sanitation.
More than 100 migrant kids moved back to troubled facility
U.S. government officials say they've moved more than 100 kids back to a remote border facility where lawyers reported detained children were caring for each other and had inadequate food, water, and sanitation.
Government moves migrant kids after poor conditions exposed
The U.S. government has removed most of the children from a remote Border Patrol station in Texas following reports that more than 300 children were detained there, caring for each other with inadequate food, water and sanitation.
A recent New York Times article turned the spotlight on St. Cloud and the hostilities toward immigrants and refugees there. The editorial board of the St. Cloud Times published a response titled "Cowards Will Be our Downfall."
One of first gay men to get married reflects on history of gay rights movement
Michael McConnell and Jack Baker made history as the first gay couple in the country to apply for a marriage license in 1970. McConnell looks back at the the history of the gay rights movement in Minnesota.
Burrell sentenced in last two drug overdose deaths
Mother of one of the victims says she forgives convicted drug dealer Beverly Burrell, but blames pharmaceutical industry and doctors for son's addiction.
Ramsey County to open shelter space to deal with light rail overnight closure
Somewhere between 150 and 200 people regularly use the light rail as a homeless shelter. In August, the Green Line will stop running between 2 and 4 a.m., and Ramsey County is going to offer more beds by opening an emergency winter shelter months earlier in August.
Section 8 demand in Twin Cities overwhelms available waitlist spots
The Twin Cities housing authorities and the Metropolitan Council opened their waiting lists simultaneously for the first time this month. And they received more than 45,000 applications for just 7,500 spots on the voucher waiting lists.