Social Issues

Josie Johnson, iconic Minnesota civil rights activist, on hope and her legacy
A new documentary “Hope in the Struggle” tells the story of civil rights activist Josie Johnson, chief lobbyist for Minnesota’s fair housing law and the first Black member of the University of Minnesota Board of Regents.
Beyond the beans: Frogtown’s Flava Café brews hope, community support
Flava Coffee & Café, perhaps the first Black-owned coffee shop in St. Paul’s Frogtown neighborhood, has been open for almost two years and coffee isn’t the only thing brewing. 
Immigration is a hot topic this election year. But the issue isn’t just political. It’s personal. MPR News host Angela Davis co-hosted a North Star Journey Live conversation with experts who gave us an intimate look at how the border crisis is impacting Minnesota’s immigrant families.
Through fufu and sambusas, Rochester students counter misinformed ideas about Africa
As part of our Talking Sense series, correspondent Catharine Richert visited John Marshall High School where the Black Student Union is using Spirit Day, movie nights and lots of food to help students expand their cultural knowledge about Africa.
Without total DFL support, the North Star Act is going south
DFL lawmakers are calling to make Minnesota a sanctuary state for immigrants, but support is lacking from both sides of the aisle. Hear from DFL State Senator Grant Hauschild on why he’s not supporting the bill.
St. Paul teachers voted to authorize a strike. Here’s what that means
St. Paul teachers and support staff have voted to authorize a strike. They could set a strike date as soon as next week. As mediation talks continue, here are the basics on where things stand.
New Twin Cities clinics focus on health for women 65 and older
Herself Health launched in 2022 with a vision to offer health care focused mainly on the specific health issues women over 65 face. Their newest clinic opens in south Minneapolis next week.
How to have good conversations across political divides
During what promises to be a divisive election year, MPR News and the nonprofit organization Braver Angels are partnering to bring Minnesotans Talking Sense, an online and in-person platform to help people have hard conversations better.