Social Issues

The Boy Scouts of America's national executive board began three days of closed meetings Monday that are expected to include a discussion of its policy excluding gay members and leaders, and Scouts on both sides of the debate are publically weighing in.
Living alone in the age of post-familialism
As more Americans are living, family is no longer the central organizing feature of society. What are the implications of this shift?
Photos: Obama in Minneapolis
With the fate of his gun proposals on Capitol Hill uncertain, President Barack Obama is seeking to rally support from the public and law enforcement community for his calls to ban assault weapons and install universal background checks for gun buyers. He's visiting Minneapolis today as part of that campaign.
The Salvation Army is breaking out its red kettles this weekend for a rare post-Christmas donation drive in the Twin Cities.
Years of criticism and even a U.S. Supreme Court challenge couldn't force the Boy Scouts of America to admit openly gay members and leaders. But money talks, and after the defections of major donors, the 103-year-old organization is poised to lift its national ban.
Gun raffles are common in North Dakota, but one aimed at raising money for a youth hockey association is drawing national attention in the wake of the December school shooting in Newtown, Conn.
Can charities fill a void left by government cuts?
At a time when government spending is shrinking, can charities step in to fill the gap? Are charities more effective than government?
Boy Scouts' ban on gay leaders may be over; proposed change offered
Facing diverse and ceaseless protests, the Boy Scouts of America is signaling its readiness to end the nationwide exclusion of gays as scouts or leaders and give the sponsors of local troops the freedom to decide the matter for themselves.