Social Issues

Mai Thor works at the intersection of inclusivity and accessibility
Mai Thor is a Hmong woman and refugee from Laos who contracted polio at a young age and dedicates much of her time to being a disability justice advocate.
No clear path forward as Minneapolis park workers remain on strike
A special meeting of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board on Monday produced no clear path forward amid an ongoing contract impasse with park workers. The strike is set to end Thursday — though union officials said workers could extend the walkout if necessary.
Fargoans find safety, community in homeless encampment under First Avenue bridge
“None of us are where we want to be right now, you know what I mean?” James “Wax” Chloupek said. “So why would you want to push us away?" The city of Fargo is exploring options to address the camps.
Report: Asylum seekers face ‘refugee roulette’ in Minnesota court
The fate of someone winning asylum and being granted permission to stay in the U.S. depends on the judge they’re assigned in court. Some approve more than 50 percent of cases while others approve less than 20 percent.
Overlooked: Who suffers the most from the opioid epidemic in Minnesota?
A lack of public health data has masked huge racial disparities in overdose deaths from fentanyl and other opioids. Sahan Journal examined more than 240,000 death records to get a clear and startling picture of the epidemic’s toll.
Minneapolis launches first Narcan vending machine
Minneapolis opened its first Narcan vending machine in south Minneapolis Wednesday. It dispenses free anti-overdose medication, and city officials hope it will help bring down overdose rates in the neighborhood.
‘Tangled’: Madison Rubenstein paints what it feels like to live with invisible illness
Madison Rubenstein, a painter and visual artist from Bloomington, creates large-format paintings in their Minneapolis studio, drawing on experiences of chronic illness and disability.