Social Issues

The old 'flop house' emerges as solution to affordable housing crisis
Boarding houses, once regarded as urban blight, are gaining traction as a way to solve shortages of affordable housing in Minnesota and across the country.
Federal judge blocks Trump changes to reproductive health program
New regulations that would have taken effect on May 3 would deny federal funds for low-income patients to clinics that make abortion referrals. The Title X rules are on hold while lawsuits proceed.
Past U leaders' racist, anti-Semitic acts stir campus debate
After more than a year of debate, the Board of Regents will hold a special meeting Friday where it will discuss and potentially vote on renaming buildings named for Lotus Delta Coffman, Edward Nicholson, William Middlebrook and Walter Coffey.
Minnesota National Guard event focuses on sexual assault
The private event inside the Arden Hills Armory featured National Guard members who are survivors of sexual assault who shared their stories with a crowd of hundreds of fellow members.
5 years after Flint's crisis began, is the water safe?
"In some ways we're better," says activist Melissa Mays. "In other ways, we're forever poisoned, damaged, traumatized ... that's not gonna ever be better."
A Minneapolis school is immersing students in both Dakota and Ojibwe
There are several native groups that call Minnesota home, including Dakota and Ojibwe. But fewer and fewer people can speak the languages of those groups fluently. Bdote charter school in Minneapolis is trying to change that.
The University of Minnesota Board of Regents will hold a special meeting on Friday to discuss a proposal to rename Coffman Memorial Union and three other buildings on campus. MPR News host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Regent Abdul Omari about the issue.
Noor trial: Questions resurface over BCA's cop-friendly approach
Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension agents have acknowledged treating cops differently than other people involved in shootings. That deference is a key issue in the trial of ex-Minneapolis officer Mohamed Noor, charged in the shooting death of 911 caller Justine Ruszczyk.
Global effort begins to stop social media from spreading terrorism
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said her country and France will lead a meeting with world leaders next month. Social media is now a "centerpiece" for terrorist outreach, an expert says.