Social Issues

The fate of an encampment of homeless people in the city of Duluth has become the heart of a community discussion about a growing homelessness problem there.
Whether consciously or not, distracted walkers now assume that it's the responsibility of other pedestrians to make way for them, not the other way around. To nip this development in the bud, one man proposes a "simple, legal, non-aggressive act of resistance," namely, refusing to play along.
Is donning blackface to dress up as a favorite TV character ever OK for Halloween?
As the instances of adoptions, interracial marriages, blended families become more common, how long will it take for our perception that members of a normal family will "look like" each other to catch up with the way American families really look?
Chasing Oil Patch cash (5 x 8 – 10/28/13)
The call of the green in the Oil Patch, do your trust your teenage driver, the stuff people try to sneak onto planes, how 35,000 people comforted a dying man, and more proof that kids are alright.
In the 2009 stimulus, Congress increased the amount of money each household gets in food stamps. The temporary hike was intended to help those affected by the economic downturn. That hike expires Friday, Nov. 1.
5 x 8: Vets marching to prevent suicide
The suicide crisis among vets, drown your town, are you Minnesota enough, students try to revive broadcasting at the U of M, and why locals don't want jobs at ski areas.
Nienstedt denies any clergy sexual abuse cover-up, regrets 'lost confidence'
Archbishop John Nienstedt responds for the first time to reporters' questions since an MPR News investigation forced the archdiocese's response to clergy misconduct into the spotlight. "I accept responsibility for addressing the issues that have been raised," he said.
NJ Gov. Christie drops same-sex marriage appeal
Same-sex couples in a handful of New Jersey communities exchanged marriage vows in the first minutes of Monday, becoming the first to take advantage of a court ruling that forced the state to become the 14th in the nation to recognize same-sex nuptials.
Pot legalization effort moves east to Maine
Voters in Portland are being asked whether they want to make it legal for adults 21 and over to possess - but not purchase or sell - up to 2.5 ounces of pot. The Nov. 5 vote is being eyed nationally as momentum grows in favor of legalizing marijuana use.